(no subject)

Finally found the ridge walk I'd been looking for -- the Tonga Ridge / Fisher Lake trail. Actually a pretty easy hike, with a high point of around 4800 feet, but then it started over 4000. Covered with blueberries, everywhere you look. And blue huckleberries as well. (The dwarf low bush blueberries, though tiny, were the best -- almost unreal in their sweetness.)

It was also a good equiptment day. Brought along my Arcteryx pack, which I haven't worn enough because I'm so fond of my lumbar pack. Finally realized that half of the appeal of the lumbar pack is I like the easy water access, to set up of the Arcteryx with a bottle holder, and all is well. I even weighted it down with a ton of books and stuff I didn't need, just to see how it would handle. I'm quite pleased. (Though it was a little bit of a shock on muscles that had just been put through the wringer the day before.)

It wasn't my best hike for solitude... I was alone most of the day, but suffering from a noisy head. Not really in a bad way, but I was more inward focused that I usually am for a hike like this. But it was still so perfect -- tromp along the ridge, with drops and views to either side. A nice hot sun, and a nice cool breeze. Everything fruiting. Meadows surrounded by hills that look like crazy quilts of green, gold and red. Birds that might have been pheasants. (I gotta get a decent bird guide. Cool birds, anyway.) Stopped for lunch at Sawyer Pass and ended up chatting with a couple of recent retirees about the horror that is the stock market.

I really should lead a hike up there... Having trouble getting excited about hiking in groups right now, though.

Ow.

Having the worst joint flare up I've had in a few weeks. Made it through my classes, but I could only barely walk down the stairs afterwards (we've moved the taiji classes back to the I-dist, so it's up two flights of stairs). Made it up the stairs at home to my office largely by using my hands a lot. I should probably figure out what's going on with this...

Of course, I pushed myself pretty hard the last couple of days (and hiked in running shoes yesterday, which puts more strain on my ankles and knees). And then I woke up at 5am with horrible stomach cramps and couldn't get back to sleep, so I'm tired, and still probably fighting off the sinus infection. So lots of possibilities for triggers. Or maybe it was the humidity. Or barometric pressure. Or whatever.

Definately taking the higher dose of muscle relaxants. And glucosamine. Sometimes when I have a day like this, I wake up the next morning and everything is fine. Considering tomorrow is wushu and bagua, this would be a very good time to have that happen. I probably would have played hookey today, but it's the second last week of the quarter, and I haven't missed a single class. This might be my only shot at perfect attendance ;-)

(Though come to think of it, last quarter I only missed one day.)