10 is the New 5

Hiked: Blood Mountain Loop (AT from Neels Gap to Blood Mountain , Freeman Trail, about 6.5 miles, DeSoto Falls another 2.5, elevation gain about 1,400 feet in the 2.1 miles from Neels Gap to the summit of Blood Mountain )

This is another shared post between Jenny and Andrea.  Today, we hiked Blood Mountain, and we realized that we've both come a long way!  First of all, when we started walking during the school year, 5 miles was a long distance walk for us.  Now, it doesn't seem like a hike unless it's close to 10 miles.  The Blood Mountain loop that we hiked was ONLY about 7 miles, so we decided early on that we needed to stop on the way home and hike DeSoto Falls to make it closer to a 10 mile day.  Also, the 1,400 feet of elevation change was a great cardio workout, but not strenuous like it might have been several months ago.  

As we walked, we talked about how and whether we could help students understand that if they just stick with something that's hard, it will become easier.  The challenge is helping them realize why they should go through that kind of effort.  We hike because we love being in nature, and the great hikes are longer distances and require us to be in good shape.  Why should they practice algebra so that it becomes easier or write more so that it becomes more natural for them?  Something for us to think about!

This is the picture taken as the clouds were rolling in for the rain that hit 2 or 3 minutes later.  We hiked all but the first 2 of our miles soaking wet.  The one day neither of us brought rain gear, it rained!  Hiking in wet socks was no fun...first hot spots ever for Andrea, and I had to hike the DeSoto Falls trail in my sandals; thank goodness it was more of a walking path than a hiking trail.

This shelter on Blood Mountain was built by the CCC.  We stayed here to wait out the rain and eat lunch.

The Freeman Tail was all about rocks (small, medium, and large boulders is more like it) and roots!  That 1.8 miles was the longest 1.8 miles of the day!  

DeSoto Falls turned out to be an easy walk and a great way to end the day!