Heading off to Amicalola Falls, we looked like any other happy couple on their way to an enjoyable day of hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Our attire of shorts and t-shirts, hiking boots, and shades gave us the unmistakable air of authenticity, and our smiles showed our delight in each other’s company (as usual). Ahhh… but wait… yes, the same path, but our strategies – now that’s a little different story…I have a tendency to approach such an adventure in a loose style. As long as I have chapstick in hand and have had a chance to visit the “facilities” before beginning the hike, I’m good to go. I don’t think about maps because I assume that the trails are marked; and if not, plan B is to follow the person ahead of me. I think it’s a good tactic.
And then, there’s H’s approach – a little more organized and focused:
The Plan:
An eight-mile hike past the Falls to the start of the Appalachian trail!
Equipment:
iPod with built-in pedometer; iPhone (for emergency calls) with various outdoorsy applications: compass, altimeter, Google Earth, email, and the New York Times (to peruse while I snap flower pictures).
Restrooms:
As we’ve grown older, our range of travel is dictated by the distance between acceptable restrooms. H has never stepped into a port-a-potty in his life and wants to keep it that way. (His newest iPhone application, Sit or Squat, locates and rates nearby restrooms.)
Snacks:
The number of food items in our pockets directly corresponds to the length of travel. (Reach a goal? Have a treat! P the cat would wholeheartedly agree.) Today’s supplies -- water, banana, Weight Watchers brownie, nuts, M & M’s, and a foot-long Tootsie Roll – should tide us over ‘til our after-hike treat.
Actual Execution:
In fact, the hike was a bit more strenuous than we had anticipated, but not to worry – our shortened one-mile journey got us to a charming coffee shop much sooner than expected. All in all, it was a great day!
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