Well, that was embarrassing

Foursome at the trailhead

Boy, did I ever make a mistake today. On a rainy and windy day, our leader Persis (in the blue above) took the four of us out to Stimpson Nature Reserve for a gentle almost five-mile walk around the Reserve. I've done this hike many times before, but today will be one I will never forget.

As you might remember, just three weeks ago, I took a bad spill on the ice and have  been recovering ever since. I did my first yoga class yesterday without any hiccups, so today I figured I would be able to do this rather gentle (and not too long) hike today. I was so wrong. Although there was a little initial discomfort in my back, it was miniscule and gave me false hope that I would be able to do it. 

Geneva Pond

I'm pretty sure that those of you reading this might know what occurred by the time we got to the pond, a little less than halfway around the shorter loop. (There are two loops, one harder and longer and one easier. We did them both.) Not long after I took this picture, I began to feel quite a bit of discomfort in my back, and I took some Advil. One of the women suggested that she and I return without making the longer loop, but I said I would be just fine. One of my least attractive qualities is denial. I wanted to be better so bad that I made these three women suffer along with me.

Corrine and Sue on the trail

Other than continuing to be drippy, the wind had died down and the only sound as we made our way back to the starting point was me, yelling in pain and downing lots of pills, hoping for some respite. They slowed down with me, but eventually I was lying in the wet moss on the side of the trail and crying, wanting the pain to let up. Somehow I managed to make it back to the trailhead, with the help of all these women. We took twice to three times longer than we should have, but what could they do? They couldn't very well carry me (though I pleaded for them to try), and now I am home, sitting in my recliner and feeling little pain, but it still hurts when I try to stand.

I know that many of you might have predicted this outcome, but I didn't want to believe I was still on the injured list. I am embarrassed that I ruined a perfectly good outing for them, and that I continue to make these unfortunate decisions. You can bet that I will be making some different choices in the future. Kudos to my dear helpers who didn't leave me behind, although I'll bet they did think about it.

:-)

Two weeks already

Samish Overlook, February 2024

Yes I am getting better, but I am not a good patient, because I have very little patience! Okay, I tell myself, I did the injury bit, but for heaven's sake, can I get back to visiting these places again soon? I love the clouds in this picture, and went back in my archives to remind myself what I was doing a year ago. And I am hoping that a year from today, I will have more wonderful scenes like this, taken with my trusty phone and plastered on my blog. It makes me happy to see this today, even if it's a memory and not current. Today there are two groups of Senior Trailblazers in the mountains somewhere, enjoying mild weather and hopefully having a good time. I would be, if I could go back in time and do something different two weeks ago than traumatize my back.

Yesterday, for the first time since the injury, I walked to the bus stop and back, about a mile and a half. It was fairly easy, but I sure didn't walk as fast as I usually do, and I am unwilling to give my morning exercises another try just yet. It hurts terribly when I sneeze, but every day there are fewer instances of painful moments.

I should remind myself that I am once again ambulatory and could get in the car and drive to the grocery store, or somewhere else that I travel often. That means I am no longer confined to my bed, which should make me happy, but I am so spoiled, being usually able to do whatever I want during the day. But I am trying hard to look for the bright spots, working to keep my spirits up and keeping myself moving as best I can. Baby steps, still, but coming along. Hope you are staying safe, warm, and dry!

:-) 

Laid up on injured list

Joe the leader posted this shot today

Not much to say today, just slowly getting better after taking a hard fall on the ice last week. I am finally able to get up out of bed, but I still cannot do my usual morning exercises without serious pain, and I don't know what I would have done without my sweet support staff (you know, my hubby), who has been helping me out of bed each night to take a visit to the bathroom, and then covering me up again and tucking me back in bed afterwards. I fell on the ice last Wednesday morning, so it's almost been a week, and each day has seen some progress. I've weaned myself off the drugs of everything except an occasional Advil. The trip to the ER was my outing for the week.

Eight people went up today Lookout Mountain and captured this lovely picture of our snowy and extremely cold weather. Last night we were in the teens and even after a full day of sunshine (as you can see from Joe's picture), it has barely reached the freezing level. Hard to remember another time like this.

But I am getting better every day and hope to return to activity soon. I think if I had to, I could walk to the bus stop by now, but I am not tempted to go out in this extreme weather and possibly hurt myself again. I tell myself to take baby steps and most of the time, I listen.

:-)

No hike today

Hoypus Hill 2017

I've done the hike we were scheduled to do today many times. It's in the Anacortes area, and has many wonderful old growth trees and a good visit to a local spit of land that is a great place for lunch, if the weather is good. Today it would have been cold but sunny. However, getting to the Senior Center this morning was NOT a good idea. Yesterday, the Senior Center was closed, and today it opened two hours late. The temperature was 21°F with wind chill making it seem like 10 below! And since it snowed overnight, getting out on the road seemed rather treacherous. Both of our hikes were canceled, this one, and the one for a local walk-around town. They were both bitingly cold and looking to be less than fun.

I, however, bundled myself up in the dark and headed for the bus, a half-mile walk. At that time, I didn't know whether we would be hiking in the Anacortes area or not, but by the time I got the notice about the delayed opening, our leader had sent around an email canceling the hike. 

I thought perhaps if the hike was canceled, I might take a trip to Fairhaven on the Boulevard Park path, but by the time I reached the co-op, I realized I didn't want to try to walk any farther, as the streets were slippery, even for walking, so I turned around and went to catch the next bus home.

It was cold, but with long johns, bundled up like a teddy bear, I was comfortable. If the sidewalks had been slippery, it would have been very scary, but it was cold enough that the snow was packed and easy to navigate. But I won't make my usual Tuesday step quota. I'm learning to let go of these milestones as I age, being more concerned with staying accident free and ready to go on the next outing. 

One of the Thursday hikes has been modified to be an around-town jaunt, and I might decide to take off from my usual volunteer work and do that one. I am not sure whether I will or not, but I sure do miss seeing my old friends in the Thursday groups, so it might be a good thing to do. In any event, I will enjoy the day, and tomorrow I get a yoga class that I truly enjoy. Feeling pretty good right now!

:-)