Ok...let me just start by saying that I have absolutely no business being in the woods/forest whatever you want to call it. I'm the type of person when faced with a physical challenge actually thinks she is 50lbs lighter and 20 years younger. So, basically, I'm an idiot out to prove how much of an idiot I really am.
That being said...
I decided it would be so much "fun" to go into the Oconee State Park and hike a trail today. I went online and found a relatively modest trail. It was a mere 2.7 miles to The Hidden Falls. The hike it said was "Moderate". Well, I didn't want "Easy" and I sure as heck didn't want "Strenuous." We--Albert and I--had decided we would bring Wyatt along. Wyatt loves the outdoors and it would be a treat all the way around.
We pack up head to WalMart for some snack stuff and water. Lunchables, chips, peaches and water in my trusty knapsack and we were off!!
We got there about 2pm. No big deal. It would take about an hour and a half to get to the falls, take some pics along the way, stop for our snack and then head back. All in all, getting us back to our car around 5-5:30. Perfect!!
It started out quite lovely. It was a great little walk. Albert had Wyatt because Wyatt was trying to run after every sound in the forest. We got about 30-45 minutes in when I was holding Wyatt so Albert could take a pic. Wyatt got very still, ears perked, tail straight. Then he JUMPED and just about took me with him. He started to chase a deer that had come a little to close to the trail. Albert asked if he should let Wyatt off his leash and I said ok.
Why, oh, why did I say ok?? We all know Wyatt has a difficult time obeying when he really wants to do something. And we all know he jumps before he looks or thinks. But, even with all that, I still said ok.
So....
Wyatt is loose. He charges through the woods after the deer or whatever else he thought was down the little hill. Albert and I continue to walk along the trail thinking that he'll come back. So, we walked and we walked. No Wyatt!! So, we turn around and walk back to the spot we "lost" him. Both Albert and I were yelling his name to no avail.
Another 30 minutes go by as we walk and yell his name. Nothing. I'm starting to get worried. What if he jumped and fell into a hole? What if he was running and then spotted a snake and not knowing any better got too close and got bit? What if he was running and he accidentally stepped in a hole and broke his leg? Then it turned to...I am such a bad mother. What kind of mother lets her baby off his leash knowing he'll run wild? How can you say you love Wyatt and then allow this to happen. Yeah...it wasn't pretty. I said a little prayer...Dear Heavenly Father, I know I shouldn't ask but help me find Wyatt and get through this. Cherie just lost her baby and I can't imagine losing mine right now. Thank you and please bless Cherie!
I got pretty low. Albert could tell I was doing pretty badly. He decided to stay and look for Wyatt and I would hike back to the car and go down to the Ranger Station and ask for help. I walked away and started crying. Albert told me later that as I walked away with my head bowed and my shoulders hunched, I looked like a bully had just taken all my candy on Halloween. (lol...yeah, it's funny now-not so much right then.)
So, I'm heading back to the car. It's about 30-45 minutes away. I've got all kinds of crazy thoughts in my head. I mean, will the Park Rangers, really do a search for a dog? Maybe I can pay them to do it. Can they use heat sensors? But if they did would they be able to distinguish Wyatt from a wolf?? What if we don't find him tonight? Would he try to find his way back to the hotel? Would he even be able to find it? We've only been there a week. I mean, Wyatt is smart, but not THAT smart. Yeah...me and my thought processes!!
I walk the last 10 yards to the car and there's Wyatt. SITTING BY THE CAR!!
I didn't know whether or not to be relieved or to be mad. I ended up petting his head and telling him what a smart dog he was!!
I call Albert and let him know. End of story....yeah, not so much!!
Albert says...OK, I'll wait for you here!! It's almost 5pm at this point. And I start back down the trail with Wyatt. He's not on his leash because Albert has it. Why?? Because it NEVER crossed our minds that Wyatt would go back to the beginning!! But Wyatt did really well, he only strayed a few times but came right back. I think he originally thought we left him and he wasn't going to take the chance that we would really leave him the 2nd time around.
We finally get to the Falls, take some pics and then start back. It's a little after 6 now and it's gonna take us at least an hour and a half to get back. Which isn't all that bad except for the fact that it starts getting dark around 7-7:30. Which really isn't bad when you are on the open road but when you're in the middle of a forest and the trees do a darn good job of providing shade from the sun, it's not so great.
A bulk of the hike back is uphill. No bueno!!
It's almost 7 and I'm hurting. I'm doing everything I can to keep my mind off the fact that I am beginning to live my worst nightmare--walking in the woods after the sun goes down!! Albert is not helping the situation any by constantly saying...Can I scare you now, Peanut?
Here are some of my thoughts:
Man, I really should have bought a flashlight at WalMart.
I hate weak ankles.
Oh wait...is that a snake? Whew, it's only a root.
I really got be careful. Those roots are gonna trip me up.
All I need is to fall down. I'll go down and start crying and Albert will get mad, then I'll start crying hysterically telling him to just leave there alone to die. I don't care.
What was that?
A bear. Well, I've heard that bears are just as scared of us as we are of them. Keeping making noise. Campos, your sniffling isn't gonna scare a bear away. Wait...it's fall. Shouldn't the bears be further in the woods hibernating? Yeah, so I don't have to worry about it charging and sacrificing myself so that Albert and Wyatt can get away. Whew!!
Man, I'm old. Everything hurts-my ankles, my knees, my calves, my hips, my shoulders, my neck. This whole looking down the whole time is not doing my osteoarthritis in my neck any good. Wow, I can barely see the trail.
Wait...Where's Albert and Wyatt? I don't see Albert's white towel anymore. Oh, thank God, he's right there. Is he peeing?? UGH...what a guy!!
Michelle, you need to speed it up. We're still a good 20 minutes away and you can't see squat. No bueno!
My feet really hurt. Damn these tennis shoes. I should have worn the other ones. No, they would have just gotten dirty. My toes really hurt. I wish my toes weren't so plump at the tips then they wouldn't squish each other when I walk for long periods of time and hurt. I wonder if they sell toe separator thingys at WalMart. Maybe I should invent them. That would take time, money and ingenuity--all of which I lack.
Then I hear...Peanut, you gotta hurry up! I can't see anything!
Crap...it sure got dark fast.
A few minutes later...The Trailhead!! Thank you Jesus!!
All in all, I think I walked about 7 miles today. It would have only been 5.4 miles if Wyatt hadn't got lost!! I can't say it was fun but it sure was interesting.
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