One of my goals for 2021 is to get outside more and do some hiking. I used to really enjoy hiking, but in the last few years, I’ve become something of a cave creature. It’s time to change that. Movement is good. A dose of sunlight every now and then is healthy, so I’ve been told.
At any rate, this weekend we met up with our friends Liz and Anthony for a low-key hike at Manassas National Battlefield Park. I’m a little embarrassed to say I’d never visited the battlefield in Manassas before Sunday. It was Liz’s choice. She and Anthony can always be counted on to join outdoor adventures and find the best hiking spots.
Here we are, back in 2016 in Alaska, after rowing out to the Mendenhall Glacier.
It’s good to have outdoor friends, I think.
Since Graham and I are pretty out of shape, we opted for an easy hike on the First Manassas Trail. Or, it would have been easy. See, we didn’t anticipate that the trail would be an ice rink.
We didn’t bring our trekking poles or our ice cleats. But with some caution and some borrowed gear from our friends, we did pretty okay.
Over the course of the five-mile loop, there are lots of historic sites and markers.
It’s a pretty good combination of field and forest, with a river and some wetlands.
It’s a really lovely trail, honestly.
And there aren’t any super steep hills. Until the very end, anyway.
I confess that by the last mile, I was ready to be done. My hips were killing me and my knees were pretty sore, but I made it to the end. Fast forward to today, and I’m hobbling around the house and muttering “ow” every third word. But, I have no regrets.
And there are more hikes in my future.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
Way to get out and do it! I love hiking so much. It saved my life years ago by getting me back into shape both physically and mentally. It feels so good to be outdoors and exploring. Good for you, seriously!🤗👏
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Thank you! I’m feeling very accomplished. 🙂 Very sore, but very proud. I love hiking, too, and I don’t know why I haven’t done more of it. This year, that changes for good.
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You should feel accomplished. It’s definitely a good thing. That’s the spirit! 💪
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So pretty! I’d love to go for a hike/trek somewhere to a picturesque place and be lost in nature.
Love your goal to go out more and do more hikes. I want to do some hikes too, hopefully soon!
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I hope you do! I was sore all night Sunday night and all day yesterday, but I’m feeling much better today. 🙂 It was worth it. I tend to be an indoor person, but I love being outside and I always forget just how happy it makes me to be out in nature. Definitely looking forward to doing more hiking this year, and I’ll be sure to post pictures after each adventure.
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It is a beautiful trail. I love those fences! I was gaping open mouthed at the first photo until you said it was Alaska. I was thinking that was some serious weather gear for Virginia! Love the icicle photograph!
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Yes – we certainly have some winter weather gear, but nothing quite so robust as that! Alaska was a fun trip, though, made even better by the fact that we went with friends.
The trail was really nice! I can’t believe I’d never been to the battlefield before, especially considering how close it is. I’m planning to go back in the future. We only scratched the surface on everything there is to explore there.
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The trail looks lovely.
Keep up the trekking now that you’ve started again. Little steps!
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Indeed! Small steps can lead to big changes. 🙂
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These pictures are beautiful! Looks like a good time!
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Thanks! It was a lovely day. And I’m less sore today, which is nice. 🙂
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