Hiking is a synonym for exhaustion!

For Memorial Day Matt, Janelle and I headed south to Old Rag Mountain. P.A decided to opt out, which I will admit I was envious of as we got into the trek up the mountain. Let me explain yes, I have done this hike before, but it was 12 years ago and apparently my memory has faded or has rewritten history. The hike I remember was filled with lots of chatting with my girlfriend and spectacular views. The views were still there, but there wasn't much chatting from me as that would have required energy, all of which had been stolen from me! I may had mumbled a few choice comments here and there, you know the usual stuff about inhuman people dragging poor me up the mountain.
2 weekends in a row of hiking confirmed P.A.'s comments the week before..."What I learn from that hike is I need to do more hiking." Nothing could be more true, but can we work our way up with some smaller hikes? The top seemed to be always just around one more corner.
At one of the fake tops we met my new favorite dog! When I saw this scruffy animal I was concerned as to where its owners were. So I checked out his collar, it clearly stated that he lived across the street from the parking lot at the base and that he knew how to get home so just let him be. How cool is this dog? He spends his life freely wandering around a beautiful park but still has a family to go home too. It looked to me that he spent most of his days following people up to his summit, which he would then defend from any bird that dared to fly over. Let me point out that this dog was the type of pet I don't mind seeing near the top of a mountain. The type I saw next I couldn't even begin to describe justly.

We were all the way at the top when this man was walking towards one of the edges to take in the view. With every step the t-shirt he had tied around his neck would yowl. You had to think what could a person have put in a sling made from a t- shirt that would make that type of sound? A cat, no really, A CAT! For "safety" the man had attached a 2 foot piece of string to the cat's collar. As soon as he sat him down the cat bolted as far away as it could from the ledge. The guy looked at us and said, "He must not like the sun." Really sir, do you think that is it? Or could it be that kitty isn't much into this hiking thing you are trying to force on it????Despite our never ending entertainment from various people at the top we did sit back, relax and enjoy the view. It was spectacular. I don't think we could have asked for a clearer day. I will admit it was worth the torture of getting there.
My favorite part though was the walk down. First of all it was easier on me, but most of all I got to talk with Janelle and Matt. Since they live so far away it is hard to keep pace with everyone. I love you guys!!