Minnesota Hiking Club #5 - Jay Cooke State Park

 

Minnesota Hiking Club

#5 - Jay Cooke State Park

Date Hiked: March 8th, 2025

Other Hikes That Day: George C. Manitou State Park, St. Croix State Park

Wanderloon Ranking System Score: 4.33

As the notes of "Out of Time" by Kalax played through my halo headphones, I crossed the amazing bridge over jagged rocks and snow-covered ridges to the Jay Cooke State Park Hiking Club trail. My longest hike ever, 22 miles on the nearby Munger Trail, had taken me by this park before, but at a time where I was... to put it generously... detached from reality. 

Do you know, do you know, time is running out for me and you, so what you gonna do?

Cool. Ass. Rocks. The Swinging Bridge was a moment all on its own, highlighting Silver Creek flowing underneath the ice. The weather was incredibly nice, but I got there early enough that the crowds hadn't yet swarmed this obviously popular weekend destination. By the time I finished, that would no longer be the case. 

Just take my hand, may I have this dance tonight? Just take a chance, before we run out of time.

My mind was full, and not just with calculations of how to finish the Hiking Club before my self-imposed arbitrary deadline looming two weeks in the future. An extremely traumatic event had shook me to my core, and I lay with a decision to be made at this point in my life: retreat back into the shell, fold myself up, and fade away. Or. Turn up the volume, live my life out loud, and stop trying to be who everyone else wanted me to be? A box I never wanted, or the person who skips on a trail and sings in the rain?

This one moment, that only comes once in a life. Let's fall in love before we run out of time.

3.5 miles along the Silver Creek, over crunchy ice, in the deep woods, and along rocky ridges, my mind wasn't truly taking in and appreciating the splendor with which I was blessed at a time with no hoards of people swarming around, the person I've always been remained protected in the fog as I tried desperately to know what was the right thing to do. I had love in my life, that was not the problem. But at this point, I wasn't 20 anymore and didn't have all the time in the world to stall, settle, and wait for the chance to do what my heart overwhelmingly wanted. 

Do you know, do you know, just how hard it is to play it cool and numb with you? I love the way moonlight passes on your summer dress and prettier shine from the darkness, only you. Just take my hand... 

Would I ever have the chance again? Would life ever present a better opportunity to break the mold? To embrace the chance, to dance before I ran out of time? It would be so easy to hide, to put the mask back on. Would I make up my mind?

Just take a chance, before we run out of time.

Well, you're reading this story right now, aren't you?