North Shore Trail Prep Hike

Last Saturday I finally got the chance to do some “actual” hiking. Finally! Seriously, it’s tough to just “get away” on a trail when you live in Texas. There’s not exactly a trail at every stop here in the Dallas area so you have to just make due with what you got, feel me? However, I did do some research and found the North Shore Trail on the banks of Lake Grapevine. Nice little trail. From one end to the other it’s approximately 9 miles. It was built in the 1930’s as a public works project (quiz: who was the President during that time period? Answer at the bottom) and is now maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
When my friend Kristin and I set out it was overcast and about 43 degrees. I had a few main reasons for wanting to do an actual hike. First, I had to test my shoes (Vasque Blur). Second, I had to test my endurance as I have only been doing my daily walks of 4 miles or less a day. Third, I wanted to get out and into the woods.
We had a good time. It was great to get back into the woods. I brought a backpack with about half of the weight I am going to be carrying on the AT. I have to get used to carrying weight but I didn’t want to overdo it for this trip. Anyways, we walked about 11 miles in all.
The shoes: I am so very impressed with my Vasque trail runners so far. After 11 miles with beginner ascents and descents my feet did not even have a hot spot let alone any blisters. My feet were in great shape and I am sooooo happy about that. I am probably going to stick with trail runners. The only variance I have yet to test out is the weather and how the shoes hold up in the rain or muddy conditions. That will come while I am on AT because I will not be testing my Vasque’s in rain beforehand.
My endurance: So-so. Nothing awesome. Only walking 3-4 miles a day due to working full time and being a single father (to Charlie the Black Pug) I can’t walk a ton each day. I am more relying on the weekends for more distancy type walks. Anywho, I was pretty tired at the end. I was also starved. I don’t really appreciate my stomach having a hikers appetite after only 3 hours of hiking. That’s supposed to happen weeks into a hiking trip, not hours. Also, the place on my foot where my heel and ankle come together was quite sore on my left foot. Two years ago I sprained my ankle in the exact spot (at least I think I did) while playing against the DFW Doom in arena football. It never seemed to heel and I had to get it taped a lot for last season. I hope that it’s just a soreness thing and not a damage/foot needs to be amputated thing.
Into the Woods: Yaaaaaay, it was awesome….aside from the 757’s that were flying over head constantly due to the DFW International Airport being right next to Lake Grapevine. Other than the occasional jet, it was quite peaceful.
On another note: CALLING ALL APPALACHIAN TRAIL THRU HIKERS. I’m about to buy a down sleeping bag. Yes, I am aware of the effects of when it gets wet. Hear me out though. I hate being cold at night. I absolutely hate losing sleep due to being chilly. Am I taking a well calculated risk or is this foolhardy and I should stick to synthetic? I need your input.

Gear Update: After several hours of intensive research on Trailjournals.com I decided to buy the Patagonia Micropuff Nano Jacket. This will be my warmth or at least some of it. I also bought the 2010 Thru Hikers Companion book. Oh, and I purchased some University of Texas Crocs. I looked for University of Kentucky, my alma mater but they didn’t have any so I figured I would have my crocs be the piece of Texas I carry for this trip…TX being the state I currently reside in I feel obligated to bring something from the Longhorn state short of a TX flag. I think I’m gonna wear my favorite Red Sox hat as I grew up in NH and I am a die hard New England all around sports fan. Now, I need some ideas on what I can carry as a piece of KY on this trip.

(Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt)

http://www.awalkforthefuture.com/

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