Happy New Year! Yes, we finally made it to 2024, Hurray!
Although 2023 certainly had its share of bad news, those who joined us on the trail celebrated “a year of great hiking.”
I was stumped for a while making up the January schedule, which gave us five Mondays beginning with New Year’s Day. We had already taken Christmas Day off hiking, so I didn’t want us to miss a second Monday hike.
After searching the archive on Winter hikes, I finally came up with an idea. A hike/party was made possible with the welcomed agreement of our friends Liz and George Landreth.
We’d have an abbreviated but aerobic hike up Frank Hill Road/Trail after dropping off food and beverages at Liz’s for the post-hike potluck New Year’s Day party. The hike starts just off their driveway at the corner of Ashland Mines Road and Frank Hill. When we reached the top of the first hill it was time for some wardrobe adjustments. The day was mostly sunny with early temps in the 40s. As we climbed higher we got clear views of the valley below us. Two Bluebirds were spotted in an Oak tree.
As we neared the top of the first ridge we noticed fog starting to pour over the top. This was my sign to turn our group of nine around and head back down. We took a right on a side road and made a loop back to the main road.
Taking our hiking boots off on the front porch, we entered the Landreth’s spacious home. Happy New Year! was the greeting of the day as Liz readied coffee and laid out great food on the counter. George had the Duck’s bowl game on the flat screen.
We had an excellent lunch with good cheer at their long table.
Later, George entertained us by playing his electric organ in his newly built sound studio. Then showed us his rebuilt car projects: a 1965 Mustang convertible, a 1974 VW Thing, and his current project, a 1984 BMW 633.
It was a great time and a great way to start the new year. Many thanks to Liz and George!
On the day we hiked about 5 miles and gained about 1000 feet. It was our Bonus hike with four more Mondays in January.
Happy New Year,
Rich
Photos By: Rich and Liz
