Hike with Tim on the Appalachian Trail didn't exactly work out as planned

Our plans for an overnight hike  Tom Faranda's Folly: Off with Tim for a hike on the Appalachian Trail turned instead into a day hike on Sunday.

We started out late, so I had already shortened the walk, but Tim was just uncomfortable about the whole thing. Joe had opted out of going ten days earlier, and I think that raised all sorts of questions in Tim's mind ("On my own in the woods with just Dad? In the dark?").

As soon as we set off Tim started to complain, and after about 45 minutes I realized that if we persisted in the plan, he might very well be put off about doing any hiking in the future. So I made an Executive Decision and called Brigid to arrange for a pick-up when we'd reach the four and a quarter miles mark. (Of course Brigid didn't have her cell phone turned on; but that's material for another posting.)

As soon as Tim realized we were cutting the hike short, he perked up and felt much better.

It was actually a pretty good walk, through the Pawling Nature Reserve and then out onto a farm. It ended at Rte 22, a few yards from the official Harlem Line train stop of "Appalachian Trail" (It only stops on weekends and holidays). And we ran into a number of other hikers - some of whom were headed to the Pioneer Shelter area, where I'd planned on our overnighting.

Here we are as we set out from a lot in the Nature Reserve - the Appalachian Trail runs through the Reserve.

And here is Tim in the woods, looking remarkably like what I think a Hobbit looks like!

After about three and a half miles in the woods, the A.T. lets out into a farm field with the trail skirting the field. A wooden water tower just visible in the background at the second line of trees is a well-known landmark. Tim insisted I hold his walking stick as he took my picture - said it looked more realistic...

The end - Brigid arrives complete with a quarter watermelon, which didn't last long!

On the way home Brigid caught Tim reflected in the side view mirror - looking at himself in the mirror

then he caught on to her!

It was a smart move cutting the hike short. Tim started talking the next day about going back and finishing the hike - a good sign.

Comments

[Maria Abonnel]

Good move on your part cutting the hike short. I hope Tim keeps up being interested in hiking - good luck. Maybe shorties are better to start with. For fall colors the walk Brigid and I took once in the Audubon Preserve near the A&P should be great (and short).