Revenge of the Gamer

Armstrong holds a special place in my heart for many reasons.  I first discovered it when I was no more than twenty.  My ex-wife Darlene brought me there, and I fell in love instantly.  The tranquil redowoods towering around us defied description.  Standing beneath them I had the sense that they’d been there since the beginning of time, quietly observing the denizens of the forest.

A few years later I moved down to Los Angeles, a land that not only lacked redwoods but trees in general.  For five years I slaved away in the valley making a carreer for myself, and I gradually lost touch with the beauty and grace of nature.  I missed places like Armstrong, but the longer I went without seeing them the more I forgot they existed.

By 2006 I was lost in the rat race.  I missed Santa Rosa and was fed up with Los Angeles.  The thing is I had a rediculous salary, and couldn’t bear to give it up.  I figured if I couldn’t move home at least I could visit.  My then girlfriend and I drove up to Northern California, and I was able to see my home for the first time in several years.

One of the very first places I took Jen was Armstrong woods.  She was blown away by the majestic arboreal giants, some of which tower over 300 feet.  That’s right the length of a football field.  For me the experience wasn’t new, but it was eye opening. 

Standing beneath Armstrong tree I suddenly understand what I had given up by moving to Los Angeles.  I was making a ton of money, but part of my soul had quietly atrophied.  Being away from nature for so long wasn’t healthy, and I decided right then that I needed to give up my high paying job and move home.

It took me another year and a half to arrange that move, but in the end I did make it home.  I credit that decision to the unique natural beauty of Armstrong woods.  Seeing them that fateful day was a powerful experience, and awakened something long dormant in me.

Since moving home the woods have taken on an even more special significance.  In January one of my New Year’s resolutions was to lose weight.  I decided to start hiking every weekend, and the very first place I went was Armstrong woods.

Always before I’d stuck to the valley floor where the largest trees are.  This time I tried the East Trail, which was the toughest hike I’d ever attempted.  It was three and a half miles of steep trails, and I had to stop often to catch my breath.  By the end I was panting, sweat covered and felt like I was going to die.  But I made it.

In the weeks that followed I kept going back to Armstrong.  It’s beauty still has the same impact on me, but now it also served as a barometer.  I remember how challenging the East Trail was the first time I attempted it, and every time I go back I use it to see how much better shape I am in.

I’ve hiked there in the middle of thunderstorms, when the forest was shrouded in mist, and with the warm California sun filtering through the trees.  I’ve see just about every face Armstrong has to offer, and I love them all.

The place is far bigger than I ever realized when I first began hiking there.  As I grew stronger I was able to hike further and futher, and eventually I decided to hike out to Bullfrog Pond.  It was a grueling four hour hike, and I can truthfully say it was the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever attempted.  By the time I arrived at the pond I was a mess.  I was coated in sweat, barely able to catch my breath, and my legs were shaking.  But I made it.

That was back in early March.  Since then I’ve gotten in considerably better shape.  I’ve gone back to Armstrong several more times, the most recent being the trip I took out there last Saturday.  It’s what prompted this writing and for good reason.

I am in better shape than I’ve ever been.  I tore through the East Trail like it was nothing.  There was no stopping and while I was out of breath I made it to the farside in a fraction of the time it would normally take me.  I continued on to Bullfrog Pond, which was still challenging.  But instead of being half dead when I reached it I was merely winded.

After nearly six months of continuous hiking and of working out every day Armstrong showed me the transformation I’d undergone more clearly than any gym equipment ever could.  I thought I was in good shape back in March.  Now I look back at that me and laugh.  I can’t even imagine where I’ll be in three more months, but I do know this.  I’m going to go back out to Armstrong and find out.