The tops of mountains...

I went on an awesome journey this weekend. I realize as I write that how very inadequate my words are. I throw out the words 'awesome' and 'amazing' all the time as though everything I do and every day I live is somehow the greatest thing EVER and everyone else is just getting by while I have a grand, adventurous life. 

Truth? My sudden decision to move to New England seemed quick and wild and daring to many people... But it was something I had been praying about for a long long time. It just came together fast. Living in Massachusetts gives me opportunities to climb big mountains and experience crazy new things in the city... But it's not always easy and fun and sometimes I am frustrated and angry with myself. My life isn't all adventures and excitement... But I NEVER fall asleep at night without remembering why I am so very blessed and thankful for the opportunities I have. 

I say those things because they are TRUE, but also because I am now going to tell you about my ridiculous weekend! Lucky you!

Original plan: drive to New Hampshire (like 2 1/2 hours) and hike the Pemi Loop (I THINK that is what it is called!). This would be about 32 miles over about 10 4,000 ft peaks from Saturday afternoon until Monday afternoon.

The reality: It was COLD, those mountains are HIGH, and my legs aren't used to lugging me and my big old pack up mountains anymore. Sure we climbed Mt. Moosilauke a few weeks ago but that was with a single daypack between us and 3.5 miles up and then 3.5 down to a warm car and rest for the feets. This weekend? 20+ pound pack (I really don't know, that's a guess...) and 3 days. MY FAVE!! Seriously.

So, cloudy summits day one and tough climbs to the ridge, stealth camp at something like 3500 ft meant COLD winds all night, BUT a BEAUTIFUL (but cold and windy) day across the Franconia Ridge and AMAZING views that I didn't get to see when I passed thru on the AT last time. Then? Sitting atop Mt. Garfield and deciding to head into the valley rather than over 4 more mountains. 

Was it what we planned? Nope. It was better in some ways! And those mountains have apparently been there a while and aren't going anywhere so I'll go back sometime. :) in the end, 25 miles, 6 4000 ft peaks, a little less than 48 hours... and no blisters! Success!!

A great adventure... New adventures coming soon. I am blessed. 

Oh, and here's the view from the Franconia Ridge!

Cities, mountains, walking in cities and mountains...

This is my life these days. True.

I haven't bought gas in 2 weeks... Since the New York Turnpike. Weird. Partially because I have had a very nice chauffeur (not a REAL one!!), mostly because I just walk everywhere. Weird, but true. I am learning to be a city girl!

Last weekend I got to return to two of my very favorite parts of the AT.  It's funny sometimes because it has been so long since the trail that it often seems like it is all one big experience and the little parts kind of blur together.  Last weekend though I got to return to two great places that were part of my journey... 

First, from Friday to Monday we spent the weekend in New Hampshire at Matt and Erica's lake house.  PERFECT.  Two years ago last  weekend I spent a few days at their house when they picked us up from the trail and treated us to a great weekend.  This year my summer was crazy and busy and the last few weeks have been kind of overwhelming at times so it was nice to have some down time... no expectations, little thought about the future... just some peace. 

Then on Monday before heading back to Lowell we climbed one of my favorite mountains.  

Mt. Moosilauke.  

OK, not really one of my favorite mountains but I do remember being REALLY excited to climb it on the AT because it is BIG (4,800 ft) to an Ohio corn fields girl, and beautiful and it made me feel like I had accomplished something BIG.  Last Monday was the same.

Last time I was there it looked like this...

This time?  This time it looked more like this....

OK, that is not really the summit of Moosilauke and I didn't take it yesterday, but you get the idea!  It was SUPER foggy and somewhat rainy... but I am so glad we climbed anyway, because it was a great day.

Last time Moosilauke kicked my butt on the way down.  BAD.  This time was lots easier (probably because I wasn't carrying an extra 30 pounds on my back!)... I knew what to expect, but my legs were still sore... some things never change!

Big mountains will (hopefully) never stop being amazing to me.  

I do love a good climb up a mountain. This coming weekend the plan is to do the Franconia Ridge in the Whites. SUPER EXCITED to put my pack on again. It's likely to be an interesting trek... We'll see!!

So... It's city life for this girl for now with bits of mountains and wilderness mixed in. I'm excited about life, what the coming days and weeks will hold. I'm just simple old me... Living a strange and different life, and feeling so amazingly blessed to get to do it.  Truly truly blessed. Transitions aren't always easy and I know this one won't be the exception to that, but I am so happy to have made a decision and followed my heart, wherever the path leads.

Blessed.

PS. I moved to Lowell, Massachusetts. 

I think I forgot to mention that along the way! Yay! Eeek! Yay!!