Remembering Where I'm From and Watching Fireworks

What a busy and exciting week! I decided for the first time in three years to return to the Smoky Mountains for some hiking. It hasn't exactly been three years since I went hiking, but it has been three years since I had been to the Smokies. It was nice to be back on the trails I had hiked many times before, as well as to try a few that I had never set foot on before. I had a couple of unusual things happen during a particular long and treacherous hike. At about mile 6, my phone rang. What makes this unusual is that I hadn't had much of a signal most of the time we had been in the mountains. In a strange turn of events, it was a newspaper editor calling about my job at the university…he wanted to know if the university would be open the next day because of a forecasted tropical storm approaching the area. I explained I had no idea and that I was in the mountains. What I can't quite figure out about it, is how I was able to receive a call in the middle of a forested trail in the mountains. I hadn't been able to  get a signal during most of the trip and, now, in the middle of a hike, I was able to get a call. Then, about a mile later, my right hiking boot feels odd so I stop to check it out. Thinking I had a rock caught in the tread of my shoe, I expected to dislodge the rock and keep on; that is, until I realize that the tread of my boot had come detached from most of the shoe except the toe. I just shook my head. What is most odd about all of this is that, for the first time, I had packed my trail running shoes in my backpack. I'm not sure why I did it, but I was incredibly happy that I had. Once I changed into the trail runners, I realized how heavy my hiking boots were, and how light the trail runners are. I was light on my feet and almost immediately decided that the next pair of trail shoes I would get, would not be high boots, but a lighter weight, lower cut hiking shoe. The hike became much easier with the lighter shoes, which is a good thing since the trail we were on turned into a a difficult one with multiple downed trees, high weeds, lots of stinging nettle and a little poison ivy. All of those on the hike made it through even though we were crawling, climbing and high-stepping through the trail. In the end, it would go down as one of the all-time best 10-mile hikes I had ever been on, with just enough intrigue to keep me on my toes.

I returned to Texas on that Thursday (6/18)…after the storm had passed. I had already decided that

I paddled out at 37th and had fun!

Friday would be a surf day and, fortunately, there were a few waves. They definitely were not as big or well-formed as they had been just before the Tropical Storm was about to come through. But, at least there were waves. I traveled to 37th, paddled out about 150 feet to the east of the jetty and, almost immediately, began to catch waves. Needless to say, it was a great ending to the week. I even rode earlier that morning, which meant that during the week, I had already hiked, biked and surfed. I was having a stellar week. And, a fun one. I ran on Saturday morning before going to my family's church to help with their rummage sale. My mother had requested my assistance some time ago, but I had forgotten about the sale. Since it had been scheduled at three other times and then canceled because of rain, when she called me on Tuesday of the week before, I knew that there was no way for me to get out of it. And, I'm glad I didn't. It turned into a beautiful day at the church in which I grew up…the church in which I was confirmed. I saw people I hadn't seen in a long time as well as met new people. I watched my mom compassionately lower prices on clothing priced at a quarter for people who didn't have a spare 25 cents. It was a humbling, yet wonderful experience. And it was good to be with my kind and loving mom.

Later that evening, I did something else fun. Let me backtrack a little. A couple of weeks ago while surfing social media, I found a link to a night-time SUP tour in Galveston. I couldn't resist. I signed up immediately and persuaded a friend she needed to go also. What a fun evening! We met with the tour leader at the Offatts Bayou parking lot on 61st Street. They brought us 11'2" SUPs and we launched from the boat ramp. we paddled to Moody Gardens and waited for the weekly fireworks display to begin at 9:30ish. Saturday evening was beautiful and when it came time for the fireworks, we locked our SUPs together by putting one end on top of the end of another. Then we each leaned back and watched the fireworks, which appeared to be right overhead. I never saw fireworks so close. It was as if the show was just for us. We then paddled back to the boat dock to unload. The only scary part was making sure that the boats passing by could either see us or hear us. I would probably buy a waterproof headlamp for the next time…and I definitely plan for a next time. I'm hoping to do it again another night this summer. Until then, I can just close my eyes and relive the bright and beautiful lights as I remember them.

SUPing at night, racing and a little surfing

Another Sunday night and I'm bushed! I generally have a busy schedule, but lately my schedule has been unusually crazy. Last weekend, I went to Vegas to be a part of my nephew's wedding. It was a great family outing, and I sure hope they have a lifetime of happiness. I had been hoping to do a little SUIPing in Lake Mead, but alas, I ran out of time. Since writing on my blog a couple of weeks ago, I've had a wonderful couple of surf and SUP sessions though. 

The week before leaving for Vegas was a crazy one, as they usually are the week before a trip. The Sunday before the trip, though, I found some time to go surfing. A cool front had come through and even though it was a little gray, I  took Petal and headed to Galveston. I hadn't been out on the 9'6" board in awhile, and I had a chance to rediscover why I love that board. I went to the 37th Street jetty and had a blast. I was only out a short while, but I caught multiple waves.  Today, I  took my 9' Softop and went out at the 43rd. I chose the west side of the jetty because of the way the wind was blowing. Only one other guy was out, and he had been there a short while. He told me that he thought we might have been the only surfers finding waves. However, I had already seen several at 37th and a couple at 25th, so I knew that surfers were out down the beach. The afternoon was beautiful, and although I would have probably surfed better using Petal, I needed the Softop today because of a luncheon that would have my board sitting outside in the sun for a longer period of time. Sometimes, I just prefer using the Softop on days like this. The air temp was warm, but the water was cool…the intrusive hint of fall. I dread needing a wetsuit soon. 

I've also been SUPing a little more. A couple of weeks ago, one breezy weeknight, I loaded Penelope

I had a ball SUPing in the moonlight!

(my SUP) and met up with an SUP group in Galveston. The sun was on the verge of setting, and I drove down after a busy day at work. The group met at a parking lot on 61st Street on the side of Offat's Bayou. A friend from work also showed up. We unloaded the boards and dropped them in the water at the end of the boat pier. Just as the sun set, we took off across the water with lights and a required life vest.  The group stayed out about an hour, and I look forward to doing it again sometime soon. The experience was awesome. I met some people active in the SUP community, and learned about some events especially for SUPers that sounded like fun. One, in particular, was a race that took place this weekend (Saturday/yesterday). The race allowed people to register and compete in one of three events: 12' boards, 11'1 boards and an open category. I felt like I had nothing to lose and opted to register for the open event. Since I know so little about SUPing, I had no idea what to expect. Saturday was quite windy, so the course was rough. The route was three miles total, meaning two 1.5-mile loops. Racers lined up at the end of the pier at Moody Gardens' Palm Beach. About 30 racers showed up on various forms and sizes of boards. I could tell the racing boards from the boards like mine. They were long, narrow and thick. They were made for speed and the minute the bell went off, those speedy boards took off. I was pulling up the rear and struggling. The current was as strong as the wind, which was causing small waves to form.  Many people were falling off their boards, and, eventually, I fell; but only once. I noticed many were on their knees at the beginning, and I followed their lead. I got lapped by about six people, but I kept going. After I finished the first lap, I considered quitting, but opted to go on. I was sorry I did. The emergency crew rescued someone from the rocks, and, very soon, I noticed that only a few of the novice people had gone on for the second lap. I turned around and went back to the finish line. I was proud of my work friend who made it through most of the second lap. However, he didn't "officially" finish either. He's on an 11' board, which makes it a little easier for him, but I think the current was even a little strong for him. Overall, though, he did great! I'm a little jealous of his performance. I thought I handled the board well, but I have a lot to learn. I know that my board is really geared more for surf, but I still think I can get stronger on the flats with it. Practice, practice, practice!