The Roaring River

Up the road from our house is a place called The  Roaring River. It was pretty dry. We've gotten a lot of rain since we were there. Flash flood warnings even. So, I'll bet the Roaring River is once again 'roaring.' Up at the top of the falls where the old mill used to be you could walk across the dry river bed. I did, just so I could climb up the rocks and have my pic taken. No, I don't approve of the "modern art" painted on the  cliffs, but it was already there......nice message anyway.

This is also part of the old mill. You have to hike down the river to see this. It's not up by the falls, where people usually go. We went swimming there once with Wes and Jayme. Normally, you would just hike along side of the river, but my "sherpa" (trail guide) decided we needed to climb straight up the side of the mountain to see if we could get to the top of the cliffs that border this river.

                                                 It can be done. We did it.

At the top is the nicest meadow. (cow pasture, devoid of cows at this time.)

I found a much less steep mountain 'trail' to get back to the river and we ended up at the swimming hole.It's down river from the main falls (about 1/2 mile). There was actually enough water there to go swimming and I did some waist deep wading in order to get this picture.

We were both wearing water shoes, just in case we decided to go swimming. I don't know as we should be. They do work well  for walking shoes. There is a lot of traction to them. I think some would disapprove of using them for hiking shoes. No support, not enough protection. They are probably right on the protection part.  But....I know that I've been walking a lot of miles in them and my feet and ankles seem to be getting stronger and more supportive of themselves. They are very flexible as minimilist footwear should be. The idea being to make your feet, ankles, tendons and muscles stronger. I wouldn't recommend using them for long stretches, if you aren't conditioned for it. Good article about that here. Adventure in Progress  These are just water shoes. But for now they are doing the job. Although I am having some serious coveting issues over these or these.  I'd like to get Tim this pair. Ok, enough free advertisement! Just kidding.... I do think they would wear better than the water shoes and offer a tad more support and protection without weakening your foot, and ankles. Just my opinion....I can't say from experience.

 Tim had thought about getting in, but decided he didn't relish the thought of walking back in sloshing shoes, besides he had a better idea.....  I'm thinking, "the river bed is almost dry we could walk back most of the way in the dry bed......Tim's thinking was, "I need to figure out how this mill worked and straight back up that hillside is the most interesting part of it." 

and that is where we went.....It was steeper than the first hillside! He still is puzzled by how it all worked. At one time it must have been quite the operation.

He found a much less strenuous way out.....more round about, but that is what we were there for. To see the countryside, breathe the fresh clean air and get moving!

The end to a perfect day! Rocking sweet babies and listening to the rain.

Jessica (our daughter) came visiting with her not quite two week old baby girl! (Aurora Lilly)

I'm walking again!

So I began one of my many new goals this week. Get back to walking at least a mile every day. I do it first thing in the morning. 5:30 to be exact. It takes a little less than 30 min. The above is what I see as I'm going. The other morning in this same field was a deer. The fog was heavier that morning and he stood there almost invisible to me. I tried to walk as quietly as I could. He must have thought I didn't see him as he let me get very close...... then, with a loud snort, twist of his body and flip of his tail, he bounded off over the hill. It was great.....of course, no camera. I won't be making that mistake again.

It's lovely here this time of day. We are finally back to the cool morning air. This summer has been hot! I'm glad it's finally cooling off. It's warm during the day but at night we get so nice and crispy cool. I need my hoodie to stay warm starting out. I am just walking fast for now. Someday it is my goal to pick up the speed and actually run it! I can't now, years ago I injured my achilles tendon and now it gives me fits. I'm working on that, hoping to heal it enough to run.

I'm doing a couple of things toward that end. The first thing I did was change my style of shoes. I began to wear minimilist type shoes. You can read about that here. Minimilist footwear  The idea being that padded shoes and arch supports are not necessary and in fact could be part of the problem for runners. It's quite controversial. It's perfectly okay with me if you like your running shoes. For me, after researching this issue it just made sense to me and I gave it a try. I couldn't afford the high dollar type shoes but, very flat soled sandals and some types of water shoes are basically the same thing. The sandals are great in the summer but, well, water shoes just sort of look, "unfashionable" to say the least. I wear them when I walk....who's looking at my feet then anyway?!

The footwear change made an immediate difference. Very noticeable, very soon! According to research the shoes you wear could be causing some sports injuries. It really is worth looking into. Tim also has injured his knee seriously several times and has begun to wear this type footwear when we hike or when he's at home. Our son bought some of those Five Finger Vibrams on clearance and they didn't fit. He brought them over to Tim and they were a  perfect fit!....well.....he looks sort of different.....but  if they'll help. Does this make us strange?!  My vanity will not allow me to wear them. Jayme loves them and would wear them too. In fact, she says she came up with the idea, when she was a kid and was so mad the first time she saw someone wearing them. lol!

They do make minimalist footwear that really just looks like regular running shoes. Still expensive however. But if anyone is interested you can see that here. I like this pair. But the price!.....I just can't bring myself to spend that, maybe I should but, I do wish minimilist footwear would come down in price. After all, doesn't less go into it them than the cheaper running shoes?  (maybe not) It is my only problem with the movement towards a more natural type shoe. I just can't afford those prices....

When you think about it, it really is nothing new. For 1000's of years men have worn minimal footwear and could probably run better and further than we do in these times. Examples: Sandals during bible times, Egyptian types, Roman sandals, Native American moccasins and even Eskimo Mukluks all fit with minimilist shoes. In fact, what helped to start the movement were the Tarahumara People known for their long distance running. They were running is excess of 100 miles at a stretch in these!

Okay, now that you've heard more than you probably wanted to about another of my weird notions, I'll just step down off my soap box. Lol, it has helped me and if it could help someone else I'd be so happy. I really would like to thank a couple of my facebook friends who were the inspiration for me researching it anyway. But, they are kind of shy so I'll just thank K. & S. (well, I don't know about shy, I just don't have permission to use real names).  Both, are my age (or close) and are in good shape and spend a regular amount of time running, wearing those toe shoes I am too vain to wear! :)