SPLAT! golv: ringing rocks

Today was Get Out Lehigh Valley hike at Ringing Rocks park in Upper Black Eddy. I've been there many times before. I really was thinking about not going, but I hadn't walked seriously all week. It looked like it was going to rain and I knew if I didn't go I'd just sit at home on my ass.

Lydia was off from work and came along. It started to rain a little, and then harder as we drove down.  It was mostly over when we reached the park.

The boulder field is maybe a 1/4 mile from the lot. We arrived quite quickly. I decided I was not going too far in, even though I wanted to. I am slow and my leg muscles suck lately. They just don't work like they should. I really think I'm in worse shape now then when I started to walk back in 2008.

They called us back to continue on the hike. I turned, decided the best route, and pretty much immediately fell backwards. I sat down so I hit the most padded part of my body. I flew back and lost my hat but didn't hit my head. I was stuck in a crevious between two rocks. I couldn't find my footing. They guy in red is Phong. He and his wife are on every walk. He was the first to arrive and found my hat. The naturalist, in green, came as well. (he found my apple.) I managed to get one cheek up on a rock. Then using my stick, I tried and tried to stand up but my legs had no power. I couldn't get my footing. The guys had to pull me up.

I was jealous of the children running across the rocks. And young adults rock scrambling.

 (Lydia took this at the begining while I was still feeling confindent.)

We continued on the trail to the waterfall. It's supposedly the biggest one in Bucks county. I have to tell you, it's pretty small. You can walk across the top shelf.

From here the trail turns left. It get's really rocky. It was a challenge because it was also muddy, and uphill. I did the side grapevine walk on my way up the hill.

 But it was worth it. The mayflowers were starting to bloom.

And the woodpeckers were building condo's. Many trees in this area look like this. Including fallen ones. It's a woodpeck condo community! I wonder if the have a homeowners association?

52-hike challenge: 17/52 
Miles/Steps:   1.5. It took about 2 hours.
Bathrooms:     The comfort station was closed but there was a port-o-potty
Weather:         low 50s. Overcast
Wildlife:          Woodpecker, we heard a lot of ovenbirds, and saw a lot of millipedes.

http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca/mediadetail/6842791?offset=2