My sister celebrated one year of sobriety and asked if I would attend a 5:00 party in her honor. I get out of work at 2:30 so I skipped Karate and picked up some party goods. She lives just over the line in Pawcatuck, CT. Along the way there are a couple South Kingstown Land Trust properties just off of Route 1. I had planned possible visits of these properties back before my Friday schedule was juggled on me.
Somewhere jammed in the back seat of my car I had a trail map for the DuVal Trail, which crosses SKLT and DEM property. 2.4 miles is manageable enough. Neither too long or short for my purpose. I didn't spend much time looking at the map prior to setting off.
There is parking in front of a historic cemetery. I assumed the path to the left was the start of the trail. I wound through the cemetery and passed out the back. Sometimes when hiking my thoughts turn to the macabre. What if I happen upon a crime in progress? At that moment, a giant dog with a kerchief around it's neck appeared running right at me. Quickly behind it was a woman jogging. She called the dog off, who clearly had no bad intent. My heart was beating fast. I asked if this was the DuVal trail. She didn't know but said it was the blue blazed trail that heads towards Gravelly Hill Road. Well, what do you know. Blue Blazes. I thought for a moment. She came from the left. I wonder where that trail lead. As she ran off, I took her picture. I wonder why she isn't in it.
The weather was perfect for a hike, and while the sun was low in the sky, I didn't pay it much mind. The trail was more than clear. I dallied. Made a phone call that could have waited. The path split. Clearly I was to take the left, but I wanted to see where the right lead to. I walked that for a bit when I decided to double back. Taking the left fork, I found that it went around a stand of mountain laurel and followed the exact same path. I continued to walk without incident.
The path crosses Gravelly Hill Road at the 0.7 mile mark, then continues for 1.7 miles to Red House Road. It was about that moment that I realized that I had to double back. This isn't a 2.4 mile trail. It's a 4.8 mile hike. I wasn't carrying a flashlight. My hiking stuff was long been removed from my car. I wasn't concerned, though. The sky was bright and clear, the trail well marked, and the weather was wonderful. Hey, and I had a cell phone with Google Maps on it.
Not long past Gravelly Road is a scenic overlook where you can see the ocean. I wish I took a picture here. The path wound around and from time to time I would see a gorgeous house off in the distance. The sun grew lower in the sky.
There were several places where the trail was diverted. The land trust made it very clear what was expected of you. I did my best to follow their directions. I came across a forest road, wide and flat enough to drive a car. The path follows it briefly.
Occasionally I would pass through a maintain laurel grove. I saw where a horse has passed through. I came to a split where the way to go wasn't clear. I took the right path. I noticed the path had six inch tall plants indicating this was a little used trail. Despite this, I continued.
Eventually I did turn back and take the other path. I thought about the seedlings on the path and thought the information may be useful. The sun was below the trees, but I wasn't going to turn around. Red House Road might be just ahead.
More than several minutes later, I finally come upon the end. It was about a quarter past 4. What time did I start? A quarter past 3? I neglected to check. If it took me an hour to get here, I should make it back in 45 minutes. No exploring side paths, no dalling. I walk quickly towards the setting sun.
The sun has dropped below the horizon but the sky was still bright. 4:30 I realize, man I'm tired and hungry. The sky grows slowly darker. I notice that the sliver of a moon was very sharp. It took a moment for me to realize what that meant. Not uncomfortable now, but the clear sky meant it would grow colder. The almost new moon meant there would be little moonlight.
I increased my pace. I passed by familiar landmarks. Wrong turn, horse poop, mountain laurel grove, forest road, dead raising from the grave to feast on the living. No, wait. That's just a weird stump. Funny how I hadn't noticed it before.
Darker still. I occasionally break out into a light jog. I kick a root or rock and slow my pace again. The blue blazes were all but invisible now, but the leaves, trampled flat by foot traffic, almost glowed. The clearness of the path renewed my confidence. But soon I'd enter a section where the canopy is thicker and the path disappeared. I remember how my son would use his tracfone as a lantern. No chance of that for me. I have a Blackberry. The batteries suck down faster than warm ice cream on a hot day. Oh, the batteries. They're low.
I pick a direction that proves correct. Shortly I realize I haven't even reached Gravelly Hill Road yet. The sky is darker and I noticed that when I take a picture the flash is needed. I start thinking about the possibility of staying the night. I have a pocket knife. My clothes are somewhat warm. I could improvise a shelter. Nothing to start a fire with, however. I did see several rich people's houses. Would I find one and knock on the door? I doubt it.
I jog, hit a rock, go back to walking fast, and concentrate on keeping sight of the trail. I think back to the lady I came across. I entered the path at a 90 degree angle. Would I be able to find the turn in the dark? I come across the overlook where you can see the ocean. I take a picture, not that it mattered much.
Reaching Gravelly Hill Road was a relief. There is the occasional car, and I saw a man walking his dog. I'm not as far from civilization as it sometimes seems. I follow the road for a couple hundred feet and turn back into the forest.
It's almost 5 now and darker still. I enter another dark spot and lose the trail. I pause, looking around. Again, I choose a direction without knowing why. Again, I chose the right path. I believe that many people who die in the wilderness must at some point think to themselves "I'm such a stupid moron." I come to a point where the trail continues, but I find the turn I am certain goes back to the graveyard. I guess where on the map I must be. There is something labeled ahead called the Polly Matzinger Memorial. Maybe this is for the Playboy bunny/fearless scientist. I'm guessing no because memorials aren't usually made for the living. I wonder if I can find it. I count my paces and head off past my turn. I think to myself "I'm such a stupid moron".
52 steps later, I decide I cannot find it, and turn around. 52 steps later I find my turn. Maybe I've learned something. I expect to arrive at the back of the cemetery. I don't. Instead I am on Old Post Road. I turn left and quickly find my car. It's ten past 5 and completely dark. I guzzle a strange flavored SoBe drink and open a bag of chips. I congratulate my sister at 5:30.
