Flat Mountain Pond Trail

Date: October 17, 2018
Trails: Flat Mountain Pond Trail
Miles: 9
Elevation Gain: 1,768

Pat and I have been hiking since 2006 — 13 years hiking the peaks and checking off the mountain lists of New England. We’ve gotten to know each other well over those years. Yesterday we met for breakfast at the Village Kitchen and when I arrived for breakfast I was crabby. I felt it and half way through breakfast I apologized to Pat. She said, “It’s okay. I love you just the way you are.” The Flat Mountain Pond Trail had lots of water crossings. Pat doesn’t like water crossings (I don’t love them either), especially when they are risky and foot placement is slippery or difficult and water is high. She gets tense, quiet and anxious. We took our time, looked for rocks close enough together to get us across. And, near the end of the trail, when we couldn’t find a comfortable crossing, we found a trail on that side of the river that took us to the road. Does that mean we will have to go back and get that last bit of trail for our redlining? Yes. But that’s okay. That’s what we do. Friends hiking. It is truly a gift to have a person who sees you and accepts you even when you are crabby or anxious. That’s what Pat and I have.