The work out

Sometimes, things just work out.

We planned a twelve mile training hike at Raven Rock State Park for 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 16. The weather was predicted to be in the 40's with a chance of that wintery stuff later in the afternoon. As I drove to Tomas' house to ride together, it was already raining, though lightly. It then rained all the way through Lillington. It rained while we waited for Amy and David and Catherine to arrive. It rained while we prepped our backpacks. And it rained as we started our trek on the Campbell Creek Loop Trail.

But after a few minutes, the rain gradually changed over to snow. By the time we reached Lanier Falls, it was a beautiful snow. With really huge flakes. It was hard to not just stare up between the pines and watch it fall.

We continued our trek, stopped for lunch, but the snow did not stop for lunch. We continued our trek, and the snow continued. We hiked out the Raven Rock Loop trail to the top of the bluff, with an overlook over the Cape Fear River, then out to Raven Rock. And the snow continued.

Then the snow turned back to rain and our spirits dampened along with our hats. We continued out the Little Creek Loop trail. After turning the corner, the rain turned back into snow, although the flakes were no longer mutant-sized.

We finished our hike and marveled at the beauty. We ended up getting a training hike that simulated the conditions we might find on the Everest Base Camp trek. I found out I need better (waterprooof) protection. Plusses all around.

Sometimes, things just work out.