Sunday morning dawns misty and cool. Doesn't stop the mosquitoes though - nothing really seems to affect them - rain or shine there they are, ready to make a meal out of any exposed skin - and even some that isn't exposed. We heat up some water on our camp stove for coffee and oatmeal, pack up all of our gear, get it settled in the car, put what we need for our hike into our day packs, and away we go.
At the trail head we spray ourselves down with bug repellent, put on our boots, grab our packs and trekking poles and get started. The trail starts out mostly level, but it's been a wet season, so there were lots of mucky spots. The muck turned to straight up, thick, gooey mud. As the grade of the trail increased the mud made it more difficult. I learned as I went, through R's patient instruction, to carefully consider the placement of my next step; to trust my boots, keep my knees flexed and place my trekking pole so I have 2 points of contact at all time. That last one I learned the hard way. . .
I was lifting my pole and my foot at the same time, and of course placing them at the same time. I was at a steep downward spot in the trail and the thing I'd been trying to avoid most happened, my feet slipped right out from under me and I was sliding, backside firmly in the mud, down the trail. Problem was the ground was wet and slick, so I couldn't get my feet OR my pole to set firmly so I could get up. R had to help me up, and explained once again how to set the pole BEFORE I lifted my foot. 3 points of contact before I took a step, carefully deciding where to step before I actually stepped there. Once I was covered with mud from my mid back to the backs of my feet, the fear of falling down was over (been there/done that). 
I was only using 1 trekking pole, however I have a set of two and on the big overnight hike I hope to go on sometime soon I will use both of them. The extra support really comes in handy and raises both the confidence and safety level.
The trail got a little steep in places, but the beauty of it all was that I was doing it! I wasn't so out of breath I couldn't speak, and it washed over me that I was experiencing my body working hard for me without me hating every moment of it! I was caught between a moment of wanting to shout with joy, and tearing up a little.
I didn't do either one, I just kept on walking. I knew we were nearing the more highly traveled trails when we saw this incredible bridge/step set up. As we climbed the stairs we looked out at the ferns and other foliage growing amongst the trees. This little guy was just hanging out on his moss covered rock, happy to be in the cool shade. Had to stop and pay him a little visit along the way.
About half mile or so after the stair climb we broke out of the trees and made our way to the top end of the trail. The sign at the top said "Warning, Difficult and Some Hazardous Conditions May Apply". I'm awfully glad the trail at the bottom hadn't said that or I may have opted to pass on this hike, and it was worth every single step of the way.
We took a little while to rest at the top, and gaze out at the beauty before us. What an incredible day this has been! We ate a little snack, had a break at the rest area near the gift shop, and headed back down. I'd like to go back someday and do this hike again. No matter how many times I see this view, it'll never be enough.
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