Why the hiatus?

It's been almost 9 months since my first and only post. Why such a long hiatus?

4 days after my first blog post for The Hike Life,
Michael proposed. 

The beautiful solitaire diamond ring on a chocolate covered espresso bean.

He proposed at Village Coffee in Troy, Alabama, where we first met and had our first date over 5 years ago. He told me we were going to a "family get together" last minute on Friday evening. I was a little annoyed to be told at such late notice. I just had to make something to bring because I just couldn't show up empty handed! He tried to talk me out of it, but I just wouldn't listen. So, he went along with it. We spent a few hours making cornbread salad (his family's favorite, and a little bit of an inside joke within the family). The next morning, I was exhausted.
But we left on our way to Troy at 8 a.m.

We get to Troy, and he wants to stop and get some coffee. I said, "Ok. Well, I'm going to wait in the car. I don't want any." He sweet talked me into going in with him. I huffed and got out of the car. He ordered and it took a few minutes for his order to be done.

As we were walking out to leave, he said my name. I turned around and saw Michael on one knee and then I saw his coffee cup with a chocolate covered espresso bean...and a ring on it. All I could do was cry in happiness. And had to sit down because I felt like my legs were about to give out! We hugged for a long time...and then I hear his cousin Paula say, "I hope that means yes!" He had her record the whole proposal.

Our Engagement Announcement (in today's local paper)

Hi, I'm Melissa.

If you had told me a year ago that I would love hiking, I would have shaken my head and laughed. 

A year ago, I was about 75 pounds heavier. The only time I really went outside was to get in my car to go somewhere. I enjoyed watching movies, eating, being online, etc. Those are things that still have a place in my heart. However, I have a new found love. It's name is Hiking.

Michael, my boyfriend, enjoyed hiking way before I did. About 4 or 5 years ago, he took me on a trip to Providence Canyon, Georgia. I was so incredibly out of shape! And miserable. Absolutely miserable. I was wearing sneakers, blue jean capris, and a cotton t-shirt. The descent into the Canyon wasn't terrible. But what goes down, must come up. I thought I was going to die. Ok, maybe I wasn't going to die. I did feel like I could pass out at any moment, though! By the time we got to the car, I was beyond exhausted. My feet were covered in blisters. I'm also pretty sure I was dehydrated.

The Canyon Loop Trail is about 3 miles.

Yep, that's all. 3.

This past Saturday, Michael and I hiked in Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. A total of 8.85 miles. We stayed hydrated and energized with appropriate food and water. We wore layers, so as the day went on we would stay comfortable. We both wore our hiking boots, and hats. We also had our hiking poles to help us with our ascent/descent.

The Saturday before, we hiked the Garden of Eden Trail at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in Florida. A total of 6+/- miles. The Saturday before that, we hiked about 7-8 miles at Torreya State Park. Two Saturdays before that, we hiked Torreya State Park.

That's approximately 28-30 miles of hiking in a month's time.

I look forward to being able to share our hiking adventures with you all. Over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about the gear we use and how we rated the Parks and Trails we have visited.

Have any questions? Post a comment! Have suggestions? Post a comment!

Let's get excited about this :)

-Mel
 

Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL

TheHikeLife@gmail.com