I parked at a parking lot near Rt 23 near Washington Memorial Chapel, though I only realized I was near the chapel later. I excitedly set up the stroller and checked that the baby would be warm enough and I started on my journey. I thought about grabbing a map but I've been to the park enough that I thought I would be just fine. I was enjoying the peace and the quiet, even relishing in the thumping sound of a galloping horse along one of the trails. The day was beautiful and the scenery was serene. Everything was calming to me, but after an hour of brisk walking I was excited for the burn from trekking a stroller up and down those hills (no wonder they call it Valley Forge Mountain) would be over.............................except, it wouldn't. I made my way around the Visitor's center, sure that my car was ahead...somewhere. I checked out a map at the center to see how far I was and it didn't seem to much longer. What the map didn't show was the insanely steep hill that I had to take to get there. Ugh. I took a deep breath and pushed on, literally. Luckily the baby was sound asleep and not crying to be done with this adventure, unlike the cry of my quads! I took this photo when I got near the top:
You'll notice there's not much to look at but you will see RT 23 in the foreground and the town of King of Prussia in the distance. I understand why this was an ideal place for an encampment; you will see the enemy coming at you from all sides and it was close to the river. But, I certainly felt lonely except for the cars driving by. Finally, I notice a runner who passed me about an hour ago on one of the trails! I didn't fret because I knew I wasn't too far gone and I was in the right direction since Rt 23 was on the correct side of the trail (and my car was parked near there). Just when I think I see the statue that resides in the parking lot where I parked, I realize it's a different statue. I text my husband, warning him I may have lost the car (what's worse, the wife and kid are lost in the park or that the wife and kid lost the car???). He calls to say he can pick me up but I advised that I just need a little more time (though my feet and legs were screaming...pick us up, pick us up).
Only about 20 minutes and another steep hill later...I see the parking lot and, eventually, my car. Deep sigh of relief and the baby is still sleeping like.....well, a baby :) Total walking time was about 2 hours but it feel like many more! My post pregnancy body was not expecting that!
I called my husband to let him know we are no longer in distress. Lesson of the day: I should have grabbed a map. Surprisingly, my body is not sore the next day. Maybe we'll try this adventure again.
