September 19, 2010.

3 mi | 200’ ele. gain | 1.5 hrs.

Good friends meet you where you are.

Still in recovery mode after my foot injury, my friends accompanied me on a casual stroll around a new state park. The trail system was under construction so we were limited in our explorations. It was damp and cool, a classic fall morning.

We ambled under the maple trees and through open meadows. There were nice views of the surrounding valleys from the open clearings. Along the way, we saw newts and birds.

Walking slowly, for short distances, is not exactly my favorite mode of recreation. However, there can be lots of advantages to taking it easy. It’s an opportunity to notice the little things. It’s a way to spend time with friends that doesn’t involve sitting around and drinking (although that’s fun too).

Perhaps it would be interesting to spend more time at Stub Stewart State Park once it is more well-established. It’s close to Portland, relatively quiet and beautiful. There’s a lot of potential here. I’m still on track for climbing South Sister next month, which is both exciting and terrifying. Only time will tell if this heel will heal up well enough for me to get back to climbing mountains.