This is the trail head. our crew is talking to the guy in the Chevrolet who is waiting for someone to finish the wilderness.
I had hoped that this would be my year to do the 100 mile wilderness. But it is not going to be. Age can catch up to you. My dear friend Fred did not realize how demanding the trail can be. He is not the first. I had just done the same thing down in New Hampshire. Fred had walked a little on the AT in Tennessee where it is mostly a nice footpath. He was not prepared for BOGS, ROOTS, and ROCKS. Also he jumped the gun on his recovery from the fight with Cancer and Chemo. He was not able to eat the Hoagie I had brought along for our first nights meal.
We finally came to the first shelter. Mark, being the fastest hiker, went ahead, started a camp fire, then came back to carry Fred’s pack, which by this time was mine, since I had switched with him:
(If you can tell, the sleeping surface is poles and limbs all round)
Gordon and Mark preparing for Supper.
(After a nite in the Shelter on those poles, Mark said he would rather hike all night. LOL)
Fred and his Hammock.
(Fred’s house)
He hung the hammock he was hoping to use thru the 100 miles, but he knew all the time he was not going to make it. We were fortunate enough to catch a cell signal for a few minutes to contact base for extraction. Sherry and Jack came running the next day.
Gordon, ready for a good nights sleep on those poles. The packs were hung high from bears and coons.
Fred and I started out but not before leaving some treats for happy hikers. Fred left 35 lbs of food and his stove for someone to enjoy. Of course we hung it high so the animals would not enjoy it first. LOL.
As Fred, I and his pack (Now down to about 30 lbs) started out to the road, Gordon and Mark headed on into the Wilderness. I was going to come back, load up and catch up.
(Fred taking a picture of our trail angel)
Fred and I were taking a break after hiking about 2.5 hrs. I looked up and there was trail angel, my girl. Sherry had hiked an hour in to meet us. She was beautiful as usual. We hiked another 45 mins or hour and met Jack Jr. coming in. He took Fred’s pack, and I headed back up the trail (After a kiss or two of course!)
(We were all impressed with the beautiful green moss that covered much of the rocks and stumps.)
(I was impressed by this perfect white toad-stool, nestled in some seedlings beside the trail)
My task then was to catch up to Gordon and Mark. Looking at the map we had picked a spot about 12 miles out. there was an area to pitch a tent at about 9 miles, I was praying they would stop there, when darkness caught up with me. I Had to depend on my ‘head lamp’ to follow the trail.
More in my next entry.
Thanks for stopping by the log
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Everyone needs to spend some time alone. (But not TOO long!)
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I caught a glimpse of one of these the other day!!
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11 comments:
Those logs would make a pretty hard bed, I think I'd be with Mark and rather hike all night. I guess you can't carry a air mattress in those packs. Sorry Fred had to give up so soon, but at least he was wise enough to know when. How nice you all have a trail angel with you there. I bet she was a sight for sore eyes. I'll be looking forward to more stories of the hike.
Interesting. I'll bet Sherry did look good to you guys especially to you. I never did like to camp out and sleep on rocks.
I wouldn't like to try sleeping on those poles either. That is a rough trail with all those roots and rocks. I hope Fred will be ok. We have almost a circle of toad stones like that in our front yard. Ken has been pulling them up every week for several weeks but the next week there they are again.
Glad to hear you guys are back home safe and sound. I was worried about Fred hiking this for so soon after his last treatment.Take care. Jean
I am so tired just reading about
you hikers. Glad you are out of the woods. Remember our age.
Shirl
Okay - Tell Fred how much he is admired by me - I didn't go thru what all he did - and I didn't walk a step!
And I LOVE learning all about it. It was so much fun to hear about your adventures and can't wait for more!
Jack, you are THE BEST kind of friend. Loved reading your version of our adventure. Sorry you had to hike until after dark after leaving me with Jackie and Sherry. The shot of the Roots and Rocks impressed Frances!
Wow, now those roots and mossy rocks is like walking through our north swamp and the one by my son, Dusty's hunting camp. By Andy's hunting spot, very similar looking, a 520 lb. black bear was just harvested. Bill helped haul it out. Mercy, you guys are real troopers but I'm still glad you all are home safe and sound. What an adventure.
BlessingsToAllOfYou
I was going to say pretty much the same thing Dar did about those mossy rocks and roots ~ looks like the swampy area behind our place. I don't think people realize what a struggle it is to navigate rough terrain like that until they actually go through it. I was so sore after mushroom hunting that one day ~ and I was only out for a few hours. My fibromyalgia flared up big time, especially in my left knee. GLAD you're all out of the woods and back to being flat landers:) Cherish the memories. Love ya!
I'm glad you are all out safe and sound. I look forward to the next entry...love from NC, Sheila
Welcome back to all. I still think you older men are all crazy, but I love your picture's. Glad you didn't fall off a mountain and break tour head like I thought you would. Shirl kept me posted, and I appreciated that. I was so bogged down trying to be the peace maker, I didn't get to visit many blogs. I hope Fred is feeling more rested. You have to admire his courage to even try.
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