A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Last time, I learned my lesson. I wasn't going to drag my wife on some strenous hike while she was pregnant, but we both had a desire to spend some time outdoors enjoying a surprisingly enjoyable August day.

I suggest that we go for a stroll through the woods near Great Falls, MD. We departed and came through the C&O Canal National Historical Site. The site sits on a portion of the C&O Canal, the canal built in the late 1700s to move goods along the unnavigable Potomac River. This affords access to Great Falls, an impressive set of waterfalls not far from DC.

We took time to access some beaches along the river, a walk out to the falls, a short walk along the river, and a return trip along the C&O Towpath. Heather said that she enjoyed this "hike". This sparked some debate as to the criteria for hiking. Her ascertion was that any walk through the woods was a hike. I disagreed, insisting that a hike must include elevation changes.

To me, hiking has must meet all of these criteria:
1. Be at least one hour from the city/suburb where one lives
2. Involve an elevation change of at least 500 feet.
3. Be through a rural/mountainous area.
4. Require some physical exertion

This reminds me of the difference between the east and west. In the east, a view must be earned. Majestic views are not visible along the highway or byway. One must hike up to a rock outcropping to enjoy a panoramic view. When I've traveled out West, these views are unearned b/c they are easily found on the side of a major road.

When I backpacked through the White Mountains in New Hampshire, I recall how arduous it was scrambling over rock faces and climbing along the trail. But I also remember how distant the pain was when I came to the peak and gazed down into the valleys below.