Ledges State Park or: The thirty-nine steps

There are many duos in life that create perfect pairings: chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and campfire-singed marshmallows...basically, chocolate and anything else. However, the words "Jessica" and "cardio" are almost never uttered together unless it's, "Jessica, you need more cardio in your life!

The Iowa DNR listed the Crow's Nest Loop at Ledges as hard but my new AllTrails app listed it as easy. Confusion abounded! However, I had heard many wonderful things about the park from friends and knew it would be just the ticket to start out my summer break.

I soon learned to never doubt the DNR's trail assessments.

I believe I am accurately quoting Indiana Jones when I cry, "Steps...why'd it have to be steps?"

For a variety of reasons (complete lack of cardio fitness, imagined asthma, actual iron deficiency), the hundreds of steps on the Crow's Nest Loop were nearly my Waterloo. The level ground was too little and too far in between. I'm not stupid--why didn't I make the connection that "Crow's Nest" was probably going to include something like elevation? To make matters worse, a toddler, gaily bounding up the steps with her mother, passed me as I was catching my breath.

A literal baby was faster than I was.

One trait I have in my arsenal, however, is that I don't quit. Good for that baby! I kept trudging upward, downward, and sideways because, gosh dang it, I knew I had it in me to keep going. All I needed was a few minutes now and then to lean on my walking stick and let my heart beat slow to a more acceptable rate.

Guess what? I finished that beautiful hike and would have tried another trail if my legs hadn't felt like jelly at that moment.

For beginning hikers out there, don't fret. If this tenderfoot can do it, literally anyone else can do it too. This trail has many enjoyable aspects: a few water crossings, gorgeous views (when not concealed by summer foliage), ancient sandstone formations, and a sense of extreme satisfaction when it is finally over.

Final distance: 1.7 miles
Total time: 50 minutes of moving time
Temperature: 73 degrees Fahrenheit
Bug bites/ticks: 0
Water consumed: 20 oz
Food consumed: None, but I did nosh on some drive-thru fries on the way home. Cardio training will start tomorrow.