When people tell me I can’t get lost going somewhere, my usual response is don’t challenge me. It’s amazing how lost you can get in a short amount of time! You’ll see in a bit.
I runfess . . .
Lately the universe seems to be fighting me. When I took my mom to the orthopedist, I noticed where some of the parking for the rail trail not too far from her was. I made a mental note and thought maybe next time I was there I would drive over there to run. The very hilly, narrow country road she lives on is not great to run on — people really zoom through there.
Then the car trouble started
I runfess . . .
Speaking of the car trouble, I also had plans on that trip to stop at Olana on the way back to stretch my legs. I’d stopped on the way there, but couldn’t spend much time because I had food with me. I’d finished anything that needed to be kept cold.
Except I couldn’t stop at all because we weren’t even sure the car was going to make the trip. Was the transmission just going to stop? I had that happen to me once in a parking lot — but this would’ve been on a highway. Would the brakes fail? Yeah, it was a fun trip. Not.
Not the worst drive I’ve had — that belongs to the time I had to stop every 2 hours on the way home from my parents to my apartment in MD to let the radiator cool down. Or maybe it was that white knuckle drive through a snowstorm in VT, until Mr. Judy started to drive & then decided we should really stop somewhere to stay overnight. We are grateful none of this happened on our trip to ME, anyway!
I runfess . . .
It seems as though every time I fix something, something else breaks. My Achilles is pretty good, and so is that high hamstring tendinosis (if that’s what it was). Why I thought it was a good idea to run a 6 mile long run when I’d only run about 5 miles the previous week (hello, vacation!) — despite plenty of walking and hiking — I don’t know.
I should have known better
The foot feels relatively normal again, although there’s still a slight twinge occasionally.
I hikefess . . .
Speaking of hiking, I have a whopper to confess. I told my sister and a couple of friends about it so far. It’s no secret that I am directionally challenged, and often lose my way, although I always find my way home eventually. Except . . .
I decided to go back by myself after sitting a while on the rocks with one of the friends that had invited us to ME. As I started back, though, it just didn’t look like the right way. So I thought maybe I’d head the other way, where the other friend and Mr. Judy were.
Somehow I got off the trail and completely lost in the very narrow woods. It was very frustrating (and embarrassing) because I had a fairly good idea of where I was, I just couldn’t backtrack and find my way out of there!
I knew I was very close to the road, actually, even located it on a map at one point (thank goodness I had signal back there), but it was just a bit too steep and rocky for me to scramble up there (remember, I was completely in the woods!).
Just as I was finally realizing I was going to need some help, Mr. Judy called. I tried to explain approximately where I was. They got close, and asked me to yell. Even more embarrassing but I did! The host husband finally found me, and helped me out. He led me out the way I knew led to the road, but even then I needed a hand from him at one point. The ground back there was very springy (and all sorts of weird fungus and no, I didn’t take any photos!) and there was some big rocks/ledges to climb over.
I imagine if I hadn’t been able to get signal and talk with them, eventually I would have crawled my way out, but they would have been a lot more worried because it would have taken more time! I got lucky. I also got lost there really fast! It was just bizarre.
For those who wondered why I didn’t just share my location — I couldn’t. At least not as far as I know. My phone no longer can update the OS and that’s one of the apps that no longer works.
Yes, I’m in the market for a new phone
My Garmin does have a feature to get you back to the start — except you have to start it before you’re lost, which I didn’t.
I hikefess . . .
Our hosts also suggested a short walk/hike on the way home. It was a walk along a breakwater to a small lighthouse. Mr. Judy wasn’t feeling it, but I joked, as I did after my spectacular hikefail above, that I couldn’t get lost on that walk. I could fall in the water, of course (but I didn’t).
So I walked out the mile or so on the uneven rocks, as Mr. Judy stayed behind (and got some really great photos!). I don’t think he was happy with me because due to that little side trip, he had to drive through some pouring rain. Oh well, I enjoyed it — and I didn’t get lost.
Any great getting lost stories to share?
I am considering the iphone 12 mini. Anyone have one?
What do you have to runfess from September? Come join us
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I got us lost in the Lake District with not enough food or water once – we had a little photocopied map and a proper map and I can READ a map but we didn’t start where I thought we started. Fortunately we wandered in a circle and got back OK but I was furious with myself!
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I do get lost. Too many times to mention. The AllTrails app does help if you have a signal and the trail is on AllTrails.
I have an older iPhone. But now our washing machine is broken and my car needs a headlight. Always something.
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It wasn’t really a matter of not knowing where I was, that’s the odd part. The problem was actually making my way out of there. It was weird.
I can’t update the OS on mine anymore, so unfortunately it is time for a new phone. My husband is freaking out a bit about the new security problems but also doesn’t want to pay for a new phone. Neither do I, really.
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My hubby’s is even older than mine. We pass them done.
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My husband is Android. So no passing down. I think he would like me to go back to Android.
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Androids do have a better camera. My hubby is not tech saavy so against his wishes he gets my phone. But my phone is still ok just old.
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Sounds like quiet the adventures!
My husband is thinking of getting the 13 which comes out next month.
I haven’t ran in a month. Booh.
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I’m sorry you haven’t run, Michelle. That is definitely a long time.
Even the 12 mini is more $$ than we would normally spend on a phone. The hope is that it last quite a few years. My 6 lasted almost 4.
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Thanks-between Covid and migraines I’ve been down for the count.
Yeah, phones sure are pricey! I’ve got the 10 and hoping it lasts another couple of years.
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I’ve only gotten lost once, on a 15 mile training run in Pinehurst NC 10+ years ago. Thankfully I could call the Caveman and he came and got me. Beautiful photos though!
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I have gotten lost on many occasions, but never quite to that degree before! Thank God for phones, right?
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You might have to start dropping breadcrumbs! LOL Years ago my hubs and I got turned around on a hike before and had to call the inn we were staying at for some directions back. I actually just ordered the larger Iphone 13 mostly for better photos. I have not seen the mini but I do rely on all the apps quite a bit. That bird photo is great!
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Like I said to Marcia, thank God for phones! And that we weren’t in a remote place, although I was still surprised to get a signal! And grateful.
I like a small phone so it can easily go in pockets. I know the camera in the 12 mini will be a big jump for me, and I even the 6 camera is pretty awesome!
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I have no sense of direction. At all. If it’s a cloudy day, and I’m in a strange place, it doesn’t usually end well. I am good at remembering landmarks, though. I found my way back to our hotel in Chicago, a few years ago, from Union Station. I was determined to walk, and find The Bean. I couldn’t get a signal (on my phone), and it was a hazy day (no sun to indicate which direction was going)…so I just kept walking “towards the lakefront” and knew to turn left when I got there LOL. Mission accomplished:-)
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I have a horrible memory for landmarks, too, LOL!
On that same trip to ME, however, I was driving & we were at a circle. My husband thought I made the wrong turn. In the end I had to go around the circle 3 times because turns out I’d made the right turn the first time! Sometimes I am right, but he generally has a better sense of direction than me.
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Well, there was a trail run last spring where I got lost and ended up adding several extra miles- but I’ve never been so lost that someone had to rescue me! That’s a good one.
I know the feeling of fixing one problem, only to have something else break- that’s been the story of my life this year. Get it together, body!
Glad you survived all your mishaps 🙂
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I actually did get a little lost last fall, I think, when exploring a new path (you walk from a preserve, go up a road, cross the road to get to the path). I did have to phone my husband but I didn’t have trouble there again. Although it’s been a while since I’ve been there . . .
I have been lucky, my aches knock on wood have been relatively minor. I know that you’ve had a very tough year, Jenny, but you still stay optimistic!
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I am lucky, I never got lost.
Remembering when I was a sailor we had to learn how to never lose the direction.
Beautiful photos, the breakwater with the lighthouse is wonderful!
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I was happy that our hosts suggested visiting that breakwater!
You are indeed, very lucky to never get lost!
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I just had to buy a new phone for my youngest because–long story short–Sprint was bought by T-Mobile and his phone was no longer compatible. I got him the iPhone SE. Works well.
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Thanks for the info, Wendy!
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I have the iPhone 12 mini and really like it! The camera is great and I like that the phone is still small enough to fit in the pocket of my run gear.
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I do like small phones! Thanks, Michelle. I’m beginning to lean towards it but also need to see what I can use with our carrier.
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I hate spending the money on phones, but do love having one that takes good pictures. I have the 11-pro and my husband has a 12. Like you, I prefer holding on to them for a while (I jumped from a 6 to my current one).
The only getting lost stories I can think of involve driving, not hiking or running. Thank goodness for Waze or I’d probably have some current getting lost stories. Glad you were able to be rescued quickly!
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I’m also working with a 6 right now. 😊 I don’t get lost too often driving due to the GPS but it has happened. 😉
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That view was definitely getting lost for. Beautiful! I am an Android girl so don’t know much about iPhones.
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It was a very weird experience. I may lose my way but I can usually backtrack!
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Well, I got lost in Austin last week. I missed where to pick up the trail after it went through a park, ended up in a neighborhood, and for some reason thought if I kept going I would cross the trail again. When I finally figured out I had just run 2 miles away from the trail, I ordered an Uber. 😉
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I have actually never in my life ordered an Uber. I have rode in them (not often), but never solo.
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I rarely get lost. Even before using Maps on our phone, I would either print the directions from Mapquest or write them down. I have the iPhone X and want to get the 13. Do I really need it? No. I want a new phone. Plus it will be an early birthday gift. 🙂
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Well, I definitely need a new phone, but it’s going to wait a few more months.
I get lost frequently! I can read a map, but often just have trouble orienting myself (obviously).
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