For me the word “shoeless” is always followed by “Joe Jackson”. Jackson, allegedly illiterate, was part of the Chicago Black Sox scandal, was banned from baseball, and also still holds the third highest career batting average in baseball history. In 1911 he hit .408 which is the sixth highest single season average ever.

What does this have to do with hiking? This pair of pink Crocs.

This was one of the few hikes I didn’t do alone. My friend Tom, an avid (and very fast) hiker, came with me and we returned by way of the summit of Robertson Mountain. Neither of us had been on that trail before. It was deserted, and wound its way up through a heavily forested area with many colors of lichens on large rocks and trees. There was a small area at the top with a great view of the valley. As it was cool and misting, we didn’t stay long at the top.

On the way back, along a fire road, we found these pink Crocs.  I know there’s a story. I want to believe it is something less mundane that falling off someone’s daypack. She lost them running from a bear. She left them as a clue of where to find her. He didn’t want his friends to know he wore pink Crocs. Maybe you have a better one.

We stopped at Gadino cellars on the way back for a tasting. A small group was playing great music on the back porch so we ordered another glass and enjoyed another fitting finish to a long hike.