What a day.
It started out so gray-skied and I felt gray-souled, just not up to life, really. I plodded through the first part of it, doing a whole lot of nothing but I did pick camellias and will you look at those? I've never seen the camellias bloom so profusely.
I think it's probably due to the removal of the Bradford pear trees which affords the plants far more sunshine. The shrubs were covered with blooms before the freeze but I was almost certain they'd all just drop off after it warmed back up. As I said before, you can see freeze damage on some of the blossoms but not all.
After I ate my late lunch I drove down to the St. Marks trail head to take what I thought would be a little walk. I was having to sternly lecture myself about walking at least as far as I'd walked last week which was a little over two and a half miles but I really wasn't feeling it.
And then, because I am stupid, I decided to take a different path just to mix things up but I kept coming to places like this.
And then, because I am stupid, I decided to take a different path just to mix things up but I kept coming to places like this.
And this.
So I'd turn around and backtrack and I got back on the trail I usually take but then I decided to go ahead and take it further than I had before, making sure to keep track of where I was going with the use of the map of the trails I had on my phone even though I knew they were not accurate but how bad could they be?
Well, pretty bad. Also, many of those paths had water blocking them too, causing me to have to deviate. And I am sure you can guess what came next- I got lost.
As lost in the woods as Hansel and Gretel. Lost as the crew and passengers of the Minnow. Lost as the little lamb who lost his way. Lost as Columbus, trying to find a passage to India.
And at first, I was okay. Just...let's stop and try and figure this out. Have I been this way before? It all looks a great deal alike as you can already tell from my pictures. Am I walking in circles? WHY ARE THERE NO TRAIL MARKERS?
Well, pretty bad. Also, many of those paths had water blocking them too, causing me to have to deviate. And I am sure you can guess what came next- I got lost.
As lost in the woods as Hansel and Gretel. Lost as the crew and passengers of the Minnow. Lost as the little lamb who lost his way. Lost as Columbus, trying to find a passage to India.
And at first, I was okay. Just...let's stop and try and figure this out. Have I been this way before? It all looks a great deal alike as you can already tell from my pictures. Am I walking in circles? WHY ARE THERE NO TRAIL MARKERS?
And so forth. But I was determined not to panic.
Guess what? You can't determine not to panic and soon I realized that I was experiencing what might be called a panic attack. My mouth went Sahara dry (and I had no water on me), my heart raced, my mind whirled. I have NO sense of direction to begin with so add in a little pinch of panic and it is even worse.
This sounds a bit overly dramatic but it's exactly what happened and yes, I was probably being overdramatic and I was not in control of the situation at all. Around this point I texted Mr. Moon which was useless because how was he going to find me? And then I figured out, mainly because of a comment I got on a post the other day, that I needed to see if I could find the map of my walk on the app I use to track my milage and I did find it and I could backtrack from there. But even that got tricky because of the tiny cut-offs and cut-throughs that looked like they might be correct but were not. But thank goodness for that brilliant and helpful comment. Ms. A- I LOVE YOU.
A few minutes after I texted Glen, I came to some definite landmarks, and I texted again to tell him I knew where I was and would be fine. I was still a mile from the entrance of the trail head when I figured out where I was and by the time I got back to my car, I had taken a four-mile walk which is definitely not what I'd set out to do.
This sounds a bit overly dramatic but it's exactly what happened and yes, I was probably being overdramatic and I was not in control of the situation at all. Around this point I texted Mr. Moon which was useless because how was he going to find me? And then I figured out, mainly because of a comment I got on a post the other day, that I needed to see if I could find the map of my walk on the app I use to track my milage and I did find it and I could backtrack from there. But even that got tricky because of the tiny cut-offs and cut-throughs that looked like they might be correct but were not. But thank goodness for that brilliant and helpful comment. Ms. A- I LOVE YOU.
A few minutes after I texted Glen, I came to some definite landmarks, and I texted again to tell him I knew where I was and would be fine. I was still a mile from the entrance of the trail head when I figured out where I was and by the time I got back to my car, I had taken a four-mile walk which is definitely not what I'd set out to do.
I probably won't be able to walk at all tomorrow but we'll see.
I'm sure I'll be going back to the trailhead but I am going to make sure I take a right, not a left, when the trail forks near the beginning. I'll leave exploring to some other soul with a better sense of direction than mine.
And hey- guess what? That particular walk did not make me feel any better.
Oh! Here's a picture of some calves hanging out in a field next to the trail.
Thank goodness we're having leftovers tonight. Here's a picture of the salad I made last night which is part of what we'll be eating tonight.
I am so grateful to be home and safe although I seriously doubt I would have perished out there, no matter what my crazy brain was telling me.
Pottery tomorrow.
Love...Ms. Moon
P.S. And who won the Best Rock Album award at the Grammy's last night?
Next time you walk remember to take breadcrumbs or rice grains to leave behind you so you can find your way back!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are not still out there stumbling around in circles. Quite an adventure! At the pottery class you can get lost again as you mould the clay but this time only lost in your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOMG! The thought of being lost in something akin to the everglades would literally do me in! I'm at an age where I like to walk where there are people around...and I'm not crazy about people these days, either! Come to think of it, the everglades might be safer! Still.......So glad you arrived home safe and sound. I would have been more mentally impaired than I am already.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at pottery class.
Paranormal John
Sense of direction is something I lack, too. Even the north star does not help. I felt myself feeling anxious looking at your photos of impassable trails.
ReplyDeleteAnd then you were lost and my heart statted to feel like I had just done something athletic. I used to love getting lost in the woods but no more. I do not enjoy discomfort at all.
THE LADS!!!
That made all our hearts beat a little faster! It's good to be home.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe there are no trail markers. Being lost in the woods is very scary. Walking 4 miles is a long trek. You did well to figure it all out and find your way through the woods.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at pottery tomorrow.
I did not know camellia grew like tall shrubs. I've only had one in a pot and my flowers were tiny nothing like the beautiful blooms you grow.
That is amazing that a commenter saved your life! Well, even though your life wasn't in any actual peril, I just didn't want you to think that you had the market cornered on over dramatics.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that camellias are so beautiful. I never would have believed such a delicate flower was so deceptively hardy, but turns out I was wrong.
I'm glad you are okay.
ReplyDelete911 would have come in for you, you know. Our rescue squad spent a lot of time driving the four wheeler around paths in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to rescue folks. So always remember that.
ReplyDeleteI feel for anyone with zero sense of direction. I can get lost on my own street! That's scary stuff. I walk where there's a straight trail intersected by another, all marked with colored blazes on the trees. Otherwise I'd never make it back. Maybe you should wear a GPS tracker!
ReplyDeleteI too have zero sense of direction and well know that sense of panic. GPS apps were made for the likes of me.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited when I saw the Stones won because I knew you would be excited. I’m impressed that in the midst of your panic some part of your brain was still operating on logic and reason and it guided you out of the woods. Though I have not a doubt in the world Mr Moon would have found you.
ReplyDeleteOf course they won! They're unbeatable!
ReplyDeleteYou went walking without water?? shame on you. I am very glad you managed to find your way back from being lost. The camellias are beautiful. There are camellia bushes all over the hills areas near me and they are so dense with foliage I'm surprised any blooms can be seen, but there they are, and maybe your bushes with become more dense now they get more light.
*will* become more dense...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad you survived. :)
ReplyDeleteI once had to sleep (no sleep was really done) in a trash bag in the Shenandoah Forest feeling little animals touch my shoulders and seeing green eyed animals pass before me. When dawn arrived, I saw I was near the creek and actually not too far from the main road and Visitor's Center. I've often said if I survived that, I can survive anything!
ReplyDeleteDid you have to pee in the woods? That's what I would worry about!!
Glad you're home safe and sound.
Love,
Patricia
Not nice. Glad you found your way back. It has taken me a while to be confident enough to walk on my own in wild areas and I prefer to walk in the suburbs, cemeteries and forests close to home. I truly hate the various apps that track your path or show you a path. I am map reader and want to know where's north before I start and in this day and age I am probably the only person left who walks with an actual paper map and occasionally with a compass. I often get lost.
ReplyDeleteGlad you figured out how to get out of those woods. I wonder if Mr. Moon would be able to track your phone so he could find you. Or if you could use your phone's GPS to show you the way? I will have to remember that when I am out hiking...
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are so lovely. They lift my spirits and I need all the help I can get these days as I have been feeling quite gloomy.
Perhaps you need to take a bag of brightly colored pebbles and leave a trail like Hansel, just don't use bread crumbs. I'm glad you finally got your bearings. One thing about walking around here, i will never get lost.
ReplyDeleteI dreamed last night that my little camellia was putting out three buds. It's not of course but maybe an omen for next year, happy that I dug it up and put it in a pot.
I’m glad you survived your great trek. That would be stressful no matter how determined you might be. But, just think. You walked four frickin’ miles!
ReplyDeleteThat would be frightening -- not here so much, as every mile or two takes you to a well-used road -- but when I see your pictures of the swampy-looking (to my eye) waters, I think of alligators ...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that happened to you. That must have been scary and it's good you had your phone with you. Is it the St. Marks historic railroad trail that you were walking on? I guess on the bright side, you had a good workout:)
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are gorgeous. I bought some seeds today, zinnia sees, dianthus, and carrots. I gives me hope on a cold winter day.
That is truly scary! I should have walked this morning, as the "wind is howling and sky is brooding" excuse is gone and all I am left with is the darned "I feel too lazy" excuse which doesn't hold as much water.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are ok and I could help from afar xxalainaxx
ReplyDelete