A Final Blow this Year that Almost Derailed Me

Returning home from Florida, where our family celebrated an early Christmas, I had planned on spending the weekend before Christmas knocking out a few more hikes and then enjoying some more relaxation in the last few weeks of the year. Of course, this wouldn’t happen, as we came home to find a sick cat.

I had to put my feline companion down 4 days before Christmas and caring for her meant I didn’t even touch the outdoors on a weekend I had planned for 3 treks. Then, of course, the next day, one of my fish also started showing symptoms of illness. Though, he would hold on a few more weeks.

Because of this, I almost gave up, but a short trek on Christmas with my sister, who surprised my brother and I with a visit, and a small adventure the day before I traveled for the end of the year got me back on track to complete this challenge.

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Furstenburg Nature Area

I trek this path semi-regularly, but I hadn’t done it yet this year, so I knew it was a good option. It was only 1.5 miles and I knew the terrain would be something my sister would be able to do, as she doesn’t have much experience for the types of hikes I prefer. We headed out on a mild, rainy Christmas Day for some fresh air. Due to rain beforehand, the boardwalks were slick and there was significant mud, but we completed this adventure with very few problems.

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Waterfall Loop

Officially, this trail was closed, but I take it the same way as I do swimming without a lifeguard, “Hike at your own risk.” I saw others on the trail, so I was confident I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. Unfortunately, the waterfall, which is why I had picked the trail, was not much of one, so some false advertising there in the name.

There was a clear erosion issue on the trail, but it did show indications of slowly being addressed in places. There was also an overgrowth issue, which made keeping the trail difficult in places. Some of these issues may have been why the trail was officially closed, but there were no further indications of why this may have been.