7.5 weeks ago, I broke my ankle and ended up with bilateral pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in my lungs) that almost took my life. More information on that HERE. I finally was given a walking boot last week, but the fit was wrong. After poring over Amazon listings for hours, we settled on an air cast - with a pumper that reminded me of 90s sneakers. On Monday night, I walked - my first steps in over 7 weeks - to the car and back. On Tuesday, I walked from the bottom of the stairs to the family room and then into the kitchen and back. I was on a roll, but the best was yet to come.
Yesterday (Wednesday), I took things to the next level. Okay, even beyond the next level. I had been dreaming about hiking - even on a boardwalk or pavement - for weeks. I ached for it. Funny how I was such a purist about hiking only on dirt or rocks - or it didn't count - for so long and now I was willing to accept boardwalks and pavement as long as I was in the woods. Pushing myself or being pushed in the wheelchair through the woods are not enough. I wanted to hike on my own two feet and add those miles to my hiking mileage log. I wanted that sense of accomplishment again that only hiking could give me. I wanted to feel the ground under my feet - or boardwalk, pavement, whatever - and be surrounded by trees bowing to the wind. I was going to do it. I was ready.
I downloaded a pedometer app onto my phone; it uses the sensor to "feel" each step and tracks steps, distance, time, and speed. I tested it out by walking from the front steps to the car and it seemed about accurate. We drove over to the Great Swamp, a swampy area with boardwalks. We took my wheelchair since I knew I wouldn't make it very far and wanted to complete the loop even after I had tired of walking. "I'll just do a couple hundred feet. Even a hundred will be enough," I told Jon. That was my goal. 100 feet.
At the start of the boardwalk, I stood up and left the wheelchair behind. I broke free of my confines and stood up on my own two feet, surrounded by woods. My first steps were shaky. The boardwalk undulates a bit, the wooden planks warped by weather and time. My boot is rounded at the bottom so I had to get used to rolling forward on it and using the other foot to balance myself. Finally I got into a rhythm. The inside of my ankle twinged in pain at first - not the part that I broke, but I suspect I tore a ligament in my inner ankle. But with each step, the pain subsided. At first I clutched the railing like a toddler learning to walk. But as I found my balance, I needed it less and less. I swung my arms wildly in the air, completely unashamed and not at all self-conscious.
After about 10 and a half minutes, I was panting for breath and was done with my adventure. Only 10 minutes! "How many steps have I gone?" I asked myself aloud. I took out my phone. 1,100 steps, 0.46 miles, and I had been walking 2.5 miles per hour! I sunk into the wheelchair, amazed at my progress and completely in awe of myself - as prideful as that sounds! I had meant to hike 100 steps, shuffling along at a snail's pace, But look at me! I finished the circuit in my wheelchair. I had earned this rest.
After we picked Liam up from the bus stop, we went over to the playground and I walked to the bench, sat down, and walked back to the car later. And then - be still, my heart - we went to the Morristown Diner and I walked from the car into the diner, we sat in a BOOTH (first time since breaking my ankle), and I walked back to the car. Then I walked inside the house, I walked up the stairs - instead of going up on my butt - and I flung myself into my bed with a satisfied smile spreading across my face.
And then, as quickly as I could, I wrote down my accomplishments for the day in my log, sat back, and admired my hard work. My shuffling baby steps had added up. And I am now sure that I will be back on the trail - on the more difficult trails - sooner than I imagined. Maybe not immediately, but sooner than I had expected. With tall, hard braces on and all the gear I need to stay safe - but mark my words, I will be back on that trail. And I will be fiercer than ever.
B is for... Bearfort Ridge
CLICK HERE to read about our experience at Bearfort Ridge earlier this year!
B is for... Bear Safety
Stock photo of a black bear
The following is from the National Park Service:
"Avoiding an Encounter
Following viewing etiquette is the first step to avoiding an encounter with a bear that could escalate into an attack. Keeping your distance and not surprising bears are some of the most important things you can do. Most bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming. Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable if you are in an area with known bear activity or a good food source, such as berry bushes.
Bear Encounters
Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating.
- Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
- Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
- Pick up small children immediately.
- Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
- Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
- Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
- Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
- If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
- Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
- Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
Bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. However, being mentally prepared can help you have the most effective reaction. Every situation is different, but below are guidelines on how brown bear attacks can differ from black bear attacks. Help protect others by reporting all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, keep your distance from bears!
- Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.
- Black Bears: If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear's face and muzzle.
If any bear attacks you in your tent, or stalks you and then attacks, do NOT play dead—fight back! This kind of attack is very rare, but can be serious because it often means the bear is looking for food and sees you as prey.
Bear-Deterrent Spray
Bear-deterrent spray can be an important tool to carry in backcountry settings in case you encounter an aggressive, charging, or attacking grizzly bear. However, it is generally not recommended in developed areas with large concentrations of people, and the scent left after discharging the spray may actually attract bears. Check with your national park before visiting to see if bear-deterrent spray is recommended or allowed for the activities you plan to engage in. Practice and training with bear-deterrent spray prior to an encounter are advised. Learn more about selecting and using bear-deterrent spray:"
CLICK HERE to read about our encounter with a bear!
