Malicious Timing
Today was supposed to complete the cycle, but Mother Nature had other plans… I’ve hiked Wildcat Mountain in three of the four seasons this year. I was hoping for the colors of autumn to finish the rotation today, but Mother Nature was holding out; her foliage still mostly green. Worse yet, she stalled a massive tropical front over the area. As a volunteer preserve monitor for Wildcat, my assigned responsibility for trail maintenance was through the week ending Oct 13th. Unfortunately, the front wasn’t forecast to pass until the 14th; meaning rain gear was needed for my volunteering. Once I acknowledged this watery challenge, I actually embraced it and became enthused about pursuing my first deliberately-wet hiking experience. Mother Nature either has a sense of humor or is a malicious bitch. Most of Wildcat’s trail is along a level ridgeline, but to get there a half-mile, steep hike is required. During my ascent, Mother Nature opened a can of...