Our Hike to 擎天崗

When was last time I went hiking? I can’t exactly recall. So, when the day of our 1st new-year hiking came, which I had been anticipating for a few weeks, anxiety overwhelmed me. What would the weather be like? What to wear? What to bring? What snacks I can prepare? The most haunting issue was what if I overslept? After a week’s undisciplined life indulging in overeating, oversleeping & idling time away, Could I get myself together all at once?

As expected, I got an insomnia and tossed about for several hours. I had a short two-hour sleep and struggled very hard to drag myself out of the bed after letting the alarm clock ring for god- knows-how-long.

Then everything went perfectly well. I was overjoyed when seeing our beloved T/Ms friend Moses, Pamela’s better half, joining us at the 1st lift stop. What do you know! He’s a very experienced hiker. Just seeing his equipment and accessories; standard backpack, right outfit/hiking wear, a hiking can plus a cool cowboy hat; I realized I was just an apprentice.

We had three cars; no more, no less; perfect for a good tailing control; the weather had never been so nice, sunny and clear; I felt fresh and was bursting with energy; traffic was awesome and timing was impeccable. The most exciting thing was that we had fourteen people eventually despite the disappointment that Irene and Michelle had to excuse themselves at the last min. Sherry was still in ChiaYi enjoying her vacation and doing embroidery there. Linda had to be with her family. What would you know? Two very heavy weight and popular T/Ms Harry Fong, DTM, and Harrison Lee, DTM, joined us, too! Lydia also invited her classmate Linda and her husband Jeffrey and sister Ana. So, there were:

Harry & Lydia couple, and Lydia’s couple friends Jeffrey, Linda & their sister Ana.
Harrison and Cecilia couple, and their son.
Moses and Pamela couple.
Gina, Kate, Virginia and Trini my humble self.

Hiking is a body-soothing and mind-freeing outdoor activity, hiking with a bunch of good friends under a pleasant weather is a precious joy and enchanting charm. The greatest of all was that we had a volunteer guide, also a passionate photographer, enlightening us all the way with elucidation spot by spot and tracking our footsteps with her sophisticated camera. Who’s she? Our dearest and coolest friend, Virginia!

We had to gather at McDonald on YungMingSan at 8:10 am. Incredibly we all arrived ahead of time. First three couples were pretty early to enjoy their breakfast there. But where were Kate
and Gina? Though it was till too early to worry, I couldn’t help wondering because Virginia, our guide/leader, was pushing others to drive first in case of a fully packed parking place on such a holiday. I made a call to Kate trying to find out where she and Gina were and to tell her come to my car directly. This unbelievable lady said on the other side of the phone that they were still in bed. In bed? No kidding! How could it be? I couldn’t believe my ears. “Didn’t you set the alarm clock?” I asked. “We have to go without you, sorry,” I said decisively. There are critical moments that a stony heart has to override sweetness and kindness, and this is it. I should be able tell that Kate was trying to fool me. Her playful nature and bad genes always seek chances to fool nice and caring people like me. She and Gina were just a few steps behind us when playing the joke on me! In a few min. we were all at冷水坑 parking lot ready to head for擎天崗.

Alone the track, we joked, laughed and had photos taken while breathing the aroma of the fresh air and watching out for those slippery stones. It will take pages to describe it in detail. Maybe enumerating the features of our outing would be better to give an overall picture of the whole outing.

1. Awe-inspiring lessons: The nature introduction signs, the narration given by Virginia, knowledge sharing and brainstorming questions by our role model Harrison Lee, DTM.
2. An easy and well paved track: It tired no one, a perfect warm up for future hikes.
3. A Pleasant weather: Clear and sunny sky was unexpectedly interchanged with thin fogs out of
blue that misted our eyes and cooled us.
4. A right size group: It provided efficiency and flexibility to make arrangements and quick move.
5. Yummy snacks: Thoughtfully prepared and generously shared snacks were more than we could digest.
6. Both physical and intellectual experience: Everyone stretched their limbs as planned. The most unexpected surprise was the ecstacy we experienced from the intellectual tour to 石雕家王秀杞’s sculpture park. The last minute’s proposal brought up by Virginia made this outing even more delightful. We squeezed about an hour in between before heading for 32 Villa to visit the sculpture park. What a place! It’s unsophisticated, serene and artistic, full of works of art. The warm hospitable hostess, wife of 王秀杞, personally gave us a quick round tour in the park. Regretfully, we could
only afford a short stay. How reluctant we were to leave.

7. Luxurious tea: 32Villa was the last venture of our outing. Actually the whole program first originated from Pamela’s proposal of visiting the villa and strolling around the vicinity. It turned out to be a part of the outing and the last place to explore and relax ourselves. It’s luxurious in every aspect; in its layout, decorations, service and price. We had afternoon tea with snacks only. We didn’t dine there because of time concern, too. Harrison, Dr. Owl, challenged us again with a serious issue involved everyone in even the manager there. I don’t believe he will forget us ever. Will we visit the villa gain? Maybe, who knows? At this moment I’m pleased to say that I went, I saw and I enjoyed.

To conclude our outing, I must say happy hours pass especially fast. It brought us a sweet memory. Without Virginia and my friends, these fun hours wouldn’t happen. See all the interesting photos we took? (click the link on Virginia, Harry & 石雕家王秀杞’s) Having this wonderful beginning, we will definitely do it again and again until we finish setting foot on every beautiful corner of Taiwan. So far we already planned two other trips; tomorrow to Hualien, Toroko and TienSian by tour train and bus, next Monday Feb. 2nd to hike from 二子坪to 大屯.

Trini