Bald Mountain, Rangeley, Maine

My students are writing comparison/contrast essays comparing two places. I began modelling how I brainstorm details for my piece and chose last summer’s trip to Rangeley, Maine as my topic to model. I began remembering that arduous hike we took up Bald Mountain…

                                  * * * * * * * * * **

They called it a moderate hike, a family hike, even. I can do moderate, I thought. I used to be able to do moderate, at least.

The description of the hike up Bald Mountain included lots of boulders but mostly towards the end. As we began the hike, and kept going and going, there were already lots of boulders, really lots of boulders.  I thought maybe they confused the beginning and the end, and that the beginning really sported the difficult boulders. Not true.

I am the slowest hiker in the hiking world, I must tell you.  I always was, even 25 years ago, when hiking with my daughters, I was the one lagging behind. I just could never keep up but plodded along at my own pace. By the time I would catch up with the rest who were waiting, I could barely catch my breath before they moved on. The same occurred this time, only with just my husband. 

At one point I didn’t think I could make it up this one particular gigantic boulder. No way around for me. I even thought I’d just go down and forgo the view at the top. I’m more for the journey than the end goal, anyway, unlike my husband who goes for the big reveal at the end.

Somehow, I found my way up this, and several other, huge boulders. And when you get to the top, there was a fire tower, I think that’s what it’s called, and you walk up a bunch of metal steps, around and around, and then you have arrived – at the most expansive, panoramic, 360-degree majesty of spectacular lakes and mountains. A big beautiful breath-taking bonanza, nature in all its glory. We were in awe.

The way down, needless to say, was no walk in the park. I did most of the giant boulders on my butt, an art I had clearly perfected by the end of the hike. My favorite pair of jean shorts took quite a beating, and I promptly ordered a new pair when I returned from the trip. 

                                            View from the top of Bald Mountain