Casual Low and Slow on Blue Trail at Parvin SP

Please note: We are meeting and starting from the Thundergust Lake day use area on Parvin Mill Road.

They have supposedly created a connector trail that is ADA accessible from the Thundergust Lake parking lot over to the Blue paved 'lollipop' trail. We shall see. Once on the Blue Trail, it is asphalted with minimal inclines. It occasionally has benches but they have been in somewhat poor condition in the past. The asphalt loop goes through pine forest and along swamps.

Hike leader: Dawn Tepper
Anticipated Distance: 3.5-4.5 miles
Expected Speed: SLOW 25-30 minutes per mile
Number of planned breaks: as needed, approximately every 1.5 miles. Expect one to be enough time for a snack.

Bathrooms: There is bathroom in the Thundergust Lake Day use area. In the past it was hit miss being open.

Be sure to bring plenty of water. I also recommend at least a snack for the break.

Be sure to be prepared for the weather.

Please arrive a few minutes ahead of time to sign in and use the bathroom. I start the safety talk 5 minutes before and then start.

Take your preferred tick, chigger, and flying insect precautions.

I drive a dark blue/gray Toyota Sienna minivan. I wear a skirt.

Any questions ahead of time, email [theteppers@comcast.net](http://mailto:theteppers@comcast.net/). Problems the day of, you can text 609-742-8803.

Constant rain, heat index above 85 degrees, or other nasty weather of the same ilk may cancel. If above 60 degrees and only isolated showers or mist, hike will be on but may be modified.

The nitty gritty:

• One of the more prominent side effects/symptoms of my MS is heat intolerance. And for me, depending on humidity levels, it can start around 80 degrees. I will be slow and taking frequent breaks.

• I have developed ataxia on my left leg associated with my MS. This is causing some knee/ankle pain since my gait is being altered and the joints are trying to compensate.

• Dogs: I’m neutral. Your well behaved, leashed dog is welcome to hike with me at the back of the group. It is YOUR responsibility to determine/confirm that dogs are permitted on a specific trail. If you plan to bring your dog, please note it in the comments such that people who prefer not to hike with dogs are aware.

• Why do I often title my hikes as casual? Because my pace varies on how I’m feeling and the makeup of the group that day. I like to look at nature, take time for photos, spot interesting things and don’t mind stopping for comfort breaks. If you want to go fast, you picked the wrong leader/hike. If I title my hike as slow and I’m going faster than ‘advertised’. Please let me know and I’ll slow down.

• Depending on how I feel/ conditions of trail, I’ll use a rollator, hiking sticks or be pushing a stroller.

• As anyone who has hiked with me in the past knows, I have Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake. MS is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently depending on which nerves are being attacked. I have been blessed to have had somewhat mild symptoms. The location, types of hikes, distance, and pace that I choose are generally based on my current symptoms, if any. Occasionally, I will need to adjust a route or take more frequent breaks. If appropriate, I may use hiking sticks or a rollator.

• If a hike is titled as a family hike expect at least one of my elementary school aged children to be accompanying me. The pace will be on the slow end of moderate.

• If a hike is labeled as slow, not just casual, expect the hike to be slow not moderate.