Today the Maryland Trail Dames did a short day hike in Gambrill State Park. It was previously scheduled for last week but a big rain storm canceled that so I rescheduled it for today. Not so many could come but nonetheless we had such a wonderful day. Gambrill State Park is very close to our house. We are very fortunate. I'm sorry for the blurry spot on the pics. Apparently I need to clean the lens.
The hike was meant to be 7.9 miles but a wrong turn (well...we were chatting and laughing and hiking....and I (yes, I take full responsibility) missed a turn, so we did a 6 mile hike. Truth be told, no one was terribly disappointed. Before we had set off, while gathered in the parking lot, it seems that we'd all had some very stressful days and sleepless nights for a variety of reasons. We all agreed that we didn't just want to do this hike, we needed to do this hike. We were all stretched taut, twisted hard and tight, and like a string on a violin, we needed this hike to loosen the tension before we snapped. It worked. It always does.
The weather simply could not have been better. After yesterday's windy cold spell, today was glorious. It was still, warm, clear. We've lived in 10 states and 2 other countries and in none of those places is the air as clean and clear and sweet as it is here. In spite of the heavy rains we've had, the ground and trail bed were well drained. The air was sweet scented with pine needles, new leaves, watered soil. We had decided at the start that we were in no hurry....a pace of 1 1/2 - 2 miles per hour was enough. We passed wild mountain azaleas in full bloom, dogwood still adorned in floating white blossoms, newly sprouted ferns so green they are almost painful to look upon, and mountain laurels exploding with new growth and the promise of showers of pink and white blossoms in another month. There were tiny exquisite bright purple wild violets. Our Spring may come a little later than in milder climates, but it lasts longer and is an heavenly joy to behold. When it turns green here it stays green well into Fall.
We found a spread of flat rocks and sat down for lunch. It was at least 70 degrees, sunny, still, so beautiful. We moved on and in 3 1/2 hours we completed the 6 miles. We had taken short breaks to just catch our breath, drink water, chat. When we returned to the Middletown Valley Overlook, where we had set out from, we took some time to just soak in the views and take more photos. Then we all turned to one another and in almost the same breath said "We live in such a beautiful place." Yes, we do. We are well and truly blessed to be here. And ladies, you are the best.
Linda, aka Mrs. Baggins
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