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The McPenguin5 hit the Reef Bay trail
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mcpenguin5
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:05 am
- Location: Maryland
The McPenguin5 hit the Reef Bay trail
Monday dawned bright and clear. I know, it woke me up! We were going to take the Reef Bay Trail Hike I had signed us up for months ago. I had been working out at the gym since January, trying to make sure that my endurance and leg strength were up to this, and the challenge was upon me.
John, Helene and JJ are avid hikers, always off on an outdoor adventure on vacations and weekend trips. I knew the hike would be a breeze for them, but I didn't know what I was going to be up to. We would find out.
We ate a quick breakfast, packed our water and food for the day, and headed off to the NPS Visitors' Center. I had stated with authority that we needed to be there by 8:30. I did it again... the time was supposed to be 9:30, so we were an hour early. I am sure the rangers were wondering why we were there so soon. I think I need a keeper.
We decided to take a walk around to kill time. JJ expressed his interest in finding some ice-cream, and I thought that was an exceptional idea. I mean, we had eaten breakfast a whole hour before! And who says you can't have ice-cream at 9 in the morning? As the saying goes, it's Five O'Clock somewhere..
Unable to find any ice-cream places open yet, John and Helene placated me and JJ by promising we would find some ice-cream after the hike. JJ was very good about it. I pouted a bit but no one seemed to notice.
At last the buses arrived to take us to the trailhead. The crowd congregated and crowded into the buses. There was a bit of a squeeze, so the driver of our bus has JJ and me ride in the cab with him. Poor John was left sitting on the seat end, hanging onto a pole to stay in the bus. As we took off, I was glad to be in the cab. The drivers were fearless in their attempt to get us there quickly. It took us no time at all.
When we arrived, everyone piled out, and the Ranger and the drivers kept scooting us along, telling us not to loiter in the road, watching for traffic. I felt like I was back in school again, crossing guards chiding me for dawdling.
The entrance to the trail was a fair indicator of what was in store for us. The stone steps were very big, and I found myself sort of half-hopping from step to step till I landed on the ground. I was beginning to wonder about the wisdom of this venture.
We had a marvelous guide, Ranger Don Dear. He obviously loved doing this, as he was happy to tell us so many fascinating facts about the flora, fauna , culture and history we were experiencing. He was wonderful about waiting for stragglers to catch up before he started his talks at the various points we were learning about.
He seemed to be thrilled to hear us ask questions, and answered all of them, even if they didn't pertain to the particulars at hand. He was a very knowledgeable guide.
We encountered a tree where he explained the Jumbies lived, mischievous creatures who love to cause trouble. As I commented to one of my fellow hikers that I thought Ranger Don really believed in the Jumbies, skeptic that I am, I discovered that my biggest water bottle had developed a small leak and was dripping water through the bottom of my canvas tote all over my leg and foot. I do believe in Jumbies, I do believe in Jumbies...!
We came to the portion of the trail where we took a detour that led us to the waterfall and the Petroglyphs. It was a welcome break, we were all ready for lunch and a sit down. The waterfall was beautiful, and Ranger Don splashed water on the Petroglyphs to make them more visible for everyone who was taking pictures. We finally all settled down to our sandwiches and drinks. John commented that a bologna sandwich never tasted so good. I didn't want to tell him he was eating ham and cheese.
JJ gulped down his food and bounced all over trying to see everything. He was over all the boulders, snapping pictures and laughing. We saw a few Mongooses hanging around, no doubt hoping for leftovers. (Sorry mongooses, we were all hungry.)
After we had all eaten and rested, We set off back down to the trail to continue with our hike. The Ranger told us that we were heading into some muddier areas, courtesy of the rains that had been through with Omar, and following Omar. We had places where we skittered along the edges of the trail, clinging to trees and looking for stones to step on. The pack became more and more strung out as we all followed gingerly along this stretch of trail.
We finally reached dry ground again, and regrouped. The ranger told us we were now in dry forest, where there were fewer large trees and more vines. The trail was evening out, becoming less treacherous and more walkable. We were coming closer to the end of the trail, and I was starting to feel pretty good about the fact that I hadn't caused any problems with needing help.
We came to the Reef Bay Sugar Mill ruins, where we learned how the sugar cane was processed and saw the well-preserved remains of the last Sugar Mill to close down on the island. There were bats, lots of them, which didn't make everyone feel too eager to listen to all of the talk about the building. A few people stood outside at the doorways to listen.
When Ranger Don finished with his talk and answered all our questions, he told us we would be proceeding to the beach where we would be able to swim for a while until the boat came to pick us up. It was at this point I felt that I had done quite well indeed, and started out to where we would be getting the boats. I was horrified to discover that I was going to have to scramble over a huge (well, I thought it was huge from where I stood!) hill made of jumbled boulders and rocks of all sizes.
My heart sank. I knew I had to get over this, but I didn't think I could do it. John went before me and kept urging me on, telling me it was okay to take a break when I got too winded. My asthma kicked in for the first time in I don't remember how long. I was panicking and I knew it. My wonderful son gently talked me on and over, and glory of glories, I made it.
I ran for the beach, yanking off shirt and shorts and sandals (Yes, I had a bathing suit on under it all!) and hit the water. Nice fresh cool water, swimming and floating and finally done. I had conquered the hike and now I got my swim.
Our next decision was did we want to swim out to the boat or take the little inflatables that were ferrying people out to it. John, Helene and JJ opted to swim, nice athletic folks that they are. I took one look at the boat way out there and told them I would meet them there, I was taking the raft. When we got to the boat, there were two large water jugs awaiting us, and I guzzled my share. The boat quickly filled up, and we headed around the island, back to the Visitors Center.
After coming ashore, we went to the I Scream store near there to get ice-cream. I was sort of disappointed that they didn't make cones, they only had the pre-made kind. I took what I could get and it was good. JJ was happy, and so was I.
We drove back to the Villa, and the guys went out to Starfish Market to get us dinner, some premade wraps sandwiches from their deli. My roast beef was stuffed with meat, and tasted sooooo good.
We all Went out to the pool and relaxed until bedtime, nice and early. Exhaustion has reset my internal clock to early bedtimes - me, the nightowl. Sleep came quick and easy, and I knew I would be bouncing out of bed with sunrise for our next day's adventure.
John, Helene and JJ are avid hikers, always off on an outdoor adventure on vacations and weekend trips. I knew the hike would be a breeze for them, but I didn't know what I was going to be up to. We would find out.
We ate a quick breakfast, packed our water and food for the day, and headed off to the NPS Visitors' Center. I had stated with authority that we needed to be there by 8:30. I did it again... the time was supposed to be 9:30, so we were an hour early. I am sure the rangers were wondering why we were there so soon. I think I need a keeper.
We decided to take a walk around to kill time. JJ expressed his interest in finding some ice-cream, and I thought that was an exceptional idea. I mean, we had eaten breakfast a whole hour before! And who says you can't have ice-cream at 9 in the morning? As the saying goes, it's Five O'Clock somewhere..
Unable to find any ice-cream places open yet, John and Helene placated me and JJ by promising we would find some ice-cream after the hike. JJ was very good about it. I pouted a bit but no one seemed to notice.
At last the buses arrived to take us to the trailhead. The crowd congregated and crowded into the buses. There was a bit of a squeeze, so the driver of our bus has JJ and me ride in the cab with him. Poor John was left sitting on the seat end, hanging onto a pole to stay in the bus. As we took off, I was glad to be in the cab. The drivers were fearless in their attempt to get us there quickly. It took us no time at all.
When we arrived, everyone piled out, and the Ranger and the drivers kept scooting us along, telling us not to loiter in the road, watching for traffic. I felt like I was back in school again, crossing guards chiding me for dawdling.
The entrance to the trail was a fair indicator of what was in store for us. The stone steps were very big, and I found myself sort of half-hopping from step to step till I landed on the ground. I was beginning to wonder about the wisdom of this venture.
We had a marvelous guide, Ranger Don Dear. He obviously loved doing this, as he was happy to tell us so many fascinating facts about the flora, fauna , culture and history we were experiencing. He was wonderful about waiting for stragglers to catch up before he started his talks at the various points we were learning about.
He seemed to be thrilled to hear us ask questions, and answered all of them, even if they didn't pertain to the particulars at hand. He was a very knowledgeable guide.
We encountered a tree where he explained the Jumbies lived, mischievous creatures who love to cause trouble. As I commented to one of my fellow hikers that I thought Ranger Don really believed in the Jumbies, skeptic that I am, I discovered that my biggest water bottle had developed a small leak and was dripping water through the bottom of my canvas tote all over my leg and foot. I do believe in Jumbies, I do believe in Jumbies...!
We came to the portion of the trail where we took a detour that led us to the waterfall and the Petroglyphs. It was a welcome break, we were all ready for lunch and a sit down. The waterfall was beautiful, and Ranger Don splashed water on the Petroglyphs to make them more visible for everyone who was taking pictures. We finally all settled down to our sandwiches and drinks. John commented that a bologna sandwich never tasted so good. I didn't want to tell him he was eating ham and cheese.
JJ gulped down his food and bounced all over trying to see everything. He was over all the boulders, snapping pictures and laughing. We saw a few Mongooses hanging around, no doubt hoping for leftovers. (Sorry mongooses, we were all hungry.)
After we had all eaten and rested, We set off back down to the trail to continue with our hike. The Ranger told us that we were heading into some muddier areas, courtesy of the rains that had been through with Omar, and following Omar. We had places where we skittered along the edges of the trail, clinging to trees and looking for stones to step on. The pack became more and more strung out as we all followed gingerly along this stretch of trail.
We finally reached dry ground again, and regrouped. The ranger told us we were now in dry forest, where there were fewer large trees and more vines. The trail was evening out, becoming less treacherous and more walkable. We were coming closer to the end of the trail, and I was starting to feel pretty good about the fact that I hadn't caused any problems with needing help.
We came to the Reef Bay Sugar Mill ruins, where we learned how the sugar cane was processed and saw the well-preserved remains of the last Sugar Mill to close down on the island. There were bats, lots of them, which didn't make everyone feel too eager to listen to all of the talk about the building. A few people stood outside at the doorways to listen.
When Ranger Don finished with his talk and answered all our questions, he told us we would be proceeding to the beach where we would be able to swim for a while until the boat came to pick us up. It was at this point I felt that I had done quite well indeed, and started out to where we would be getting the boats. I was horrified to discover that I was going to have to scramble over a huge (well, I thought it was huge from where I stood!) hill made of jumbled boulders and rocks of all sizes.
My heart sank. I knew I had to get over this, but I didn't think I could do it. John went before me and kept urging me on, telling me it was okay to take a break when I got too winded. My asthma kicked in for the first time in I don't remember how long. I was panicking and I knew it. My wonderful son gently talked me on and over, and glory of glories, I made it.
I ran for the beach, yanking off shirt and shorts and sandals (Yes, I had a bathing suit on under it all!) and hit the water. Nice fresh cool water, swimming and floating and finally done. I had conquered the hike and now I got my swim.
Our next decision was did we want to swim out to the boat or take the little inflatables that were ferrying people out to it. John, Helene and JJ opted to swim, nice athletic folks that they are. I took one look at the boat way out there and told them I would meet them there, I was taking the raft. When we got to the boat, there were two large water jugs awaiting us, and I guzzled my share. The boat quickly filled up, and we headed around the island, back to the Visitors Center.
After coming ashore, we went to the I Scream store near there to get ice-cream. I was sort of disappointed that they didn't make cones, they only had the pre-made kind. I took what I could get and it was good. JJ was happy, and so was I.
We drove back to the Villa, and the guys went out to Starfish Market to get us dinner, some premade wraps sandwiches from their deli. My roast beef was stuffed with meat, and tasted sooooo good.
We all Went out to the pool and relaxed until bedtime, nice and early. Exhaustion has reset my internal clock to early bedtimes - me, the nightowl. Sleep came quick and easy, and I knew I would be bouncing out of bed with sunrise for our next day's adventure.
Re: The McPenguin5 hit the Reef Bay trail
[quote="mcpenguin5
John commented that a bologna sandwich never tasted so good. I didn't want to tell him he was eating ham and cheese.
LOL! I am loving your trip reports! I've been trying to sneak them in during a training class, but the laughter was a dead giveaway that I was up to no good (there's nothing funny about audit findings)
I'll savor them over the weekend.
John commented that a bologna sandwich never tasted so good. I didn't want to tell him he was eating ham and cheese.
LOL! I am loving your trip reports! I've been trying to sneak them in during a training class, but the laughter was a dead giveaway that I was up to no good (there's nothing funny about audit findings)
I'll savor them over the weekend.
