Gravel Surface at the Pools

Today is the first day the swimming pools are open and we have only managed to get 3 of the 4 up and running.  The last pool was just filled too late for the water to have been completely filtered, but it should be fine on Tuesday.  Unfortunately this will turn out to be our biggest swimming day since most of the other activities are not open.

The pools are set up on a gravel surface.  There is a concrete pad in the front where the kids enter the pools, but the filters and all around the pools is this small square gravel.  It doesn't hurt to walk on, but it does feel a little bit like sandpaper.  I hope my feet hold up.  After walking a little bit in my new zero sandals I'm not sure they would be much good.  With such a thin base the gravel would constantly be getting stuck under my foot and it would be a hassle to constantly stop to shake it out.  I did bring my VFF, but I grab my older pair that has a hole in the bottom of one.  It is also very hot here in MO and I'm just not thrilled to be wearing VVF.

Tough 5 Mile Hike

Today we hiked up South Mountain in Pawtauckaway State Park in New Hampshire.  For this hike Starry, Christian and I were accompanied by my friend John and his almost 9 year old son Noah.  The hike 1.5 miles up the mountain was pretty easy barefoot.  The trail was not too tough on the feet, of course I expected that hiking up hill would be much easier then hiking downhill.  The kids had a blast climbing many of the huge boulders that are all along the trail.  Everyone climbed the tower and enjoyed the view.

The trip downhill started out pretty easy as well. Had to take a bit more care where I placed my feet, but much easier than last week when I was guiding a three year old.  The kids found some more huge boulders to scramble on and I began to think that we were never going to make it home.  The boulders eventually faded and the kids began to get board.  We did find a snake and toad to help distract them for a little bit.  After hiking down about 2 miles the trail turned onto a gravel road.

Here is where the going got really tough.  I began to slow down and try and find a safe place for my feet.  The rest of the group didn't seem fazed by the rough terrain and pulled a little ahead.  Several times I thought about putting on my VFF, but resisted the urge.  I found a couple of spots along the way that gave my feet relief for a short period of time, and one nice cool rock that I stood on for a few seconds.  So hobbling along as fast as I could after about 1.5 miles the rough road ended and we were back on a nice dirt road.

My feet were really dirty after the hike, but besides being a little sore don't seem to have sustained any injuries.  I did stub my toe only once and it didn't hurt for long and seems fine now.  Perhaps I should add a little addendum tomorrow morning on how my feet are doing.

That evening my mom and I were invited to join a pizza party for a friend who was visiting from Texas.  I started to head out the door and my mother asked if I was going barefoot.  I told her of course, she asked if I couldn't wear something, so I reluctantly grabbed my Xeroshoes.  Funny how it doesn't take much to make some people happy.  I wore my shoes into the venue and but took them off shortly afterward and my mom gave me a look and I smiled.  No one said anything and she let me be.