Well, I did it. I went on my first hike!
I chose a short trail in the Henderson Heritage Preserve, a nature preserve for pine & oak trees with wetland areas plus shaded walking paths. Per Alltrails (an app), there are 3 hiking trails among its 417 acres. One is a 0.9 mile loop and is the shortest trail, so that was the one I chose for my maiden trip.
I found the entrance and started hiking. Initially the hike was down a broad fire road. After about 15 minutes I came to a divergence. I could take the trail either to the left or right. Well, I chose the right and it proceeded to become a path which led downhill to a stream. There was a well-made bridge crossing an active stream and the trail continued on the other side as evidenced by the trail marker….so I kept going. And it became more of a path…like an animal trail.
After awhile, I realized that I had not seen a trail marker for quite some time and began to wonder if I had somehow gotten off the trail, but I kept going. Although I was nervous, the sun was still shining through the trees, and I knew it was only early afternoon.
Finally the path that I was on dead-ended on a wider trail, so I took that to the left and kept going. I found some wonderful sand cliffs. I saw deer, dog and large cat tracks in the sand. And, I eventually found the trail again.
Then I lost it again. I was on and off the hiking trail and a nature trail for another 30 minutes or so. By this time I was feeling the need to be done with the hike and sure that I was lost. My initial trail was supposed to be short and a loop. I had been hiking for over an hour and still not back at my car. The trail that I was on at that time was marked Hiking Trail and went close to some houses, so I bushwhacked out and sought help.
It turns out that I had walked across the preserve and was miles from where I entered. A nice man gave me a ride to my car.
I was bushed when I got home with sore hips, legs and feet. However, I have recovered.
I was discouraged but posted on 52 Hike Challenge page and was relieved to find out that I wasn’t the only one who had gotten lost on her first hike. In fact lots of responses were encouraging.
Still I came away from this first attempt with a feeling of accomplishment. I did it…by myself. And, I didn’t panic. I used my reason to find a solution. I had no injuries. Not even a blister. All I had was a tired body and sore feet. And, those results only took a day of rest to recover. And, I had fun. And, got some very good pictures to show.
Yep…I will do it again. In fact, next weekend I will be hiking a 3 mile trail with a friend in a local state park.
