tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87517297026070480262024-03-18T22:52:53.514-04:00The Adventures of EarthTone and LoGearBushCraft, Backpacking and BullShittingEarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-9931532334857576242023-01-23T17:11:00.018-05:002023-02-07T08:25:11.071-05:00Hell and High Water - A Novel<p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZZ0Li-yfaNjR0T8vni31l6raFznwFlJFIDo4VYVgyzIvmXIsOJ2q_Y6WvwW6HKppmKTBI7OeGi7j-UDpPPIrK2-7U16srpMge-xOkDEztLxV9KgJ7NXlR6ogSAEFsbm8K5snOqY8SajILb8jyy6UitGM9V1Ug1mfko9mpH6AFxfSVzXthvuOYl6Rlg/s1290/HellHighWaterCover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZZ0Li-yfaNjR0T8vni31l6raFznwFlJFIDo4VYVgyzIvmXIsOJ2q_Y6WvwW6HKppmKTBI7OeGi7j-UDpPPIrK2-7U16srpMge-xOkDEztLxV9KgJ7NXlR6ogSAEFsbm8K5snOqY8SajILb8jyy6UitGM9V1Ug1mfko9mpH6AFxfSVzXthvuOYl6Rlg/w285-h400/HellHighWaterCover.jpg" width="285" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /> I have had this story in my head for about a decade or so and over the last several years, I have finally knocked it out of my head and into a digital universe. I had started the beginning somewhere around 2018 or so. About 19,000 words. Then I discovered something called NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) where you attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November. I won my first NaNoWriMo in 2019, shortly after we started full time RVing. But the story, now at around 70,000 words was only half done. The story sat for another 11 months and then I did my second NaNoWriMo and got the first draft done at about 120,000 words. There is sat for a couple years. In 2022 I decided to pick it up again and do my first edit of the story. Fleshing out things I left incomplete, adding and deleting stuff, finding typos, bad grammar and punctuation. and adding about another 9,000 words.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I had no professional help, but I'm ready to put it out there. Soon, I will be converting the somewhat finished product into an eBook and publishing it on Lulu.com. For now, I'm posting a chapter a day on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EarthToneLoGear" target="_blank">AT Facebook Page</a> until I either get the whole thing on there or I catch up to where my "final" editing is. (One last go through until I pull the trigger). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I'm going to post the chapter links here if you want to read them from here and don't do Facebook or whatnot. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's the synopsis: </span></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sergeant First Class Clayton Collier has been in the Army for 19 years. During a survival training evolution, some very bad things happen. The war that brought on this new world only lasted four days, but it really did the job. Clayton is now separated from his family by a landscape full of beauty and danger. He decides to forsake his duties and get back home, where he hopes to find his family still alive and waiting for him. As he makes his way over the 1000 miles he needs to travel to get home using the famous Appalachian Trail, Clayton encounters many challenges along the way and meets several interesting people. Clayton teams up with several unique hikers, who help each other during their trek.</span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0a101a; font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Legalese</span></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></span></h4><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is a work of fiction. All the names, characters,
businesses, places, and events are either the product of the author’s
imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Copyright © 2023 by Joseph Harold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may
not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written
permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book
review.<o:p></o:p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Dedication:</span></h4><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><i>Dedicated to my
hiking partner, LoGear, who always walks beside me, even if she is several
meters ahead, and to my girls, who inspire me every single day.</i><br /></span></p><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Lastly, to Xander, my
little fox. Your loss will be felt the rest of my life, being able to imagine
what could have been, was my therapy.</span></span></i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Download the ePub here: <a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/joseph-harold/hell-and-high-water/ebook/product-5zgz5w.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">Hell and High Water</a></span></h4><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Chapters:</span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/bv3XyTN98ODz3ZB2zTDCT" target="_blank">Chapter 1 - Army Training Sir - Monday, June 4th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/xTjkUY7R879h8aIP6gQvx" target="_blank">Chapter 2 - Survival of the Fittest- Monday, June 4th - Tuesday, June 5th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/D4dUfeG9pXzirB0Ur1KBs" target="_blank">Chapter 3 - FUBAR - Wednesday, June 6th - Thursday, June 7th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/1pKdMP0mtwH46fqT3Smdd" target="_blank">Chapter 4 - The Attack of the Hill People - Thursday, June 7th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/rrj3gbYGR1QPGw2qlmd7x" target="_blank">Chapter 5 - A Footpath in the Wilderness - Friday, June 8th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/WnFeaqga2QqrY0u4mHMfp" target="_blank">Chapter 6 - Hiking North - Saturday, June 9th to Friday, June 15th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/xt842UwTI7e9LbEPM2x3V" target="_blank">Chapter 7 - The Home Front - Friday, June 15th </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/bZOdyrCCGCrBfoZDgvMcM" target="_blank">Chapter 8 - The Smokies Saturday, Jun 16th to Friday, Jun 22nd</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/a203wfdi828KXTwB03ahI" target="_blank">Chapter 9 - Town Visits - Saturday, June 23rd to Friday, June 29th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/b7s1wzhvJFkNS5NRq2Zw2" target="_blank">Chapter 10 - The Home Front II - Thursday, June 28th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/NRJIOltaeydz8nSYCSjRr" target="_blank">Chapter 11 - The Resistance - Friday, June 29th to Wednesday, July 4th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/3A6w4lqJYIac1d64OIdD2" target="_blank">Chapter 12 - Decisions - Thursday, July 5th to Tuesday, July 10th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/egEvSD2N8x3s3vHCGkMkn" target="_blank">Chapter 13 - Home Front III - Tuesday, July 10th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/gAedSBvvl0wk6uAClwqOZ" target="_blank">Chapter 14 - Gnobbit and Finn - Wednesday, July 11th to Saturday, July 21st</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/erS7Vt4MdPYxLGzPP69FR" target="_blank">Chapter 15 - Home Front IV - Saturday, July 21st</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/fn2EhLPa4oIZmuqk7yWUc" target="_blank">Chapter 16 - Pushing North - Sunday, July 22nd to Thursday, July 26th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/Kdqyf6aHX4MiEvYEyFZYC" target="_blank">Chapter 17 - Part II</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/JAZohsRWtDvRdzMp4hLCC" target="_blank">Chapter 18 - Waynesboro - Saturday, July 28th to Sunday, July 29th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/wIE28bXoJoRHK67SDgqK8" target="_blank">Chapter 19 - Home Front V - Sunday, July 29th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/mTn6kdLXD2yBFJSZ99n58" target="_blank">Chapter 20 - Shenandoah - Monday, July 30th to Thursday, August 2nd</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/8vI6YFzZdpKfEthCYaLuC" target="_blank">Chapter 21 - Home Front VI - Friday, August 3rd to Saturday, August 4th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/fHPunTwIrRfrYbsJuB5y2" target="_blank">Chapter 22 - Shenandoah II - Friday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 5th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/9iKkPLFOBRuL3epupA4Mo" target="_blank">Chapter 23 - Home Front VII - Sunday, August 5th to Monday, August 6th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/QGp8b7j21X2rpCcoSMKZg" target="_blank">Chapter 24 - Home - Monday, August 6th to Tuesday, August 7th</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/BGjUvBi0vUtokOmaXfI21" target="_blank">Chapter 25 - Assault on Weather - Tuesday, August 7th </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://share.dabblewriter.com/static/l2kyrIeaK30pkQ5O1HN1T" target="_blank">Chapter 26 - Many Partings - Wednesday, August 8th to September and beyond</a></span></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><p></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-70430960904879902932022-07-09T13:09:00.000-04:002022-07-09T13:09:33.190-04:00The Wounding of Vixen<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP-qWuKOXvkcB4m5nmAkEGrfTxWxdHA4L3Cm1ozpGbu39uLF9IyWzG1xwVOiPRXZNR5iPFwOF4qrT_UkX6gkymh8x6iACkZ04OcM7-S2JtTnDIjAgITbEr4yGVCliVm7tbbNGBiehcTigSQ-uB_Wm3S0gLaL7Ztl44f29O1fV9agkg6AY8TNOZaFOSQ/s1841/20210330_115949crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1841" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP-qWuKOXvkcB4m5nmAkEGrfTxWxdHA4L3Cm1ozpGbu39uLF9IyWzG1xwVOiPRXZNR5iPFwOF4qrT_UkX6gkymh8x6iACkZ04OcM7-S2JtTnDIjAgITbEr4yGVCliVm7tbbNGBiehcTigSQ-uB_Wm3S0gLaL7Ztl44f29O1fV9agkg6AY8TNOZaFOSQ/w400-h225/20210330_115949crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Vixen is our house. We live in her.. She follows us around as we travel the country. Camping in the places that keeps us close to the earth. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Last March. Vixen was wounded. One of her tires fell off. It was totally my fault. This post is a lesson in maintaining your house or you may end up actually homeless for a time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We were driving up I-81 on our way to Base Camp where we would prepare for our next gig as camp hosts at Cunningham Falls State Park. It was a rainy, gray day and we were heading for our next Harvest Host location where we would spend the night before finishing this latest leg of our travels. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I felt nothing out of the ordinary, but a car came up next to us, beeping alarmingly and pointed at the back of the trailer. We quickly pulled over and got out to check it out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">This is what we found.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07cr2YZlGPHH2nV8mdm51XTyDOikQjfql26MExNtUE8Yrr1Eh5hcAvjmumti1ofQ_Lh2U6n6VYPQuBWNMzG-vuT8wzVn1S2ERHj1AgIVAIG29rypECJeyF6dH4kRdcR7jromz2F7VNZVQUuSe7znQVgAR2swQte1utyUTXgZQRMtVGf5pLvrVapOGkg/s4032/20220323_114816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07cr2YZlGPHH2nV8mdm51XTyDOikQjfql26MExNtUE8Yrr1Eh5hcAvjmumti1ofQ_Lh2U6n6VYPQuBWNMzG-vuT8wzVn1S2ERHj1AgIVAIG29rypECJeyF6dH4kRdcR7jromz2F7VNZVQUuSe7znQVgAR2swQte1utyUTXgZQRMtVGf5pLvrVapOGkg/w400-h225/20220323_114816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Failed Wheel Bearing</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">One of our wheels had fallen off. Not gone flat. Fallen Off. We were about to become Homeless with three wheels.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We sat on the side of the highway for a few minutes, trying to figure out what to do next. Of course, I immediately went into troubleshooting mode. We have road-side service with our insurance company, so that was the first item on the to-do list. I called and give them my information and described our situation. They told me they would call back when they had found a tow for us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I started searching the area for RV Repair places, not wanting to sit idle while every truck that came by shook and rattled our poor baby as we sat inside. I had lowered the stabilizers, but the the rear, driver side stabilizer had been damaged as the tire rolled out from under the trailer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I found an RV repair place about 15 miles up the road and he told me to bring it in. He also mentioned that he could provide a tow if the insurance company has any trouble finding anyone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The rain had slackened and then quit as we waited. Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door. I came out to see a trucker walking back to his rig. He opened his passenger door and pulled out my tire. He told me that a fellow trucker had put out a heads up on the CB radio and he had located the tire and brought it to me. I guess it wasn't too far back, but this was great. The tire was still fine, but the wheel bearing had broken apart which was how the wheel had just come off. I had been planning to have the bearing re-greased when we got to camp, but I was at least a year late on the maintenance and apparently this is what happens when you defer maintenance too long. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Eventually, the insurance company called back telling me that they couldn't find anyone to tow me. I gave them the RV Repair information and in about another hour and a half, a tow truck showed up with the RV Repair guy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">They chained up the axle, hooked it up the the repairman's truck and headed out. We noticed that he was driving pretty fast, but thought he knew what he was doing. Shortly after that, smoke started coming out of the other tire. He pulled off the highway and they took their time re-chaining the axle. This time he went slower and we had no trouble getting to his shop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">After a quick check of the damage we were told that we needed a new axle and it might be a five week wait for it to come in. "Supply issues" due to COVID of course.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We checked into a local motel for the night to decompress and plan our next move and the next morning we went back to the shop and removed all we could of importance from the trailer and transferred some unneeded items from the truck. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Sadly, we left Vixen in the lot as we headed north to Maryland. I called our volunteer coordinator at the park and told them we will be several weeks late for our camp host gig. No worries, she said. Our spot would be waiting for us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We spent a week at our daughters, then a couple weeks in Philly at Lisa's father's house. We were on our way to Cape May for another week or so when we got the call that the axle was in and they would have it ready in a few days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">After a couple days at the shore, We headed back to Philly and I continued on the next day to VA. I got a room about 45 minutes away from the shop and picked up our house the next day. I didn't even mind driving through some spring snow on the way down.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgixWAU4tQ_2t4yhunGbvmT6FdDW4ozTQ9MxsKoYnB4mGln9L0FKQZBfD8CygKZD_yRqfBGQv3ln2iKjExDmS24nM3UcFnRsFdL6mTfVbpL2bV-nHTi_6dFWR54cuCPAZH5pp6fBzYwRop4-Sa_CPFL0lxC4Bju4RjvXi-dyeyROGA9l_9FFq4X0USQ/s4032/20220418_145549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgixWAU4tQ_2t4yhunGbvmT6FdDW4ozTQ9MxsKoYnB4mGln9L0FKQZBfD8CygKZD_yRqfBGQv3ln2iKjExDmS24nM3UcFnRsFdL6mTfVbpL2bV-nHTi_6dFWR54cuCPAZH5pp6fBzYwRop4-Sa_CPFL0lxC4Bju4RjvXi-dyeyROGA9l_9FFq4X0USQ/w400-h225/20220418_145549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I checked out the repairs and talked to the mechanics about several different things. I had all four tires replaced and the bearings greased. I once again reinforced in my head the importance of not deferring important maintenance for the trailer. We now had better tires than we had, a new back axle and freshly greased wheel bearings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Everything was pretty much back in order and I headed out with our house behind me once again as it should be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I headed straight to the Campground and pulled into our camp host site. A week later, I went and picked up Lisa and Ginger and everything was pretty much back to normal after that. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHmG-DuruBEy4UvcxwuxbZXKJIgQne6nJK8iDC2c6wFytFnWuLA67uMMMGZvvoNXuqEHsAQyjdu-61SoJXehN0xqqmW9-oRpq38gAXZ0ZL2xFEsaaGOzuOO44RqggLUQzjJn2p_mZoze1hr1zsIvImv-7wxfhwhQourWnTmCPsU2f9hSNx0IqakVPvw/s4032/20220420_085340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHmG-DuruBEy4UvcxwuxbZXKJIgQne6nJK8iDC2c6wFytFnWuLA67uMMMGZvvoNXuqEHsAQyjdu-61SoJXehN0xqqmW9-oRpq38gAXZ0ZL2xFEsaaGOzuOO44RqggLUQzjJn2p_mZoze1hr1zsIvImv-7wxfhwhQourWnTmCPsU2f9hSNx0IqakVPvw/w400-h225/20220420_085340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All fixed</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">An unexpected adventure that I prefer not to repeat in the future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Peace,<br />Homeless On Wheels<br />Adventures with Vixen</span></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-19773002171701517412021-12-25T12:29:00.000-05:002021-12-25T12:29:07.841-05:00Campfires and Cooking<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The Lure of a Campfire</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">For me, campfires have always been an important part of camping. I love the smell of the wood smoke, (unless it’s in my eyes). The dancing flames are the best hiker TV you can find, and the warmth is always welcome on a cool evening in the woods. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF25yejO7CVO5WlSz4SUP4FJBISKEFbpfYGC-CCVX_9U9N3Q5ru7PxVyXTGIEFgD4PeqfrAFUARadRExZSVyIQstJgrEQOzvwXvdYkEUO-mO408OKS0ZVUKkiGaIPnTin0mGQkGUHbjCQkWHq7vuQ0UAzcPdF_aSgFL-Ev6357JlWCSRrKchryJ0Vn5A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF25yejO7CVO5WlSz4SUP4FJBISKEFbpfYGC-CCVX_9U9N3Q5ru7PxVyXTGIEFgD4PeqfrAFUARadRExZSVyIQstJgrEQOzvwXvdYkEUO-mO408OKS0ZVUKkiGaIPnTin0mGQkGUHbjCQkWHq7vuQ0UAzcPdF_aSgFL-Ev6357JlWCSRrKchryJ0Vn5A=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Cooking on the fire has become a common occurrence in our camp. We started cooking meals on the fire shortly after starting RVing full time and plan to continue as long as we keep camping in areas that allow fires. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9osBzYk4dnTtquc2ghsneuM3MCUz90cLqWDOA3YyqrG_twiZaZlItAMMa3Dv5GI77kk5S9GgFtkT6qiMEB3NQMwWB7Jvv4teAM-ZeE3XBjY9D7a02A3ltQyxFdrFJkBLnbqp8Rd5Q79TJiD3qJpgkl59ofjZ9uQqShCHJQ756DCHNNfghAXwrrXO_JA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9osBzYk4dnTtquc2ghsneuM3MCUz90cLqWDOA3YyqrG_twiZaZlItAMMa3Dv5GI77kk5S9GgFtkT6qiMEB3NQMwWB7Jvv4teAM-ZeE3XBjY9D7a02A3ltQyxFdrFJkBLnbqp8Rd5Q79TJiD3qJpgkl59ofjZ9uQqShCHJQ756DCHNNfghAXwrrXO_JA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">So far, it hasn’t been anything elaborate. Usually chicken thighs, pork chops, turkey burgers or fish. We like to put corn on the cob, unshucked and soaked in water. The water turns to steam and cooks the corn as the leaves protect the kernels from being burned in the flames. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ4PWrjlaZbI57mSbi15L4gc_HpTxKn64XTX0sbnGNyAXs5Zya7qX5QXKU-jda2E6Nm-2sxf8ZsBgiP9Ww7n8pAXUxwqaM8CItWlCM0-0T9lPnBGDxYvX9HSGkes3lFhZbi7NRuBej7LcyUUJqQoeILqr0oDz3Tv4UZPjtRj-8nxkMSOEy5kpAH-mxEQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ4PWrjlaZbI57mSbi15L4gc_HpTxKn64XTX0sbnGNyAXs5Zya7qX5QXKU-jda2E6Nm-2sxf8ZsBgiP9Ww7n8pAXUxwqaM8CItWlCM0-0T9lPnBGDxYvX9HSGkes3lFhZbi7NRuBej7LcyUUJqQoeILqr0oDz3Tv4UZPjtRj-8nxkMSOEy5kpAH-mxEQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">People leave a lot of stuff behind when they are camping, so we have accumulated a few things that we could use. One is a small grill that is on legs that sits over the coals of the fire. At first we thought it would be too close to the flames, but we have found that it cooks pretty good if the flames have calmed down some. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsBAh6oh9zJEReAnTdFtbNuSZ-0klZWaeikDDtEQkcZnPm8rDIt-hK-3EOAbP8OLn3aOcLlb6m0H40ycLBpnPXDknp8eJRXD5YefEwFDPxOS4uEK6R30KUSjkr0UsihligBtUWABu8iuxTBxrgaSeuw4XaQF8IsdV7cJck9Nbb_8TrP1ADp0s5_CVxuw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsBAh6oh9zJEReAnTdFtbNuSZ-0klZWaeikDDtEQkcZnPm8rDIt-hK-3EOAbP8OLn3aOcLlb6m0H40ycLBpnPXDknp8eJRXD5YefEwFDPxOS4uEK6R30KUSjkr0UsihligBtUWABu8iuxTBxrgaSeuw4XaQF8IsdV7cJck9Nbb_8TrP1ADp0s5_CVxuw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We make the fire and feed the logs in until we have a good bed of coals. Throw the grate on after spraying it with some pam and then place the meat on the grill. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Gathering Wood</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Processing wood has become a new hobby for me. I love gathering wood in the forest for the campfire. We have yet to purchase firewood on our travels. If I’m able to gather and process my own wood for free, that is what I’m going to do. I have a bow saw a hatchet and a 2.5 lb maul. I like to process the wood into sizes that will burn efficiently in the fire. If the log is too big, it takes a long time to burn and usually it doesn’t burn with a good flame. I will cut and split the wood in to a size that will burn well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig1NXqWnMO2s5IXOEYw6SquYnUKT9aozr46V2B2arB0zE8JrVdIu9lVYYbKSacPYmEtoUzGeqfeEax6lTXfezQNFOnXT8kpntQDYM3q5231b86QdUeK4yoGJPOVEyUpnfciYcRm0zOtMlxHm7D5IfscSKDYHjxQq5XZfZIDhdBvp9hRJqxD1gjGZlpiQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig1NXqWnMO2s5IXOEYw6SquYnUKT9aozr46V2B2arB0zE8JrVdIu9lVYYbKSacPYmEtoUzGeqfeEax6lTXfezQNFOnXT8kpntQDYM3q5231b86QdUeK4yoGJPOVEyUpnfciYcRm0zOtMlxHm7D5IfscSKDYHjxQq5XZfZIDhdBvp9hRJqxD1gjGZlpiQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When we were camp hosting, one of the benefits of cleaning camp sites is getting to collect the wood that the campers purchased and then left behind. We got a lot of wood that way during our time at The Manor. I would also collect the half burnt larger logs that were left in the firepit and burn them to ash in my firepit. Sometimes I would split the half burned stuff to make it burn a little better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">There is nothing more comforting than staring into the dancing flames of a crackling fire that you have built. It is mesmerizing. The warmth is always nice and using the fire as a tool to cook a meal is the utmost in self reliance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2fRW5uxbIXKYftGg7EiBQY9eOqAlhaZ5iq2AoQxjZXEnu1EKoNvLWbvgJvaQtMfA4AagMv6x2ZitpNu8obcDaG7t4VgpeREMx-ktbmDneelgKDGMIw9ew1YVxu7NusNN6gcIqt4ujjfHf0MdiNGBPHlq8vRgCJxhcJqQHvEJQZk5XbuXpiVdMXRPjKw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2fRW5uxbIXKYftGg7EiBQY9eOqAlhaZ5iq2AoQxjZXEnu1EKoNvLWbvgJvaQtMfA4AagMv6x2ZitpNu8obcDaG7t4VgpeREMx-ktbmDneelgKDGMIw9ew1YVxu7NusNN6gcIqt4ujjfHf0MdiNGBPHlq8vRgCJxhcJqQHvEJQZk5XbuXpiVdMXRPjKw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Fire Starters</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Usually we can get the fire started by saving burnable trash and using that to get the kindling going, but I have been making nice fire starters for quite a few years. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">They are simple and based on the cotton ball/petroleum jelly concept. I got the idea from a fellow bush crafter that I met on line several years ago. The recipe is simple. Take those round makeup remover pads and dip them in melted petroleum jelly. Let them cool off and put them in a tin or zip loc bag. I can usually get all the ingredients at a local dollar store. I but those foil pie tins to melt the PJ in and the makeup pads come in like a pack of 100. I have found that half a pad is usually good enough to get dry wood burning, so I cut them all in half before dipping them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5H2IkpRw2VuYKgkdqaCTbbH2QXAoSCePU9A4lhcOvL_p1ujaVb48W1u6Idr4IjY-JgkSDRfgOWeRxv40f9Tj1wPovHcMmmoCL7cTGWFe6ZRuMrcON8Mmfi_wd3hLVF1xx5DExoZ6lnkL6AUXJsHyevFRUbal6khdCzCvScmigrAySsNn8iHhyRcALlA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5H2IkpRw2VuYKgkdqaCTbbH2QXAoSCePU9A4lhcOvL_p1ujaVb48W1u6Idr4IjY-JgkSDRfgOWeRxv40f9Tj1wPovHcMmmoCL7cTGWFe6ZRuMrcON8Mmfi_wd3hLVF1xx5DExoZ6lnkL6AUXJsHyevFRUbal6khdCzCvScmigrAySsNn8iHhyRcALlA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The pad will burn for several minutes and you can even dip it in water before lighting it. The PJ makes the pad practically water proof. If I am trying to start a fire with damp wood, I might use two halves. You can even get them flaming with a fire steel. You just scuff the pad up a little to get something that will catch a spark and they will flame right up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">A few years ago, I went a whole year or so, lighting dozens of fires and never used a match or lighter. It was just fire steel and the pads or natural tinder like broom sedge or birch bark. Bush crafting is another hobby of mine. I like to learn the primitive ways to thrive in a forest environment. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Fire Safety</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Fire making skills is an important part of bush crafting and camping. Even if you are in a trailer or other RV and staying in campgrounds all the time. It brings me close to nature. <br />Of course fire safety is always of the utmost importance. I always check the fire danger in my area and will keep a good eye on the fire. Dousing it with water or dirt when I’m done is an important part of the process. Windy weather always makes me more cautious. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt1ghCW2gqMxL-U-MRYO-QzDcSSMKetSmE4TWLET8Zob2kSxJS-FIdG-sx9_I0BkNEHAxZCTfR8reB0WIRuPOAZLBnalXXOlDByiB4-P8RkPv3yhi3RyD7gPxrkFVUmrfzRI0lJjC3f8kpBLyL97wcGpLM-QJVVoqujwRqWF21JHwWEK7ph0ggPjjPww=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt1ghCW2gqMxL-U-MRYO-QzDcSSMKetSmE4TWLET8Zob2kSxJS-FIdG-sx9_I0BkNEHAxZCTfR8reB0WIRuPOAZLBnalXXOlDByiB4-P8RkPv3yhi3RyD7gPxrkFVUmrfzRI0lJjC3f8kpBLyL97wcGpLM-QJVVoqujwRqWF21JHwWEK7ph0ggPjjPww=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A daily ritual of sharing marshmallows with Ginger</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When I was long distance hiking, I didn’t make fires very often. Usually after walking all day up and down mountains, my energy was at a very low level at the day. What I usually did was set up camp, get water, eat dinner using a cook stove and go to bed or relax for a while. There were several times when I would gather wood with the intention of making a small fire before bed, but after doing the other chores, I was so spent that I didn’t have the energy to make the fire. The times that I did make a fire though, I never regretted. The magic of a fire is very rejuvenating. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiean4pRbr874iLcL6jWQSUI3wCsz8BHqL5K4OIX2QzUOuYTJxyswR-aVkIbSlY19_01mVkHmoaULC9vv95UU9cUWHGwkg1Wg_kBiDEZJWxcYQvgJoCTEfTAGb2Lwfg4_th3WlyHt8QIGU9QLUnnYs98PYEHuO5yLDTw6bKgfu9ZDXzhZOVkTZW-sAKoQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiean4pRbr874iLcL6jWQSUI3wCsz8BHqL5K4OIX2QzUOuYTJxyswR-aVkIbSlY19_01mVkHmoaULC9vv95UU9cUWHGwkg1Wg_kBiDEZJWxcYQvgJoCTEfTAGb2Lwfg4_th3WlyHt8QIGU9QLUnnYs98PYEHuO5yLDTw6bKgfu9ZDXzhZOVkTZW-sAKoQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJj41UPWBhw7RN5BgzeTNosAU3C0fFCK485KI_z4l1aB64SXEOD2E6VGApBTmicZJ_YijiRT2BAcVwmf7KsO8YYozWEuRKS-eIOixs66V50g4Zpz4cd_YHEfV8sXkL2hMZZRqfptElBM5hMhLacz9pEsmBHUGwvt3A1VruzI93YQW1hlWKehzPyBCY4Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJj41UPWBhw7RN5BgzeTNosAU3C0fFCK485KI_z4l1aB64SXEOD2E6VGApBTmicZJ_YijiRT2BAcVwmf7KsO8YYozWEuRKS-eIOixs66V50g4Zpz4cd_YHEfV8sXkL2hMZZRqfptElBM5hMhLacz9pEsmBHUGwvt3A1VruzI93YQW1hlWKehzPyBCY4Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter";">So, I will keep making those fires as we travel around the country. I’m sure there will be times when we are in places that don’t allow fires. Camp Lejeune, for instance, where we are at the time of this writing. They don’t allow any open fires or flames. I’m sure when we get out west, we will encounter other bans in the tinderbox of those western states. No worries. I’ll just wait for the next time were in a lush, damp forest and then I’ll stare into those flames and think about what I can cook on the fire next. </span></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-78207473112867175582021-12-14T09:43:00.001-05:002021-12-14T09:55:34.543-05:00Watching a Forest for a Season<h4 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Living in a Forest</span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I consider myself somewhat of an outdoorsman. I love being out in nature and experiencing the weather, the flora and the fauna as it goes about its business. For the first time in my life, I have spent the turning of the seasons, living inside a forest. Watching it change and come to life as the days grew longer and then shorter again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We arrived at the foot of Bob's Hill, part of Catoctin Mountain, at the end of March. Spring was getting underway, but still had some way to go. The day we arrived a sleet that turned into a snow squall blew over the mountain and dropped the first flakes on my shoulders that I had avoided the whole of the winter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4XIhxEqIhdghd7suR6W6ZP0oW2an4p7IreH3vOoAVY6Z8cK6-WpYi21cWdL2GutAp6mvbkXJjmoNKR0_LtWEkhoBUCi4GuC72aD6YVCkvAbsxfRVNuyNOLT_3oMpNLHySr_G5ATub6lvomzZueHfjTvpVJm4gM8YtHyOL_QOtu4gIZj96HXfSMnxikQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4XIhxEqIhdghd7suR6W6ZP0oW2an4p7IreH3vOoAVY6Z8cK6-WpYi21cWdL2GutAp6mvbkXJjmoNKR0_LtWEkhoBUCi4GuC72aD6YVCkvAbsxfRVNuyNOLT_3oMpNLHySr_G5ATub6lvomzZueHfjTvpVJm4gM8YtHyOL_QOtu4gIZj96HXfSMnxikQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 15</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We settled into Site 15. It was close to perfect. The site was plenty big enough for the coach, and level.. There was a nice running stream named Muddy Run right behind the site that Ginger would use to cool herself off later in the season. The bathhouse was just down the path and we really didn't have any close neighbors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTQTpFpiirLTRxjFZ6-UibHGa7G8iDxXWNI6nWsbc-SWAkVX3L3y-0R2OVmSsLHComU7ICLV2RMCY19Hl425thNMmEEVWBlOedHR4i_Lx918PQ4Bq0AFxJjfI_fqJCvNEcvq1mSZcZAq9p3vH1FfsmwstXwfdN67EPL20yGkXiSh3nFDODeG9X2p1ndQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTQTpFpiirLTRxjFZ6-UibHGa7G8iDxXWNI6nWsbc-SWAkVX3L3y-0R2OVmSsLHComU7ICLV2RMCY19Hl425thNMmEEVWBlOedHR4i_Lx918PQ4Bq0AFxJjfI_fqJCvNEcvq1mSZcZAq9p3vH1FfsmwstXwfdN67EPL20yGkXiSh3nFDODeG9X2p1ndQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Spring</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The forest was still mostly asleep when we arrived. We were at the base of a mountain and Spring was underway, but still coming on. You could easily see through the whole campsite at this time, since the undergrowth hadn't started growing yet. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC771hcpTsbgQN3mSYSyHb0VN5CjOh_RdKkb75s5wxix28vmcHNgpxwKS6pTl3qMHvlc_uh3ivh_UecZwsZBIlokw-fKZhXxduTwVuaXNv_TFfz8zoftyOz70FcSNyfsXwdGpqjmFVhINTFTNdiRN9nCIj3azBqSZ0mk25loMajIitv-NjyhBFkrmXZw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC771hcpTsbgQN3mSYSyHb0VN5CjOh_RdKkb75s5wxix28vmcHNgpxwKS6pTl3qMHvlc_uh3ivh_UecZwsZBIlokw-fKZhXxduTwVuaXNv_TFfz8zoftyOz70FcSNyfsXwdGpqjmFVhINTFTNdiRN9nCIj3azBqSZ0mk25loMajIitv-NjyhBFkrmXZw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy to see through the trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkP-NUMjsmb7CxyP4u3-4tlfOFekAHd_cKOSJEKhASIjTsJK5WBhBUOki9NaxiQ5VUHKGhydJ3KoO4mzDuQfH17zSbeqdeEvjuSw_f_LuiyMv2TXj2bopIsExPvDncGtv90qc9fjDsAZZH-qVkXkTqx5EFish8qqQAOW7r2mgpmZdQWFv-xVcsl6yW8Q=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkP-NUMjsmb7CxyP4u3-4tlfOFekAHd_cKOSJEKhASIjTsJK5WBhBUOki9NaxiQ5VUHKGhydJ3KoO4mzDuQfH17zSbeqdeEvjuSw_f_LuiyMv2TXj2bopIsExPvDncGtv90qc9fjDsAZZH-qVkXkTqx5EFish8qqQAOW7r2mgpmZdQWFv-xVcsl6yW8Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayapple</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGNm6q6shk040zMKi2rzBre3LXCvl8rmoWXG3zWy3cSVM64Yffg_cLVvCd5kdJ4k1SOHMkbrXbYhRK34OFqNnuGh_NZs-v4_1fSx8S3BTQFTIZJUkXeCJWu_6ZypMOhKueBTTe9kUtiC1C6SESyiXklOYkttPUkScsQHxL8ElKLndhEg8uMy14jBXEZw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGNm6q6shk040zMKi2rzBre3LXCvl8rmoWXG3zWy3cSVM64Yffg_cLVvCd5kdJ4k1SOHMkbrXbYhRK34OFqNnuGh_NZs-v4_1fSx8S3BTQFTIZJUkXeCJWu_6ZypMOhKueBTTe9kUtiC1C6SESyiXklOYkttPUkScsQHxL8ElKLndhEg8uMy14jBXEZw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The stream was running fast and full. Some of the trees were starting to bud and a few of the flowering type were sending out their blooms. The forest felt like it was slowly waking up.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Summer</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As the trees began to leaf out and the undergrowth came out, the campground started to close in. Where we used to be able to see easily across the campground, was now just a wall of trees. You had to actually walk around the camp to see all the sites and campers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEY4Ig-Xre2ZJRfNrD8aJJx7RJvRS6mxPBmLU_prkP5xCmHg9tghmN65jkk1uLPGUW7Bqg0yxixy89hMjo3d66WY4NU8RRYgQAasto24lj58AowYhxnRbqwl6JTWTuToTbAuUgI0Ra4ImKZGVbnw5bHC7Ua6PG2UAcWta6H9tq51O93GH2Worj66_IDw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEY4Ig-Xre2ZJRfNrD8aJJx7RJvRS6mxPBmLU_prkP5xCmHg9tghmN65jkk1uLPGUW7Bqg0yxixy89hMjo3d66WY4NU8RRYgQAasto24lj58AowYhxnRbqwl6JTWTuToTbAuUgI0Ra4ImKZGVbnw5bHC7Ua6PG2UAcWta6H9tq51O93GH2Worj66_IDw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUN69sQusqi7EGHy-GFIIRrRWOSea5zD4yiDRKSMic4eMmF52cKbeI8VvN89ihBYS9x8vTVs8Tw96UnaLJKyM9pytrLsBcsm0JtrtpVxdRKAdzTJ7e9l-9lScxOQ9ncmT6LPWHE0k2PJDhGt41_AixqTeRPe_a4QevsO5dlDKR1AuF0dn6CgBZwWPmEQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUN69sQusqi7EGHy-GFIIRrRWOSea5zD4yiDRKSMic4eMmF52cKbeI8VvN89ihBYS9x8vTVs8Tw96UnaLJKyM9pytrLsBcsm0JtrtpVxdRKAdzTJ7e9l-9lScxOQ9ncmT6LPWHE0k2PJDhGt41_AixqTeRPe_a4QevsO5dlDKR1AuF0dn6CgBZwWPmEQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger cooling in Little Hunting Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The stream slowed to a little more than a trickle, but was present the whole summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">With the warm weather, came the cicadas. Brood X was hatching and early on, we saw many signs of them coming out. Small holes in the ground under the leaves and one or two here and there. This trickle soon became a torrent and the cute bugs with bulging red eyes took over the forest. Their cacophony filled the hillside and they were everywhere. We enjoyed them being around. They were harmless and fun to play with.. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlVic-lspjiwFDm2ST6zDJyR9gmoTY4vXUGzoa5Hvhr2uCnKaf4-LnepoJLU2cEpV21C3seKzoY0K9XpZFt1X-tmfGaNc3m_vo2pWv8Ab2TwfP6X7Bc4uQEH1NRKEx4nfpN4Pvn7tccO5rG1_I_yUtMF6JFzSurKqNi31CrJ36MLLlkGhGI0QyhjLCdQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlVic-lspjiwFDm2ST6zDJyR9gmoTY4vXUGzoa5Hvhr2uCnKaf4-LnepoJLU2cEpV21C3seKzoY0K9XpZFt1X-tmfGaNc3m_vo2pWv8Ab2TwfP6X7Bc4uQEH1NRKEx4nfpN4Pvn7tccO5rG1_I_yUtMF6JFzSurKqNi31CrJ36MLLlkGhGI0QyhjLCdQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicada Love</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmnzZ7MHdtF6XUkHtn4oVR0j9AmnHK2DgBUPHyBYtKCSStr52jet3W4m-_ABiO-0E0ww6KL2MxySxQx2sPjRpCtSF18tRKpGO-ys_idnk2YFXJXHZzqJX1UZhPXRPQksEp9kAST4Tj8DowcZUfXNgZrFWOeMJYar0f15-S0Dold29vky085BwJoditaQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmnzZ7MHdtF6XUkHtn4oVR0j9AmnHK2DgBUPHyBYtKCSStr52jet3W4m-_ABiO-0E0ww6KL2MxySxQx2sPjRpCtSF18tRKpGO-ys_idnk2YFXJXHZzqJX1UZhPXRPQksEp9kAST4Tj8DowcZUfXNgZrFWOeMJYar0f15-S0Dold29vky085BwJoditaQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawn to the only light source in the forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhCs9qTcMqY0w2iLuE9c2NYA1bUYOVGZmMhdgPcvFinl1wMHZ12Cne3sUhPaLXtx8_p2rkc2nC_37jsxbQhP5Ppc3l55HdqAvlKhehhoD8eyE1iRxs-XizK9CXvDQQBn_pPhDfGH7Cpzv2X9qgLuPoRwItZ8f1aSZR_kxznrq65D3uClCpr9sP2zzlw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhCs9qTcMqY0w2iLuE9c2NYA1bUYOVGZmMhdgPcvFinl1wMHZ12Cne3sUhPaLXtx8_p2rkc2nC_37jsxbQhP5Ppc3l55HdqAvlKhehhoD8eyE1iRxs-XizK9CXvDQQBn_pPhDfGH7Cpzv2X9qgLuPoRwItZ8f1aSZR_kxznrq65D3uClCpr9sP2zzlw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I named this one Clyde</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Lisa would pick up the ones that came dive bombing into camp and release them on a tree. We would spend the next several minutes watching it climb to the top. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Wildlife</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">From day one we started seeing several deer that lived on the hillside and routinely moved from up the hill through the camp to the open grass down below. There were also several female turkeys that would walk through camp. Later their brood could be spotted moving from one campsite to the next, looking for bugs and scraps as they followed their mothers up the hill. The snakes and bears also came out as the season changed. We started seeing different snakes. Garter and Black snakes at first. Then copperheads and rattlers. I had a copperhead slither into my camp one day as Ginger and I were sitting outside enjoying a lazy afternoon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvF8GSRLb0V985JxvNOAsTomfCqInCsErsAprBkWpr0oHV2O4iyFjLO1VXiCkvZ1HujxNnXW2Xkg0tnDSQjvE6m-JMymXWOO7SRo_l4autNVjZtKqYxRG20v5GiVFfA5AtLYXDwWm9RqW_IRiMOKhI20y8ytF84LPSuvaeOECxpEYCkmJPGZHrJVa1SA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvF8GSRLb0V985JxvNOAsTomfCqInCsErsAprBkWpr0oHV2O4iyFjLO1VXiCkvZ1HujxNnXW2Xkg0tnDSQjvE6m-JMymXWOO7SRo_l4autNVjZtKqYxRG20v5GiVFfA5AtLYXDwWm9RqW_IRiMOKhI20y8ytF84LPSuvaeOECxpEYCkmJPGZHrJVa1SA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rattle Snake</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlfBCQZx7rl89A8z_fF3eNYnY6BMZ6cnS7BAve45i6p88rhkNrns5HcrPwDzoXWON-gUD6WXLJyDdw1jnPDQuky1iIJhZCoksqJyk18YtNMf4S9lCvrqKZWYZdlO9uklJHgHlkZ4ibwa841Dh4zVW3H-y5lW8eEfr4GJmiux1CBb0Yu0mlA142ys9yFg=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlfBCQZx7rl89A8z_fF3eNYnY6BMZ6cnS7BAve45i6p88rhkNrns5HcrPwDzoXWON-gUD6WXLJyDdw1jnPDQuky1iIJhZCoksqJyk18YtNMf4S9lCvrqKZWYZdlO9uklJHgHlkZ4ibwa841Dh4zVW3H-y5lW8eEfr4GJmiux1CBb0Yu0mlA142ys9yFg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copperhead</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO__ji-7W_woj4rCG9Su1kOIZpt3u_zGub4RYx65xNUG8OlhWgbSEQae897kKNJ7bHeg-itybdEPKwAnOkBSbLVeN8r80rhqy0E7t7hJ4kMrJmamHJtGqNSJYReLSD6Lo1LsBWstrr3r0qa-PGFMUolsLmOuzj3seOfSrbi8U-FmMfsISY8dU6M_7NQg=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO__ji-7W_woj4rCG9Su1kOIZpt3u_zGub4RYx65xNUG8OlhWgbSEQae897kKNJ7bHeg-itybdEPKwAnOkBSbLVeN8r80rhqy0E7t7hJ4kMrJmamHJtGqNSJYReLSD6Lo1LsBWstrr3r0qa-PGFMUolsLmOuzj3seOfSrbi8U-FmMfsISY8dU6M_7NQg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">On another day, Ginger and I were outside and i spotted a bear moving along the creek on the hillside above our camp. It crossed the creek and passed about 100 feet away. When Ginger saw it, she started barking and scared it up the hillside. It was an exciting experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I became proficient at picking up snakes with the tools the ranger game me and releasing them across the creek and up the hill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The forest came alive with the warm, summer weather. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkewia27TLCihCZYBjHUjvpDOjQqw9CFaA-fYy1u6Ww8dJ9wpq1JpnVwWZZ8pnLgVnh2hNZz8qL84fQJApAqkbyvU9iZtObX9nJ39NsTvhWxhFTvSJ41sINbfUuvnglUTN53QIadso7doLvIbyAan2ajcyQ-ygnEt7YbsDpr1xE8--GWdvoHksCX_vYg=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkewia27TLCihCZYBjHUjvpDOjQqw9CFaA-fYy1u6Ww8dJ9wpq1JpnVwWZZ8pnLgVnh2hNZz8qL84fQJApAqkbyvU9iZtObX9nJ39NsTvhWxhFTvSJ41sINbfUuvnglUTN53QIadso7doLvIbyAan2ajcyQ-ygnEt7YbsDpr1xE8--GWdvoHksCX_vYg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing by the fire</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhDLIAm26sHuWvtsdTAOdB0BtXuKCjemWTQlbhXHmL6PoZO1X5uGc5a8FjkzsRnluYRCC7_kCQxwVBSnxJcOHT2ncPJwNDUg6pBwMy91tnnJKodH9HVyBvf7gL3_40TbHgO_EeucgZwPiRpTxduZDMuS_vvsabBlu_2RMCxScATjLCjkbfgVsbTLg1iA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhDLIAm26sHuWvtsdTAOdB0BtXuKCjemWTQlbhXHmL6PoZO1X5uGc5a8FjkzsRnluYRCC7_kCQxwVBSnxJcOHT2ncPJwNDUg6pBwMy91tnnJKodH9HVyBvf7gL3_40TbHgO_EeucgZwPiRpTxduZDMuS_vvsabBlu_2RMCxScATjLCjkbfgVsbTLg1iA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our nomad garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">A Break From the Forest, Then Fall</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">In July, we left the Manor and went exploring in the general area, but we came back in late September and got to experience the forest changing from high summer to fall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When we left, the wine berries were just getting ripe. We had been waiting for them to get ready for several weeks. They are so good. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl6ABtBIcr7nrgr4pVsG0lfH3x7_EHivahMTl6qyZgqym2J6wkiydPdWlajxiipIisyFwwyJhzYnzGh3Hu6jQdxGTKlzNJxEITaDkmrc28vGu7cSicKH4IOuhZfl4OoSUSD13-4rpLrBaQgtns9CeP5vDyb1at4k-pfHzknkoiA1DLO5Cg1ZiafUq__Q=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl6ABtBIcr7nrgr4pVsG0lfH3x7_EHivahMTl6qyZgqym2J6wkiydPdWlajxiipIisyFwwyJhzYnzGh3Hu6jQdxGTKlzNJxEITaDkmrc28vGu7cSicKH4IOuhZfl4OoSUSD13-4rpLrBaQgtns9CeP5vDyb1at4k-pfHzknkoiA1DLO5Cg1ZiafUq__Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine Berries</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As the year moved on, the leaves started turning and falling and covered the forest floor with another carpet of leaves that would eventually add to the duff that helps nourish the plants and trees.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgudlCv9zdWDzI0cVHmXp09eZ_eXyYgVjdGIjTa-ola0TFdoPk4UvVLAId-wRBe7iJ-nP0f0_V3_3i4FmqF4-6Da1BiijbzS6_wVeJgPCaC6_-ECcHkmHeI9y1xKgJrlTIWtvogR586E3xH4VRXeUDgX-6bov6Q4uzlStKAn0uc-zWBId3IQlOd4mu5VA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgudlCv9zdWDzI0cVHmXp09eZ_eXyYgVjdGIjTa-ola0TFdoPk4UvVLAId-wRBe7iJ-nP0f0_V3_3i4FmqF4-6Da1BiijbzS6_wVeJgPCaC6_-ECcHkmHeI9y1xKgJrlTIWtvogR586E3xH4VRXeUDgX-6bov6Q4uzlStKAn0uc-zWBId3IQlOd4mu5VA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall arrives</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF-Zdk4FpiUVc2anjglS6gWny5OLGFqdi4WzGsuea9I6Gp1m9JqAF9zfq7rdiG30niCTVauGeAVelOp7OoID7JhpdoClwVIyRmGFoxt34NfVpl6hMcw-lfImy7-XPRAY7jW5bgd7K9rON_cTwx2UUKxp_e5sQv9Ou1vzAmzGNswD5zVZInKNLj7yI5aw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF-Zdk4FpiUVc2anjglS6gWny5OLGFqdi4WzGsuea9I6Gp1m9JqAF9zfq7rdiG30niCTVauGeAVelOp7OoID7JhpdoClwVIyRmGFoxt34NfVpl6hMcw-lfImy7-XPRAY7jW5bgd7K9rON_cTwx2UUKxp_e5sQv9Ou1vzAmzGNswD5zVZInKNLj7yI5aw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The fall also brought out another insect. This one not as cute as the cicadas. The dreaded stink bug. These MF'ers got everywhere in their quest to avoid the colder weather. They found their way into our trailer and found all the places to hide. Several months later, we are still finding their hiding places and throwing them out into the cold. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The days became shorter and colder and when November rolled around, it was time to go.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The Circle of the Year</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When we pulled out of site 15 in early November, Fall was in full swing and the forest was preparing to go back to sleep for the winter. It was a very nice experience to see the forest go through its annual changes and to be sitting in the middle of it as it happened. Everyone should spend a year and a day or some long part of a year inside a forest. Just to see how it lives. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh6DjRHFqayyEluYWx3PNwzibBddh5PEFfW_mADYJbgshcYbtbyfKXhhAB2wSVh2849E__VXJN1Uvi5aKWQVdzR5Qg68O5Zf_CUKquUBs7DZs1EIRl8QkuWBNs8UBYHA9y914kd_fnIzm1SiYkuU2I8-mkY14fp6PWS5qZV2NNaKYmQsR_N6vaVx_NTQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh6DjRHFqayyEluYWx3PNwzibBddh5PEFfW_mADYJbgshcYbtbyfKXhhAB2wSVh2849E__VXJN1Uvi5aKWQVdzR5Qg68O5Zf_CUKquUBs7DZs1EIRl8QkuWBNs8UBYHA9y914kd_fnIzm1SiYkuU2I8-mkY14fp6PWS5qZV2NNaKYmQsR_N6vaVx_NTQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our flag display</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYYQqfYqf-_JS-pZCwrv6w00d6MSu5b_03esSWo3oXDHoXVFV7HddRp-vAGPxlaHGLLZgV7bG0fPjbnxOMgKqr3KejBaJB2syhvTBJUDmlEya_ljzu15CAY8E6qRB8xodMEBmZuS_BPhtk61kKjrp9ChCt8nLh1df2ECST1cf7pD01tWlzFtNKLUSvaw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYYQqfYqf-_JS-pZCwrv6w00d6MSu5b_03esSWo3oXDHoXVFV7HddRp-vAGPxlaHGLLZgV7bG0fPjbnxOMgKqr3KejBaJB2syhvTBJUDmlEya_ljzu15CAY8E6qRB8xodMEBmZuS_BPhtk61kKjrp9ChCt8nLh1df2ECST1cf7pD01tWlzFtNKLUSvaw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Squirrel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-40591818995475002882021-06-09T06:49:00.004-04:002021-06-09T06:49:50.242-04:00Traveling Through Time With Spring<h3 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The Longest Spring</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As summer quickly approaches, I am reflecting on my spring this year. It was the longest spring I have ever experienced in my days on this planet. Traveling. First south, then west, then north, made the seasons do weird things. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Heading South</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When we left New Jersey in November, running from winter, we slowly moved south to try and avoid the cold weather and that white stuff. Personally, I like winter, but living in a trailer, very close to nature, made me want to try and lessen its impact for as long as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRVIhDXrYNZ3nOUQbLdBg1eh2-HNR40NSAXtzEVy7Loj-jSqzJ8wUeFQWL_Fp53S8KdsDIxL4rlYsPo-_Z_Linwn41oGVCskxkYbMoDQQ8-a0NfAeA59QZnlRhIjgvkcVChDJvFHTnHYa/s4032/20201229_071615%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRVIhDXrYNZ3nOUQbLdBg1eh2-HNR40NSAXtzEVy7Loj-jSqzJ8wUeFQWL_Fp53S8KdsDIxL4rlYsPo-_Z_Linwn41oGVCskxkYbMoDQQ8-a0NfAeA59QZnlRhIjgvkcVChDJvFHTnHYa/w400-h225/20201229_071615%25280%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Carolina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We spent several weeks in North Carolina throughout the holidays, then drifted south, as we stayed on the <a href="https://cgmasterchief.blogspot.com/2021/02/living-on-edge-of-winter.html" target="_blank">Edge of Winter</a>, eventually landing in Osceola National Forest in northern Florida for some real boondocking. There is where I started to see signs of spring. Two weeks outside St Augustine made the feeling of spring much more noticeable. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlqwNlEpX8lMonPs79HdnGmpE0WHRtXt6AmYB0I1V4lR2C5YSTD6WOm2ZBHKk7KBoVn8Pnyeplj9F9DtXDa3VKLhiKU0iLJnibMaL7Ym98J2XKlpDx9eRBKhi7NlxGdH9MZ-s7NfBD0S9/s4032/20210215_073505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlqwNlEpX8lMonPs79HdnGmpE0WHRtXt6AmYB0I1V4lR2C5YSTD6WOm2ZBHKk7KBoVn8Pnyeplj9F9DtXDa3VKLhiKU0iLJnibMaL7Ym98J2XKlpDx9eRBKhi7NlxGdH9MZ-s7NfBD0S9/w400-h225/20210215_073505.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom in Florida</td></tr></tbody></table></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Spring in Fits and Starts</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We started seeing flowers and a few trees were budding around us. We started moving west after that and spring would move back and forth as we moved to different areas of the southern US. We would see some redbud in the forest, move a little north and see it all over again. One place would have spring progressing nicely, then we would move a little north or up in elevation and it would be like we had moved back in time. Once again, we would see the beginning of spring.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKf_F2ZUlCdChXG-LlNxNAsPrrbeQr42CgOR5_H7VHauxbhypQGfz_scr9QoSYlXgKiEyfN3jI5YSGnuVcnviETRj6y_Duesgr2L10Glz3l4wTlEPfYc46pv9ucAxG8mjBS7vpiOV1-fw/s4032/20210225_073527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKf_F2ZUlCdChXG-LlNxNAsPrrbeQr42CgOR5_H7VHauxbhypQGfz_scr9QoSYlXgKiEyfN3jI5YSGnuVcnviETRj6y_Duesgr2L10Glz3l4wTlEPfYc46pv9ucAxG8mjBS7vpiOV1-fw/w400-h225/20210225_073527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redbud in Georgia</td></tr></tbody></table></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Back on the Edge of Winter</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Eventually, we made our way back to Maryland to get ready for our Camp Host gig. We moved back in time a bit to get here. Spring was once again just starting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The day after we checked into the Manor Campground, we were going through orientation and we looked out the window and it was snowing. I had been proud of not having a snowflake fall on my shoulders all season, but here was an early spring snow squall to welcome us back to the north. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhdifRmTRqb_KSuowgLrhz94Xl5-PJ7OwKlumY3ir5j_RfP2uWT9ZOFL74qGbl0P28Hom35uaf9Q4pDaUB1Vl5VBcH_ifijrs4xfGJO_ejl60U4op8AJXeQMICMGPpKZp_8FSZQRs4lHZ/s4032/20210406_143903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhdifRmTRqb_KSuowgLrhz94Xl5-PJ7OwKlumY3ir5j_RfP2uWT9ZOFL74qGbl0P28Hom35uaf9Q4pDaUB1Vl5VBcH_ifijrs4xfGJO_ejl60U4op8AJXeQMICMGPpKZp_8FSZQRs4lHZ/w400-h225/20210406_143903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoBxV8ox2-tb3r0ASpLdR4CZhfcdmo8yXG5rRXAchC9JY5goK3scpRrYOFH-oz7XJQmiPyhEOZLa91tiUvhRFpiSHozFH_TQ-mWgMpxoVo0enWYxP0Nk55Uprt8czaa5pRnxv9LW4pESN/s4032/20210406_152252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoBxV8ox2-tb3r0ASpLdR4CZhfcdmo8yXG5rRXAchC9JY5goK3scpRrYOFH-oz7XJQmiPyhEOZLa91tiUvhRFpiSHozFH_TQ-mWgMpxoVo0enWYxP0Nk55Uprt8czaa5pRnxv9LW4pESN/w400-h225/20210406_152252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7swHbwEB7Iy7uN1uMIi8QuYwd_aP2wMnoe3tP0_ubsLk0bDeU2FGZyGfb-o1aOB1NrPnQ9VNGdzDUhbM32k2LLGKWTauNlJ-QCP7mtaO1QMt2YoBoxniYpoWh2i8CQnIuSdr9QVvSVKDc/s4032/20210409_150846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7swHbwEB7Iy7uN1uMIi8QuYwd_aP2wMnoe3tP0_ubsLk0bDeU2FGZyGfb-o1aOB1NrPnQ9VNGdzDUhbM32k2LLGKWTauNlJ-QCP7mtaO1QMt2YoBoxniYpoWh2i8CQnIuSdr9QVvSVKDc/w400-h225/20210409_150846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Watching Spring Turn to Summer</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We settled into our campsite and started being the stewards of the forest. We cleaned sites and helped the campers as spring came once again to where our wheels were parked. This time spring stayed and now I would call it a wrap. Summer is clearly upon us now. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhvj-PUA0msn16N7_uPANiLGRnfEVMdyGlBF3NNoWX_CK3jpjItLpBL9hmfZu3_2M8CFc_KAigi5N7G-UXNL6T1kg2MAcY1MTvX2Fp1P6l0I2nvwrqT4iWQlpxYSXm-C-JCUXV7qeg4t8/s4032/20210411_145638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhvj-PUA0msn16N7_uPANiLGRnfEVMdyGlBF3NNoWX_CK3jpjItLpBL9hmfZu3_2M8CFc_KAigi5N7G-UXNL6T1kg2MAcY1MTvX2Fp1P6l0I2nvwrqT4iWQlpxYSXm-C-JCUXV7qeg4t8/w400-h225/20210411_145638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQin30R2dSxy8fs-a6yOZdOAqPDsEBvg3ZxQQI4M4vuZ03sYPUjZYJLZpUIbD3TurnlVSkjNGBR6W02xDLsxalaJS8p8-fs0XMs6fE8BPmcSJmfy7y2EY1SC9u8zb-mBwxPbsQ3Hgfc_af/s4032/20210427_144205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQin30R2dSxy8fs-a6yOZdOAqPDsEBvg3ZxQQI4M4vuZ03sYPUjZYJLZpUIbD3TurnlVSkjNGBR6W02xDLsxalaJS8p8-fs0XMs6fE8BPmcSJmfy7y2EY1SC9u8zb-mBwxPbsQ3Hgfc_af/w400-h225/20210427_144205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVyb_d9nRv5Xd0oWl0fDJZ2V9WjxG0IRYWXSg2rfmbyWO3nUjNGJm2C0I2K0BaBsdRdwHeh2VpOTZWqs5XBrC5VRkEPIYcB3C_7VWBzuTTF3UO8PA35Tzq98RZbCkN4VHws7CVVh8RAg/s4032/20210429_071640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVyb_d9nRv5Xd0oWl0fDJZ2V9WjxG0IRYWXSg2rfmbyWO3nUjNGJm2C0I2K0BaBsdRdwHeh2VpOTZWqs5XBrC5VRkEPIYcB3C_7VWBzuTTF3UO8PA35Tzq98RZbCkN4VHws7CVVh8RAg/w400-h225/20210429_071640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWZBJT-c1Q-LKEL6ICjl07_QB-Vg1d7FAJEMlZQuWKtUQ3PRS8LsrI85uMFAcfQyJCOzfIQpQewgvxtJUzqr47Y8HNz2RX3MNamD8KvZuF_wfxzq859Q3-cwDNcxmKTSJLbCh-JNfFHi0/s4032/20210501_131119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWZBJT-c1Q-LKEL6ICjl07_QB-Vg1d7FAJEMlZQuWKtUQ3PRS8LsrI85uMFAcfQyJCOzfIQpQewgvxtJUzqr47Y8HNz2RX3MNamD8KvZuF_wfxzq859Q3-cwDNcxmKTSJLbCh-JNfFHi0/w400-h225/20210501_131119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Traveling through time in the season of spring was fun and interesting. I wonder how long I can keep fall going when we once again head out, finding adventure and avoiding the white stuff. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZXgHIiuvQVHXAdvxxJ2fdRuX5cqunSXhPj7n5d1yAYn7AbdglNSMMRRpyFeG0PN0ujRTzWqqtANlucseJbJ1TtZo5Vp6kQfqnmn-Qo34oIFZLjYq8wSg98YJT4qEEQvkJ3lmCGAl64V-/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZXgHIiuvQVHXAdvxxJ2fdRuX5cqunSXhPj7n5d1yAYn7AbdglNSMMRRpyFeG0PN0ujRTzWqqtANlucseJbJ1TtZo5Vp6kQfqnmn-Qo34oIFZLjYq8wSg98YJT4qEEQvkJ3lmCGAl64V-/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-47769297650482366012021-02-06T09:50:00.000-05:002021-02-06T09:50:28.814-05:00Living on the Edge of Winter<p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Although I don't think we can be categorized as Snow Birds just yet, we have done a fair job of running from winter these last few months. We seem to always still be on the edge, but we haven't seen even one snowflake this winter. There has been frosty mornings, and chilling winds, but so far, winter hasn't caught us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaqUJ27mK13cpuqcASF3CCq82daD90q-82v4XprxdxY7moFMbVT-Upe7FCteB6UHvrNXtYpVVS9Jo0-QOVM7HIR2yOmOLq_2pOV-H6rczQA1UsQffEWk7mAJx0WI3CXhlTOzo7N9zPmCz/s4032/20200917_104139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaqUJ27mK13cpuqcASF3CCq82daD90q-82v4XprxdxY7moFMbVT-Upe7FCteB6UHvrNXtYpVVS9Jo0-QOVM7HIR2yOmOLq_2pOV-H6rczQA1UsQffEWk7mAJx0WI3CXhlTOzo7N9zPmCz/w400-h225/20200917_104139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delaware State Forest, PA</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Since we cast off on this adventure of full time RV living, we have bounced up into Maine in the early fall and then started moving back down. First back to Maryland. Then to Cape May, NJ for a month or so and then down to North Carolina, where we spent three Holidays on Camp Lejeune. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2dd2WsdyTzhXQbKpSC_AAkLin2KAJkMmhGLW38QlxyygR3ei_yWCNwePnobaMCh5uUUU8VaPDBAyH6w356QUu_eRB4TmmRyAY_hdEySIOZF9LGonajH6a9EINVbh6F1ke_UJjYqQbj_k/s4032/20201011_070208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2dd2WsdyTzhXQbKpSC_AAkLin2KAJkMmhGLW38QlxyygR3ei_yWCNwePnobaMCh5uUUU8VaPDBAyH6w356QUu_eRB4TmmRyAY_hdEySIOZF9LGonajH6a9EINVbh6F1ke_UJjYqQbj_k/w400-h225/20201011_070208.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in NY</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">After that, we continued south slowly, always have a cold night from time to time to remind us that we weren't quite south enough yet. Now we are in Northern Florida and this is probably as far south we are going, so it will have to do. Thankfully it seems to be warming up here, even though we had an early morning freeze just the other day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Even in PA in September we experienced nights when the temperature would drop to or below freezing for several hours. It never lasted long, but I re-learned that water freezes in a hose when it gets cold. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Maine was still warm when we were there. We never had a colder night than the mid forties while we were there. Cape May was also rather temperate, with only one night dropping into the high thirties. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">At Lejeune, we had several nights when the temperature would drop to freezing and stay there. That is where I had the frozen hose experience</span><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter";">. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6Ro2yrh-2Q7VWyyRGawu2hFXD8WOWbBteLf4gUQEg7vTobsug8VWIMc5wVZP25_qyI0U4bJIGTmEa4ZzjVyhM0_DjofOoOa1qw9EAV93LY5J6jiD1K5ciEdr8khpRB_z9LjgHwMNdnGh/s4032/20201203_071539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bfX_4EyQnoJSQlCRwXxscfj4sdHnpwiHkvOVS0dzOYebHZWQL3kq6VikOpz5vDqY09cGBlX537aWlpd8F4Mp3zdhnAYXmNEUYeuaxpusVbhX_5_63svzycp55Tf_GhJq55RmvXcfnCWo/w400-h225/20201119_070921.jpg" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty morning in VA<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6Ro2yrh-2Q7VWyyRGawu2hFXD8WOWbBteLf4gUQEg7vTobsug8VWIMc5wVZP25_qyI0U4bJIGTmEa4ZzjVyhM0_DjofOoOa1qw9EAV93LY5J6jiD1K5ciEdr8khpRB_z9LjgHwMNdnGh/w400-h225/20201203_071539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Boondocking at Lejeune<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_8THD5gA0GfiPYbQgaQTfahJ1CQgF0krtGvIbb8DbxwFL78YnFNEZJor5fQGf8Vjgnb6jukpjRKBBJMnaOPDZ-3Ug1HZHMZuxunMBjD1brF77aDGgNyu2HZXs-Q1nWerlmt4Zkf2JUqZ/s4032/20201219_073045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_8THD5gA0GfiPYbQgaQTfahJ1CQgF0krtGvIbb8DbxwFL78YnFNEZJor5fQGf8Vjgnb6jukpjRKBBJMnaOPDZ-3Ug1HZHMZuxunMBjD1brF77aDGgNyu2HZXs-Q1nWerlmt4Zkf2JUqZ/w400-h225/20201219_073045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger shows another frosty morning in NC</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXNHrCl_WzxpWzK4GNvdmzELPLzMjYI00yeZZ3nuGBQIvafSn301XYW5ZpllhfciXVw_wT8jRw2DxenMdV7QZPU4vlFIaXx4wmgKfzXZUf8C0-TctpV7Ix9U2lwUYV6R3rD27g2Ao4F8l/s4032/20201226_075209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXNHrCl_WzxpWzK4GNvdmzELPLzMjYI00yeZZ3nuGBQIvafSn301XYW5ZpllhfciXVw_wT8jRw2DxenMdV7QZPU4vlFIaXx4wmgKfzXZUf8C0-TctpV7Ix9U2lwUYV6R3rD27g2Ao4F8l/w400-h225/20201226_075209.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Hose<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In South Carolina and Georgia, we had a few cold nights, but it was just a part of the adventure. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYhM5LNr-4fqZ5sS5ujUzSRjUfhxocL77UliCEStx6-L6WzuHW2EUkSBTn-sO_xjJPfIVwVHUamuO_fEDZq4zMnnb7S0xG7_EPlSLP6lksjv-HsFLjpFg_CX0s3e6NY4BTH_1yMFnT2Cd/s4032/20210125_072747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYhM5LNr-4fqZ5sS5ujUzSRjUfhxocL77UliCEStx6-L6WzuHW2EUkSBTn-sO_xjJPfIVwVHUamuO_fEDZq4zMnnb7S0xG7_EPlSLP6lksjv-HsFLjpFg_CX0s3e6NY4BTH_1yMFnT2Cd/w400-h225/20210125_072747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy morning in the pasture</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Personally, I don't mind a bit of winter during the season, but after a while, I notice that the sun warming my body is a very nice feeling. LoGear would be happy if she never saw a temp below freezing again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Today is supposed to be somewhere in the 70s, but there is rain in the forecast. I think we have finally moved away from the edge of winter and are now looking to the coming of Spring. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Peace,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">EarthTone and LoGear</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYFACo1e8rHXPJan19PX37soLZrRwkgwY8kT0IRLWbMLNMetb1B8CbKGsPfAOwNSgy9JryzjrXRODgNEMPsNKZpGE5XiOP0-19xOfl6ukrt2VfKmOVa0Y0yP-CWQbyHCvsOGDD41Obcg1/s4032/20210204_072245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYFACo1e8rHXPJan19PX37soLZrRwkgwY8kT0IRLWbMLNMetb1B8CbKGsPfAOwNSgy9JryzjrXRODgNEMPsNKZpGE5XiOP0-19xOfl6ukrt2VfKmOVa0Y0yP-CWQbyHCvsOGDD41Obcg1/w400-h225/20210204_072245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NcNOpVdOcM0KRRrIk1PgFtah-s1IC8Dr-dgjZiCF1wR9qZ9baw4pVj4G8PiGrcYa4WFetb5RPV_sOTnOOi7vGlLo2SdWwFXQcTaKSNL6IohNxd-5Ub14ocqd94OFkfqniI9BnhMXJw8Q/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NcNOpVdOcM0KRRrIk1PgFtah-s1IC8Dr-dgjZiCF1wR9qZ9baw4pVj4G8PiGrcYa4WFetb5RPV_sOTnOOi7vGlLo2SdWwFXQcTaKSNL6IohNxd-5Ub14ocqd94OFkfqniI9BnhMXJw8Q/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-19519200052844274782021-01-21T06:05:00.000-05:002021-01-21T06:05:09.830-05:00Traveling in a Time of Covid<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"> We are Travelers</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">At this point in time in my life, I have become a
Traveler. A decade ago, I started
putting on a backpack and walking up and down mountains for days, then weeks at
a time. We have added to that a Travel
Trailer and have been full time RVers for a little over four months now. We rely a lot on our experiences as
long-distance hikers time and time again as we learn the ins and outs of living
in an RV. Moving from place to place. Usually for a week or two, sometimes for just
days, and sometimes a month will pass as we stay for a full turning of the moon
or more. Doing this, in a time of
Pandemic is not only a challenge, but the extra responsibility of not becoming
a vector adds a few levels to that challenge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQM9WTbL_2ub8ZqC3RVMEvGrIfVzWJJEFktjhx4NcpCNkMDmXluMTj2lv40Kc4ekboQpBIQ8ep-TWwefr-dZ4ZEN7xk01h76nYcAbQCT6F23WeXRJXy8ClNO04Ym7D-ln6q5YWrayXCLAT/s4032/20210114_141436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQM9WTbL_2ub8ZqC3RVMEvGrIfVzWJJEFktjhx4NcpCNkMDmXluMTj2lv40Kc4ekboQpBIQ8ep-TWwefr-dZ4ZEN7xk01h76nYcAbQCT6F23WeXRJXy8ClNO04Ym7D-ln6q5YWrayXCLAT/w400-h225/20210114_141436.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite in Georgia</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Hikers and RVers Compared</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">On the Appalachian Trail, a debate has been going on for
almost a year now about the advisability of going on long-distances hikes
usually referred to as a Thru Hike. The
Appalachian Train Conservancy (ATC) is once again recommending hikers postpone
or suspend this kind of hike. The
discourse gets heated at times. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Some say it is better to be outdoors. Away from lots of
indoor people where the virus can be present and persistent. Others say transient people could potentially
spread the virus both on the trail and in the towns they use to resupply, eat
real food, and do other chores that are needed. I think both points of view are
true, at least potentially, but with some changes to the norm and a little
extra care, people can stay safe and healthy out there and still pursue their
dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">The things we do as we travel along may also work for a
long-distance hiker. Our mantra is four main things. Wear the mask, keep your
distance, limit exposure to others, and wash your hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">We wear our masks whenever we feel the need. That means always when in doors and even
outdoors, if the area is crowded with people.
When we are outside and able to keep a respectable distance, we don’t
wear a mask. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Keeping that respectable distance is much easier when you
are outside. Our campsites usually are
large enough so we won’t be close to any neighbors. When we do talk together, we can have a
perfectly respectable conversation staying ten feet or more apart. I don’t shake hands anymore. I don’t even fist bump anymore. Something I picked up on the trail. I might place my palms together, bow, and
Namaste you if I’m in the mood. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Washing your hands often, will help remove anything you pick
up tactilely. Not shaking hands and washing your hands is something most hikers
learn fairly often when on the trail due to the constant threat of Norovirus.
Adding a mask to those behaviors in this time of Covid isn’t a big deal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Going Into Town</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">When we have to resupply, (Yep, I still call it resupply),
we have a list, mask up, and move fast.
Exactly how I shopped when we were still at Home Base and needing groceries. I really don’t think it is any different
being in a Walmart in Pasadena, MD or Vidalia, GA. I’m still going to pass people that don’t
live with me or even breath the same air as me.
They are strangers all. Me doing
my part by wearing a mask and limiting my exposure keeps both parties
safe. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">I hear the argument that small towns can’t afford to have
their hospitals filled up with transient people. That is a risk, but once again. If you are taking precautions, then you
aren’t part of the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">That leads us to another thing to think about. The more
people out there, on the trail or even in the campgrounds, the more likely
someone isn’t following the precautions that common sense dictates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">If/When that happens, then the whole system is put into jeopardy. This is the gist, I believe, of ATC’s
recommendation. They want to limit the
number of people who hike the trail during this pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Crowds of People</span></h3><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Anyone who has been near Springer Mountain, Georgia in March
and April, can vouch that the shelter areas could become rather crowded as new
hikers start their journey and gravitate to the “amenities” that a shelter
provides. Not only some actual shelter
from overhead, but also a table, fire pit and privy. All these things come with a risk of being
too close for too long which is what the virus wants and needs. Right now isn’t the time to squeeze sixteen
hikers into an eight person shelter or sit around a full picnic table putting
hand to mouth. Hikers should adopt a
more dispersed method of hiking. Yes,
you can stop at these oases in the woods during the day, but try to settle down
for the night is an established but less crowded campsite along the way. Either
before or after the shelter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Our travel trailer is the perfect place to isolate. It is completely self contained and can last days without having to do things like fill the water or dump the tanks. Our fridge is small, but I have been amazed at how much food we can stuff into it. We live in a constant state of self-isolation. I think that is also possible for a hiker on the trail.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Continued Caution </span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">As long as we can find safe campsites open for use, we will continue on this lifestyle of travel and exploration. For now, we are running from winter, heading south, but not too far south. Next, me may head west for a while before circling back to Home Base for a stay to take care of the things a person has to do when they live in one spot. (Medical, dental, eye exams, the list goes on and on. Maybe even getting a vaccine) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">From there, we will head out again. Maybe along the upper part of the country. Seeing what is what. Having our masks handy, keeping our distance, limiting our exposure and washing our hands. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw_FFvVjQc9JRrrx1YhCYZuCf3BbbLkh05rr4blDLKi8ewAFknK_J5SkTSFvG0BG8p-MGB0SnumPiH1NbxFo3WCxA4pjd_fUYC30BD7ArVIbdPXJWcZUvTEzMIzA_S06GJeyvz4MfLylY/s4032/20201225_144828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw_FFvVjQc9JRrrx1YhCYZuCf3BbbLkh05rr4blDLKi8ewAFknK_J5SkTSFvG0BG8p-MGB0SnumPiH1NbxFo3WCxA4pjd_fUYC30BD7ArVIbdPXJWcZUvTEzMIzA_S06GJeyvz4MfLylY/w400-h225/20201225_144828.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeless On Wheels</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Hikers hike and RVers RV. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">Peace</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;">EarthTone and LoGear</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5HEopXp3csukwkWFcx6pWyXLvWlFKqoBlSc0kz-mT7rw8tBPXP-qxR6_vvTfWLr1BEplzon9m4jFt2K2ANyn1fJvN4gJBPsBtEdAz7_1A9W4ItdMlUHO2yLfZGK-B-eFzCv2Qw8AvUHb/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5HEopXp3csukwkWFcx6pWyXLvWlFKqoBlSc0kz-mT7rw8tBPXP-qxR6_vvTfWLr1BEplzon9m4jFt2K2ANyn1fJvN4gJBPsBtEdAz7_1A9W4ItdMlUHO2yLfZGK-B-eFzCv2Qw8AvUHb/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-50796958688439953972020-12-22T09:42:00.001-05:002020-12-22T09:42:22.711-05:00The Different Flavors of Nomad Life<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJBiK0X46056QkQzQdd6oq0sUUXXL_N0jWNdOR4zRKyU3iw0jmyiQnjwp51rFJaOg44pSyB0zyCiRy6LGsvH9wlDgNxcMLk_ZB55HwL2f37WsKT7nBeyf9y3NWSpsxZu4aGBqXtbyiKrP/s800/nomadframe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJBiK0X46056QkQzQdd6oq0sUUXXL_N0jWNdOR4zRKyU3iw0jmyiQnjwp51rFJaOg44pSyB0zyCiRy6LGsvH9wlDgNxcMLk_ZB55HwL2f37WsKT7nBeyf9y3NWSpsxZu4aGBqXtbyiKrP/w400-h250/nomadframe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Intro</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">LoGear and I have been full timing since the middle of September. We have now been Nomads for 100 days. I'm working on a Nomad badge, like I did with the Outsider badge and will talk about it soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">This post is about the different ways you can use your RV. The different types of camping.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">The different types of camping</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">This Nomad life isn't just about finding a nice RV Park and setting up there. When we decided to head out into the great USA, we knew we wanted to do some primitive camping. I installed a solar system for this very purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">So besides the typical RV Park, you have Boondocking which has quite a few alternate names (dry camping, Wild camping, to name a couple) and also has different degrees of "off-gridness". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Here are the few different ways we have enjoyed Vixen on our quest to see the Nation. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Home Base - Shore House - Moochdocking</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">We still have our house in Maryland, so it has been designated Home Base. My daughter is living there now and taking care of things and helping with the mortgage, earning some equity as they do it. When we purchased Vixen, it was delivered to the driveway at Home Base and that is where it sat until we purchased a truck and I installed the modifications I wanted. When in the driveway, we can hook up to water and 15A of service, which is enough to keep the batteries charged and the fridge running on electric. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIZ3aVlSjyVnE2lLIkIR7nE3GA-nnfRZ-lcCg596hRmYXv2VNxvAFy7Xwdfhy2Tsl7YTWTU43jN8LRmcmNd3OXVIyUEO27GYux8_s0Zo26_6mTrgUu3DMDwFoieB4v5ExKiNdZ1MQc9xv/s4032/20201112_064815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIZ3aVlSjyVnE2lLIkIR7nE3GA-nnfRZ-lcCg596hRmYXv2VNxvAFy7Xwdfhy2Tsl7YTWTU43jN8LRmcmNd3OXVIyUEO27GYux8_s0Zo26_6mTrgUu3DMDwFoieB4v5ExKiNdZ1MQc9xv/w400-h225/20201112_064815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Base</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Since we started out, we have returned to Home Base twice to take care of things and visit with the kids. We didn't park in the driveway, but across the street. This means we are actually boondocking, but can run an extension cord from the house, across the street to charge up the batteries if they fall behind in their cycle. I have had to do this both times. It was because of a couple of factors. First, it is fall and the sun in flying a more southern route this time of the year. Unfortunately, we park facing west so we can open the slide and this is the worse setup for our solar panels. Throw in a couple of rainy and cloudy days, and we get behind in the recharge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">It wasn't a big deal, as I only had to run the cord for a couple of hours and our street doesn't get a lot of traffic. We fill our water with jugs and I now have a portable dump tank (aka Blue Boy) that I can use to dump our tanks into Home Base's sewer cleanout fitting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG6N9u0IEvF2G8u29EwQcIORhL4hc0LhRKAQFJO8gsBFoaYocouAt6zp9sX1M6uJ-o27r_mR_pnAPF_R5JdsUSNng8G96FWb9urF1c7YD71KjGc63INiNmlyF8l_mrryrU_QIVbynjn1t/s4032/20200716_072339.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG6N9u0IEvF2G8u29EwQcIORhL4hc0LhRKAQFJO8gsBFoaYocouAt6zp9sX1M6uJ-o27r_mR_pnAPF_R5JdsUSNng8G96FWb9urF1c7YD71KjGc63INiNmlyF8l_mrryrU_QIVbynjn1t/w400-h225/20200716_072339.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore House Moochdocking</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: large;">We have a house in the family down in Cape May, NJ and there is a good amount of space in the grassy yard where we can park. Parking at the edge of the fence, I can run a 20A extension cord to Vixen and use it for the fridge and keeping the batteries topped off. I was able to run the AC at Home Base when in the driveway, but for some reason, we get a low voltage error when we try at the Shore House, even though it is on a larger breaker. I think it is the length of the extension cord which is causing the voltage drop, but fans work fine and are a must if you plan on true boondocking in the heat of the summer.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">I was able to rehab the sewer cleanout fitting at the house and this was when I bought the portable dump tank. It worked perfectly. Water either from the hose or jugs and we were good to go for a month of "visiting". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Moochdocking is almost self-explanatory. The two above examples can fall into this category. It is basically staying is either a friend's or relative's driveway or yard. With or without hookups. It is a valuable asset to use on your travels. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Boondocking</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">True Boondocking is going out into the forest or desert and staying for as long as you can with only what your tanks can hold. It is possible to extend stays if you can find more water and dump your tanks. Some people Boondock with generators, but we don't have one and this was why I spent thousands of dollars to install 525 Watts of solar panels, a 2000W Inverter and 300Amp Hours of Lithium batteries. Silent power with no moving parts. When those babies are sitting in full sun, you can just feel them filling up your batteries. So far, we have experienced several levels of boondocking. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Early this summer, just as the first lockdown was coming to an end, we headed to Shenandoah National Park and spent a week boondocking in one of their campgrounds. Water and restrooms are nearby, but no site has any hook up at all. There was also a camp store nearby which comes in handy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODjz5Caf1M8IOc-_c_GOEqVpvEKD8GLND1MY_pYBnK_4xHBC5uVAGF1P35SRhopw8EbI-yGt9Zwv6zKWypLSG9QXGT2GjPMDRq-ct-YyxCQzlFuFhucC-CNSL7q1l115YH98igSZ5BA-A/s4032/20200611_164320.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODjz5Caf1M8IOc-_c_GOEqVpvEKD8GLND1MY_pYBnK_4xHBC5uVAGF1P35SRhopw8EbI-yGt9Zwv6zKWypLSG9QXGT2GjPMDRq-ct-YyxCQzlFuFhucC-CNSL7q1l115YH98igSZ5BA-A/w400-h225/20200611_164320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah Boondocking</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Our first real boondocking was the first eight days we spent full timing. The first night we headed up to my old stomping grounds near the Appalachian Trail Museum and camped on Piney Mountain. It is an ATV parking lot with a grassy field behind it. No water, but there is a new pit toilet on the premises. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDemQGX8gvUd3WjdEpg00-Y1szdB93PEs6NfIIlm3Xbaq_HAT9a7eJmvUtb81v8BTh5lDrrGAUyD-1lAE1XdP-IIrjRfWaMqh0AZlowx6z0lP6MM3nCNXE7cdOczqie1o68E8M07ESJqWs/s4032/20200914_142724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDemQGX8gvUd3WjdEpg00-Y1szdB93PEs6NfIIlm3Xbaq_HAT9a7eJmvUtb81v8BTh5lDrrGAUyD-1lAE1XdP-IIrjRfWaMqh0AZlowx6z0lP6MM3nCNXE7cdOczqie1o68E8M07ESJqWs/w400-h225/20200914_142724.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piney Mountain Boondock</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">The next day, we headed to Delaware State Forest for our first week of true boondocking. We had nothing but a nice place to park, a table and fire ring. (I guess you can get even more hard core and find a place without those two amenities).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wFXFx_pxWMUOPPaLBwN0Tj5qybyQL-v3dAU1eZO2mot6OtpGaOScFJEBYu2K18Z815lUi2udVi5wGe9rPkAhv0YGAYIZekfwq-zEE-RLT97iwRzEwicv89bq074aXngaxAfkoUqrCivU/s4032/20200917_104139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wFXFx_pxWMUOPPaLBwN0Tj5qybyQL-v3dAU1eZO2mot6OtpGaOScFJEBYu2K18Z815lUi2udVi5wGe9rPkAhv0YGAYIZekfwq-zEE-RLT97iwRzEwicv89bq074aXngaxAfkoUqrCivU/w400-h225/20200917_104139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delaware State Forest (PA)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">It was a true test of our set up and it performed perfectly. We had a few days of low sun which means low batteries and it made it fun to figure out what we had to do to save battery. We made it through the week and at this point that seemed to be our max limit (but I want to find a way to double that). Our waste tanks were full and we needed to move on. Luckily it was an easy thirty minute drive to our next camp and all went well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">We just finished up our second (and latest) Boondocking experience, here in Camp Lejeune at Onslow Beach. They have seven Dry Campsites here that provide no hook ups. We were able to get water at a nearby gazebo, walk 1 Kilometer to the shower when we needed and the dump station was a couple hundred meters away where we could dump our tanks easily using the truck to tow the blue boy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Yz8fF3itLjSGdstPPyZhSN-1CidEuQlJ8Qdet0OmiZYVZg_2YmAy9maqTos6YpINmxc5wqVT_57I-Bo3-coj-_s3MSJzs08tPuJmwb5cMflTvGpJ8eBBT8byOuCsp9H_BNlPCJxkuHL/s4032/20201127_161422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Yz8fF3itLjSGdstPPyZhSN-1CidEuQlJ8Qdet0OmiZYVZg_2YmAy9maqTos6YpINmxc5wqVT_57I-Bo3-coj-_s3MSJzs08tPuJmwb5cMflTvGpJ8eBBT8byOuCsp9H_BNlPCJxkuHL/w400-h225/20201127_161422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onslow Beach - Camp Lejeune, NC</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Being Hiker observant, I was able to find and use a lone GFI outlet that was just standing at the one corner of an old basketball court. I ran our long cord to the trailer and we were able to use our electric heater on the cold nights. We stayed here seventeen days and dumped our tanks twice with the blue boy and on the way out. We never had to use the extension cord to charge the batteries because I was able to tilt the panels towards the south and a lot of days we would be at 100% around noon or early in the afternoon. On days we didn't fill up, we would conserve. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">State Parks</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">We have stayed at two State Parks, and have another reserved for early next year. The first was in PA and the second VA. They are similar in amenities, but vary greatly in what is available and also, what you can do when camping there. Usually there is a museum or visitor center and trails to walk and bike. The first one we stayed at, Promised Land State Park in PA only had electric at the site, but restrooms and showers were not too far away and water was less than 50 meters away. We hit the dump station on the way in and out. We stayed here a week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoXAm-_73x4ckkYQsK6d4v-gLwSxFVU6GN3MRkPxWul2udmIehSivgR4LxBsVL10IapmuFoMINgxWvYSDV38C0bSkX_5xLnoUSiMHAGHZXFwuAoRGBR3OUIaRZMx8rT773Vo1CCjUkdsr/s4032/20200922_132603.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoXAm-_73x4ckkYQsK6d4v-gLwSxFVU6GN3MRkPxWul2udmIehSivgR4LxBsVL10IapmuFoMINgxWvYSDV38C0bSkX_5xLnoUSiMHAGHZXFwuAoRGBR3OUIaRZMx8rT773Vo1CCjUkdsr/w400-h225/20200922_132603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promised Land State Park, PA</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Our second state park was Pocahontas State Park in Virginia and we stayed five nights here. Our site was pull through, always a plus, and we had water and electric hook ups. There were plenty of trails and we were even able to take the bikes out for some not soo technical mountain biking. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kz_XuUMviH3DWpIVrwXEzpLB9MMfoUNY42iCUeXfS5wsUUqa25Ke09Lg_323gE7VLo-7qV_j93JxtMlmYv5NYt-TidiwOSQcByIBXh2uBNC5r8HTvrVnooOXcCpOb41889L38ujCoCwC/s4032/20201119_160916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kz_XuUMviH3DWpIVrwXEzpLB9MMfoUNY42iCUeXfS5wsUUqa25Ke09Lg_323gE7VLo-7qV_j93JxtMlmYv5NYt-TidiwOSQcByIBXh2uBNC5r8HTvrVnooOXcCpOb41889L38ujCoCwC/w400-h225/20201119_160916.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pocahontas State Park, VA</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, because of Covid, most visitor centers and museums were closed or on really short hours. That was ok, though. We just like sitting around camp, making a fire and enjoying the woods. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Private Campgrounds</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Private campgrounds have as many varieties as grains of sand. They can provide any manner of hookups including no hook ups at all. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Our first private campground was in Maine. We had water and electricity at the site and were right across the street from a restroom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzl9gqTQukXoWajTns2IoIbBHc3NjWPyq-VK0gxdZ6A_bvNlHqlG6BlVgw6adqkqNN8RTyqIwDKz2D2chlzMXn1ds4xvjnAudrffqMH_bFbCSQ-9OXJETl3Bw4u-W2Txu3WXIf-ZB9dhf/s4032/20201002_153208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzl9gqTQukXoWajTns2IoIbBHc3NjWPyq-VK0gxdZ6A_bvNlHqlG6BlVgw6adqkqNN8RTyqIwDKz2D2chlzMXn1ds4xvjnAudrffqMH_bFbCSQ-9OXJETl3Bw4u-W2Txu3WXIf-ZB9dhf/w400-h225/20201002_153208.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadley's Point Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Our week here was perfect. We got to explore some of the trails and sights of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Our second (and current) Private Campground is here at Onslow Beach FamCamp at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base near Jacksonville, NC. This site has the most hookups we have had so far and the price (off season) can't be beat. Unfortunately for muggles, this campground is truely private as you have to have served in or for the military or government to gain access. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoIlBrVg0132z5733B7qPefTUmeIAQ0ITy-e5XVcT3-MPnnD6FruLuH1Rp-YODRTVIIOuxsuVtjdk-6zOG-8BXd4h8_2s7QrJ6zCSZkr5aveddW-1jdhktBIXyzRuG_WDEghGkG4QiCuh/s4032/20201211_140753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoIlBrVg0132z5733B7qPefTUmeIAQ0ITy-e5XVcT3-MPnnD6FruLuH1Rp-YODRTVIIOuxsuVtjdk-6zOG-8BXd4h8_2s7QrJ6zCSZkr5aveddW-1jdhktBIXyzRuG_WDEghGkG4QiCuh/w400-h225/20201211_140753.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onslow Beach FamCamp - Camp Lejeune, NC</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">We have water, electric, sewer and cable TV. We are totally smoothing it here (not roughing it). We walk on the empty off-season beach every day and watch and listen as the Marines train all around us. Nothing beats the thump that reverberates through Vixen when they shoot off their heavy artillery. And when an Osprey flies directly over your trailer, you can feel the props beat on the roof of the trailer. I'm loving it. Seeing a bunch of Marines in fox holes pointing their weapons towards the road as we came back from food shopping was a trip. It almost makes me want to go out and join them. Naw. On second thought. I'll just keep smoothing it here. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Boondockers Welcome</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Boondockers Welcome is a subscription service where you pay an annual fee and gain access to Hosts, who are just plain people who offer their homes for you to park overnight or for a few nights. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDF6calNxOtW4IeEzva7SygbcW8a8xhmNCwzBIC5gFGPrTn_kGerZIFFcObsxk7OvbSoUbWOA3RSPz4o_llqd0LLY3qjV2Tk-jKiegiCIFa_2qQt6ktRx51eNEb9OiHZVvXRPclHi2xYc/s4032/20201009_073112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDF6calNxOtW4IeEzva7SygbcW8a8xhmNCwzBIC5gFGPrTn_kGerZIFFcObsxk7OvbSoUbWOA3RSPz4o_llqd0LLY3qjV2Tk-jKiegiCIFa_2qQt6ktRx51eNEb9OiHZVvXRPclHi2xYc/w400-h225/20201009_073112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Boondockers Welcome experience</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Sometimes it's in their large driveway and others it is a field or large yard. Some offer hookups at all levels, but usually you just need to be self contained. We used this service exclusively on our way back down from Maine, staying four nights at four different Host's houses. </span><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Architects Daughter"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NzZJ9aNt3PTQ0mlBy52tyn9Zsnb_JsQUMlNtGrsczgbeZyrqgWxXoVxxQQ5Hl7wAlaSR1xIffkA1SinZxpNayPiEuwl04rtJzMf5g9DcTeZfQWSUyPOhTT4ocRaV6CV881JKsy6udpyt/s4032/20201009_153712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NzZJ9aNt3PTQ0mlBy52tyn9Zsnb_JsQUMlNtGrsczgbeZyrqgWxXoVxxQQ5Hl7wAlaSR1xIffkA1SinZxpNayPiEuwl04rtJzMf5g9DcTeZfQWSUyPOhTT4ocRaV6CV881JKsy6udpyt/w400-h225/20201009_153712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to a Host's barn</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">It's a mixed bag. I really enjoy the convenience of having a place to spend the night safely as we travel, but sometimes it isn't perfect. We are figuring what type of BWs we like as we try them out. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEJ9xnh0zNzPfOv__Diokb3eb5f6M9fvshgWl48g9uqwe1gFquBp4BOqH4ob3kDn8VlCmKa8JACR0ppHKqfduWeu9k97Q0hPDLb5Ah9Wv6xjiA3ba6yeqDQYmQKECJzVMUG2qvx2HrsHW/s4032/20201010_141344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEJ9xnh0zNzPfOv__Diokb3eb5f6M9fvshgWl48g9uqwe1gFquBp4BOqH4ob3kDn8VlCmKa8JACR0ppHKqfduWeu9k97Q0hPDLb5Ah9Wv6xjiA3ba6yeqDQYmQKECJzVMUG2qvx2HrsHW/w400-h225/20201010_141344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a Host's field</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Requesting a night is very easy and all can be done on-line, along with communications with the Hosts.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Harvest Hosts</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Harvest Hosts is another subscription service where this one is offering overnight camping at wineries, farms, distilleries and other businesses that have the space for a few rigs. It costs more than Boondockers Welcome, and you are also expected to give the Hosts some business while you are there, and you usually have to call to reserve a site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1tsngjMuq8dNQFsVu6kgjhLBsBcrNcWzPPhNtlDnqnQsc0yhYo-vaba2CnDDABrR-4iD56SN4EuPw3wdhGKcZLPxj78kcxKUIkKBIVw7PpiW3GdLZjArEUMRlo10wCqghVlRH3apUtEl/s4032/20201123_145939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1tsngjMuq8dNQFsVu6kgjhLBsBcrNcWzPPhNtlDnqnQsc0yhYo-vaba2CnDDABrR-4iD56SN4EuPw3wdhGKcZLPxj78kcxKUIkKBIVw7PpiW3GdLZjArEUMRlo10wCqghVlRH3apUtEl/w400-h225/20201123_145939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Harvest Host Winery</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">It is another resource to use when we are traveling. We signed up just before leaving Home Base the last time and stayed at a Winery on our way to North Carolina.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Overnight Parking</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">One final resource that we have used is the Overnight parking method. Walmarts are a popular spot, where you park at the back of the lot and try to remain respectful. For different reasons, Walmarts are becoming less available due to bad behavior or local ordinances. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Cracker Barrel is a spot that we used on the way up to Maine. They actually have about four or five spaces designated for RVs and Busses and it is ok to spend the night. Buying a meal while there, is a nice way to say thanks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Service Plazas are another place we tried out on the way up to Maine. When we arrived, there was only a few other trucks and RVs around. In the morning, the lot was full to overflowing. Just remember, you are competing with the truckers at the service plazas, so stay respectful and stick to your lane. Don't extend out over your space, or you may have a rude awakening. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18RrKPf2lk9UXETOtNGDS1prPvzv1LZkizVZov_eH1GxNQ3WYQbgqTBe0AiNcfUEKPSyBMI9e-lbNVtZwHRjESfGe8gc_W-GKwM7WRst3MW5Fho2ivnfscoKrnYwGjLuHXfAkFqgmaJN6/s4032/20201001_064222.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18RrKPf2lk9UXETOtNGDS1prPvzv1LZkizVZov_eH1GxNQ3WYQbgqTBe0AiNcfUEKPSyBMI9e-lbNVtZwHRjESfGe8gc_W-GKwM7WRst3MW5Fho2ivnfscoKrnYwGjLuHXfAkFqgmaJN6/w400-h225/20201001_064222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overnight in a Service Plaza</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Some people don't like the constant rumble of the diesel trucks running all night, but it kind of reminds me when I was on a ship and the noises of fans, motors and other things were a constant companion. It actually lulls me to sleep. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">There are other overnight places that we haven't tried yet, but are on our list of possibilities. Casinos, Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">In Conclusion</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">We are having a blast figuring out where we will be spending the night as we travel along, Homeless on Wheels. Planning our stays and building our adventure is all a part of the fun of being a Nomad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwUv7mYs-C_Mw-_DwDPBeyvRdeL8O4lRSMC9IRGs5XK09-KGPfwvP0Mwu8UPAd5d4ziHJAcP2-xdoNAs8spLFjjSWeNZ7EwunAZo5ezlbvHOJepjSWxqV5GNeIs8fe8LFWIXSc8engmsJ/s4032/20201124_171404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwUv7mYs-C_Mw-_DwDPBeyvRdeL8O4lRSMC9IRGs5XK09-KGPfwvP0Mwu8UPAd5d4ziHJAcP2-xdoNAs8spLFjjSWeNZ7EwunAZo5ezlbvHOJepjSWxqV5GNeIs8fe8LFWIXSc8engmsJ/w400-h225/20201124_171404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOpXX4qAObjdP8yfszf4ujTOgRFNy0HjmrWCbFnvjgiDD5_dFR0Dr7oph2RSOkvlAyKAjFAu2DQK17pyNnXYVygE6cm1vK27yTYcZQGzN1P1zjL4dnT6wuGFyXIUalIvATljdtz-7oxqE/s4032/20201124_172026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOpXX4qAObjdP8yfszf4ujTOgRFNy0HjmrWCbFnvjgiDD5_dFR0Dr7oph2RSOkvlAyKAjFAu2DQK17pyNnXYVygE6cm1vK27yTYcZQGzN1P1zjL4dnT6wuGFyXIUalIvATljdtz-7oxqE/w400-h225/20201124_172026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Peace,</span></h4><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">EarthTone and LoGear</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">And Ginger</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">And Vixen. :)</span></p>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-43187669884893200402020-12-04T19:25:00.002-05:002020-12-04T19:27:47.693-05:00Achievements, Badges and Abilities<p><br /></p><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">I have created a few achievements, badges and abilities, that can be unlocked when a Long Distance Hiker takes a hike. </span><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAENILb0pNyCQrR3Nq2yPN3Lud-XXdLHLiBAW7fpbPYQ-xjLr8dJquKmeFDJz0U9IZg_5hUoWFGKECHGZhxFT0RdfqSdnv_rMFt9GVnqdOWGlAXzA-mEIvu-vSOxcng5akbWLtjCw8Z1g/s1600/outsider-pamola-badge.jpg" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #315312; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAENILb0pNyCQrR3Nq2yPN3Lud-XXdLHLiBAW7fpbPYQ-xjLr8dJquKmeFDJz0U9IZg_5hUoWFGKECHGZhxFT0RdfqSdnv_rMFt9GVnqdOWGlAXzA-mEIvu-vSOxcng5akbWLtjCw8Z1g/s200/outsider-pamola-badge.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEnfg8068I7lXGCRoM_4Aw5VuW6HvrN71yKQYedAyA9sSf7d-HSNnUayvkFQR64GRBY8HGHDMvnJqqb4cBZUbuivfcuGK-oGUK_xr41-ued1Ec9vJfMi0cZ955sRoezBGjSNljSuJG9XM/s1600/hiking_sm.jpg" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEnfg8068I7lXGCRoM_4Aw5VuW6HvrN71yKQYedAyA9sSf7d-HSNnUayvkFQR64GRBY8HGHDMvnJqqb4cBZUbuivfcuGK-oGUK_xr41-ued1Ec9vJfMi0cZ955sRoezBGjSNljSuJG9XM/s1600/hiking_sm.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Outsider Badge</b> - (several tiers) When you begin a long distance hike, you become an Outsider after spending your first night outside. To earn the Outsider Badge, one must spend the majority of time in the out-of-doors for a number of days. No artificial climate control allowed except fire. Makeshift shelters (tent, lean-to) are ok, as long as they are not artificially climate controlled. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;">To reach Tier I (Fledgling), you must spend 2 weeks outside, with no more than three nights indoors. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: large;">Tier II (Journeyman) is two full cycles of the moon with no more than 12 nights in climate controlled spaces. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;">Tier III (Master) is four full turnings of the Moon with no more than 24 nights in climate controlled spaces.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqXl8oT4lpdOKv7x3VwmIqmmP6IoV-pHocfohI113iWVpDZ9gWYWiwZIxX3CJm81pkkj_0pskWzXkO1NtmyThIYqy2Dhz5ungPak1N6hyphenhyphenQ-PNzlbu8wyKnceZXfRbYqO7MHBJo3sk-ctt/s1600/il_570xN.590707111_hum9.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqXl8oT4lpdOKv7x3VwmIqmmP6IoV-pHocfohI113iWVpDZ9gWYWiwZIxX3CJm81pkkj_0pskWzXkO1NtmyThIYqy2Dhz5ungPak1N6hyphenhyphenQ-PNzlbu8wyKnceZXfRbYqO7MHBJo3sk-ctt/s200/il_570xN.590707111_hum9.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Long Distance Trekker (LDT)</b> - The LDT achievement is first unlocked at Level 1 after you have completed your 2nd or 3rd resupply and have traveled from 75 to 100 miles. The exact time of unlocking is determined by Pamola and will require an offering of fat and oil to initiate. If you are successful, you become a Level 1 LDT. Each level is achieved after sufficient time and distance and will always be at the approval of that whom you seek, Pamola. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;">Level 2 = 200 miles. Level 3 = 500 miles. Level 4 = 1000 miles. Level 5 = 2000 miles.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiaoSXlg-OdmyDfrPYrK2Q4PTNJwNLEoVtM_6RoMapbSqEWn-I1wUHaWBBl4T1Qc1hScpL2VE0rUF1NzJunSrtTv4xtDunBU39asD4AGzVl3w5SyCVieNFJruGPWo4R8TO9VgadT2n_If/s1600/cooking_sm.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiaoSXlg-OdmyDfrPYrK2Q4PTNJwNLEoVtM_6RoMapbSqEWn-I1wUHaWBBl4T1Qc1hScpL2VE0rUF1NzJunSrtTv4xtDunBU39asD4AGzVl3w5SyCVieNFJruGPWo4R8TO9VgadT2n_If/s1600/cooking_sm.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Camp Cook Badge</b> - Prepare, eat and digest five meals. Each meal must have at least two different ingredients, but can be either cold or hot. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGCLl2HW2brKsX18dEACo10cmZ7wOOO9HG8454MTcUPy3JhVKMDSCmlxUsOnP27PEu2aAHN1Q5NZamNzFLr_pME253NArVWfWD6GJm69qvKxFVIROHbhTlybAp-kf_ARALmJPw-vE7SRO/s1600/gardening_sm.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGCLl2HW2brKsX18dEACo10cmZ7wOOO9HG8454MTcUPy3JhVKMDSCmlxUsOnP27PEu2aAHN1Q5NZamNzFLr_pME253NArVWfWD6GJm69qvKxFVIROHbhTlybAp-kf_ARALmJPw-vE7SRO/s1600/gardening_sm.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Resupply Wizard Ability </b>- Successfully find enough food to last from three to five days, five different times to unlock this ability. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM62lq5dXzrh9WG_RpWQNxRg3MtAWUPfB1C2ZJ1RbSKJBd4UDNDFDr1-uIdM3wG9sjCMJ6N9tVEI5ZwDNpHZWRGhSH1pr6A1dMaszDOD_1V3OHnaCdd6PEsqlVkCcHMjxy1p4cKghZbQgs/s1600/images.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM62lq5dXzrh9WG_RpWQNxRg3MtAWUPfB1C2ZJ1RbSKJBd4UDNDFDr1-uIdM3wG9sjCMJ6N9tVEI5ZwDNpHZWRGhSH1pr6A1dMaszDOD_1V3OHnaCdd6PEsqlVkCcHMjxy1p4cKghZbQgs/s1600/images.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Funky Hiker Badge</b> - To earn this badge you must accomplish the following tasks: 1. Have a fellow traveler that you meet, mention your smell. 2. Have another open a window in your presence to find fresh air. 3. Have yourself seated in an "out of the way" area of a restaurant or bar. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><br /></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulV9J-Aj3yhRU9WiJ2VWQSKUE-FO1Fm41rifWSH5qcP2OwMYtwVIg31ukgIkJpEN32oAQYiAcUTXStrsjg_iSDX5r52Y3ujHM0mh0NbWdV-SVeBmNYkY_zh5tZEurkISHwaGdqYsiiOhX/s1600/180px-PaugusettTrailBlueBlazeAndScenicViewSign.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulV9J-Aj3yhRU9WiJ2VWQSKUE-FO1Fm41rifWSH5qcP2OwMYtwVIg31ukgIkJpEN32oAQYiAcUTXStrsjg_iSDX5r52Y3ujHM0mh0NbWdV-SVeBmNYkY_zh5tZEurkISHwaGdqYsiiOhX/s1600/180px-PaugusettTrailBlueBlazeAndScenicViewSign.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><br /></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Smell the Roses Blue Blaze Achievement</b> - Take five different blue blazed trails away from the main trail to visit interesting things and spectacular views. This is above and beyond any blue blaze you take for water or shelter. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #2c2c2c; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR8hunaDdfG9_BdTsISB1zPuaw3J679Htu0tH01_BNM0bHF2wM0fd0PoX32HfmhZKDiWzm0gVm96FVKkF3VSLtf1cw89n5PG7n_AIkQl1-nXUODv34YC_i7MWUiD-smpOE081-aH2iNei/s1600/download.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #315312; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR8hunaDdfG9_BdTsISB1zPuaw3J679Htu0tH01_BNM0bHF2wM0fd0PoX32HfmhZKDiWzm0gVm96FVKkF3VSLtf1cw89n5PG7n_AIkQl1-nXUODv34YC_i7MWUiD-smpOE081-aH2iNei/s200/download.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Architects Daughter;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b>Ride Finder Ability</b> - Successfully secure three rides for yourself or your group. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: 14.85px;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-size: 14.85px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-26566600088728242122020-10-15T06:56:00.002-04:002020-10-15T08:22:28.290-04:00Vixen - The Beginning - Week 4<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">Finishing up the first Phase</span></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We completed our week up on Mt Desert Isle and then started heading south again. On the way south, we try another resource for finding places to spend the night. Boondockers Welcome. </span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Log</span></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 22 10/05 Mon - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, overcast</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-6 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This morning we had planned a early morning hike up to the Bubbles to try and see the sunrise from there. The morning dawned overcast and foggy. The drive to the parking lot was through a soupy mix, but we continued on, hopeful that there would be some clearing.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwtShpPG4Nk1gs_BTXPYcrAa4isuArk_tpaeZrGeJKS0WcQv50__BUU4QUiVlRTisOtFkDcEyYj96qwlRyDal0qoSx8hhyFn3B72T3Lr38Isy1POUsRlWtxrMKQ1_LW-y8BQj05iJXwIl/s4032/20201005_055933.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwtShpPG4Nk1gs_BTXPYcrAa4isuArk_tpaeZrGeJKS0WcQv50__BUU4QUiVlRTisOtFkDcEyYj96qwlRyDal0qoSx8hhyFn3B72T3Lr38Isy1POUsRlWtxrMKQ1_LW-y8BQj05iJXwIl/w400-h225/20201005_055933.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the trail in the dark<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at the empty parking lot and started up the trail with our head lamps blazing. The going wasn't too hard and was an easy grade on a wide path at first. After we turned off onto the trail to North Bubble, light was beginning to filter into the forest. We arrived at the summit with about 20 minutes to spare. Cadillac Mountain was to our east and we could see brightness that way, but there were still a lot of clouds. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKFirzgYh4gRhiI3AMdzuUTEwcu3crKsOmPx07UiruOmBm4vr90BaRnUbC_SOG4Ye0zAirQ7u-j2aXfbpdiiNqaduo0Mv0-ndmt9hVIKuMrGSAsAW3Nse6kb-YhegDl85JAUYcX7oVfSm/s4032/20201005_062600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKFirzgYh4gRhiI3AMdzuUTEwcu3crKsOmPx07UiruOmBm4vr90BaRnUbC_SOG4Ye0zAirQ7u-j2aXfbpdiiNqaduo0Mv0-ndmt9hVIKuMrGSAsAW3Nse6kb-YhegDl85JAUYcX7oVfSm/w400-h225/20201005_062600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordon Pond from North Bubble<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had risen above the fog and had some good views from the summit. We sat and enjoyed the coming day. Another couple showed up right at sunrise. The only other people we had seen so far. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed over to South bubble. It was a lower elevation and we could see the fog climbing up the mountain. When we arrived over there, we were once again within the fog. We found Bubble Rock then headed back down to the parking lot. We saw a few other people, but this was definitely a less used trail and we enjoyed that. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTE3_kWKdgWOkLPTxKrfJfko0oRIYQIeOI8pQw6luXz7E63rogVvByyfZJTzTiOJnJPzcZ_BgwDWf1OtYZnwQS-tiJqujV5u6kpJve4Y0aPwSQ1hF3cj_cAKsCnuRG5RQd0jv3R5jqeIt/s4032/20201005_071123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTE3_kWKdgWOkLPTxKrfJfko0oRIYQIeOI8pQw6luXz7E63rogVvByyfZJTzTiOJnJPzcZ_BgwDWf1OtYZnwQS-tiJqujV5u6kpJve4Y0aPwSQ1hF3cj_cAKsCnuRG5RQd0jv3R5jqeIt/w400-h225/20201005_071123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Rock<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed back to camp and just hung out there. Making a nice fire that we burned for several hours. I was craving pizza, so I went to the nearest grocery and bought a frozen one, that wouldn't fit into the freezer, but it would fit into the oven. I also picked up a few items to hold us until we do another full resupply when we depart here. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day had become beautiful and we enjoyed the afternoon. Back in the trailer, we had our pizza and watched TV until my bed started calling me. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 23 10/06 Tue - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, some clouds</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-7 days, G 1-2/3, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's adventure was to get to the top of Cadillac Mountain. We decided that a four mile hike up and down the mountain would be a bit much for Ginger as she has been favoring her left back leg for the last few days, so we purchased an access permit to the mountain road and drove up.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went just before noon and the day had become nice as we headed up the mountain. We found parking quickly and started exploring the top of the mountain. There were lots of people as we expected, but we had a nice walk on a trail that circled the top. The views were nice and after a while, we headed back to the truck and headed down the mountain.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxRpQlR2atCoasLlRSMfggk0iU5CSuSqVHQwxkYBNX3k_LdOJuAJiTWz4D0QqplN3hLTOj_-zdY-fdYc3OTIRTXz9kehgxsXz3b6sYou12JWR6ga26YoJgt-egr9-KJSc45ofkBRMHiLo/s4032/20201006_110726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxRpQlR2atCoasLlRSMfggk0iU5CSuSqVHQwxkYBNX3k_LdOJuAJiTWz4D0QqplN3hLTOj_-zdY-fdYc3OTIRTXz9kehgxsXz3b6sYou12JWR6ga26YoJgt-egr9-KJSc45ofkBRMHiLo/w400-h225/20201006_110726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East from Cadillac Mountain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ69EfPbKm_Slo_mq7blvAISfqYLFkwYYuQtXV5R8aeMmXisKNOL67iXIE2RU8hajAG4zL745LNWGbfxH7pQxde-2inOztQ-PwE02Oai62hdn9igqeeAVAq2RMRpFvzqArcyFemVGVhSP/s4032/20201006_112725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ69EfPbKm_Slo_mq7blvAISfqYLFkwYYuQtXV5R8aeMmXisKNOL67iXIE2RU8hajAG4zL745LNWGbfxH7pQxde-2inOztQ-PwE02Oai62hdn9igqeeAVAq2RMRpFvzqArcyFemVGVhSP/w400-h225/20201006_112725.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar Harbor way down below<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove into Bar Harbor and found more parking. We walked to the first ice cream store we saw and got these huge cones. The guy even gave Ginger a small scoop of vanilla in a cup. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj73uEX7v8eS3Li-6vuAA4XrkdizGcpyV0mTX5bZD33FvaHP_UqyV6DeYvc4SaCXaZqCNJXxB8HEATqDU9gTnMiaE7k-QbfprISec9dWyOYNHkJ-42Fp4y0oGsceFfRU-hqcQUoU08VkyP/s3228/20201006_121706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3228" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj73uEX7v8eS3Li-6vuAA4XrkdizGcpyV0mTX5bZD33FvaHP_UqyV6DeYvc4SaCXaZqCNJXxB8HEATqDU9gTnMiaE7k-QbfprISec9dWyOYNHkJ-42Fp4y0oGsceFfRU-hqcQUoU08VkyP/w400-h281/20201006_121706.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Scream...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After eating our cones, we walked down to the water front, then hung out on a grassy lawn that overlooked it all. A beautiful day with lots of masked people around.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7fLQmIIaXnBzxhrob3HDOjAf3mm_D4kRlx0KbvLlmeXF4QLzcq6TKUDekHDOiLYYN5TlBWood-v4m1dROdGiPV4tRXFXwc4iP68g1F0Kz9N7Kvu_8UxWTxywl9u_Bd2YLZVUixeChALQ/s4032/20201006_122852.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7fLQmIIaXnBzxhrob3HDOjAf3mm_D4kRlx0KbvLlmeXF4QLzcq6TKUDekHDOiLYYN5TlBWood-v4m1dROdGiPV4tRXFXwc4iP68g1F0Kz9N7Kvu_8UxWTxywl9u_Bd2YLZVUixeChALQ/w400-h225/20201006_122852.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; text-align: left;">Kayaks behind a sailing ship in the Haa Baa</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Back to camp, we made a fire to complete burning all the wood we had found and gathered. I added some charcoal and we cooked four huge chicken thighs on our cast iron griddle. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejX-4QpOV1FlxH9qSb0Y8CBiVMs2_N7HRVV7mK3NWPBLEtOXLiXnXuyUNEJgNvesYjzKz1iBUd5SgWh7wq5F8HlEF68uNSCtcesq4r_MUPoFYkvbZPYO1SvGZdX5_3XRolqOJ_MuiG2cT/s4032/20201006_173125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejX-4QpOV1FlxH9qSb0Y8CBiVMs2_N7HRVV7mK3NWPBLEtOXLiXnXuyUNEJgNvesYjzKz1iBUd5SgWh7wq5F8HlEF68uNSCtcesq4r_MUPoFYkvbZPYO1SvGZdX5_3XRolqOJ_MuiG2cT/w400-h225/20201006_173125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thigh night<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After dinner we headed inside and watched TV until bed time.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 24 10/07 Wed - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0402. Temp 56. Wx: calm, cloudy</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-8 days, G 1-F, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day before a travel day is usually one of preparation. We didn't plan any hikes or touring. I headed out to fill up the truck with gas and LoGear took Ginger down to the nearby beach. I joined them after I returned. There was a cool breeze down by the water and the cloudy sky was speaking of coming rain.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp, we built one more fire. Burning all the wood we had. We packed up all the outside items and I filled a couple of water jugs to bring along on our travel days. Just as we finished our outside work, the rain started.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of the day was inside the trailer except for Ginger's walk. We ate leftovers and started the packing of inside the trailer. Everything has a place and needs to be secured for the next day's travel. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went to bed a little early as I knew I would be up well before the crack of dawn with all my checklists running through my mind. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 25 10/08 Thu - Travel day - Maine is Beautiful - N. Yarmouth, ME</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, cool, overcast</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-9 days-F, G 1-F, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dumped tanks</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Departed: 1038</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Arrive: Maine is Beautiful - BW 1615</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">159.4 miles</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">3 Hr 38 Min drive time<br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were up and doing the departure checklist on a very windy morning. The forest seemed to be dancing all around us when Ginger and I went out for our morning walk. We were ready to go just before 1000 and pulled out to go dump our tanks. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was another trailer in the dump, so we waited our turn and got all the electronics ready for the trip to our first Boon dockers Welcome stay.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With empty tanks, we headed out. Leaving the windy Mount Desert Island and heading inland into Maine. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We retraced our course to the Walmart about ten miles away and I did the resupply shopping this time. I'm much slower than LoGear, so we finally got back on the road at Noon. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The trip was typical, with the addition of wind to blow me around at random times. We stopped back at the Service Plaza where we had spent the night on the way up and took a break, getting some late lunch and then continuing on.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived a the Boondocks Welcome site, which is just someone's home. They have signed up as hosts and let people stay on their property. We pay a nominal annual fee and gain access to the details of these hosts. You send a request. They approve, and you show up. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRGzqebzEqOSeW5bHkYasvVslEKEXELjtVwzO07boCTLbVrRdI6EGRWTS3Q6RHd6_LCsB739LdKt2cN5zFKmRXzxSpX3fOFyndznp2Bd-hgzgf0N70gsEu711fHLMBBM_pjPxZGnq-q4k/s4032/20201009_073112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRGzqebzEqOSeW5bHkYasvVslEKEXELjtVwzO07boCTLbVrRdI6EGRWTS3Q6RHd6_LCsB739LdKt2cN5zFKmRXzxSpX3fOFyndznp2Bd-hgzgf0N70gsEu711fHLMBBM_pjPxZGnq-q4k/w400-h225/20201009_073112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boondocking at Maine is Beautiful<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They weren't home when we arrived, but Harold, the homeowner had given me good instructions and we backed into their driveway and set up in front of the garage.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hosts came home and Harold hooked us up to some electricity and we had a nice talk with Anne, his wife. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sun set and the area was due for frost, so we just hunkered down inside the trailer and watched some local TV. I headed to the warm covers of the bed early.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 26 10/09 Fri - Travel day - Just a Dubbin Farm - Vermont</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0550. Temp 37. Wx: calm, cold, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-E low, B-1 day, G-E, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart: 0930</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Just A Dubbin Farm 1440</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">203.5 miles</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 Hrs 45 min drive time</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a good sleep and I actually slept in a bit. It was a chilly morning with some frost on the ground. The roof had a coating so I was happy I didn't have to clean off the slide roof. We ate breakfast then got everything ready to go. Pulling out at 0930. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shortly after leaving, my front left tire gave a low indication, but we figured it was just from the cold morning. I still stopped and put air into all the truck tires before moving on. After that, the drive was pleasant. We stopped at a rest stop and got some expensive lunch, then headed to our next stop. The instructions for this one said to call when we got near, so we called at our last gas stop. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ruth the host gave me some last minute instructions and said to look for the cones and. Boondockers sign. We found the cones and Ruth guided us in. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nmMBGP1I5BSmodJYFfW1gE8j6mJ7wfpCVwEmzSNSkXWG_sFatOmYV9EyHcWxiK74fleMOvbe8LAkmmydp9Iz77wfTHo8yoSIXahM25DJitD62Nx39sn8CE3RKBLVd85ZFHqAwGLtkvmV/s4032/20201009_153712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nmMBGP1I5BSmodJYFfW1gE8j6mJ7wfpCVwEmzSNSkXWG_sFatOmYV9EyHcWxiK74fleMOvbe8LAkmmydp9Iz77wfTHo8yoSIXahM25DJitD62Nx39sn8CE3RKBLVd85ZFHqAwGLtkvmV/w400-h225/20201009_153712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boondocking at Just A Dubbin Farm - Vermont<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After looking around some, we found some more level ground and repositioned the trailer there. It was still about a bubble off on both angles, but it would work for one night. As long as the fridge works. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They had a heavy duty extension cord and we were able to hook up power once again. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ruth had greeted us with a small bottle of real Vermont maple syrup. We knew what we would be having for breakfast in the morning. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We settled into camp and loitered around outside and inside. Ray, Ruth's husband stopped by to talk a bit. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">LoGear called her dad and Ginger hung out. We eventually settled inside, made dinner and drank some beers. I beat LoGear in a game of dominoes and we both headed to bed early. It wasn't too cold, but much warmer under the blankets. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 27 10/10 Sat - Travel day - Farm Country - New York </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0430. Temp 50. Wx: calm, overcast</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B-2 days, G-E, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart: 0825</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Farm Country 1335</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">198.4 miles</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 Hrs 30 min drive time</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was back to my usual early mornings and Ginger and I took a dawn walk down the road. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When LoGear got up we made pancakes for breakfast and the syrup was Devine.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2lfZjDw7e6eEm98KPzCetA2WEVK2fRJV_s7ljI7mhvb3EVcImmra8caqQR1TSRgTyQCeA86NlKpcGxve007fGo7vSKKKIfAxLwdPj3nh6trq_vASBwm_DWTvoPbttmnNoBbNyjLbxin/s4032/20201010_074122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2lfZjDw7e6eEm98KPzCetA2WEVK2fRJV_s7ljI7mhvb3EVcImmra8caqQR1TSRgTyQCeA86NlKpcGxve007fGo7vSKKKIfAxLwdPj3nh6trq_vASBwm_DWTvoPbttmnNoBbNyjLbxin/w400-h225/20201010_074122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; text-align: left;">Yum</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We started our pack up routine and were driving down the road before 0830. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The route through VT was mostly on back roads, but it was a pleasant drive with some good views of colorful mountainsides. I think we passed the AT along the way in VT, as I remembered some places that I had planned to resupply at as we crossed the mountains. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually we entered NY and we needed a break. After getting gas at a small Citco, we drove some more to a rest stop and had lunch and relaxed for a while. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day was beautiful so we moved on to get to our next Host's place early, so we could set up and chill for the rest of the day.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our hosts, Gordon and Marie greeted us as we pulled in and showed us the best place to set up. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqFbcad4QClmXZS6NgABlle1ut5nIT2SLR7HXvYdkDLWMPqyi1Qflg61FNImDb1yP_an8y3xUFjdMKJSdDa-5uhkiLzbqyzT9Sjkhq_BnNaBsFCpBXpVk0YxCJRdcIgOpkyKv9iJMUVGH/s4032/20201010_141344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqFbcad4QClmXZS6NgABlle1ut5nIT2SLR7HXvYdkDLWMPqyi1Qflg61FNImDb1yP_an8y3xUFjdMKJSdDa-5uhkiLzbqyzT9Sjkhq_BnNaBsFCpBXpVk0YxCJRdcIgOpkyKv9iJMUVGH/w400-h225/20201010_141344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boondocking at Farm Country - New York<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We enjoyed the beautiful day and I took a shower. We have been suspecting a leak under the shower and I confirmed it by taking off the small access panel and finding the plastic fitting between the drain and the trap is broken. It's the exact same break as the outside sink had. I rigged up a funnel to try and catch the water from LoGears shower and it worked well enough, but I will need to replace the u trap. Luckily I may have the parts already. I bought a replacement for the outside sink, but decided to not install it. I just converted it to spill to the ground. We never use that sink anyway. I just need to remember where the part is. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gordon and Marie came over to visit for a bit before dinner. We had spaghetti with pork chops in the sauce. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After watching some TV on our phone and playing a game of dominoes, it was time for bed. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 28 10/11 Sun - Travel day - Nothing Fancy - Pennsylvania</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0520. Temp 52. Wx: breezy, cool, some clouds</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 83% @ 0520</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B-3 days, G-1/3, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart: 0836</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive: Nothing Fancy 1345</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">227.7 miles</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 Hrs 53 min drive time</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a cool morning as we got ready to head to our last Boondockers welcome host on the way back to home base. The drive was pleasant again. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped for gas twice along the way, paying expensive PA prices. In between stops, we stopped for lunch at the Casino that our hosts up on Maine mentioned. It looks like a descent place to stay the next time we are traveling in the area.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We wanted to get to our destination before 1300 so we could watch the Steelers game, but we didn't get there until a quarter to two. We were watching it on LoGears phone until we pulled into the hosts driveway and I was able to use their wifi.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We watched the Steelers win again. They haven't been 4 - 0 since 1979. The game was good. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It started raining and didn't stop. We hunkered down in the trailer. This last Boondockers Welcome site was once again in a driveway in a residential area. The hosts weren't home, which was good for us. We were right next to the house and there was a tennis court on the other side of us. We just appreciated a place to park and some wifi. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They did have water and electric available, but he electric required a long extension, which we didn't have and really didn't need. We had enough water for the night, so no need to add any for this last night before returning to Home Base. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn't take a photo of this site since it was raining almost the whole time we were there. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End of The Beginning</span></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the morning we would return to Home Base for another resupply and a lot of other chores and things to do to get ready for the next adventure. We spent two nights parked in the street across from the house and I fixed the shower drain, got some propane and helped my daughter switch her phone over to her fiancé's account. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resupplied and ready to go, we headed down to Cape May, NJ to park outside the Shore House for a few weeks. And then... We head south...</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This concludes the day to day log part of this blog (for now). I think the next post will be about the different types of camping (living) we have been doing and what we have learned so far. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is still so much to learn and experience. The Adventure is just beginning. </span></span></span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ6gx5ZThDVu-vUaQpsnUN5DbLk0EivQAMSOPOSU-xxeWsJfT9N9_fvHugoJKyQDCWa1LW5c4gmjhGhG9h_CNBAxqKC5dsIBL8pDn9tBfQepQWbyRg0ObG1pV4DXOPSqJ8rQ6SX4abnCF/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ6gx5ZThDVu-vUaQpsnUN5DbLk0EivQAMSOPOSU-xxeWsJfT9N9_fvHugoJKyQDCWa1LW5c4gmjhGhG9h_CNBAxqKC5dsIBL8pDn9tBfQepQWbyRg0ObG1pV4DXOPSqJ8rQ6SX4abnCF/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE8Yyb5kpGdn_rGKlwwyyyHo94n_FajBgZAAg5vp-4UKxWk4bu0LVCXgqHn7wajNOz-k8OO6g9zJMME2OcwsxCOoi1csbqNHF7UweWuno0bKJGqnr9CSbi2bTRO9pv0VpczFFDN2dRLUs/s640/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="640" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE8Yyb5kpGdn_rGKlwwyyyHo94n_FajBgZAAg5vp-4UKxWk4bu0LVCXgqHn7wajNOz-k8OO6g9zJMME2OcwsxCOoi1csbqNHF7UweWuno0bKJGqnr9CSbi2bTRO9pv0VpczFFDN2dRLUs/w400-h120/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D_0ZpRJkAM6tS2hpjXFGJdxdqL7aex48yQabnKngUjZdAznnkOixtOYW6hsdGTr3qfqzJhtzhggoTmuWuH9OGi_SbADpdwkIe-TbywErxPhA2JYTY9qXIpsHkp7-VCJUPHi3O0EF_Duh/s447/logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="447" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D_0ZpRJkAM6tS2hpjXFGJdxdqL7aex48yQabnKngUjZdAznnkOixtOYW6hsdGTr3qfqzJhtzhggoTmuWuH9OGi_SbADpdwkIe-TbywErxPhA2JYTY9qXIpsHkp7-VCJUPHi3O0EF_Duh/w200-h119/logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></span></div></div>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-13683570398477794042020-10-12T07:35:00.000-04:002020-10-12T07:35:22.559-04:00Vixen - The Beginning - Week 3<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Week 3 - Maine</span></span></h4><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our week finished up at Promised Land State Park and then it was time to head to our last major destination on this phase of our full timer life. This would include some challenges, like finding places to park for the night for free and the dreaded COVID test that is required for outsiders to enter the great state of Maine. </span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Logs</span></span></h4><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 15 9/28 Mon- Promised Land State Park</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0520. Temp 64. Wx: calm, light rain</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-3/3, B- 6 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's plan was resupply and refuel. After breakfast, we headed down to East Stroudsburg to shop at the Walmart. The gas there is very cheap too, so, while LoGear was shopping, I fueled up then took Ginger for a walk along the edge of the busy parking lot. Afterwards, we headed back to camp to spend the rest of the day, just hanging out and doing a few things to get ready to go. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCOz0XRWH5pRgyB-AmqPN5_mAaLJcFpLNULwMMDQV8ZGhLISiWworb-e3DXpwh4Tx0NbT_Pxj9Yu0EY2jh-34-RkLpom24ZUmGx30SECWN026coPrB8utzrLxMbOxFMzDdT-7kYKvJw98/s4032/20200928_065748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCOz0XRWH5pRgyB-AmqPN5_mAaLJcFpLNULwMMDQV8ZGhLISiWworb-e3DXpwh4Tx0NbT_Pxj9Yu0EY2jh-34-RkLpom24ZUmGx30SECWN026coPrB8utzrLxMbOxFMzDdT-7kYKvJw98/w400-h225/20200928_065748.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning deer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This stage of our new life is a bit stressful, but also exciting. I'm looking forward to getting to Maine and seeing what it is like up there by the shore. Packing up and driving into the unknow makes me a little uneasy, but I relentlessly research the plan when I have the means to. We have our plan A, with refuel stops planned and a night in a parking lot most likely, but we can alter that plan as the day goes on if we need to.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We burned all of our wood and cooked some fish for dinner. Our black tank is showing full, so we have pretty much confirmed that one week is the limit of that tank. Eventually, I want to be able to stay out somewhere for two weeks, so a solution to that issue will be a project down the road. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The campground has cleared out once again and quiet has returned to the loops. Tomorrow should be an easy hook up. We will dump our tanks and have enough water to get us to Maine. There we will get a COVID test after crossing the border and hopefully will be good to go for our stay in the Acadia area. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 16 9/29 Tue- Travel Day - Cracker Barrel </b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0345. Temp 65. Wx: light breeze, humid, foggy</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B- 7 days F, G 1-2/3, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart Promised Land SP 1108</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Cracker Barrel 1600</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">208.5 miles </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 hr 9 min drive time</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was up and ready to get going early, but got yelled at by LoGear for banging around in the coach. Eventually we were ready to go and we headed to the dump station to empty the tanks. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day's travel was pleasant and we stopped at a rest stop to take a break and stretch our legs. We arrived at the planned stop at the Cracker Barrel in MA and found our spot in the RV area. We chocked the tires, lowered the stabilizers and opened the slide. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went over to the restaurant and ordered dinner, eating in the trailer. We watched some TV on our phones and went to bed. It started to rain during the night and was quite heavy at times. No one else stayed in the RV area, but there were a few other overnighters in the lot. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 17 9/30 Wed- Travel Day - Service Plaza</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0525. Temp 71. Wx: heavy rain</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 79% @0530</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-E, B-1 day, G 1-E, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart 0815</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kittery 1009</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">106.2 so far</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1hr 53 min</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Need to wait for COVID test</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart York 1320</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Service plaza 1604</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">202.5 miles</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 hr 33 min drive time</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's travel would also be pretty pleasant, but it would be a little more challenging to find a free place to spend the night. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a 1300 appointment in York, ME to get a COVID test so we could enter and stay in this beautiful state. We made good time in the morning and arrived in the area around 1000. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped at Kittery Trading Post, which is a huge outdoor store, like Cabela's. We found an RV spot in the back of the busy lot and I went inside to find a new chair, my birthday present. I found two that I liked. One $36 and the other $109. I bought the cheaper one. Everything seemed to be on sale in the store. Maybe that was why the parking lot was so full. The store was so huge, that it didn't seem crowded inside. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we headed to the Walk-in Clinic to get our tests. We parked in the corner of the large lot and I went to talk to the military guys about our rig. They said it would be no problem to accommodate us and we wouldn't have to unhitch. We had about two hours to wait, so we ate lunch and then relaxed until it was time to take our test. We got in line and they moved us to the proper spot, swabbed our noses. This test doesn't have to dig into your brain, so it wasn't bad at all. Ten minutes or so later, we had our results. Negative. We were free to stay in the state and head to our destination. I don't know how reliable these tests are, but they were what we needed to meet the requirement to stay in Maine. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our plan was to stay at the nearby Cabela's and we found some really nice spaces, but there was a new sign saying No Overnight Parking. I called the store to make sure. It is a city ordinance. They do that so people like us have to stay in a campground and spend money, but we weren't going to give up that easy. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed north and checked out and rejected a Walmart and another Cracker Barrel. Next LoGear found a Turnpike Service Plaza that might work and we headed that way. With 1/4 tank of gas left, we found a spot in the huge back lot and set up. The trucks started pulling in as dusk approached, so we weren't alone in the lot for the night. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I added the water jug to the tank. We should have enough to get to camp.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvUGZZBB1NnHatsI2iWkSXkCW0QDMxg8xPTlpOuRYCkQpYuT7zjrAUCKfJk868QoJx7eSftlkCV0J8na0ZuVcrM_T-EB2UrYVyTxN6iOFCl23BnDmBqjgEDPQQ8be5hiNtX96zI_aktb3/s4032/20201001_064222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvUGZZBB1NnHatsI2iWkSXkCW0QDMxg8xPTlpOuRYCkQpYuT7zjrAUCKfJk868QoJx7eSftlkCV0J8na0ZuVcrM_T-EB2UrYVyTxN6iOFCl23BnDmBqjgEDPQQ8be5hiNtX96zI_aktb3/w400-h225/20201001_064222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowded Travel Plaza<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lot did fill up with trucks and a couple RVs and there was a low rumble in the coach overnight, but it was more soothing to me than annoying. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 18 10/01 Thur- Travel Day - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0425. Temp 55. Wx: calm, cool, clear</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 78% @0430</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B-2 days, G 1-E, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart 0836</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Hadley Point 1145</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">121 miles</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 hr 52 min drive time</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today would be an easy travel day. Only around 2 or 3 hours to get to camp and we were ready to go just after 0830. We filled up at the Service Plaza and headed onto I95.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ride was pleasant, with good weather and a few nice views. We arrived at the Walmart just before the island and LoGear went in to get some needed supplies and gear. We got a new bed for Ginger. Her old one was smelly and the zipper had broke so it was time for a new one. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxar5pzwiRP1aKgVdWFfpFkj9Z9a8LlPGyfk5nzU3TMZIfSGSVlvxEMVAo3QVDvJd0uAD6DT5nBObtPa64tMgy6im7Rj9QC1HIuuiAIzxeuXnActqiGSS9cEQXuoWF-48z0Tmk29xRq9Ir/s4032/20201001_153741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxar5pzwiRP1aKgVdWFfpFkj9Z9a8LlPGyfk5nzU3TMZIfSGSVlvxEMVAo3QVDvJd0uAD6DT5nBObtPa64tMgy6im7Rj9QC1HIuuiAIzxeuXnActqiGSS9cEQXuoWF-48z0Tmk29xRq9Ir/w400-h225/20201001_153741.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger's new bed<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed onto the island and arrived at the at the campground about an hour and 15 minutes early. It was no problem to check in and Larry brought us back to the site. He helped me back in and we were all set up in about a half hour or so. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzeV6uziPbrUihdedx2vlVuiColTJIQR72iDD1IjVR_Vl_gb_DCqXxQJ9y6IiyOzRsfs6rIp6lcgpFDQ7TARxv-q8Vmv7xaetoBqbr5VrFO56cKOteAwf8aVjBgC1TngGqBUeNfeLRDPE/s4032/20201001_130352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzeV6uziPbrUihdedx2vlVuiColTJIQR72iDD1IjVR_Vl_gb_DCqXxQJ9y6IiyOzRsfs6rIp6lcgpFDQ7TARxv-q8Vmv7xaetoBqbr5VrFO56cKOteAwf8aVjBgC1TngGqBUeNfeLRDPE/w400-h225/20201001_130352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadley's Point Campground site<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took a walk down to the beach and on the way back picked up a few sticks. The woods are thick here, but we are surrounded by private land. I may be breaking down and buying some wood this week.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K8C8T4zgOdWCGjssUyQkTqhwziToPrZEuVchyphenhyphenDlCi6nf4ZZvPK-6NQUklEE5CnaTog97nvKcw01jFxRyYMEeNe7TqzfAMmYLfoJ72d3G8f-90ibXpHRUbHIIhUtIMnk8A6qa0c4BzsU7/s4032/20201001_141724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K8C8T4zgOdWCGjssUyQkTqhwziToPrZEuVchyphenhyphenDlCi6nf4ZZvPK-6NQUklEE5CnaTog97nvKcw01jFxRyYMEeNe7TqzfAMmYLfoJ72d3G8f-90ibXpHRUbHIIhUtIMnk8A6qa0c4BzsU7/w400-h225/20201001_141724.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the beach<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took a quick ride over to the information building that is on a little island between Mt Desert Island and the mainland to get maps and other information, then had a nice dinner of chicken and corn on the cob with a salad. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have wifi here, so I fired up the firestick and we watched some Maryland local tv. I haven't switched our location on the firestick to the local area, because we may be able to watch more Steelers games with it located there and we are allowed to keep it that way for three months. We watched a little of the football game then it was off to bed. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a nice campground. The spaces are a little close together, but your coach sort of acts as a wall to one side and our neighbors just close their blinds on our side and hang out on the other side. The weekend will probably be busy, but hopefully it will calm down after that. The trees have some color, but I just like the crispness of a fall day. Colorful trees are just a bonus, but not necessary for me. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 19 10/02 Friday- Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0520. Temp 61. Wx: calm, foggy</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-3 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's plan was to go into the park and hike to a lake up the ridge called Bowl Lake. We headed out into the foggy morning and drove into the area that you needed a reservation to drive into. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We found parking in the lot at Sand Bay and found the trail head. The trail started out not too steep, but was quite rocky. We started passing people coming down right from the start. It was kind of crowded, but not too bad. We made our way up and continued on Bowl Trail where Beehive Trail broke off. That trail goes up a very steep climb with rebar ladders and such. Our trail wasn't too bad, there was some stone steps and rocky trail but the grade wasn't too bad. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got up to the lake and the foggy morning prevented us from seeing anything past about 50 feet from the shore. We continued to make a loop on a part of the Beehive trail and it was a little challenging for us and Ginger, but we made it to the top and took another break. The trail started down and we made our way back to where the trail comes back to the Bowl Trail. I had to let Ginger off the leash for a bit so we wouldn't pull each other off our footing. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WFXeYxFE2j9pabash2OqZNYbiXEnEsam6NMj9AYbePlpsMKoYmky8ACNOXhJbICWMJh65pKY_uYA97cNoGBR2X8S1qwNzAof2hjQaHFQReAPbr7siJDLjdtq2IOus1qSWxy_gcABdncW/s4032/20201002_102118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WFXeYxFE2j9pabash2OqZNYbiXEnEsam6NMj9AYbePlpsMKoYmky8ACNOXhJbICWMJh65pKY_uYA97cNoGBR2X8S1qwNzAof2hjQaHFQReAPbr7siJDLjdtq2IOus1qSWxy_gcABdncW/w400-h225/20201002_102118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social distancing is challenging on a crowded trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrhE3Ow3GT2ftq6CbtuntMqQ24ewJwpkgnxHbXIlP_KUJoku9o0Cyr5ip_ZwdNEAXE5A0h86JCu3_wu8MtStjqkE2fMikRxhMhmpfMKz7vBfhOU-9XkR0AfS8CNMkDL14cLUreHBgt-m5/s4032/20201002_104532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrhE3Ow3GT2ftq6CbtuntMqQ24ewJwpkgnxHbXIlP_KUJoku9o0Cyr5ip_ZwdNEAXE5A0h86JCu3_wu8MtStjqkE2fMikRxhMhmpfMKz7vBfhOU-9XkR0AfS8CNMkDL14cLUreHBgt-m5/w400-h225/20201002_104532.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy lake view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got back to the parking lot, then walked down to the beach for a bit. It was still pretty foggy, but we had a good time hiking. The view doesn't always have to be a far one. We continued down the road and stopped at Thunder Hole, which is supposed to rumble like thunder when the waves come in, but conditions weren't right for that today. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xaBILsXcVZZnKRI8xUH7sY2fGZHbNVdgh8Y2M-ZkVb8zCKAstjlLTiqeN0CoJ6I9fZxDMeDyGRqe31Z9-mF5qgPmorH02VTTUPACwCJ1UoGf8Apl9Ztlb1dziUz-q0FpoKsn85D7Cvew/s4032/20201002_122007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xaBILsXcVZZnKRI8xUH7sY2fGZHbNVdgh8Y2M-ZkVb8zCKAstjlLTiqeN0CoJ6I9fZxDMeDyGRqe31Z9-mF5qgPmorH02VTTUPACwCJ1UoGf8Apl9Ztlb1dziUz-q0FpoKsn85D7Cvew/w400-h225/20201002_122007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet Thunder Hole<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove through Bar Harbor on our way back to camp and then relaxed for a while. I made a small fire, while LoGear took a nap. It started raining a little and we all retired inside. We watched some TV and the rain continued outside. Soon it was bed time. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 20 10/03 Saturday- Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0415. Temp 48. Wx: calm, damp, clear</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-4 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's hike was another less than 2 mile, moderate hike. This trail was supposed to be less traveled and it was. We saw way less people on the trail today. Starting at a popular spring, the trail started up the ridge. There were hundreds of granite steps, but we moved along and each time we came to a clearing, the view got better. It is quite a difference that a day makes. We could see for miles, with interesting clouds on the horizon in an otherwise blue sky. We got to the top of the ridge and followed it for a while before coming back down again. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5LpnMNOIdRpz7YACXvAWlz3BLJOGNTouuwextx-HDRvE0PNsQE0s8LgzHisc70CzWqqsG9woSRJTVNLn-8q_TUdId0lruhXKLAspb5dhS33ahpy4uTCfzdax3attwBYCivEr1T0gwyNu/s4032/20201003_102736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5LpnMNOIdRpz7YACXvAWlz3BLJOGNTouuwextx-HDRvE0PNsQE0s8LgzHisc70CzWqqsG9woSRJTVNLn-8q_TUdId0lruhXKLAspb5dhS33ahpy4uTCfzdax3attwBYCivEr1T0gwyNu/w400-h225/20201003_102736.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcupine islands<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q-kBWZgjf3GzF8A_1YfKAKVYRhzvoIATQMB2rET00t9me-hdx1xxNU4XqlL0BoT3tdwcKZl4FxKckbtLsaIQQqDHR_pyqA8MToMkCEIqGu76BlnrJMSWWSC5kqDiWZte1KTpRiSJzYeW/s4032/20201003_101732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q-kBWZgjf3GzF8A_1YfKAKVYRhzvoIATQMB2rET00t9me-hdx1xxNU4XqlL0BoT3tdwcKZl4FxKckbtLsaIQQqDHR_pyqA8MToMkCEIqGu76BlnrJMSWWSC5kqDiWZte1KTpRiSJzYeW/w400-h225/20201003_101732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We checked out a few places at the spring then headed back to the car. We drove through Bar Harbor again and I stopped at a small grocery and got a few things and a six pack of blueberry ale. When we got back to camp, we ate lunch then made a fire outside. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM1HOvIegMxzBIQ8efLxPXzY2BVJ9wEa7EzF-iqB52i7YTjyvkLPvCCJ-8nbFL_FM5I6frQPsqDpSOGXK08ccQlLFSaeEtYZ72iPN0V99hWFp9REcfPNJ8dtjHUltvQO_Ce4p1pPDzwch/s4032/20201003_111658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM1HOvIegMxzBIQ8efLxPXzY2BVJ9wEa7EzF-iqB52i7YTjyvkLPvCCJ-8nbFL_FM5I6frQPsqDpSOGXK08ccQlLFSaeEtYZ72iPN0V99hWFp9REcfPNJ8dtjHUltvQO_Ce4p1pPDzwch/w400-h225/20201003_111658.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ordered some lobster meals from a shack that is right down the road and went to pick it up. We got a lobster roll, a lobster melt and a piece of blueberry pie to top it off. All was very good. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf5_gA9gac1KfO9Y22_AgjHezD3gtCkkdxoam7WjEJwCYd9hcfvwL9r_F1enr-g-vLyJpoCSWOn53ydUY0-k87EIMfyUh-Tzv4z55sIzFEiZXEdn7zltindhk4cKhKHfKaNbWkdCFfYcR/s4032/20201003_160132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf5_gA9gac1KfO9Y22_AgjHezD3gtCkkdxoam7WjEJwCYd9hcfvwL9r_F1enr-g-vLyJpoCSWOn53ydUY0-k87EIMfyUh-Tzv4z55sIzFEiZXEdn7zltindhk4cKhKHfKaNbWkdCFfYcR/w400-h225/20201003_160132.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster melt and blueberry pie<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvAb80xQkGcwBJ68Igg-jTRkONDSfDy58vgCN_-YiwkOFhsRHcYSojAu0LZSJStBL-hd8yoVDzoYbE5MKY3uFG0NzBBp74en8Vb7Apu2nJoTv_vK1Kow_eUfLgx153IM9trW8HNmvPFIa/s4032/20201003_125200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvAb80xQkGcwBJ68Igg-jTRkONDSfDy58vgCN_-YiwkOFhsRHcYSojAu0LZSJStBL-hd8yoVDzoYbE5MKY3uFG0NzBBp74en8Vb7Apu2nJoTv_vK1Kow_eUfLgx153IM9trW8HNmvPFIa/w400-h225/20201003_125200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry beer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back inside we watched TV as the night came and the air cooled down. Soon it was time for sleep. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 21 10/04 Sunday - Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbor, ME</b></span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0440. Temp 47. Wx: calm, cool, clear</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3 (city water), B-5 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We wanted to give Ginger a little break from the hiking. Her legs were appearing a bit sore. The weather cooperated by being a dreary, rainy day. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We mostly sat inside and watched other teams' football games and not much else. I don't think Ginger left her bed for most of the day. She was happy to nap the day away except for her two walks of course. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dinner was porkchops, sweet potato and the last zucchini. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are planning on a sunrise hike up the Bubbles, but the weather may not cooperate for that. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgFckJxKf8_DCWHbvL32B0Ae14Qcr6dCnkWaCqtd6AysMHebe6lwZE_765igr41vCaUC5XgL-7WylFqJg1UDP9dgjOp_fBrzDXUiSBEX-CnLa8duiLW2a1VZR92w_u-ZJKhJFrRY7pKe4/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgFckJxKf8_DCWHbvL32B0Ae14Qcr6dCnkWaCqtd6AysMHebe6lwZE_765igr41vCaUC5XgL-7WylFqJg1UDP9dgjOp_fBrzDXUiSBEX-CnLa8duiLW2a1VZR92w_u-ZJKhJFrRY7pKe4/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpplw-aKK0i5ZWQwZ89-80MRA-nk4tqrFreDnNk_fg2XOuVFDG1SVRak1G5qxrkb76N02j9J22AqxKOPyK0HDUn86inmGWIEFD1Iot6ZdhL5TYsHVRaon22bPddsl1OTPuAMXlIMNEvgt/s640/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="640" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpplw-aKK0i5ZWQwZ89-80MRA-nk4tqrFreDnNk_fg2XOuVFDG1SVRak1G5qxrkb76N02j9J22AqxKOPyK0HDUn86inmGWIEFD1Iot6ZdhL5TYsHVRaon22bPddsl1OTPuAMXlIMNEvgt/w400-h120/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholl5umfzeTE9aIDbbItbP8MDAHB8V4N3rUpUqdbJZimVS7mKg5fdfyHCX1opD4Ib8poUHdRt98REqcfLhlvzYZi3zV56ru2ExROibb3gM904sTfkI0dXQtrOmBlGdjtmgrnRaZLITNQK9/s447/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="447" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholl5umfzeTE9aIDbbItbP8MDAHB8V4N3rUpUqdbJZimVS7mKg5fdfyHCX1opD4Ib8poUHdRt98REqcfLhlvzYZi3zV56ru2ExROibb3gM904sTfkI0dXQtrOmBlGdjtmgrnRaZLITNQK9/w200-h119/logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-44303348025220524792020-09-28T08:02:00.002-04:002020-09-28T08:21:15.489-04:00Vixen - The Beginning - Week 2<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Week 2 - Unlimited Electricity and Crowds</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We finish up our time in the Delaware State Forest and head to our next destination, Promised Land State Park. Here would be a bit more crowded than the forest, but we had electric hook up, water near by and plenty of trails to hike. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Logs</span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 8 9/21 Mon - Delaware State Forest</b>
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0500. Temp 32. Wx: calm, cold, frosty, clear
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 92% @ 0511
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-E, B-1/3, G 1&2-E</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a frosty morning with the thermometer hovering at the freezing mark. I turned on the coach heater and it warmed up fast. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around noon we headed over to Promised Land again and was able to check out the site again. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our hope of extending our stay in the forest was dashed when we were informed that everything was booked, but we decided it was possible to get into the site and we will be able to park Dilly's truck in one of the vacant spaces nearby. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went to the beach area and got some water and dumped trash. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a hot shower for 50 cents we headed back to camp. We were going to take Dilly's truck into town for some resupply and pizza, but his battery is dying. We went in my truck and got what we needed then returned to camp. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DH6Te0WZDtCSt0QdINzqGOaBkOTJ35wV9iCRVk00Ta18zLP2AwI6eqy_y8KoDYad5SeEZbKHgMBnWnX9eYAl1S-T5wjBwNA5FNLnhUG1bv2AKSx0xpDRNRLak98f0XZpV26UpUaCwVBn/s4032/20200919_134403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DH6Te0WZDtCSt0QdINzqGOaBkOTJ35wV9iCRVk00Ta18zLP2AwI6eqy_y8KoDYad5SeEZbKHgMBnWnX9eYAl1S-T5wjBwNA5FNLnhUG1bv2AKSx0xpDRNRLak98f0XZpV26UpUaCwVBn/w400-h225/20200919_134403.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promised Land Lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sun is behind the trees again so the cold has arrived. Inside for our last night in the forest, listening to music and talking, then to bed. The checklists start in the morning.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 9 9/22 Tue - Travel Day - Site 357, Promised Land State Park</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0600. Temp 31. Wx: calm, cold, frosty, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 92% @ 0600</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B-1/3, G 1&2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another frosty morning with a little bit of heating in the trailer in the morning. The black tank TLI def not working. I did a visual and it looks pretty full. I thought the maybe there was just a turd tower down below, so I used our faithful fire poker to do a little bit of tower knocking and the water level went down a bit, but the Tank Level Indicator in there is unreliable, so I will just count days of use to gauge its potential fullness. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I retired the dirty poker back into the think woods. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dilly headed out to get a new battery and run some errands and would meet us at the new site. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We started the process of packing up for departure and we are already pretty fast at it. We planned on leaving around noon, but at 1000, just a few more steps were needed to be ready to go. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We decided to head to the dump station around 1030ish and will take our time there before heading to the site. It was a short, easy trip up the road to the state park. We arrived at the dump station and positioned the coach at the drain. We had dumped tanks before, but this was the first time we would be dealing with shit. We had gone as long as possible before using the on board toilet for the trusty number two. Everything flowed like clock work and we had empty tanks in the coach and were ready to go to the site. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We backed into the site like pros, but we are still learning the process. The pre-scouts we had done at the site let me plan the approach and pull in ahead of time. Not something that will happen a lot. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CX8Kx2PqivNTCW2eV5V7kX8H7z83r_W4tefB1ZoJ7BLzbakqv_Vhl0YB-Fv10Mx6yg6GSNYCTL8bTCWeNyLpCqMIAHYVAQsHy_5ARu4aKFaUEBzjkQbotAevdx_gP7Nr-zwQLjOrtrPy/s4032/20200922_132550.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CX8Kx2PqivNTCW2eV5V7kX8H7z83r_W4tefB1ZoJ7BLzbakqv_Vhl0YB-Fv10Mx6yg6GSNYCTL8bTCWeNyLpCqMIAHYVAQsHy_5ARu4aKFaUEBzjkQbotAevdx_gP7Nr-zwQLjOrtrPy/w400-h225/20200922_132550.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tight fit, but a good fit. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We set up camp and not too long after, Dilly showed up. He parked across the road and set up his tent in our space. The park will be pretty empty until the weekend and the camp hosts said it was fine to park there as long as no one reserves the space. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went for a short hike to a little waterfall, then I prepared Instant Pot Lasagna for dinner. The evening was much warmer this night and we didn't have to retreat to the trailer as early as the last couple of days. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQvKVrd38BsYd2_8rIV9REXvTcmpwnZRwwtGG7bhwF9PPkPGH89W9vZM7yqgqGi_UzybtSF3eRI0xgvC9286c-a9Ec3gEecI4rEI9_XxEnXJjkc9OM7m7uOjiCDJBOPgkL4MU5lqsMuRw/s4032/20200922_171203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQvKVrd38BsYd2_8rIV9REXvTcmpwnZRwwtGG7bhwF9PPkPGH89W9vZM7yqgqGi_UzybtSF3eRI0xgvC9286c-a9Ec3gEecI4rEI9_XxEnXJjkc9OM7m7uOjiCDJBOPgkL4MU5lqsMuRw/w400-h225/20200922_171203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lasagna ready to go into the pot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We settled into our new home for the week and before long, it was time for bed. We actually have a few tv channels here, so we can watch the boob tube without using data from the hotspot. There aren't a lot to choose from, but it is nice to have something showing on that black mirror on the wall. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 10 9/23 Wed - Promised Land S.P. </b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0448. Temp 50. Wx: calm, cool, clear</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% Shore Power</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-F, B-1 day, Gs-E</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The night was much warmer and the temp not near freezing in the morning, but there is still a little nip in the air. Ginger and I did a nice morning walk, checking out the boat launch and walking the whole dog loop. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Today I turn 58. After a good breakfast we went off for our days hike. Dilly went to do several miles to Bruce Lake and we took Ginger to Conservation Island for a nice 1 mile hike or so. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg68gpSFX1lIcr8GG2HGWnt6-bXM3VHu5GBZcHa1844l-rNL5tPUZMF39uwBJJv3AZophSpBDO-lCLObERhI0G433sJrDKlIInVXYmwCNNIaWnKYYuh81pSyTzW6KN0V4K80vckj96RXyP/s4032/20200923_114548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg68gpSFX1lIcr8GG2HGWnt6-bXM3VHu5GBZcHa1844l-rNL5tPUZMF39uwBJJv3AZophSpBDO-lCLObERhI0G433sJrDKlIInVXYmwCNNIaWnKYYuh81pSyTzW6KN0V4K80vckj96RXyP/w400-h225/20200923_114548.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Conservation Island<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Next we checked out the small store inside the park and then went to the wildlife observation area. They had a display showing the size of an Eagle's nest and Ginger found a large frog that just kept swimming around her in the shallow water. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2u19UnEujmKSAaanBYk1Egl1YmRAFA1tyPTOZfAK1-WqzuiU2NjYNxe3bhO_2PmH6LM8mtPC6PxDhsZOhMwBCmAcnOHvQQCBX70HAcDJE9TeF0KC1IDyQFM5Cs-O2WxT2kLsZdx7Ewjg/s4032/20200923_122259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2u19UnEujmKSAaanBYk1Egl1YmRAFA1tyPTOZfAK1-WqzuiU2NjYNxe3bhO_2PmH6LM8mtPC6PxDhsZOhMwBCmAcnOHvQQCBX70HAcDJE9TeF0KC1IDyQFM5Cs-O2WxT2kLsZdx7Ewjg/w400-h225/20200923_122259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoGear and Ginger added for size comparison of a replica of an eagle's nest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp we relaxed a bit, had some lunch and I took a nap before Dilly returned from his hike. The rest of the day was spent around the fire. Ginger treed a chipmunk and spent a lot of the time looking for it and his friends. LoGear cooked hamburgers, zucchini and tater tots on the fire and everything was delicious. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dlvS8sr9ABrnW8AbC9uX96ow1BiapPC6zSMcliwTizEzLSaq1EWGITySy8wPW2oZ6V1ZkvwILf7KJi1Bn8FtKy3xgwspAzJ-QW7GVGGSMUPhUG6_8ljm4Mk89qdWGlWb7nhbVqj3PLif/s4032/20200923_171134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dlvS8sr9ABrnW8AbC9uX96ow1BiapPC6zSMcliwTizEzLSaq1EWGITySy8wPW2oZ6V1ZkvwILf7KJi1Bn8FtKy3xgwspAzJ-QW7GVGGSMUPhUG6_8ljm4Mk89qdWGlWb7nhbVqj3PLif/w400-h225/20200923_171134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chipmunk in a tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">After dark, we retired into the trailer and watched some Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle and I was ready for bed when Hogan's Heroes came on. It was a good day to spend in the outdoors. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 11 9/24 Thu - Promised Land State Park</b></span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0600. Temp 52. Wx: calm, cool, clear</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-2/3, B- 2 days, G 1&2-E</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The night was pleasant again and I slept good. On our morning walk, we went to the boat launch and Ginger started her new favorite pastime, hunting frogs. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dilly got up and stated packing up. He was heading out on his own next adventure in Tionesta, PA. Soon, it was just the three of us again.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We both took a bike ride today. I headed north to the other campgrounds in the area. At the end of one is an eagle's nest. You can't get close to it, but we had heard an eagle calling from this area, so I was hoping to get a glimpse of one as I rode around. All I saw were signs saying the area behind the sign was off limits. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rode up to the equestrian camp to check it out. There was a tent up and two people were heading into the woods on their horses. The water tank for the park is up by the camp. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUDw2jrKf80dJrJh5mkLiHxu7X4tFWMNNOcdIuYBocgCKTwF-55koYgNqzRIrvf-yg40A6dW7KZ4TqBIHt4jgC0plEWxDN6C-soGix0HPnetlGKw7vIhQKkCPGrJEb3is4PtrPif3XHFU/s4032/20200924_122806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUDw2jrKf80dJrJh5mkLiHxu7X4tFWMNNOcdIuYBocgCKTwF-55koYgNqzRIrvf-yg40A6dW7KZ4TqBIHt4jgC0plEWxDN6C-soGix0HPnetlGKw7vIhQKkCPGrJEb3is4PtrPif3XHFU/w400-h225/20200924_122806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water tower<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp, it was LoGear's turn to take a ride. She went down to the Park Office, but said her gear shift was acting up again. I checked it out and it appeared to work, so...</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of the day was just hanging around camp. Making a fire and cooking stuff on it. The camp had pretty much emptied out in the morning, but that wouldn't last long. In the afternoon, the trailers started arriving and quite a few sites near us now have weekenders in them. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several walks with Ginger and a nice long, hot shower in the bathhouse rounded out the day. I filled up two of the six gallon jugs and topped off the fresh water tank. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The evening was pleasant again, but we didn't make a dusk fire tonight. We once again watch some old fashioned tv and I was ready for bed around 9. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><b>Day 12 9/25 Fri - Promised Land State Park</b></span><span style="font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Up 0430. Temp 54. Wx: calm, cool, some clouds</span><span style="font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Tanks: F-F, B- 3 days, G 1&2-E</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On our morning walk, we once again heard the eagle calling. Going down to the boat launch, all we saw was ducks and robins. They are out there somewhere.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0wZ0IQx24LmpWRwwQRNU0zdDEoL-dEaQjRtvDSMvroo_ZtWd87jPC48VO9Z9OchTHi7hFzI-9XkW9QKxqQn3Ql2a5zvstLOU4j7RJH_Xm3fbwxKZQumFfjrL6j0kauY4NSOEuTpMQ6Sa/s4032/20200925_064349.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0wZ0IQx24LmpWRwwQRNU0zdDEoL-dEaQjRtvDSMvroo_ZtWd87jPC48VO9Z9OchTHi7hFzI-9XkW9QKxqQn3Ql2a5zvstLOU4j7RJH_Xm3fbwxKZQumFfjrL6j0kauY4NSOEuTpMQ6Sa/w400-h225/20200925_064349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm morning on Lower Lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Today we went for another hike on the extensive trail system in the park. It was listed as a 1.75 mile loop. We altered it a little to go past the Masker Museum, which is closed for the season. Ginger had a problem with the CCC worker statue outside the building. She wouldn't go near it and growled at it once. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">The park continued to fill up for the weekend today. It was interesting watching all the trailers and RVs working out how to all get into their spaces. We put up the hammock and I had a nice nap outside. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">LoGear heard our neighbor across the road discussing our solar setup and the guy came over to ask about it when I came outside. His first question was are you full timers? I guess the solar marks us as such. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Ginger is getting used to all the people, but sometimes she just likes to bark. As her emotional support humans, we can't be out of her sight for too long. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Dinner was once again cooked on the fire. We are still working on the zucchini that Dilly brought and still have a zucchini and yellow squash we bought at the store. We had tenderloin as the main meat and it was delicious. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">In the evening it appeared my jetpack had finally run out of data and I couldn't get online. I think it may be throttled now, but still passing data at a slow rate, but last night I guess it was too crowded. </span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">We once again finished the night watching some tv on the local channels and I was ready for bed early. Another beautiful day out in nature. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoVeyVa4Edl-EnTFWb09aI6RTVDvOrL3sxmByyis1QZo7Lpcp9czQZPEVn0Mgzi5vMjNieEumPVqTNZPJ5Vg0JOTO6pBRijo2iT4rPqnulBHh8U4Dhb5RJ3bHnEF479OHPNplWHU7Tvor/s4032/20200925_150007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoVeyVa4Edl-EnTFWb09aI6RTVDvOrL3sxmByyis1QZo7Lpcp9czQZPEVn0Mgzi5vMjNieEumPVqTNZPJ5Vg0JOTO6pBRijo2iT4rPqnulBHh8U4Dhb5RJ3bHnEF479OHPNplWHU7Tvor/w400-h225/20200925_150007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping on air<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><b>Day 13 9/26 Sat- Promised Land State Park</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Up 0430. Temp 55. Wx: </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Tanks: F-2/3, B- 4 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">There were clouds in the morning sky, but we weren't expecting any rain today. We went out to the compass course we had found a few days ago and followed the directions to find 16 markers on trees using a compass and counting our paces. It was fun and let us tromp through the woods for a bit. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Next we stopped at another trail head and did another short loop. The last trail was wide and grassy and we started picking up wood near the end. When we got to the other trail head I dropped my load of sticks and LoGear and Ginger waited while I walked the final road walk back to the truck. It was quite an uphill trek and I was tuckered out when I got to the truck. I picked up the other two and loaded the wood into the truck. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Back at camp we had lunch then relaxed (read napped) for a little while. I got out the dominoes and we have played a few games. I'm the current leader in the series at 2 to 1. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">When we were outside we felt some wetness falling out of the sky. I wouldn't call it rain. More like a fine mist. It did that off and on until we started getting ready for dinner. We cooked chicken on the fire along with yellow squash and potatoes in the cast iron skillet. We are getting tired of the squash side dishes, but we still have one zucchini left. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun0ujFHX5vXA5zm1XZR6W7uPCSoR-B6MVpYAvOaRbMsSfZrFV493Ay2JExOmt7CAKc2f0l1YDgbuwYcDVSvfs05QYf8APQUdzbsGHIvMeNfBsi2SjnAIBvx_wHarvGnxBiT8WkmBpbJBC/s4032/20200926_174136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun0ujFHX5vXA5zm1XZR6W7uPCSoR-B6MVpYAvOaRbMsSfZrFV493Ay2JExOmt7CAKc2f0l1YDgbuwYcDVSvfs05QYf8APQUdzbsGHIvMeNfBsi2SjnAIBvx_wHarvGnxBiT8WkmBpbJBC/w400-h225/20200926_174136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">After clean up we hung out inside for awhile then went out by the fire at dusk. Eventually, we retired into the trailer. There wasn't much on tv, but I found my phone, while roaming, was still working pretty well (probably because T-Mobile now owns Sprint) and I could watch YouTube videos while laying in bed. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">The jetpack we have is working pretty good, but I wanted to determine its limit. It looks like we have used up all of our high speed data for the month (with 20 days to go, oh well). We watched two Steelers games and streamed quite a few shows, but we will have to figure out how to make the data go a little bit further. With that said, I still have a little bit of connection. I can check my email and a few other things, but no streaming. The speed reminds me of the old dial up days. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><b>Day 14 9/27 Sun- Promised Land State Park</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Up 0430. Temp 65. Wx: calm, wet, overcast</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Batt: 100% shore power</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Tanks: F-1/3, B- 5 days, G 1-1/3, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">We had some sprinkles overnight and the sky was overcast when we went out. We reversed our morning walk and I saw a trailer down at the dump station getting ready to head out. I mentioned their early departure and they said they were heading to Maine, an eight hour drive. We will be taking about three days to get up there in a few days. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGsEvQA5s6mISmv9ZKwfkRsUDqUB29tMrFMT2Cbao5mS8H1_KPM2Mk94Rv3YshZcY_DzBZV5VsXfX46RHxwhcYH6K8unqVOGQdrYIqaQwWZIGMGTE0CfIQksH90Lz35AfdqI8uPdAkfKn/s4032/20200927_080943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGsEvQA5s6mISmv9ZKwfkRsUDqUB29tMrFMT2Cbao5mS8H1_KPM2Mk94Rv3YshZcY_DzBZV5VsXfX46RHxwhcYH6K8unqVOGQdrYIqaQwWZIGMGTE0CfIQksH90Lz35AfdqI8uPdAkfKn/w400-h225/20200927_080943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">No hikes were planned today, but we were hoping to see the Steelers game on our phones. We couldn't get it on YouTube TV, but LoGear discovered that the NFL site </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">was showing it for free. The game was good and we had a happy ending. 3-0, the opposite of last years start. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">The camp cleared out a lot today. One of our neighbors gave us his left over wood. We now have a lot of wood to burn before Tuesday morning. I also picked up a couple pieces on our walks around the loop. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">After the game, I got a fire going and tried to cook buffalo turkey burgers on the grate. Not such a good idea, but what I scraped off the grate tasted good, but I need to work on the ingredients. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;" /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">I built up the fire, but was tired for the day's drinking, so I laid down to watch some YouTube videos and then we played a game of dominoes before I called it a night. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelpjUzmfenM6TA0cghrMUCjhfS8zKLRycFvLs21jHFs8w7Hp59t6TCNRPtzVC1u_wN_qKFYaGBeuxexfEorymhfcn7YvlW9j7Y-38n70eFoRUO7NT-ieCHeWQwZ0vZ89Nd6SVBDya7a7_/s656/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelpjUzmfenM6TA0cghrMUCjhfS8zKLRycFvLs21jHFs8w7Hp59t6TCNRPtzVC1u_wN_qKFYaGBeuxexfEorymhfcn7YvlW9j7Y-38n70eFoRUO7NT-ieCHeWQwZ0vZ89Nd6SVBDya7a7_/w320-h178/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiDwFLVF0d_bAltOmPHKcCVkX6W-IEgnLtJXqjN8tIHkJiX4QVYnz6V6ltQlp2ShDaTS0qugg-JFHHonCwkML3LUysIlUJjQEec9BBE6icrXvCxockX5s4h4BDsJEE-lZxp89Gfnt_zC/s640/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiDwFLVF0d_bAltOmPHKcCVkX6W-IEgnLtJXqjN8tIHkJiX4QVYnz6V6ltQlp2ShDaTS0qugg-JFHHonCwkML3LUysIlUJjQEec9BBE6icrXvCxockX5s4h4BDsJEE-lZxp89Gfnt_zC/s320/1-a-TWP-BOTTOM-post-divider-branch.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0vWDtk1kDRaKIrc-6ulE3mxNljdOQVJaTDkDYQXBj5VzhpubrsNOI1v1n3gSEEQbGkyeWtEPDPOgeEmTGKYAirBwPtVn99M6VMuf5YYexAZV0E6OEwuBgAfBDofW58noAy7jew-QQiio/s447/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="447" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0vWDtk1kDRaKIrc-6ulE3mxNljdOQVJaTDkDYQXBj5VzhpubrsNOI1v1n3gSEEQbGkyeWtEPDPOgeEmTGKYAirBwPtVn99M6VMuf5YYexAZV0E6OEwuBgAfBDofW58noAy7jew-QQiio/w200-h119/logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-77255165597475212442020-09-23T08:54:00.000-04:002020-09-23T08:54:04.212-04:00Vixen - The Beginning - Week 1<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Making the Leap to Full Time RV'ers</span></span></span></h4><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day had come. We were finally ready to hit the road as full-time RV'ers. All arrangements had been made. Mementoes, gear and favorite furniture stowed in the 10 x 10 storage unit. Lots of trips to the "Recycling Center". A few items sold on the Interwebs. We were ready...</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had decided on a bit of a north trip to start this latest Adventure in our lives. Up into the state of our births, PA for a while, then a trek into Maine to visit Acadia in the fall. We were not sure what the weather would bring us, but we were committed to taking each day as it is given. Living closer to the natural world, subject to temperature </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">fluctuations, rain, sun, what have you. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vixen, our 28' travel trailer would be our refuge from the weather. Our new home on wheels. Everything we would need to live out here is carried in her or the back of the truck. We don't need much. Backpacking has taught us that. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our first weeks would be a full mixture of camping styles. Boondocking, RV park, Solar, Shore power, parking lot overnights. We would run the gamut, and learn a lot during this phase. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Below are my log entries from the first phase of our new life, "The Beginning".</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhUOA7_XyHe9cb7Ajc1wqI3fLzHeFEwjqbWw8IvKgCUTP3E_DR5Lq-wDzxKRjxaE_NGOkydkC0flvOF6QdfSs2XtFPXGi6GpL6-08Ih54GYO41b2rQTbRsuXqaQBYuYMJnBaiN1HLz8ls/s2048/20200914_142542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhUOA7_XyHe9cb7Ajc1wqI3fLzHeFEwjqbWw8IvKgCUTP3E_DR5Lq-wDzxKRjxaE_NGOkydkC0flvOF6QdfSs2XtFPXGi6GpL6-08Ih54GYO41b2rQTbRsuXqaQBYuYMJnBaiN1HLz8ls/w400-h225/20200914_142542.jpg" title="Piney Mountain" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piney Mountain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Daily Logs</span></span></span></h4><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>D</b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>ay 1 9/14 Mon - Travel Day - Piney Mountain, Michaux State Forest</b>
</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart 11:11
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive Piney Mtn 13:34
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">81 miles</span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning came and we finished those last few things and were ready to hit the road. We drove out of the driveway and headed north. There was a minor slowdown on the beltway due to a brush fire or something and the rest of the drive was nice. </span></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at the parking lot up on Piney Mountain and went to check the field. There was only one other camper in the field And they were packing up. We found a good spot and backed the trailer into it. We set up and relaxed, taking a short walk as we waited for Dilly to show up. Eventually he did and set up his tent. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had burgers for dinner, made a quick fire and waited for the Steelers game. We had ok signal up on the mountain, but when I attached the two small antennas for the MiFi, it worked much better. We were able to watch the good game and drank a lot of beers. I didn't get to bed until midnight.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 2 9/15 Tue - Travel Day - Site S5, Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0613. Temp: 43 Wx: calm, cool, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depart 11:41</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arrive S5 15:20</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">167 miles</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slept in until a little after 6. Did the morning routine and checked emails and stuff. Everyone else eventually got up and we had bacon and eggs for breakfast. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 1000, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dilly and I headed out. We parked his truck down in the park and I drove him to Boiling Springs. I headed back and we finished up the departure checklist and started off. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rt8S6hyUlGGkuEA3wLE6IP_ln-U9f5y8YZVy03moJhNZT291FCIH7mLYk_t_Jt_e01e9sJcbgFWfgp_AyF4LmVJgjC6f3fG1ofcNnFUZuUBkzMPupkM1VOv9jKlwlJvH_gXZOnsxEavg/s4032/20200915_103717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rt8S6hyUlGGkuEA3wLE6IP_ln-U9f5y8YZVy03moJhNZT291FCIH7mLYk_t_Jt_e01e9sJcbgFWfgp_AyF4LmVJgjC6f3fG1ofcNnFUZuUBkzMPupkM1VOv9jKlwlJvH_gXZOnsxEavg/w400-h225/20200915_103717.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dilly ready to hike some AT<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The drive wasn't bad at all and we decided to skip the stop at Loves for a break and had enough gas to make it to the campsite. The GPS took us a weird way, but we were able to find the site easily. We pulled in and looked around to figure out where to put the trailer. After some maneuvering we had the trailer facing east and relatively level. Once again we set up camp. This time for a week. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PRkPrxV3FfGHuVVsqKCTTy7BB7VYYx9qv03BytEwWOr3EYuSI6yLNa5SDBOmYz9oJHBtvo9QQ9nQmALStVXemAk-ZGE-CZWASMCEKWJZnJPEyaa4VIZCgybc-28TGmHA1cBtOhiF1Wx7/s4032/20200916_073046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PRkPrxV3FfGHuVVsqKCTTy7BB7VYYx9qv03BytEwWOr3EYuSI6yLNa5SDBOmYz9oJHBtvo9QQ9nQmALStVXemAk-ZGE-CZWASMCEKWJZnJPEyaa4VIZCgybc-28TGmHA1cBtOhiF1Wx7/w400-h225/20200916_073046.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site S5, Laurel Run Rd, Delaware State Forest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Signal was spotty here and I wasn't able to do much. There were no ota tv channels coming in at all. We took a short walk, then took a ride to check out the other campsites and go into town to find the Walmart, seeing three turkeys along the way. We found a Weis first and got some groceries. As we were looking for gas we found the Walmart and their gas was very cheap. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp, we made dinner of chicken and rice and a salad. I fired up the MiFi and got great signal. We watched Big Brother and then headed to bed. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNeALbZLgM70Ytkmpgn6oucIMU6fuqGnMMiEpdW2WWRxIpYEfYCRy_XHTLejWctVQ55_BsZMCuT7bj1phvwEREahiGHtLLAcB2wtQ4CKyik3vKi0j1vpc8hGz2JVxR8H9tn8XDE1QoAWK/s4032/20200916_093833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNeALbZLgM70Ytkmpgn6oucIMU6fuqGnMMiEpdW2WWRxIpYEfYCRy_XHTLejWctVQ55_BsZMCuT7bj1phvwEREahiGHtLLAcB2wtQ4CKyik3vKi0j1vpc8hGz2JVxR8H9tn8XDE1QoAWK/w400-h225/20200916_093833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 3 9/16 Wed - Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0445. Temp 41. Wx calm, cold, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 84% @ 0825</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-2/3, B-E, G1-E, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A cold, dewy morning led to a beautiful day. We took walks up and down the road, seeing some bears that were up in a tree. Next we headed to the Pecks Pond picnic area to get some water. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We circled around first and then parked and asked some sawyers where the faucet was. I asked for a couple of their logs and scored six. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove back to pass through Promised Land State Park and stopped at the beach area to check it out and got a map of the park. Back at camp, we relaxed and kept the fire going. Making quesadillas for lunch and LoGear cooked some fish and rice for her dinner. Back in the trailer with darkness and cooling and we watched a show then headed to the warm blankets of the bed. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 4 9/17 Thu - Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0345. Temp 45. Wx calm, cold, some clouds</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 77% @ 0400</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-F, B-E, G1-E, G2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was another cool morning and we saw the bears again on our morning walk. Same place, scampering down the tree and running off. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After breakfast, we went out for a hike. We found a trail near the bridge and on our way there, we once again saw the bears. Later, I sent an email to the Forest office for their information, just to see if they were interested. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xZw-ceZJl5roMthvMoh6DHqLeHuZOM45wA9QAMwIrifDz-4ULIFWqrNvXP-GJhluJnlUiy98dUme8hc7tBdQijIyl6iDlAoydKTaBQ704GQnlWOYw9nhVOE6ueDLadeyrvsbb27-MI7g/s4032/20200917_105807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xZw-ceZJl5roMthvMoh6DHqLeHuZOM45wA9QAMwIrifDz-4ULIFWqrNvXP-GJhluJnlUiy98dUme8hc7tBdQijIyl6iDlAoydKTaBQ704GQnlWOYw9nhVOE6ueDLadeyrvsbb27-MI7g/w400-h225/20200917_105807.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear in a tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We walked the trail and came to the road and then followed the roads back to camp. Ginger was a trooper, but the four mile plus hike took its toll on her. She is limping around a little now. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTfxhpSyRZHBJoKfwtxlBKz32YOqxRLdLyIeZnmI9QibM-BYxFo-MDHSpMDYPGWj1d_y0LBR-lJ6CIW9H5uJhqoQJ5qC0dn8o0XSCRjQdeyqAZPOl2ruZosvN0m_vYAh-77UHsSV1qpgy/s4032/20200917_095500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTfxhpSyRZHBJoKfwtxlBKz32YOqxRLdLyIeZnmI9QibM-BYxFo-MDHSpMDYPGWj1d_y0LBR-lJ6CIW9H5uJhqoQJ5qC0dn8o0XSCRjQdeyqAZPOl2ruZosvN0m_vYAh-77UHsSV1qpgy/w400-h225/20200917_095500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl is worn out<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later in the day we got in contact with Dilly and decided to meet him at the Walmart down in town after I did some needed shopping. All the chores done and Dilly arrived, we returned to camp for a nice dinner of parm pork chops, zucchini and stuffing. We had a fire going and you could tell it was a little warmer this night. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 5 9/18 Fri - Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0500. Temp 57. Wx: calm, warm, overcast</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 84% @0520</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-F, B-1/3, G 1&2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was hot in bed and had to strip off my sweatshirt and shirt before getting up. Definitely starting off warmer this morning. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day is pleasant. Overcast with a light wind, but not cold. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">LoGear took a bike ride and Dilly headed into town to get his phone screen fixed. Later I took the bike ride and checked out the other camp sites and a nice pond LoGear saw. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwBJZvQUkjMmddFIMV-30OSxSCZ_ONY8r9ZXRTGrkyRv8IP3FVXqxgObkTHUmIEPVHWMj-BNI5p6JxR4N_yZQc1OJ4PxYCnkGvZqhaZCP3W6qyuCwzMXvP9LvquEBMGGhq7mouQvhFo_6/s4032/20200918_170825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwBJZvQUkjMmddFIMV-30OSxSCZ_ONY8r9ZXRTGrkyRv8IP3FVXqxgObkTHUmIEPVHWMj-BNI5p6JxR4N_yZQc1OJ4PxYCnkGvZqhaZCP3W6qyuCwzMXvP9LvquEBMGGhq7mouQvhFo_6/w400-h225/20200918_170825.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went back up to the pond in the truck and hung out there where Dilly fished for about 5 minutes and I gathered some good wood I had spotted on the bike ride. We had spaghetti for dinner and a good fire later.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 6 9/19 Sat - Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0545 . Temp 36. Wx: calm, cold, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 84% @ 0545</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-2/3, B-1/3, G 1&2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It seemed that the solar panels where doing their best, so I thought maybe they needed a quick cleaning. They didn't look bad, but I cleaned them anyway. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zORrDF-gKRRSA9nfeCjbSwRULYNo7XKCxB5DgPFOf574kwiE76Mqv2bZRp70734xfoA6b3VIU8mdgXnxBjetXB0gdr6eQlhSGkoebrEK3znYUnaMEQpxFlLZCjrCB4OVnlrlC4iox6qI/s4032/20200919_094939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zORrDF-gKRRSA9nfeCjbSwRULYNo7XKCxB5DgPFOf574kwiE76Mqv2bZRp70734xfoA6b3VIU8mdgXnxBjetXB0gdr6eQlhSGkoebrEK3znYUnaMEQpxFlLZCjrCB4OVnlrlC4iox6qI/w400-h225/20200919_094939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite from the roof, where the magic happens<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove over to Promised Land State Park, checked out the campsite, which looks a little tight, then took a little hike, and saw some turkeys. Next we went to the beach and Dilly took a shower while LoGear called her father and Ginger and I took a short walk. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLvjP6pz_XQhntcJSaBNtvGBYDLWfX9py86G8wHSMuia66eitWBPvkW7LWRe4WcSb-lDwOBzx_ICgGKi4ojsjc-8V4CZS5nd876qr48SVrq4hOHf6EFVDfSc7XVtf9iIcuNglArFGmeFM/s4032/20200919_134403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLvjP6pz_XQhntcJSaBNtvGBYDLWfX9py86G8wHSMuia66eitWBPvkW7LWRe4WcSb-lDwOBzx_ICgGKi4ojsjc-8V4CZS5nd876qr48SVrq4hOHf6EFVDfSc7XVtf9iIcuNglArFGmeFM/w400-h225/20200919_134403.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promised Land Lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp, we cooked up some chicken thighs for dinner once again enjoying a fire until it got cold out, then retiring into the trailer for some talk and drink. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 7 9/20 Sun - Delaware State Forest</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up 0500. Temp 35. Wx: calm, cold, clear</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Batt: 94% @ 0500</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanks: F-1/3, B-1/3, G 1&2-E</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was frost in camp in the morning, but we warmed up later. We watched the Steelers game in the trailer and got a win. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tonight will be left overs, mac and cheese and a salad. Dinner was good and the chill started setting in as soon as the sun fell behind the tree line. We retired into the trailer and listened to music for awhile and I headed to bed early. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><br /></span></div></div>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-25558686576947636322020-06-26T19:47:00.006-04:002020-06-28T07:36:39.379-04:00Oh Shenandoah<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN3ShiOZ8xowRh3xxa3wKhOeRgRVB9NjLCZxGy_F6ZevloUsfcbR8nPA32ZdDcg9Bnl55FOVG4F8SkunAlLhVeh1JVFRQi5TpZJLzVwMVbCNizh1OwDY-dtp5VkMWuu_WDA2jo_A4DzJ3/s1600/20200611_175240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN3ShiOZ8xowRh3xxa3wKhOeRgRVB9NjLCZxGy_F6ZevloUsfcbR8nPA32ZdDcg9Bnl55FOVG4F8SkunAlLhVeh1JVFRQi5TpZJLzVwMVbCNizh1OwDY-dtp5VkMWuu_WDA2jo_A4DzJ3/s400/20200611_175240.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We named our trailer Vixen</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">LoGear, Ginger and I headed to Shenandoah National Park the very day it re-opened on June 11th. We had made the reservations in January and for a while there, it was touch and go as to whether we would be able to fulfill the reservation. It was a week long stay in Loft Mountain Campground and we would have a great time, seeing what it was like living in a trailer powered by the sun. We would be joined later in the week by friends Dilly and Blue Tail. The same duo we hiked with the month before. This is my daily journal of the trip.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 1- June 11</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was awake around 1 am checklists going through my head and things I needed to do kept me tossing and turning until about 0430, when I got started. I did the things I had to do and continued my checklists until LoGear got up. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had everything ready and were on the road at 1026. A little behind schedule,but we really didn't have a strict timetable. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove through some rain, heavy at times,making it around the beltway in light traffic. After a rest stop at Cracker Barrel and a gas and food stop at Sheetz, we were climbing the mountain and entering the park. We arrived at the Ranger Station a little after 1500 after filling our water tank at the overflow parking area.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We checked in and found out our reserved sight was one of the closed sites. They had moved us across the road to G199, the wrong side of the road. We checked it out and rejected it. Leveling would have been an issue and we didn't want our door facing the road. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We started to look for a better site and saw a potential one very quickly. Continuing on we drove around the A loop and didn't see anything better. We went back to A81 and pulled in. The trailer was already fairly level. We unhitched then went back to the Ranger to change our site. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went through our checklist and finished setting up camp. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavn4fHcA9BOtMG8U_c5cRT_tr1StQ9j-x1xSFvA1q7G3fU8XIxFhgRebOrMWNIFAUePoOoBPOEwgCXKOKu75Z1b9puTS4T8dyhwZN7HelyWi7fyx0OfqnAWjz3U5v7-QeNhSZnRIGeOb-/s1600/20200611_164320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavn4fHcA9BOtMG8U_c5cRT_tr1StQ9j-x1xSFvA1q7G3fU8XIxFhgRebOrMWNIFAUePoOoBPOEwgCXKOKu75Z1b9puTS4T8dyhwZN7HelyWi7fyx0OfqnAWjz3U5v7-QeNhSZnRIGeOb-/s400/20200611_164320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set up and ready for some vaca</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day had become beautiful and we hung out on the rug drinking some beers. We took a walk to explore and brought some wood back for the fire. We hadn't realized that the store closed at 1700, but there is plenty of down wood nearby. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">LoGear hanging her DIY Vixen sign</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Burgers and salad for dinner than a nice fire. As night came to the mountain, the temperature dropped some. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ginger napping near the fire</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Xander is always with us out here</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We retired inside and headed for bed not too long after. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 2 - June 12</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a night of mostly good sleep (my back has to get used to the old mattress we have in there), I was up with first light. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to figured out how to go through our morning routine without making too much noise. It needs work. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ginger and I went up to the restroom as we are still reluctant to put too much into our black tank, and it makes for a nice morning walk. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came back and I made some coffee, and then we took our real morning walk. We went down almost every road, checking out the sites and then circled back to camp.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After piddling around camp doing various chores, it was time for another walk. We took the trail to the camp store. It is a short walk and we found a lot more wood sources along the trail. We stopped at the amphitheater along the way. It has a really nice view. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktOklVmvPaTGR3Dvc8hr3u77H-FJ1m1sZC9LgeiHXXgqTucF54GN2C33GNsQf1edNXz4WpOxqwK75w7KHhP-XgUcUbnANK6mwfnhF7htAgjjjddeaxnFpXGjs7-WHpwZRecwdlnwID_Q_/s1600/20200612_083840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktOklVmvPaTGR3Dvc8hr3u77H-FJ1m1sZC9LgeiHXXgqTucF54GN2C33GNsQf1edNXz4WpOxqwK75w7KHhP-XgUcUbnANK6mwfnhF7htAgjjjddeaxnFpXGjs7-WHpwZRecwdlnwID_Q_/s400/20200612_083840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the amphitheater</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We checked out the still closed store and talked to the woman who would be opening up in a few minutes before heading back to camp. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After LoGear got up and we had a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs, we walked back down to the store and bought a few things. I bought a book about Shenandoah, a 24 oz Yuengling for later, and an ice cream sandwich. Walking back we picked up wood for the night's fire. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a quick lunch we drove to the Doyles River trail parking lot and headed down the trail. It was pretty much down hill the whole time. Over 1000 feet of elevation loss. I kept worrying that Ginger would have a hard time coming back up. We passed a very nice spring and the trail to one of the PATC cabins and eventually came to what we though were the upper falls. We stopped to rest and soak our feet and Ginger did her usual and laid down in the pool to cool off.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8cBnhBCZsJ1Jj7Ye9EAmDVOOD_pMEdQvVmBmb-FqALfY1we9a7L66O7UrUPo0r5j7H_mXz2WeFasRAivrb8yLMe6hVTu74SdCSZbJBZaD2AzDQcSuXCzK0DGpNU9_ckWi7J5TtpBpyBk/s1600/20200612_140649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8cBnhBCZsJ1Jj7Ye9EAmDVOOD_pMEdQvVmBmb-FqALfY1we9a7L66O7UrUPo0r5j7H_mXz2WeFasRAivrb8yLMe6hVTu74SdCSZbJBZaD2AzDQcSuXCzK0DGpNU9_ckWi7J5TtpBpyBk/s400/20200612_140649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling off at the small falls</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we headed up, the climb was as expected. Strenuous, but not too bad. As usual, LoGear pulled ahead as I always go up slow. I figured Ginger would stay with me, but she had no problem matching LoGear's pace. She would actually stop and look back at me to make sure I was still coming. So, it turns out I was the weak link. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped at the spring and enjoyed the cool, fresh, mountain water coming out of a pipe. There was a nice stone wall built around it. Maybe it was someone's spring house at some point in the past. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We trudged the last 450 meters and were back at the truck. We drove back, stopping at the store to grab a pack of wood, just to have it and a jar of spaghetti sauce that I had forgotten to pack. I also got a PATC map of the area.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at camp, we enjoyed the beautiful day. It was mostly sunny with some fair weather clouds floating by. Once the batteries were fully charged, with the sun still strong, I had switched the fridge to AC to save gas. I kept it that way until the sun started westering and more clouds rolled in.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had put up my hammock and we took turns relaxing on air as the day slowly progressed. We decided on quesadillas for dinner and I made a quick fire to cook them. They came out good, but should be flipped a little earlier next time. That griddle works well. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As sunset approached, we walked back to the amphitheater to watch it. There were about 15 other people hanging out. One guy, a ranger I think, was playing his banjo. Plucking out recognizable songs as the sun put on its show for us humans. The sun fell behind the mountains and we headed back.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI5UGoqRXt4AHDTlpGliw4OJ6lFVIwr5Dkvl0B-wtM8Cv7uFnOH_j-mleuJLxdmaRG0sPpe7T6-arjRY_Ax2YTfI2yza3llD3F3ZyTBv8WkwCKdnJrOpyXzsAsvM_T7j-YDj2KJF86j16/s1600/20200612_203645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI5UGoqRXt4AHDTlpGliw4OJ6lFVIwr5Dkvl0B-wtM8Cv7uFnOH_j-mleuJLxdmaRG0sPpe7T6-arjRY_Ax2YTfI2yza3llD3F3ZyTBv8WkwCKdnJrOpyXzsAsvM_T7j-YDj2KJF86j16/s400/20200612_203645.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A beautiful Shenandoah sunset</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">We built the fire back up and sat around it as we cleaned up the camp and stowed our day gear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came inside and realized that Ginger had spent the whole day outside in the "yard". She only came into the trailer when we made her go in for the night. She's a real OD.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I flipped on the TV and did a channel scan and was surprised at how many channels it could pick up. I flipped through for a while and then we all headed to bed.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 3 - June 13</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wind shook the trailer a few times during the night and it was a cool morning. I slept pretty good this night and got up when the vent cover in the roof started glowing blue, indicating the morning was arriving.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Ginger and I headed to the rest room, today's animal was rabbits. We saw at least four or five as we walked around. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That area only had a few campers. It still seems to not be too crowded, but we will check that later. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was able to check Facebook and mail on the Chromebook by turning on my phone hotspot. It was roaming and things loaded slow, but it worked.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I set up a swamp cooler to see it that will cool off the beers. Something I saw on a YouTube video. Wet a towel, place it over the top where the lid would go and use a fan to blow air over the towel. The process should cool the beers some. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRsJTVVLfcWAMHhPTeREL79FeJjiZbBR4BqvzDvWV2DJMngSUg-97aE4zsAq13XSsidHUqCACAjWYTBoVuZTa5Boek0HMHBUZTDgUx3U0J-b9Zy9_Eg378_VYiHVoSUTyWw2F_82KhE4T/s1600/20200613_064750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRsJTVVLfcWAMHhPTeREL79FeJjiZbBR4BqvzDvWV2DJMngSUg-97aE4zsAq13XSsidHUqCACAjWYTBoVuZTa5Boek0HMHBUZTDgUx3U0J-b9Zy9_Eg378_VYiHVoSUTyWw2F_82KhE4T/s400/20200613_064750.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp cooler experiment</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Ginger and I went out to check out a new trail that led to the AT. We followed it to the AT, walked the trail for a tenth, then headed back to the camp road and finished our walk in the campground. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breakfast was sausage, egg and cheese on a bagel. LoGear got up and it was another beautiful day. After hanging out a bit, it was time for another hike. This one started out the same as the morning walk, but continued along the AT for a little over a mile where we came to the trail to the store. We went up there for more ice cream and we saw they now had ice, so I got a bag. I also got a premade sandwich for lunch.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went back to camp and enjoyed the early afternoon. Since the sun was strong again today we put the fridge on AC for several hours to save gas. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">LoGear tried to take Ginger on a little walk, but she kept looking back waiting for me, so she just came back. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later in the afternoon, clouds started rolling in, so we took our last walk of the day before dinner. On this one, we walked on every camp road, checking the sites and seeing how full it is. It seemed that it wasn't very full at all. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came back and started on dinner. Boneless pork chops, rice and a salad. When we were just getting ready to eat, one of the girls from the tent sites nearby, Anna, invited us over for a visit. After dinner, we walked over and hung out until about sunset. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were an interesting group. All friends of each other in some way. Anna's husband, Brandon, I think, looked like Jason Momora aka Khal Drogo, Aquaman, etc. Everyone was super nice and they gave us beers and LoGear got some delicious bundt cake. Tomorrow is Brandon's birthday. That was the reason for the camp trip. They had a contest going where they taped their beer cans together to make a wizard staff. The winner becoming a White Wizard. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The evening had cooled off and we had a few sprinkles off and on over at the camp and that continued as we hung out in the trailer and got ready for bed.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 4 - June 14</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slept decent enough, but needed a good stretch this morning. There are a lot of clouds still and the coolness is lingering, but no rain is falling so far. Breakfast was oatmeal today.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The battery was around 69% when I got up and is down to 63% after coffee and stuff. I'm not sure if we will be able to switch to AC on the fridge today. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's hike took us north on the AT, retracing some of our day's hike back in 2017, but we took a different trail down to the Wayside. At first I thought it was the one, but nothing was right. It was just a semi steep trail down the mountain. When we got down to the still closed Wayside, I checked my AWOL guide and Guthooks to see the road we took back in 17 was another .9 north on the trail. We were glad we didn't go the whole way as Ginger was flagging a bit.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0LYmtFxjrvm4tAhvgTiXUaQZ1MprOY-3X5TGsRQ-hM99wBwQgdL3Isi5z1dDhLX3Uq7LEhLvReHefvteDfKpzwZcHCGaZ6uTOtI69joF4Cl6-_qd1MXjxaC5wjnwl7438wpPVNRVfMI/s1600/20200614_114611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0LYmtFxjrvm4tAhvgTiXUaQZ1MprOY-3X5TGsRQ-hM99wBwQgdL3Isi5z1dDhLX3Uq7LEhLvReHefvteDfKpzwZcHCGaZ6uTOtI69joF4Cl6-_qd1MXjxaC5wjnwl7438wpPVNRVfMI/s400/20200614_114611.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from our hike</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We walked back the paved trail next to the road and stopped at the store for some ice cream. I saw that they now had ice and grabbed a bag. We walked back to the trailer, had some lunch and waited for Dilly and Blue Tail to show up. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They did shortly after and started doing the loops to find a spot. After a couple circuits they found a spot at the end of D Road. Not too far from our camp. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After dinner which was a good chicken, cream of mushroom soup, veggies and stuffing casserole, we headed to their camp to hang out and drink around the fire. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walking home in the dark, we saw a bedded down deer watching us from the forest's edge.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn't record the night's battery level, but it was probably in the mid 80s.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 5 - June 15</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The night's drinking didn't hurt too much the next morning and Ginger and I were going through our morning routine as usual. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did a smaller loop this morning which circled around to the boys. Both were up and moving about. We made plans to do the falls trail later. I made some egg bites in the Instant Pot for breakfast, which were quite good.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once we got our shit together, he headed back down to the Doyle's River parking and once again headed down the mountain to the falls. We got to the first one, which is how far we went last time, thinking it was Upper Falls. We continued on and this time came to the real Upper Falls, which were much more impressive. There was a paranoid hiking group there hogging up all the sitting rocks, so we moved on after Ginger cooled off in the pool.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We walked to the lower falls, which had a longer fall, but was harder to approach the bottom, because of a very steep, rocky path. We headed back to the Upper Falls, which had another group now, then started the long climb back to the parking lot. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFsF8gK-Yub02AKIUbMsowSQFvJzRUpoWpLVUuXXZH_45x_db_fjwAtQ5cD7nR0DzMKJhHCGfMIWsrUXwb4-ZnBA6lynzpUjgPv73tAMfLYdreN_ihOtJx3Jg2qp6DHzfstWtUdJB58aY/s1600/20200615_121009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFsF8gK-Yub02AKIUbMsowSQFvJzRUpoWpLVUuXXZH_45x_db_fjwAtQ5cD7nR0DzMKJhHCGfMIWsrUXwb4-ZnBA6lynzpUjgPv73tAMfLYdreN_ihOtJx3Jg2qp6DHzfstWtUdJB58aY/s400/20200615_121009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">LoGear at the upper falls</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This time it seemed to go faster since I now knew waypoints to help measure the progress. We got back to the truck and Dilly and Blue Tail opted to walk back to the camp on the AT.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped at the store on the way back for some ice and, you guessed it, ice cream. Back at camp we ate the leftovers from yesterday's dinner for today's lunch then took a nice nap.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we woke up, we walked over to the other camp to see what was up. We decided to hang out there again tonight, so we went back to our camp, made dinner, then went back over until darkness fell. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShiGAP7RMIKGmx-ntcEdJZSjv5lOMra97Ckvaw7jubXQSTORZPGtGcujtt0gGoJji93jlHMJtc4EGClfBUhH1-Oegz43V2kpDOGLJ_yBTGJ74Ti1AEuUzvm_diWIItT_Q6M8unh74iiY1/s1600/20200615_173632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShiGAP7RMIKGmx-ntcEdJZSjv5lOMra97Ckvaw7jubXQSTORZPGtGcujtt0gGoJji93jlHMJtc4EGClfBUhH1-Oegz43V2kpDOGLJ_yBTGJ74Ti1AEuUzvm_diWIItT_Q6M8unh74iiY1/s400/20200615_173632.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ginger tracking a deer, only a few feet into the brush</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkxxEnP6ZtCKk3YAat-0MyrZtxv_LcHHPahGOptywQVbzCUUrCGeCC5eNSRN0TcuEHgkYhdkr_feAcXJMkNf0693jojp8sE4hL9IwapxX1WVFgOoEiqqUFY4cy3Ydg0e0anM62pcGuUD4/s1600/20200615_182216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkxxEnP6ZtCKk3YAat-0MyrZtxv_LcHHPahGOptywQVbzCUUrCGeCC5eNSRN0TcuEHgkYhdkr_feAcXJMkNf0693jojp8sE4hL9IwapxX1WVFgOoEiqqUFY4cy3Ydg0e0anM62pcGuUD4/s400/20200615_182216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausages on the barbie</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again walking home on the dark campground road, we shivered a little as the night had grown brisk.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hung out in the living area for awhile then off to bed.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 6 - June 16</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The morning dawned overcast again with a rising wind. The batteries are at 62% so I heated my water on the stove to not draw it down further with the boiler. I'm not sure how strong the sun will be today. It will be a good test.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not trusting these tank level indicators (TLI). The fresh water one stayed at full for three days, went to 2/3 yesterday and today is already showing 1/3 full. We may have been using water freely, but I don't think we bumped it up that much. I think I'm just going to have to learn how long each tank lasts. The black tank still sits at 1/3 full and both gray tanks say empty, which we know isn't true. They are the largest tank, but I question the TLI readout there too.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today we are driving to Big Meadows to check that out and get some gas. It's a thirty mile drive on Skyline, but we need a break from the hikes today. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The drive wasn't too bad, but the visitor center was closed. The boys bought some stuff in the store and we checked out the campground. The gas there was $2.59. We decided to go into Elkton for some lunch and cheaper gas and we headed down the mountain at Rt 33.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did the McD drive through and sat outside at a picnic table that was next to the restaurant and then got some gas on the way back up the mountain for $1.89. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went back to camp for some afternoon naps and recreation. Later, I made dinner of spaghetti and meat sauce using the instant pot for the pasta.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day had been overcast and the solar wasn't producing much, but it had charge the batteries back up to the low 80s. We conserved the rest of the day and by bed time it was still hovering around 80%.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got a good fire going even though it was raining off and on. The boys came over and cooked their dinner on the grill. Eventually the rain moved us inside and we hung out for awhile. Blue Tail had left a little earlier. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed to bed with the rain still falling as Dilly went back to his wet camp.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 7 - June 17</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain was falling pretty hard in the morning when I rolled out of bed. The Batteries sat at 75% and the fresh tank was showing empty. The water is still flowing though, so we are waiting for it to sputter. The gray tanks finally moved to 1/3 full and black is still holding steady at 1/3.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain let off enough for Ginger and I to head up to the rest room for our morning evolution. As we headed back, we were walking in rain again.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had some coffee and found I had some pretty good signal, so I checked my email and Facebook and did some research on </span>volunteer.gov<span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Lake Mead camping. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard a call at the door. It was Dilly and Blue Tail. They were headed home. Dilly's tent had failed in the rainy night and was now in the dumpster. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cooked a nice breakfast skillet using left over sausage and stuff and it was delicious.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took a quick shower and the pump kept running, signifying the tank was truly empty. I filled up two, six gallon jugs and dumped them into the tank and we were good to go for a little while again. If we conserve, we will be fine until tomorrow.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today will be just hanging out in the trailer getting ready to head back home in the morning.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that is exactly what we did all day. After a nice nap, we took care of a lot of the outside pack up along with some inside preparations. We put the appliances away and started putting things where they wouldn't shift too much when we moved tomorrow. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got some more signal and did some more internet stuff and then we turned the TV on for a while. The heavy fog and rain made the solar panels fairly useless, but every once and a while it would get brighter and the panels would suck it in and charge the battery a little. We stayed in the 70% area all day long. We conserved, but still did things like watch a little TV, charged our phones and used the microwave for a short time. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dinner was sloppy joes made from the left over spaghetti sauce. It did the trick. After some more TV, I was ready for bed. Tomorrow would be a travel day. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 8 - June 18</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain continued off and on throughout the night and was still falling when the windows started to glow a gray morning. I was up and continuing with the check lists to get ready to go. LoGear got up and we went through our routine to get everything ready. We are still learning the process, but the check lists help. We were ready to go a little after eight and our first stop was about a half mile away at the dump station. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That went as planned and we now had all empty tanks. We drove out of the campground and started north on a wet, foggy, Skyline Drive. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We followed the turns along the drive until we came to the exit gate at Swift Run Gap and then headed down off the mountain. This time towards the East and home. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not too long after getting off the mountain, the rain stopped and the sky grew lighter, eventually breaking out the sun every once and awhile. We got some gas at the same Sheetz that we stopped at on the way up the mountain. We didn't need much, but I wanted to make sure we didn't get low before getting home. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traffic was manageable and after a few hours, we were figuring out once again the best way to back the trailer into its driveway slot. We were successful after a single false start and we started the process of unloading what we wanted out of the trailer. This took a rather long time, but we took our time. Drying out a lot of our wet, outside gear and getting everything back to home mode. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The afternoon sun had charged the batteries up into the 90% area. I shifted back to AC power and turned the fridge back on. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vixen performed well. It was fun living in her for a week and seeing what this new life will be like when we head out full time. The solar was excellent and made possible a lot of comfortable things that you can't do without power. </span></span></span></div>
EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-18320241776507148232020-06-02T19:46:00.001-04:002020-06-02T19:46:07.253-04:00A Hike From My Youth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunSKix2Fl7zhy7u9gJ__1qPEZHb2PmMfbqCe5j4z3zzznNvecxeEQB_gO9UjK423gDlyAO2YDZrXIxLvKdzlyLfKq_00Uo-QGZwi3_3nXy6lCvqEkWPFC7SklOVaUag02f3RbehWGfirQ/s1600/20200529_091956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunSKix2Fl7zhy7u9gJ__1qPEZHb2PmMfbqCe5j4z3zzznNvecxeEQB_gO9UjK423gDlyAO2YDZrXIxLvKdzlyLfKq_00Uo-QGZwi3_3nXy6lCvqEkWPFC7SklOVaUag02f3RbehWGfirQ/s400/20200529_091956.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jizo comes with us on all our hikes. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to the LHHT</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A week or so ago, I was watching the news and thinking about hiking or camping or anything away from here. I suggested we should head up to PA and hike the same hike that I did as a 18 or 19 year old back in the day. It was a very fun and memorable trip with our large group doing a three day, two night hike that covered about 16 miles. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My uncle Joe was the responsible party who made the shelter reservations and my brothers, some cousins and a friend or two were also a part of the group. I think we had around 8 to 10 people. I can't remember who they all were. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the 90s we came back. This time my group was my wife, two daughters, my sister and one or two of her kids. We only did the day one hike and slept one night at the Rt 31 Shelters and then went back to the cars. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2015, when Dilly Dilly and I did an end to end hike of the LHHT, we would hike this section in one, 14 mile day. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Research, Reservations and Resupply</span></span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When LoGear gave me the ok, I texted Dilly to tell him our plans. He was in. We made reservations at the Rt 31 and Grindle Ridge Shelter areas, selecting campsites instead of a shelter, so we could hang our hammocks. I don't sleep on the ground or wooden boards anymore, unless I have to. Dilly reserved a shelter for the two nights. Later he let us know that Ed, his usual traveling partner, was coming along too. The forecast for those three days was threatening us with thunderstorms and rain for all three days, but the weather rarely makes me cancel my plans. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I excitedly made my menu for the trip. This time I decided to smooth it for the meals. We would hump in heavy, tasty foodstuffs, like steak, potatoes, squash and a raw egg. Dinner the first night would be the steak, potatoes and squash and breakfast would be hash browns, with egg, bacon bits and cheese all mixed together. Our resupply mission at Walmart was exciting as the anticipation always builds when I'm looking for light, calorie dense items to put in my food bag. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day arrived and it was time to go. We headed out of town, away from our prison like home that had kept us glued in the area for some time. We were healthy and had our masks and PA was heading towards green and MD had just loosened the reins a bit, so we could leave the state. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">From Rain to Perfection</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The morning was rainy and wet. We headed down the highway constantly setting and re-setting the wiper speed as the rain came and went and the road spray bellowed off of the 18-wheelers we passed. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a three and a half hour drive ahead of us, but we enjoyed the travel. Watching the countryside rush by as the scenery changed from suburban, to rural, to mountainous. We left Rt 68 in western Maryland, stopped at a McDonald's for some lunch and headed into PA. Soon we were on the last country roads and saw our pull off of Rt 653, where we would be ending our hike. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came into the parking area and saw Dilly and Ed at their truck. There were a few cars in the lot, so we pulled in a few slots over and said our hellos. We grabbed our gear and put it in Dilly's truck and in a few minutes were on our way to our starting point, Rt 31 Parking lot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain had stopped and the day had become quite nice. A little on the warm and humid side, but it wasn't bad at all. After a few minutes of checking that we had what we needed, we started up the trail. Heading northbound for this first afternoon's walk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Short Start</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 1 would consist of just 1.9 miles to the Rt 31 Shelter area. It was a perfect start to the trip after the long car travel. It was also why we were able to bring the good food. We had started walking just before 1400 and were walking into camp 46 minutes later. The walk in was easy and uneventful. A lot of it was down hill that I didn't really notice as we moved along, but would be well aware of it the next day as we retraced our steps southbound for the beginning of day 2. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNckYCVFZZw__zXQkwF8kTdTmb0yaMjqfU00iX09XOtpLowv_E068Xdm4JOIof2aXZND_Gt2h9OyqSB5U85kKgaCzX5LxM4e6kUUh68I4Xh9Mz_KDz7pKTB-XJ6W1AcJR0uA3gwbkgeodH/s1600/20200528_151032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNckYCVFZZw__zXQkwF8kTdTmb0yaMjqfU00iX09XOtpLowv_E068Xdm4JOIof2aXZND_Gt2h9OyqSB5U85kKgaCzX5LxM4e6kUUh68I4Xh9Mz_KDz7pKTB-XJ6W1AcJR0uA3gwbkgeodH/s400/20200528_151032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dilly and Ed (later Blue Tail) settling in to Shelter 1</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We had shelter 1 reserved. It was located near shelter 2 but away from the other shelters, the privys and pump. Across a small intermittent stream. It was still close enough to the other structures, but far away to allow privacy. As long as no one had reserved Shelter 2. There was a large fire ring in front of the shelters in a flat area. We found a small stream running along the meadow at the back of the camp, so we refilled there instead of going to the pump, which usually has not so good tasting water. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LB5-uHU3RebuVmJlzw6qYHQsVu_B5-YzBHOhXlAmQQpIkkzvFqIA_qp9gasOu5EXx7LLeytcT66sf9e-hUd0CN6FziVJXfkit7-Ddd83cnF7BfSFOqUNXYJpL6jZivEiKF6bm6IRabJh/s1600/20200528_201649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LB5-uHU3RebuVmJlzw6qYHQsVu_B5-YzBHOhXlAmQQpIkkzvFqIA_qp9gasOu5EXx7LLeytcT66sf9e-hUd0CN6FziVJXfkit7-Ddd83cnF7BfSFOqUNXYJpL6jZivEiKF6bm6IRabJh/s400/20200528_201649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our night one hammock set-up</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We found some good trees to hang our hammocks near the shelters and went to work setting up. Finding good trees and setting up is always step one for us. Dilly and Ed set up in the shelter. We went across to the wood pile which had not been replenished this year it appeared. I dug through the duff and dirt and found a good dozen or so pieces that would probably burn even though they all were at least a little damp. We found enough kindling to get a fire going. As the fire burned, we prepared for our dinners. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLx34gQHUt7rSMjo__JgtYdwGzFlLQIXAPEIzfiEeizK8vKDrsqmAhMVWc9g9LvoNtdqv0JJ147VKKrBw0uK22u_gDCRuEHfHFbVfUVf0umH3j1zLVdrcJwawsrqO_QJpiynEtkowq67j/s1600/20200528_153921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLx34gQHUt7rSMjo__JgtYdwGzFlLQIXAPEIzfiEeizK8vKDrsqmAhMVWc9g9LvoNtdqv0JJ147VKKrBw0uK22u_gDCRuEHfHFbVfUVf0umH3j1zLVdrcJwawsrqO_QJpiynEtkowq67j/s400/20200528_153921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoGear hanging out in empty shelter 2</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We heard another couple hikers come in across the creek as we started our dinners. I cut the potato and squash, added some spices, olive oil, bacon bits and cheese. I wrapped it all in foil and placed it on the coals of the fire. Next I got my steak ready and cooked that right on the coals. It is something I saw some Canadians do on YouTube and I had tried it once on a short AT hike in the spring. Just like last time, it came out very good. LoGear cooked her steak on foil and that worked. I had also given her half my squash, so she cooked that too. Dilly had two pork chops, and Ed cooked up a Mountain House. Dinner was delicious. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FkTjTk4J7G0GjbdWb-R21GIpNBZOdvioZtE5UMsOhJ4loldGQrQeTQ4e-miWy73Z2LIVZe_kwnI1N5uXK_fAxfB7xqNVN1xDYR28Q10loq0nr1Jm-Mr7cCXBW3CqUhi8FtEBwPErTSlu/s1600/20200528_172243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FkTjTk4J7G0GjbdWb-R21GIpNBZOdvioZtE5UMsOhJ4loldGQrQeTQ4e-miWy73Z2LIVZe_kwnI1N5uXK_fAxfB7xqNVN1xDYR28Q10loq0nr1Jm-Mr7cCXBW3CqUhi8FtEBwPErTSlu/s400/20200528_172243.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot coals doing their job</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Al1hAFQPbT9IwD9jc3Q4Z5SBfTwulaG2IMfA7-g0tNlX6uaxAWvtjYX0p7WKHjeqwMcq4mBcxyqHSYIMjUN7i8PQ-BUT9RBo1ljxELT6o2ZN3rv3gVJPsqk4SEClMaDZoFkH_18mbe4R/s1600/20200528_173158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Al1hAFQPbT9IwD9jc3Q4Z5SBfTwulaG2IMfA7-g0tNlX6uaxAWvtjYX0p7WKHjeqwMcq4mBcxyqHSYIMjUN7i8PQ-BUT9RBo1ljxELT6o2ZN3rv3gVJPsqk4SEClMaDZoFkH_18mbe4R/s400/20200528_173158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum. Smoothing it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />After dinner we tended the fire and hung out. It seemed like the evening lasted a long time. The one thing we noticed was there were no comfortable places to sit except my hammock which was about 40 feet from the fire. Around the fire were just a couple of stumps and some large rocks. It made for some uncomfortable sitting. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW3hvBZFtWf0Jm3ddL_hK7O8-dCqOppydCrxBq1sM-jrexFtQWiIRgkDqV3fK7eCiiTPL9fJaFP1q8IXuK7LuTvJsVKWnQzy5B7PNu-97sZlVBuT_22_SthCDlG3uf7irWlQaQqQhL-cc/s1600/20200528_185146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW3hvBZFtWf0Jm3ddL_hK7O8-dCqOppydCrxBq1sM-jrexFtQWiIRgkDqV3fK7eCiiTPL9fJaFP1q8IXuK7LuTvJsVKWnQzy5B7PNu-97sZlVBuT_22_SthCDlG3uf7irWlQaQqQhL-cc/s400/20200528_185146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr and Mrs Mudd. Hanging out by the fire. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />As darkness fell in the forest, we each eventually headed to our sleeping arrangements. We heard another couple of hikers come in as the forest became dark. I was already mostly asleep and all I remember of them coming in was the pump being primed with its loud, squeaky voice. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The night was warm and no rain fell that I knew of. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 2</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some time around 0500, the birds decided it was time to get started and we all started stirring around 0530. We did our morning routines and started breaking down camp as we made coffee and our breakfasts. My hash browns, egg, cheese and bacon bits was tasty as I expected. It seems like the cooking pot will never get clean when you are making it, but a little warm water and some finger work gets the job done.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ed and I departed around 0740 and the others came along after one more visit to the privy. We turned south when the shelter trail came back to the LHHT and retraced our steps back to the parking lot, which would be our first break. We all had left something in the truck that we would pick up today. It saved a little weight for the short hike in. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_SInc2nLa33QY8Uo0OKUPsv627vzlUvURW_hu3z_qMlDk52GYkBwORfQSrzKWrpEszdxC56ik-Sh_f-DW65hHNWnzcMtnFlkA5csY6A2464SLDQMxLAw3SMBITgNwAajeZLuQCknd0yF/s1600/20200529_085306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_SInc2nLa33QY8Uo0OKUPsv627vzlUvURW_hu3z_qMlDk52GYkBwORfQSrzKWrpEszdxC56ik-Sh_f-DW65hHNWnzcMtnFlkA5csY6A2464SLDQMxLAw3SMBITgNwAajeZLuQCknd0yF/s400/20200529_085306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at the parking lot for a break.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was on the way back that I noticed that we had walked a lot of down hill yesterday. I hadn't noticed until that down hill had become an up hill now. Nothing was too strenuous and we were back at the truck in about 45 to 50 minutes. We took our break, checked our gear and continued on.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having the mile posts is a great convenience and everyone expressed their pleasure at having these cement, 2 foot high posts waiting for us along the trail as we walked along. Whoever saw it first, would shout out the number and smile a happy smile. We knew that we had to pass four more mileposts until our next long break, but we would have other stops along the way and a short detour to get a treat. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwyS_2Vo8QxHC6NGsiXVgCJwWx0crOKeq2qCswo9Cxq2cC7FpuICzMdXQqWlMmHlBXypbPiQJAxJNT-gFUq98PU34Fdbfwed_3l7TQ2v9BPJvBngWlBT7JIZLdTfFGn66_XASZNKOcQCH/s1600/20200529_092533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwyS_2Vo8QxHC6NGsiXVgCJwWx0crOKeq2qCswo9Cxq2cC7FpuICzMdXQqWlMmHlBXypbPiQJAxJNT-gFUq98PU34Fdbfwed_3l7TQ2v9BPJvBngWlBT7JIZLdTfFGn66_XASZNKOcQCH/s400/20200529_092533.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jizo hanging out in a mossy tree.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again, the trail was perfect and we moved along at a leisurely pace. We had all day to do 8.5 miles and we had already ticked off two of them. After a couple more, we approached a hill top where there were a couple of towers and a nice view towards our lunch location at Seven Springs Resort. As we descend the hill, we came to a spring house that Dilly and I had discovered on our through hike. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two black hoses come down the ridge and empty a continuous stream of water into a sunken, stone structure with a rusted tin roof. The water is cold and refreshing. We all filled up and took a break. The two women who had came in late and stayed in one of the shelters across the creek came by and we shouted out to them, asking if they needed any water. They came in and we talked a bit before moving on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not .2 later, we came to a road and we knew there was a market about .2 down the road. Ed elected to stay next to the trail and watch our packs so we could go unencumbered. LoGear, Dilly and I headed down the road and found the store. We donned our masks and walked inside. There was a good selection in the store, with a deli and lots of refrigerated items. Also, lots of canned goods and packaged food. You could do a full resupply here. The prices were tourist high, but we didn't care. The ice cream was delicious and really hit the spot. We walked back up to the trail and continued on. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJSgfse0ACGoQTKkAssNYHkWYYS1xj7mJhTh7rAAT5VvuHm9k17SM_upKFeIiEhXLxb1GxfMk6taTBhh6e-QRfG7aH0LA9q3TH14fSqk7cchbKYvFMT2pyU2aFku-gGZEzmTxpwKxXVoP/s1600/20200529_114509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJSgfse0ACGoQTKkAssNYHkWYYS1xj7mJhTh7rAAT5VvuHm9k17SM_upKFeIiEhXLxb1GxfMk6taTBhh6e-QRfG7aH0LA9q3TH14fSqk7cchbKYvFMT2pyU2aFku-gGZEzmTxpwKxXVoP/s400/20200529_114509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the horses at the Seven Springs Stables.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before too long, we were walking through the empty, green ski resort. No one was around and all the buildings were closed. We headed to the lake that is at the highest point of the resort and saw a perfect place for lunch. The two women were eating their lunch there and one of them had gone for a swim. We dropped our packs and pulled out our food bags. Lunch was the normal fare of pepperoni, cheese and mayo on a ciabatta roll. Both LoGear and I soaked our feet in the lake. It felt very good.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSpMPqVGC9KFJ17qiatTy0sv46aZroApTJTL17q8fAm3z3T2Zpnm3JQpRYyJ4Rut66JRW2zVeIP2fXkwcMf7ba3l8COi9GEzMy0CMBhdhCGHB9H3hM-QE8_Eu4hlfpI2mkd3s_IvrGOsD/s1600/20200529_121130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSpMPqVGC9KFJ17qiatTy0sv46aZroApTJTL17q8fAm3z3T2Zpnm3JQpRYyJ4Rut66JRW2zVeIP2fXkwcMf7ba3l8COi9GEzMy0CMBhdhCGHB9H3hM-QE8_Eu4hlfpI2mkd3s_IvrGOsD/s400/20200529_121130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing Seven Springs Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued on as a few sprinkles fell on us. It was actually very refreshing and there was no need to break out any rain gear. We were passed once again by the women and we saw them no more.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all cameled up at the creek at the bottom of the hill before the shelter so we wouldn't have to use the pump at the shelter and began our last climb. As we got near the top of the ridge, LoGear and I started picking up downed wood for the fire, since we were anticipating an empty wood pile up ahead. We had started gathering a little early and didn't realize how long the shelter trail was, so we both dumped some or all of what we were carrying and started over again when we got closer. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_QOKy3N2MgvigSo0UHaOPNCGKobHi99q9TUbDnSkiDP3rHdVUsAtdbA8c_sRjea09fdZ2ymFpMgjtcYYrfJuOBYJXDiTxYvYLe2ouY_Y8mahWlk2UvcKVoN5AYWHi0yZoHg_rLPJpOfH/s1600/20200529_164415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_QOKy3N2MgvigSo0UHaOPNCGKobHi99q9TUbDnSkiDP3rHdVUsAtdbA8c_sRjea09fdZ2ymFpMgjtcYYrfJuOBYJXDiTxYvYLe2ouY_Y8mahWlk2UvcKVoN5AYWHi0yZoHg_rLPJpOfH/s400/20200529_164415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grindle Ridge - Shelter 5</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We finally reached the end of the shelter trail and found our shelter and some good hammock spots. We set up and were mostly done before Dilly and Ed came into camp. There was a bit of wood around and in the shelter, so our fire would be well stocked for the night. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had done at least 8.5 miles and were in camp pretty early so we relaxed in our hammocks for awhile before getting a fire going and hanging out at the picnic table. Yes, having a picnic table makes hanging out in camp so much better. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dilly and Ed found a decent water source down the hill a little ways from the shelter. The pump at Grindle Ridge is notorious for tasting nasty and it was nice to not have to deal with it. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hung out and eventually had dinner. Tonight was Mountain House all around I believe. The threatened thunder storms never materialized. We only had a short shower around dinner time and some rain when darkness came and we were ready for hammock time.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We gave Ed the trail name Blue Tail to try on. It comes from his stories of his battles with the raccoons that terrorize his chickens at home. We sets live traps for the varmints and when he catches a coon, he spray paints their tail with blue paint before releasing them. It they show up in his traps again, it's curtains for the raccoon. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we were retiring for the night the rangers finally came over and checked our names. All was well in the forest and at camp. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was going to be a cooler night tonight, so we had our quilts at the ready. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been a pretty good hike with very favorable weather. Even the little sprinkles we had a couple times during the day felt good. As darkness once again fell over camp, we all found our comfort in our sleeping bags and quilts and slumber took us quickly. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Completing the Hike</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When morning came the rain was gone. It had been a little more chilly overnight and the morning had a crispiness to it, but it was nice. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wood thrush had started its call just after 05 and all the other birds joined in for the next hour or so. We arose and got ready for our last day on trail.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZGpiluuurPHphqtXRwf1DJbsM14Z-a9gyQbxvi175AWf2C6O8GXOensNr6BgBHdxP1YS1M3i_NE9J68rI7SAS4ccjdAuVlA7QQWZQ8BRFssEcXMcQmDs-n6Sb_ydrUZMMfiv6oMmhV-/s1600/20200530_060241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZGpiluuurPHphqtXRwf1DJbsM14Z-a9gyQbxvi175AWf2C6O8GXOensNr6BgBHdxP1YS1M3i_NE9J68rI7SAS4ccjdAuVlA7QQWZQ8BRFssEcXMcQmDs-n6Sb_ydrUZMMfiv6oMmhV-/s400/20200530_060241.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning sun rising above the ridge. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />I headed out first at 0730. Taking a leisurely pace and stopping to take photos of one of the shelters before taking the long blue blaze back to the trail. I turned south and started walking. Our first break was about two miles along after mile marker 22. LoGear caught me before too long and we had some interesting track that went through some large rock formations.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCs-csPttUxNklX2wJewOZA7LZShiNSo5OdBroWA7gl1ooOADbmJlAcaibc1nZoR5jS5797rr4dLBJ1UfvW_GKkgNj4Z_KwHCMf7pocsIw4qd7_WaaZJlLZdK-HSG_WQbnlhqIJcaJJ2m/s1600/20200530_082819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCs-csPttUxNklX2wJewOZA7LZShiNSo5OdBroWA7gl1ooOADbmJlAcaibc1nZoR5jS5797rr4dLBJ1UfvW_GKkgNj4Z_KwHCMf7pocsIw4qd7_WaaZJlLZdK-HSG_WQbnlhqIJcaJJ2m/s400/20200530_082819.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock maze.</td></tr>
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</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We sat at the rest spot for about 20 minutes before Dilly and Blue Tail caught up. When everyone was rested, we continued on, checking out a nice view along the <span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">way. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoasyH-qY4IZQLtgBf1EQvT7q0DwIA9FEFArMCybAyAwtWleU0CX6nFhLlDXVHQcqrvrmOpmXl_aoanFig8zJSF1ZVIrR-LThkmz2jYtni_WcXuzmcbnOD9wMLnYW5Iwsp9f7L9CycaXqt/s1600/20200530_094654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoasyH-qY4IZQLtgBf1EQvT7q0DwIA9FEFArMCybAyAwtWleU0CX6nFhLlDXVHQcqrvrmOpmXl_aoanFig8zJSF1ZVIrR-LThkmz2jYtni_WcXuzmcbnOD9wMLnYW5Iwsp9f7L9CycaXqt/s400/20200530_094654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the West.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />The trail was good and before too long we were heading up the blue blaze to the parking lot. We had passed a lot more hikers today as we walked along. A small boy scout troop among them. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We weighed our packs and I ate a quick sandwich before we threw our packs into the back and headed back to Rt 31 parking where we started. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at the truck we all made sure we had all of our gear, said so long, and went our separate ways. </span><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This hike was pretty much perfect. The terrain was easy and the weather was nothing like what was forecast a week ago. This is the ideal hike for almost anyone who wants to get out onto the trail. The terrain is mostly easy, there are some interesting way points along the way and the mileage is very doable. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can't wait until we can ret</span></span><span style="font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">urn again.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q8ujlsLx8BNuPxNpag9YEQfjsaEoaF4b9TvoMJ22I2bX6MyzNqitmwhDv0TOv3URoQW5gXDibQgenLdC3zUHjyg3bM6gPUbNWGqkO_yCwYP9W7OkYaOW1tulJPAtVJ9e_FvSWfyh1uH9/s1600/20200530_082832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q8ujlsLx8BNuPxNpag9YEQfjsaEoaF4b9TvoMJ22I2bX6MyzNqitmwhDv0TOv3URoQW5gXDibQgenLdC3zUHjyg3bM6gPUbNWGqkO_yCwYP9W7OkYaOW1tulJPAtVJ9e_FvSWfyh1uH9/s400/20200530_082832.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jizo watches over us.</td></tr>
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</span></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-58156740254740701792019-10-31T07:29:00.002-04:002019-10-31T20:00:08.533-04:00Two Different Adventures<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Glamping Adventure</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From my last post, you saw that we finally got the trailer out of the driveway and into the woods. I had picked Pine Grove Furnace Campground as our first stay, because I was familiar with the park and the campground and I liked the area having worked there at the AT Museum for three years. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYl7FpK1WWEyk2WzZwv4mWECaW6lcv19nmoBwwAprlB31lq2WmLPWW0i-fnMO1bFcCdetMM-H5rD0pNQCRrMd6_AWSbUHDjZ0ZNtuFftTeV9aqi-sk6W6vKEigUezJ2k4V6enJFbeS_BW/s1600/20190906_075448+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYl7FpK1WWEyk2WzZwv4mWECaW6lcv19nmoBwwAprlB31lq2WmLPWW0i-fnMO1bFcCdetMM-H5rD0pNQCRrMd6_AWSbUHDjZ0ZNtuFftTeV9aqi-sk6W6vKEigUezJ2k4V6enJFbeS_BW/s400/20190906_075448+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too hard to back in</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />After the initial challenge of backing the coach into its space and getting it leveled, the adventure continued. Our first excursion was to walk down to Fuller Lake. This deep spring fed lake was previously the iron ore pit that was dug to provide ore that was refined in the furnace within the park. The lake is now very beautiful and has a nice beach on one side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We took a little woods trail down to the lake. Ginger was checking out each new smell and investigating each sound. We couldn't take Ginger on to the beach, which still had a few swimmers hanging out, but that was ok. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdji02ChcbocjuYNzX_fqdhINHnPG8jAGnjwVLQRMS2Gkkf2Yff_ysj1cH_vYLT-3R2LYvQarI5nqSipvc1fGIW27Fu5RD-YNTUUYxfpjeeJcN5Ugxgvh1iy8VqQXKLo2l_MzRr4OuMdz5/s1600/20190905_185253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdji02ChcbocjuYNzX_fqdhINHnPG8jAGnjwVLQRMS2Gkkf2Yff_ysj1cH_vYLT-3R2LYvQarI5nqSipvc1fGIW27Fu5RD-YNTUUYxfpjeeJcN5Ugxgvh1iy8VqQXKLo2l_MzRr4OuMdz5/s400/20190905_185253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing by the fire after a nice hike</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />As we started heading back on the AT, we found a snake skin. It was fun showing it to Ginger, she got all paranoid and kept thinking it was alive. I believe she has a healthy fear of snakes. We headed back to the trailer and started making dinner. The hike was just a little over 2 miles, but it wore Ginger out. After dinner, she passed out on her bed out by the fire and didn't move for a couple of hours. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTjD2MBVhilScRVPNeyvKhRHAOyzzGq0AainUGqZjZGQuJqaDTdSI-AFNg7QXq4oZHTMLgQtz_RgqUhbe8USENx0yYiWaIJM40sC7yLHracOcbm0LmqdRUTPf45G_AAAEkjDZAZ-RViAK/s1600/20190905_190005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTjD2MBVhilScRVPNeyvKhRHAOyzzGq0AainUGqZjZGQuJqaDTdSI-AFNg7QXq4oZHTMLgQtz_RgqUhbe8USENx0yYiWaIJM40sC7yLHracOcbm0LmqdRUTPf45G_AAAEkjDZAZ-RViAK/s400/20190905_190005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zonked</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dinner was burgers and beans cooked on the outside grill. Yum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next day's adventure was another hike, but this one up to sunset rocks. We drove the truck up to the end of Old Shippensburg Road. From there the walk was less than a mile, but the climb was a couple hundred feet of elevation gain. As we were heading out, a van showed up with a group of local college kids. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We made the climb up, Ginger keeping up just fine. As we got to the rock overlook, LoGear held Ginger while I checked for snakes. I hadn't walked four feet before I saw what looked like a curled up rattlesnake. Sure enough it was, not one snake, but three young serpents curled up together to keep warm. I took some pictures then look up into another crevice. Here were at least three more snakes, these much bigger, trying to suck the heat out of the stone. They stayed completely motionless. I took some more photos and we decided to back out and head back down. Sunset was still more than an hour away and we didn't want to wait around with the sunning serpents nearby. We headed out and on the way down we encountered the students. We warned them of the snakes and continued back to the truck.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_I5b-hreXBekVkYOIawy-8QmFDli1RR0mx8gF0sUZrYMjyUJuHuovt73lGzNV_exe7jVbfzozUO3TFdnz1McKJIBcq1sUuJleXORi3pZXSFmUsOQY5qP_nAYYnPIIIEGJD5LJblo179/s1600/20190906_165920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_I5b-hreXBekVkYOIawy-8QmFDli1RR0mx8gF0sUZrYMjyUJuHuovt73lGzNV_exe7jVbfzozUO3TFdnz1McKJIBcq1sUuJleXORi3pZXSFmUsOQY5qP_nAYYnPIIIEGJD5LJblo179/s400/20190906_165920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching the late day warmth</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I had heard many stories of snakes up in those rocks by visitors to the Museum, so I wasn't surprised at all that they were there, but this was the first time I had seen any on my trips up that ridge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We headed back to camp and had another nice fire. Dinner was chicken with mushrooms, spinach and cheese. All the appliances worked great. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T3ktsbZHRLyQadRjcffb5G-95iO0u5hCTSm2iKwtVajK_FhsYns1oSgPBDyOMZD6aeZB3K1hRI-FAvS825xtmMNfONjlkZhR904FEkv95CqDHkY3Arwq6S9VwSy7C21Aplax57wCnGbY/s1600/20190906_122934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T3ktsbZHRLyQadRjcffb5G-95iO0u5hCTSm2iKwtVajK_FhsYns1oSgPBDyOMZD6aeZB3K1hRI-FAvS825xtmMNfONjlkZhR904FEkv95CqDHkY3Arwq6S9VwSy7C21Aplax57wCnGbY/s400/20190906_122934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoGear relaxing in the hammock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After another decent night's sleep in the trailer, we got up the next morning, made a nice breakfast and started to get things ready to leave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we were preparing the coach for the trip home, I noticed water leaking out next to the fresh water tank drain. Something was amiss. I would figure out later that the fill tube had a small hole in it and when filling, water would leak out and flow down in the void around the tank. As we unleveled things getting ready to go, water that had been sitting around the tank started leaking out. Not too big a deal, but it had me worried about a more substantial problem with the fresh water tank that would have meant a lot more work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hooked up and pulled out with not problem. We made our way around the campground and had our first dump station experience. Since we were right next to a restroom, we were only peeing in the toilet. I'm delaying having to deal with the literal "shit" as long as possible. Everything drained and cleaned up no problem and with that chore done, we were back on the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We retraced our tracks back down to Maryland and arrived home with no issues. I was able to do a much better job at backing the coach into the driveway than last time and there it sits until the next travel trailer adventure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We learned a lot and had a good time. I can't wait until next time. We might even have some solar power going by then.</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back to Walking</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had been planning a hike of the 100 miles of the North Country Trail that travels through the Allegheny National Forest in northwest PA for several years now. Back in 2016 I had to cancel due to a back issue that greatly affected my ability to hike. Thankfully that healed and my back actually feels better when it has a pack on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year our plans kept getting postponed and canceled due to a family tragedy and other things that life throws at you. But finally, we were able to put the plan in place on October 10th. I like planning trips and this one had a lot of planning put into it, but my plans are always flexible and open to change. That's one of the main thing I have learned over the years. All plans are subject to adjustment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We LoGear and I headed up to the northwest corner of PA to start this adventure. The leaves were turning, but had a subdued look to them. The reds were more marone, the yellows still had a greenish or brownish tint and the oranges were a burnt color.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We met Joe "Dilly Dilly" Turkovich at the Red Bridge Campground. He had arrived the day before and had the campsite all set up with a big pile of wood to burn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LoGear and I found some good trees and hung our hammocks. Next we jumped in the vehicles and drove to Willow Bay which would our first car drop off. When we got to the parking lot, we took a hike up to the New York line and back. Starting the adventure with a 2.1 mile "warm up". It was a gradual climb up to the border and a nice, fast downhill trek back to the truck.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York Line</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dilly in PA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We went back to the campground, ordered pizza and started a fire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Day 1 Journal:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Adventure Begins
1. Date: Seasday, Winterfilth 20 (R-10-10)
2. Day 1
3. Morning temp: 13
4. Weather: calm cool cloudy
5. Time start: 0900 (driving)
6. Time stop and miles: 1415 (arrived at camp) 2.1
7. End point: Red Bridge
Log:
Drive was nice and uneventful. Colors ok, but subdued. Met Turk at campsite. Dropped off car at Willow Bay and hiked to NY line. Back at camp had pizza and a nice fire. Tomorrow we hike.
Fauna: deer turkey chipmunk
Smell: wood smoke
High: starting the journey
Low: none
Hope: a good start tomorrow</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next morning dawned cool and cloudy. We were all ready to go around 0800 and started up the trail a few minutes later after parking the truck in the long term lot. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsdjYgG5UxaJ_U3bVenWZhK85kW_zxOQ-uy5nGhN5wrS87OAKdMt_HMB5zVCyDXgqAqWCUeswO44ay7JMFQQnAu3qrC3AqI_vo0Tp69rohLlBVzwxGFtiEhtrsJmiTtwbMbL0o0UA6pa_/s1600/20191011_081248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsdjYgG5UxaJ_U3bVenWZhK85kW_zxOQ-uy5nGhN5wrS87OAKdMt_HMB5zVCyDXgqAqWCUeswO44ay7JMFQQnAu3qrC3AqI_vo0Tp69rohLlBVzwxGFtiEhtrsJmiTtwbMbL0o0UA6pa_/s400/20191011_081248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last restroom break</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The trail was really nice as we started. The climbs were gradual and the trail well maintained. After lunch we all started to drag some, realizing that doing 13 plus miles when you are in good shape is a lot easier than if you hadn't done any hiking for months. The day seemed to go on forever and it was late when we finally rolled into camp, a nice new shelter next to a creek. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Blazin on the NCT</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey nest at Chappel Fork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoGear reverse planking at the bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tree choices around the shelter were a little less abundant, but we managed with a few near the shelter. Dilly decided to sleep inside as rain was in the forecast for either overnight or in the morning. We set up, had a nice diner and fire. The almost full moon shone into the woods as the temperature started to drop. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon foot soak</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 2 Journal:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Getting Back in the Groove</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1. Date: Earthday, Winterfilth 21 (F-10-11)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>2. Day 2</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>3. Morning temp: 3</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>4. Weather: calm, cold, some clouds</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5. Time start: 0813</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>6. Time stop and miles: 1717, 13.5</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>7. End point: Hammond Run Shelter</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Log:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>A cool morning, but we were up and out just after 08. LoGear and Dilly even had showers.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Started off nice the climb was very gradual and we moved along nicely. We had lunch at Chappel Run campsite and we were starting to drag. We soldiered on, taking break every 2 or 3 miles and arrived in camp after 1700. Dilly led the pack at the end. We set up, ate dinner, made a fire and hung out as the sky darkened, the moon came out and the temp started to drop. Tomorrow will be another challenge and we may need to adjust the plan as we go.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flora: ferns, burrs</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Fauna: snakes</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Smell: smoke</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sound: coyotes howling nearby </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>High: Getting to camp</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Low: Dragging after lunch</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hope: That we can keep this thing going.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We woke after a decent night's sleep with the sound of sprinkles just starting on the tarps. We were all up in the dark, getting ready as we had another rather long day and wanted to make sure we got the hiking done, because we then needed to drive the car to get some dinner then to the next parking spot. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Day 2's struggles, we weren't sure we would even be able to finish the 13.3 in a timely manner or at all. I spent part of the day figuring out how I would stretch my food bag if we ended up staying another night away from the car where my next resupply sat. (lesson relearned: which is worse carrying too much food that you won't eat, or not enough until the next resupply? On this day I was thinking the latter)</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Toad</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed out into the just lightening forest with a light rain falling. We saw a man and his two daughters camping out and making a large breakfast of eggs and pancakes and talked for a little. He seemed to think we would get back to the bay by 1300. I wasn't as optimistic, but my calculations said we might get there around 1500 which would give us enough time to move and finish the day. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day was just full of walking. We were determined to make it in time and to do that the pace had to be as brisk as possible. We still took our breaks, but they were short and efficient. The rain stopped around noon, but walking in wet shoes/socks caused a little blister to form on my little toe. A common occurrence for me which I treat once, throw some tape on it and it usually doesn't bother me again as it forms into a callus. LoGear was dealing with several blisters on both feet. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet road walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GLz5BwFgJizFyHr9ktnKxbbC-GsbFKQEgh7FVQ7WPqrPSOtjnq1L7Bw-Bhmaw30evP55ymE7qBi6h-CIIPWxJI8uCfr7ykuRwlxXyfC7_wHFOyzt-kVWEPF57_yKmhazcls0PbKU75ts/s1600/20191012_083047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GLz5BwFgJizFyHr9ktnKxbbC-GsbFKQEgh7FVQ7WPqrPSOtjnq1L7Bw-Bhmaw30evP55ymE7qBi6h-CIIPWxJI8uCfr7ykuRwlxXyfC7_wHFOyzt-kVWEPF57_yKmhazcls0PbKU75ts/s400/20191012_083047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake is drawn down very low in he fall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We made it to the car and transitioned to the next stage as we drove to a stop where we could call and order dinner. At this point we all decided that we really didn't want to top this 13.3 mile day with a 14 mile day tomorrow, so it was time to alter the plan. We had come to the realization that we didn't want this much type II fun which means walking all day long, just to get to the next camp. This plan was originally made to be hike in the height of summer which provides a lot more daylight hours. This dawn to dusk walking just wasn't cutting it. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLllZn5XBK2KGocrr2_JuPt8eU6Ah7tCaVnWOdA4sAdHJA0B0ktc_iM3R04W0wLs7_ALbtlDhhyphenhyphenJ7hKZYcb5PLcqVXYsrqoTIEzVTv1JJJ9w45UAPSsQqPEAfV598b-SXaBFP44lS5ex69/s1600/20191012_110020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLllZn5XBK2KGocrr2_JuPt8eU6Ah7tCaVnWOdA4sAdHJA0B0ktc_iM3R04W0wLs7_ALbtlDhhyphenhyphenJ7hKZYcb5PLcqVXYsrqoTIEzVTv1JJJ9w45UAPSsQqPEAfV598b-SXaBFP44lS5ex69/s400/20191012_110020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake through the trees</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we decided to move in front of that 14 mile day and park at Cherry Run and get back to Dilly's truck a day earlier. At that point we would decide what to do next. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42SUgdzpQ-WW66zIUpymJxRoTJ_Km2qwk29SvduxrGdLFTuu6bdRDnGkMWjzuESlDUPQVeW0XPKV8_qCNoC309WJgqtm68Yt8V-a_qaDPQATtDljWcYJHx0WDr9qF6hyphenhyphenvUI_E0KmKHxFN/s1600/20191012_145114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42SUgdzpQ-WW66zIUpymJxRoTJ_Km2qwk29SvduxrGdLFTuu6bdRDnGkMWjzuESlDUPQVeW0XPKV8_qCNoC309WJgqtm68Yt8V-a_qaDPQATtDljWcYJHx0WDr9qF6hyphenhyphenvUI_E0KmKHxFN/s400/20191012_145114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting fungus</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got our food and drove to the Cheery Run Trailhead and found s nice spot about a 100 meters from the parked car. We set up, made our fire, ate our somewhat soggy hoagies and settled in for the night. Tionesta creek was right beside our site. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honoring Xander at the campsite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 3 Journal</b>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Doing the Miles</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1. Date: Starsday, Winterfilth 22 (S-10-12)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>2. Day 3</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>3. Morning temp: 10</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>4. Weather: calm, light rain</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5. Time start: 0715</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>6. Time stop and miles: 1514, 1700 13.6</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>7. End point: Cheery Run Campsite</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Log:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We were up early in the dark as a light rain started. We packed up and got out just as the day was getting lighter. Today went pretty well.we needed to get to the car with enough time to get dinner and move to the next drop off. I was determined to make it. The trail was pretty good and the rain stopped after a couple hours. We stopped for lunch at Johnny Cakes Run and were making good time. I had the motivation of hoagies and I kept a good pace. I reached the car at 1514 with a small blister forming on my pinky toe. I filled my food bag and removed my socks for the drive. The others weren't far behind and we headed to the restaurant. We ordered some food and decided to shorten the trip some. We cut off four days and will just hike two more days. We parked at Cheery Run Trailhead and found a spot about 100 yds from the car. We set up and ate, putting our food bags in the car for the night. A fire topped off the night. We are sore and tired, but still having fun</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flora: autumn leaves </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Fauna: toads </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>VOD: road walk</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sound: Turks radio</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>High: getting back to the car </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Low: blister</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hope: tomorrow is a good day</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning was cold. The temp had dipped below freezing and I had a restless night. We took our time getting ready as today would only be a little over 11 miles. Totally manageable. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHyDgWRvDuvaugwv4IRRT6hz4D2cx4OCL-L0OE3sUtoOIo5N-s0Uqv9lWVLB5uqW9CPkpn230wKmhzd7_AxdnaMCN-YV3CO3O13K_vIutGUbpRcZhdBmLhfzTP3sVJdAmbeTlW7poBDht/s1600/20191013_084528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHyDgWRvDuvaugwv4IRRT6hz4D2cx4OCL-L0OE3sUtoOIo5N-s0Uqv9lWVLB5uqW9CPkpn230wKmhzd7_AxdnaMCN-YV3CO3O13K_vIutGUbpRcZhdBmLhfzTP3sVJdAmbeTlW7poBDht/s400/20191013_084528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty fern</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnwfKsx1IZ0XLB7OZ3SPRpW4VnLG_zTuLptOexUP4-mNLC1P1h1jqqxTQKD39QCD1GJWJhAgT7vEk70L9CvFSWAioQ9LzI8-vVl6lvPqGE0uvEYlfeyHVE8AeZu-51Gtd-77E8B9HD9SZ/s1600/20191013_084616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnwfKsx1IZ0XLB7OZ3SPRpW4VnLG_zTuLptOexUP4-mNLC1P1h1jqqxTQKD39QCD1GJWJhAgT7vEk70L9CvFSWAioQ9LzI8-vVl6lvPqGE0uvEYlfeyHVE8AeZu-51Gtd-77E8B9HD9SZ/s400/20191013_084616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More frosty stuff</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The day's hike went well. We would take nice, leisurely breaks every couple of miles. Laying on the lush grass near a dam was a especially nice break. We rolled into this shelter area just before 1600. This was another nice shelter, but once again, not much in the way of established tent sites or hammock areas. We eventually found decent trees to hang, but I was a little ways into the woods. There are plenty of trees, but lots of small saplings and underbrush which made it a little harder to find the right hang spot. But as usual, we managed. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fYUHXuWhq3BX9hk9pNPfehUEckPOPUUBqNVi7LW_HbHIQfoEHKehQLCJ0f6CxEIIB8dnWgS8WrshyHTI2JWIs1cPc6jkU69H3nvOREzJNqcS3bM3re3RkDSyKCY3UhLKUI4c0xl9wYxg/s1600/20191013_090328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fYUHXuWhq3BX9hk9pNPfehUEckPOPUUBqNVi7LW_HbHIQfoEHKehQLCJ0f6CxEIIB8dnWgS8WrshyHTI2JWIs1cPc6jkU69H3nvOREzJNqcS3bM3re3RkDSyKCY3UhLKUI4c0xl9wYxg/s400/20191013_090328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chain saw art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1d8stt_m_iVlkTLc4bKNkIHO5xF7Y-oyMlOx0GF1fleCPcsqGiudewXuIqNTlQz1MLKalrqfmGgp0BSXrbxdg8S6-ysN1-ZhAKY7qaIj9JCFoRrCvjju2T203TyJe8nf5SlFPAV0o0ok/s1600/20191013_153043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1d8stt_m_iVlkTLc4bKNkIHO5xF7Y-oyMlOx0GF1fleCPcsqGiudewXuIqNTlQz1MLKalrqfmGgp0BSXrbxdg8S6-ysN1-ZhAKY7qaIj9JCFoRrCvjju2T203TyJe8nf5SlFPAV0o0ok/s400/20191013_153043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beech tree growing out of a very old beech tree stump</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This shelter area had a "spring" for a water source and this was the first campsite we had encountered where the source was dry. No worries though as we just moved further down stream until we found pools big enough to gather some water. Dilly found a nice one where we could scoop it up, but it clouded up after a few scoops. He went back later and we all had enough water for the night's dinner and the mornings needs. LoGear made her famous quesadilla.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5TPmBglv4sBZVmOdOpTR9UhnroatGGJHpWydr1gxkgnqXwO9Us_vsn9AXsOURkRh-PT4BqHU_PTg6g7F-p7DjxL4k2WLBwon7PALycBLSgl_0sgObx5SMjk2v0Mq35uiqxO1egRueI8e/s1600/20191013_191540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5TPmBglv4sBZVmOdOpTR9UhnroatGGJHpWydr1gxkgnqXwO9Us_vsn9AXsOURkRh-PT4BqHU_PTg6g7F-p7DjxL4k2WLBwon7PALycBLSgl_0sgObx5SMjk2v0Mq35uiqxO1egRueI8e/s400/20191013_191540.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelter fire</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We listened to the Steelers game on Dilly's radio and even watched a little bit on his phone. This would be my latest night and helping Dilly drink his vodka would make for a tough morning, but we went to bed happy with a win in the books. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 4 Journal</b>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>An Easier Day</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1. Date: Sunsday, Winterfilth 23 (U-10-13)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>2. Day 4</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>3. Morning temp: -3</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>4. Weather: calm, cold, clear</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5. Time start: 0810</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>6. Time stop and miles: 1555 11.3</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>7. End point: Griggs Spring Shelter</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Log:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Woke to an frigid morning after a restless night. Took our time doing the morning chores and headed out after 08. The day was ok. It slowly warmed up until it was a nice day. The waypoints were spread nicely so we could take a break every 2 plus miles or so. We took our time and rolled into the shelter just before 1600. The "spring" was dry at its source, but we found a pool further down hill that tastes ok after filtering but smells sulfurous. We are going to listen to the game later. If we can stay up long enough. Tomorrow we finish this little jaunt.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flora: beech trees</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Fauna: Caterpillar </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Smell: water</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sound: hawk</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>High: resting by the dam</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Low: some blister pain</i></span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope: a good finish</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning would be our last backpacking, but the adventure wasn't over, just shifting gears. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The morning was cold, but not as chilly as the day before and we only had a little over 7 miles to get back to the truck. We once again took our time packing up and eating breakfast and didn't head out until almost 0900. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today the water sources would be a little more scarce as compared to the other three days, but we would manage and have plenty to finish the hike. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBj6J4hqVVUSEhkwE96GjmvTrX0ZoncQ5ojoC_3ahWhi_vpAmul3ee4EeMsbcPxZ34v8FEjj_RRREPrcWVmdhV56lX8q0iUkeeo3GCQZ1VHYm-7meP6uhgE6cF7THjEQ5JMzZXuvxJQci/s1600/20191014_105037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBj6J4hqVVUSEhkwE96GjmvTrX0ZoncQ5ojoC_3ahWhi_vpAmul3ee4EeMsbcPxZ34v8FEjj_RRREPrcWVmdhV56lX8q0iUkeeo3GCQZ1VHYm-7meP6uhgE6cF7THjEQ5JMzZXuvxJQci/s400/20191014_105037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You dirty dog, DW :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last leg of the hike was a road walk to cross Red Bridge. It is straight and about a quarter of a mile or so. As we were walking, the other two ahead of me. I looked up, seeing some RVs heading towards us. In front of it an animal ran across the road and into the brush on our side. It was a fox. Xander had made his appearance. I was so happy, but neither of the other two saw it. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TABKvk1MG7NcUl_4rY3nN3gD0M-G6W4nAAGltdfiT3wDC-5R4SM6DmTEooJvmcebWyy6GL07Qy9wBl0uGFyrkxX18suYJYB4hwDcS1N4J6SXMSuu0a5qtzvRXFljOOFizzR-ZJ-7JJCA/s1600/20191014_121723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TABKvk1MG7NcUl_4rY3nN3gD0M-G6W4nAAGltdfiT3wDC-5R4SM6DmTEooJvmcebWyy6GL07Qy9wBl0uGFyrkxX18suYJYB4hwDcS1N4J6SXMSuu0a5qtzvRXFljOOFizzR-ZJ-7JJCA/s400/20191014_121723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the lake far away</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got back to the truck and heaved a sigh of relief. We had complet 47.3 miles an that was good enough for this adventure. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEtIzEa0X1PWslx-amB5D9jN3Mmy966zaSqCBvyAzvp6ndeIDkY40RWKlNIc2K_culkATbnllxj9aQpBobxpY8w36ed6wy8iPxVNpNarQDHratG22xOaU2tgEiYkCdleiqKLKCQ8ULRz4/s1600/20191014_130241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEtIzEa0X1PWslx-amB5D9jN3Mmy966zaSqCBvyAzvp6ndeIDkY40RWKlNIc2K_culkATbnllxj9aQpBobxpY8w36ed6wy8iPxVNpNarQDHratG22xOaU2tgEiYkCdleiqKLKCQ8ULRz4/s400/20191014_130241.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Red Bridge. (usually underwater)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove into Kane, a nearby town and started stocking up on real food and some beer. Next we headed over to Dilly's cousin's cabin where we would spend the next two nights before heading home. The adventure was continuing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 5 Journal</b>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hike Finish</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1. Date: Moonsday, Winterfilth 24 (M-10-14)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>2. Day 5</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>3. Morning temp: 5</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>4. Weather: calm, cold, clear </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5. Time start: 0855</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>6. Time stop and miles: 1313. 7.1 </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>7. End point: Red Bridge</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Log:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Up at 0730 after staying up late to listen to the Steelers game. We won. We took our time packing up and headed out just before 09. The day went pretty easy. The trail was good and we rested every 2 miles or so. Water was a little scarce, but we easily made it to a camp area that had a creek to fill up for the final couple of miles. We eventually came to our last road walk to the truck and the end of the hike. It was a long straight stretch. As we walked along, I fell behind taking a few final photos. A couple RVs were headed our way and as I looked up the road towards them, I saw an animal run across the road in between us and the RVs. It was a fox! Xander was with us. The other two didn't see it or hear me yelling to them, but I know what I saw.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The hike ended up shorter than originally planned, but I'm ok with that. As I always say, the adventure will be as long as it needs to be. 47.5 miles was fine. The trail was great and we got to be Outsiders for a short time. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We got to the truck and headed to Kane, a nearby small town where we bought lunch, some beer and some groceries for the next couple if days. The hike was done, but the adventure wasn't over yet. As we drove around, I started feeling exhausted and a little sick. Sort of a crash. But all was well when we got to Dilly's cousin's cabin.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Burgers and beers for dinner and a nice fire in the wood burner. We all hit the couches for a soft, warm night indoors. We were no longer Outsiders.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flora: nettles</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Fauna: fox</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>High: seeing Xander was with us</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Low: being exhausted as we drove around</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hope: that we enjoy the day tomorrow</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got to the cabin, after picking up the car at Cherry Run and took our packs inside. We got a fire going inside, took much needed showers, changed into clean clothes and cooked some burgers on the stove. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhaustion took over and I was ready to fall asleep not long after dark. It was warm enough inside all night long that I didn't need to pull my quilt up all night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day we made plans to visit Kinzua Bridge. It is an old railroad bridge that had eleven of its support structures toppled by a tornado in 2003. The bridge is now a state park and there is an observation area at the end of the still standing part of the bridge. It was very interesting. The wreckage has been left on the valley floor and is an impressive sight. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv16a1KfcUQkUTJFHkp1fklJ70SlbeHt3b1Ii0_VtY5hjZbVX6fH5hmUtc-RrExrYoTKkI2hS0QrEv4kBb1dEAaFBPwRb1XoKcVMdgLdFZe7L-zwVBcJhVnh1Q6lHPhNULttofwGSh1ZRc/s1600/20191015_114650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv16a1KfcUQkUTJFHkp1fklJ70SlbeHt3b1Ii0_VtY5hjZbVX6fH5hmUtc-RrExrYoTKkI2hS0QrEv4kBb1dEAaFBPwRb1XoKcVMdgLdFZe7L-zwVBcJhVnh1Q6lHPhNULttofwGSh1ZRc/s400/20191015_114650.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPJgWOU5jYTXJFZTh-m5G4hIOR26jFv9Itdh7quqhj35M3cyl6uRvz1MoDVdPfmorgBf4YcbkOzixV2hQMdUHz_Hw6jHWnUKJba4p6hBFjiR-vbr6syuXCFg61vF9cRPDwsYybdyElFbQ/s1600/20191015_115146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPJgWOU5jYTXJFZTh-m5G4hIOR26jFv9Itdh7quqhj35M3cyl6uRvz1MoDVdPfmorgBf4YcbkOzixV2hQMdUHz_Hw6jHWnUKJba4p6hBFjiR-vbr6syuXCFg61vF9cRPDwsYybdyElFbQ/s400/20191015_115146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fallen supports</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3W1EqEAsU-uuXWOxn0qkjIL7qmVJNdjcT5deXZPJwVQ84dLQ6mO0B0ajjxUZba91CD9BNys5xz37fgxVIcWAePumq73w8DksEtTSviDYFdEd5DWfaa2dWRfJ3IGPgPIfqxQTbsVWtqHD-/s1600/20191015_121638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3W1EqEAsU-uuXWOxn0qkjIL7qmVJNdjcT5deXZPJwVQ84dLQ6mO0B0ajjxUZba91CD9BNys5xz37fgxVIcWAePumq73w8DksEtTSviDYFdEd5DWfaa2dWRfJ3IGPgPIfqxQTbsVWtqHD-/s400/20191015_121638.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo op under the bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On our way to the bridge, we stopped by Kinzua Dam and a couple overlooks. The fall colors were in full subdued force and we had a great time being tourists. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdvKR7oWWN8dRzzRGiN9DcRXKaiZx8ycThkXkCFADMlJlA5xvOORiozciFjFU6jMHXqTQMndFPQHJgrCgAAWUgzpq7uLifw-SwNPlkk4FJ5maU8qlUXbdOSs9ITBiTl9vvFV8qm-exnqP/s1600/20191015_101439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdvKR7oWWN8dRzzRGiN9DcRXKaiZx8ycThkXkCFADMlJlA5xvOORiozciFjFU6jMHXqTQMndFPQHJgrCgAAWUgzpq7uLifw-SwNPlkk4FJ5maU8qlUXbdOSs9ITBiTl9vvFV8qm-exnqP/s400/20191015_101439.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iOCnG2wS1osFJO-uv1XvNlydPQoEzBZl548YbevZzpY5sumHf82qPAkvo4Xj3dt0gJ9LMLx_LxFaP2MtBU3yerS0niSK-KaPM5F7UjPc8av5aALmppYlOwc9uSCD_gywYltBKjMsj4df/s1600/20191015_103110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iOCnG2wS1osFJO-uv1XvNlydPQoEzBZl548YbevZzpY5sumHf82qPAkvo4Xj3dt0gJ9LMLx_LxFaP2MtBU3yerS0niSK-KaPM5F7UjPc8av5aALmppYlOwc9uSCD_gywYltBKjMsj4df/s400/20191015_103110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlook</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came back to the cabin after a nice lunch at a bar and grill and built a fire outside. We cooked large sausages on the fire for dinner that we had picked up the day before in Kane. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausages, yum...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night was October 15th which is the night for the Wave of Light an annual event for pregnancy and infant loss. We lit our candles at 1900 and sat by the fire, thinking about our grandson Xander Lee. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave of Light - Xander Lee, Our little fox.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Day 6 Journal</b>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>KInzua Dam and Bridge</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1. Date: Treesday, Winterfilth 25 (T-10-15)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>2. Day 6</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>3. Morning temp: 0</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>4. Weather: calm, cold, light clouds</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5. Time start: 0900</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>6. Time stop and miles: 1530. 0</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>7. End point: Cabin</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We were up around 07 after a warm night by the fireplace. We decided to go to Kinzua Bridge to check it out. It is an old railroad bridge that is very high over a valley. In 2003, a tornado took out a bunch of the support structure, leaving them twisted and broken on the valley floor, where they remain today. The made the still stand part an observation deck and have a very nice visitors center which has lots of interesting historical exhibits.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>On the way there we stopped at the dam to check it out and a few observation spots as the day warmed up and it became perfect.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>After the bridge we found a nice place for lunch and a couple beers and then came back to the cabin, where we built a fire outside and cooked some delicious sausages. At 1900 LoGear and I lit candles around our Jizo statues and fox toy to take part in the Wave of Light in remembrance of pregnancy and infant loss. We honored our beautiful grandson Xander. Our little fox.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Tomorrow we head home.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Flora: autumn leaves</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Fauna: deer by road</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>High: The bridge</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Low: feeling sad as our candles burned</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day, we headed home. Still a little sore from the walking, but feeling good that we had returned to the woods and lived as Outsiders once again for a time. I always say: The adventure will always be as long as it has to be and sometimes the adventure takes you where you didn't expect to go, but that is what makes all the difference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-29799861170536476462019-09-09T19:00:00.003-04:002019-09-09T20:25:49.325-04:00The Trail(er) Provides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last Thursday, we loaded up the travel trailer that has basically been sitting in the driveway since March and headed north into PA. We went back to my old A.T. Museum stomping grounds and had reserved site #6 in the Charcoal Hearth Campground in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My experience in towing has been limited to towing a car behind my 4Runner across country, transporting my father-in-law's boat down to the shore and towing a small flat bed trailer when we moved from Glen Burnie to Pasadena several years ago. Towing a three ton, 28 foot trailer behind my new Ram 1500 was a new experience, so my stress level was a bit high. But the best way to learn is to do, so that is what we did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The agenda included two nights at the campground. We had made our meal plan, stocked up the fridge and packed a few things that we would need for the three day trip. It was not unlike preparing for a backpack trip, but weight was much less of a factor this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The drive up started a little stressful as I worried about every strange noise or unexpected pull on the truck as we drove out of the neighborhood and entered the highway. I wasn't sure what was supposed to be right. I could tell the truck was making its own adjustments to all of a sudden having to pull this large box behind it. Taking it slow and just moving along carefully was the rule of the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been a little obsessed with trying to learn the best way to back the trailer into a site as that is what we were going to have to do. I had been up by the Museum about a week or two ago, so I had been able to check out the site and saw that the backing wouldn't be too hard, but the road was one way, not too wide and there were trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had watched every YouTube video I could find and read all kinds of tips and tricks on how to do it and I had practiced a little pulling into the driveway, but it was going to be crunch time (hopefully not literally) in just about two hours. Just before we left, I had found a blog of a woman called Trailer Girl, who has a lot of good suggestions on storage and other things that an RV'er needs to know. One of the stories she told was, after a long day of travelling, they arrived tired and needing to back into their site. Another nearby RV'er offered to help with the backing in as he was a retired truck driver. This made the pull in very easy and stress free. As we headed around the Baltimore Beltway, I fantasized on the possibility of that happening to us, but didn't have a lot of hope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everything was going ok as we slowly made our way north, each road we turned on to being a little smaller then the last. After exiting Rt 15 north of Gettysburg, we stopped at a truck stop to stretch our legs and shake off some of the stress. Also to pee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Continuing on we entered the foothills of South Mountain and started passing the large apple orchards that dominate the landscape of this part of PA. Before too long we were traveling down Pine Grove road, passing the A.T. Museum and heading down the access road to the campground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We pulled next to a water faucet near the entrance as our site didn't have water and we needed to fill our tank. In the site next to the faucet, there was a nice couple and their old dog sitting outside their coach. We struck up a conversation as the tank was filling and we learned that they had been there all week, but were leaving soon. One other tidbit I learned was that Tony was a previous truck driver....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After talking backing techniques for a few minutes, I mentioned that if you hear a lot of yelling coming from site #6, it would be us trying to figure it all out. We proceeded on and approached our site. After a first pass, I decided I needed to back up some and try to swoop in to better align the trailer as those trees were coming a lot closer to the truck than I was comfortable with. As we were figuring out our next move, Tony came walking down the road and offered to help with the pull in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a few instructions of turn left, go back, stop, now turn right, stop, straighten the wheel, now back... You get the gist. We were nicely pulled in, perfectly in our spot. He was an angel, there is no doubt. We have a saying out on the trail, "The Trail Provides." Its meaning is that no matter what happens out on the trail, things just seem to work out. Sometimes in a mystical way. This was certainly a case of things working out in that magical way. We were eternally grateful for the help, but I just wasn't that surprised that it happened. Just like when it happens out on the trail. It has happened so many times for me, it just seems natural now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We set up camp and decided to go for a short walk around the campground with Ginger. As we passed site #29 where Tony and his wife were camped, the site was now empty, with no sign that it had recently had a large trailer, some chairs and a rug all set up. It made us entertain the thought of "were they really there?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even when you are not on the Trail, it still provides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EarthTone and LoGear</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-12696527189667565752019-08-03T09:23:00.000-04:002019-08-04T11:47:59.045-04:00The Sorrow<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If (the two or three of) you readers have been wondering, where's my posts on my hike to finish my Quest, here's why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Writing is usually my catharsis. My way of processing the events of my life. It helps me deal with my trials and tribulations. But not now. I can't seem to find the words to help me deal with this latest "life event". No words bring me comfort. No words help me grieve. I'm at a loss. It's been over two months since my beautiful grandson came and left this world in the space of a day. But, I'm going to try once more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My life has been very easy until now. You do what you do and go through life as it comes. Most challenges are minor. A sickness or injury. Job issues and solutions. You move here and there and life goes on. Nothing I have experienced so far has prepared me for this tragedy. My heart is broken and I don't think it will ever be whole again. My baby has lost her baby and our world is upside down right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Xander Lee came into this world sleeping. Our time with him was short. We tried to sear his beautiful face into our minds. To be able to remember him as we lament all the things we won't be able to do with him or see him do himself. We were robbed. This universe is fuckin cruel and I'm mad at the world right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I find my anger is triggered very easily now. My aggro peaks very quickly and I don't care about any consequences. I also cry at the drop of a hat. Just about anything I see or hear seems to bring tears to my eyes. But I'm learning to continue on. We must continue on, because the alternative is darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, each day I cry. I cry for my daughter and her husband, who will carry this sorrow for the rest of their days. I cry for Xander Lee, who will never have his first words, his first steps or any of the life events that all living children get to accomplish. I cry for my loving bride, who feels as helpless as I do and has no idea of how to deal with this tragedy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, hiking the final Phase of my Quest became very unimportant when we got the word that my daughter had suffered a seizure and the baby's heartbeat was gone. We were in Pittsburgh when my son-in-law called to tells us they were in the hospital. We were there to pick up some baby items that our niece was giving us. Those were the longest three hours of our life as we moved along the PA turnpike, trying to get to our baby, who was in distress. We cried the whole way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After Xander was delivered and we got to spend the ridiculously short time with him, we all went home to my daughter's house and stayed for several weeks. We didn't want to leave her alone. It took awhile for her blood pressure to return to normal, but the rest of her will never be normal again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eventually, she returned to work (at a fertility clinic for fucks sake) and we are now home. Still crying every day and checking on Our baby whenever we can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She still has hard days. Well, every day is a hard day. It will never be right again. Never. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whenever I go outside, even if it is for a few minutes, it dawns on me, how little time I have spent outdoors this summer. This has been a hard summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I know I need to get back out there. Become an Outsider once more, but I just don't have the energy right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I do get back out there. It will be in honor of my beautiful grandson, Xander Lee. His strength will guide me where I need to go. Help me up that long mountain climb and accompany me when I arrive at Quest's end, on Pomala Peak, on the Greatest Mountain, Katahdin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">RIP my beautiful boy, my little fox</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Xander Lee </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5/19/2019-5/19/2019</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-15174543550522345682019-04-26T13:54:00.000-04:002019-04-26T13:54:52.045-04:00Dirt Time Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIssefnxLYdyX4dZ464uTVQEGJQrcbXRLXYyfNkL8-Mx7lgdfKhPygVdX6J2EGKyoUIH-UfdHwBbWERBoelLnZFHOOipjpRPCJQV3Q4HBQ_XOBqStbWp5VjRACM8-HZ_DvREULI6ogeYl/s1600/3boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="657" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIssefnxLYdyX4dZ464uTVQEGJQrcbXRLXYyfNkL8-Mx7lgdfKhPygVdX6J2EGKyoUIH-UfdHwBbWERBoelLnZFHOOipjpRPCJQV3Q4HBQ_XOBqStbWp5VjRACM8-HZ_DvREULI6ogeYl/s320/3boots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LoGear planned another bit of dirt time (well, I do the planning, she does the walking) and we upped the mileage a bit, finishing MD for the most part and moving into PA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Thursday morning had us back on Route 70 heading to the trail head parking I have used so many times. There was rain in tomorrow's forecast, but these honey badgers don't care. We go when we go and we prepare for whatever weather will greet us.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Young May apples on the way up the ridge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at the parking lot at 1030. It wasn't too crowded. They appeared to have expanded the lot some since we were last there. We started up Pine Knob on South Mountain and about 10 minutes in we saw two hikers coming towards us. I recognized Joanne from the museum and her husband Fred. We talked a bit then moved on. It was really cool seeing them again. Joanne was one of my volunteers of the year when I worked at the AT Museum. </span></span><br />
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It was a little surreal. As we drove to the trail head and started up the mountain, the trees had leafed out pretty well. They still had that light yellow-greenish color to them, but spring had fully arrived. As we climbed up the 500 feet to the top of the ridge, we seemed to go back in time. The trees up there were only starting to sprout. Spring was still trying to arrive up here. <span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped at Annapolis rocks for a break and to check out the view. We talked to a trail maintenance crew for a bit who were taking a break a the caretakers table and then headed to the overlook. It was a little hazy, but nice. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHlQfinlHGc-1Vfo2HVEQlZt_STXFVtK-ZXMEhL8mIakn_sWi1PmjBfLhctiyFpH5zseFKMcz09qq4BDcCutByAxolHABahutv1SJC_OCKAs9P-OvbnWEzp1S2cF8nnn7RyGVCS7cwxtZ/s1600/20190418_113750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHlQfinlHGc-1Vfo2HVEQlZt_STXFVtK-ZXMEhL8mIakn_sWi1PmjBfLhctiyFpH5zseFKMcz09qq4BDcCutByAxolHABahutv1SJC_OCKAs9P-OvbnWEzp1S2cF8nnn7RyGVCS7cwxtZ/s400/20190418_113750.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">View from Annapolis Rocks</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued on, passing sobo hikers along the way. We stopped for lunch around 1300 before the rock scramble and took a break and got water at Ens Cowell shelter after coming down off of the ridge. We were feeling pretty good and the day was nice. We seemed to constantly talk about tomorrow's weather, like we were psyching ourselves up for a wet day of walking. A lot of the hikers we talked to along the way also would mention tomorrow's rain. After a while I started to think we were trying to anti-curse ourselves. Like, if we constantly invoked the nasty weather, it may not arrive. (take note)</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A nobo Thrube passed us as we were heading into the shelter. Of course, he was moving fast and was out of sight quickly. No matter how long I'm on trail, I never develop a very fast pace. That's how I roll.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NbaZISqTEZ2rLU6zNTihvgxUDgxzAtU27vUBO419ihAgj44VCyxK0387m3GdI5GbtliQvOPpSbOo3Q7sDkVJAyUw-s8371YB6ZRHHiF0Nr0w58FTglca7PaDr70UZScJftFXdvmhISuT/s1600/20190418_134037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NbaZISqTEZ2rLU6zNTihvgxUDgxzAtU27vUBO419ihAgj44VCyxK0387m3GdI5GbtliQvOPpSbOo3Q7sDkVJAyUw-s8371YB6ZRHHiF0Nr0w58FTglca7PaDr70UZScJftFXdvmhISuT/s400/20190418_134037.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">LoGear doing some of the rocks in this section</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /> </b>Next was trail I hadn't been on since 2011, so it felt new. Last year, I wanted to do a MD Yo-Yo, but weather helped change that plan where this next stretch up to the Raven Rock shelter was the only section I didn't hike twice (or even once) in 2018. A couple of fields and some good climbs had my sweat flowing. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWRvR9rTHoD6DFKVSMy9ySGUzAOZQIFYIrACchyCEV4vAFZhNbpXkNIHfpCMuvNJPRnU9YRCdg8p0NOzU1mAKpOwaZo7Y_8dqyPSaZCDmADIkps2VjMqSK8g9tcV7OMtPL3GHjSqyJ4Ht/s1600/20190418_155642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWRvR9rTHoD6DFKVSMy9ySGUzAOZQIFYIrACchyCEV4vAFZhNbpXkNIHfpCMuvNJPRnU9YRCdg8p0NOzU1mAKpOwaZo7Y_8dqyPSaZCDmADIkps2VjMqSK8g9tcV7OMtPL3GHjSqyJ4Ht/s400/20190418_155642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field crossing</td></tr>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b>During the last climb, I was dragging and we stopped for water at the cascade. I drank a lot of water before filling up and that was almost a mistake. The cold water was sitting in my fat belly like a lump of lead. I fell way behind LoGear as we finished the climb, but wasn't too far behind when we arrived at the shelter. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at 1811. 13.8 miles for the day. We found some good spots to hang our hammocks, ate dinner at our own table, then went over to the fire one of the other hikers had built and hung out for awhile. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">LoGear's set up and the setting sun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUpnsy6Vdw2ckI4yLdTtR8SbjzHHMWsrwhssLetoA_UuL6sfP4HHGVNKDXuvOUxza4u9v2wC2SLeoMGFW0QtZo_UcJ_0Nwqtsqs5-ffd_S5M0tKK2bgKen6i5DbCtOxl0Q7EnQM4J1k0s/s1600/20190418_190439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUpnsy6Vdw2ckI4yLdTtR8SbjzHHMWsrwhssLetoA_UuL6sfP4HHGVNKDXuvOUxza4u9v2wC2SLeoMGFW0QtZo_UcJ_0Nwqtsqs5-ffd_S5M0tKK2bgKen6i5DbCtOxl0Q7EnQM4J1k0s/s400/20190418_190439.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">EarthTone's set up</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The wind kicked up on the ridge as night settled around us. <span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a restless sleep as usual on my first night out. My legs and feet kept cramping up all through the night and I had to pee a lot because I knew I was dehydrated during the day and had drank a lot of water. The moon was bright all night, so I saved battery power in the headlamp when I had to get out. The wind kept up through most of the night. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was up just after 0600 and we were on the trail at 0720. Today's hike would be solo for both of us. LoGear went north and I went south. It was actually a good hike today since I knew what was coming in reverse. The climbs were a little easier this way and I made decent time. Of course, the forecast was still calling for rain, sometimes heavy through most of the day. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0PVj5pvnHmXyBEDIURvN_ZwwNVqyF6DQ858e5wwKNqsWaAdXvKTe3JgQgH81R8zKMu56iFrBo56AkqoSVGc30urvFPyqL1mYF8G5JARq9i7Rmc3ECCoDll0ZKxsZLuaeDoCRQxNDVybR/s1600/20190419_074129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0PVj5pvnHmXyBEDIURvN_ZwwNVqyF6DQ858e5wwKNqsWaAdXvKTe3JgQgH81R8zKMu56iFrBo56AkqoSVGc30urvFPyqL1mYF8G5JARq9i7Rmc3ECCoDll0ZKxsZLuaeDoCRQxNDVybR/s400/20190419_074129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View that I had skipped the day before</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got back to Ens Cowell around 1000 and ate an early lunch after getting water. Ya know, because it was going to start raining any minute now.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got water again at Pogo campsite and the rain still hadn't started yet. It didn't start until I had about a mile left in the days hike. I actually welcomed the cooling effect. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, LoGear had made her way north, crossing into PA and heading for the nicest shelter in PA (in my humble opinion), Tumbling Run. <br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got back to the truck at 1421, wet but happy. I had about a 30 min drive to up near where LoGear had stopped for the day. Luckily, there was a small parking lot a short distance south of the shelter at the last road crossing. I stopped at a Sheets and got LoGear a donut and me a sandwich and then stopped at a liquor store for a sixer and some fireball and then found the parking that was .3 from the shelter.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was still raining as I packed up and headed out. I came into camp, found LoGear and set up. She had done another 13.2 (27 total) and I had done 14.1 for the day. I had to put my tarp up first as the rain was still coming down, but not too hard. I had humped that six pack and hot shot in that last .3 and it was totally worth it. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went over to the covered table for dinner. The shelters had some boy scouts, a family of four and one of the hikers who had been at the shelter last night. LoGear's fuel tank went empty during dinner, just as we were hoping. Mine was almost there. I had these almost empty fuel containers down in the basement for a while now, too little fuel left to take out long term, but perfect for a couple days to finish them off. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I needed water, which was across the creek and I fell twice trying to cross the creek on the wet rocks. My shoes were already wet from the rain, so it wasn't a big deal, but I felt out of sorts crossing on those big rocks. Yes, they were wet and a little slippy, but I seemed to be extra clumsy at the end of this day. </span><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our camp was in the group camp area, a bit away from the shelters, but it was nice to be away from the others. I could change into my dry clothes right in the middle of the camp, not that I ever care if anyone sees my fat body when I change, but I wanted to spare them the disgust. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">LoGear had developed a couple blisters and was feeling some pain. We hung out, each in our hammocks as the forest dripped and sputtered the rain of the day. It had turned out to not be such a horrible storm as we where hyping all the day before. I got wet yeah, but that is all a part of being out here. You take each day as given and hopefully prepare yourself for whatever The Mother throws at you. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I drank my beers as darkness once again arrived at camp. We each retired into our hammocks and did some reading. I would sleep a little better this night, with no cramps to speak of and LoGear reported a perfect night's sleep.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKHLZGtuQKxh5Xk9wJVEGcvaECxF7JW_SSWhdCspD1j9-rbPxF-lL4vYG5ZOazU-LXLhs_AkYVxJ24aH5gzvPAbBCs1BezsbJgRPYhegx6Phb9-yGY4hvEEQLSvST961AqBJgm6i-iSZ/s1600/20190419_182327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKHLZGtuQKxh5Xk9wJVEGcvaECxF7JW_SSWhdCspD1j9-rbPxF-lL4vYG5ZOazU-LXLhs_AkYVxJ24aH5gzvPAbBCs1BezsbJgRPYhegx6Phb9-yGY4hvEEQLSvST961AqBJgm6i-iSZ/s400/20190419_182327.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The perfect ending to a day's hike. Worth the weight.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the morning, the rain has passed, but the forest was still pretty wet. My fuel canister went dry as I heated some water for coffee, just as I had hoped. The water was just warm enough to make the coffee enjoyable. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We packed up and had a decision to make. The plan was for LoGear to hike another 10 miles north to connect to one of her other hikes. I was going to drive to the end and hike back towards her. I had brought a small day pack in, in case she wanted to do a slack pack, but in the end, she decided to save those last 10 miles for the next trip. Her blisters were making walking difficult and even though she could have toughed it out, there was no need. The trail would wait for next time. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed back to the parking lot where the boy scouts were also ending their six day hike and threw our packs into the truck. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed home where a nice shower, then a hot tub soak awaited us. We went out to lunch after that then both took a nice nap. LoGear had to go to work that night.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a good hike. We had upped our total mileage from the last hike and I once again got to experience some type-two fun and get reminded of the pain I will be feeling every day as I head out at the end of May to finish this Quest. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until next time... Peace.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">EarthTone and LoGear</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSMZ3OYnzR32r3J-0R-I67gpH-l8Iquxi8cCM0_9vw8c4vmXKqOg9xAA1B5E1NeqywIY1K93EvsL183eRvVLK0XzkekAi6Cs3OiJUfTc4ONIdkKhNGUSFlWi3RVJrks-W5oyG1fnzflFQ/s1600/ETLG-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="656" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSMZ3OYnzR32r3J-0R-I67gpH-l8Iquxi8cCM0_9vw8c4vmXKqOg9xAA1B5E1NeqywIY1K93EvsL183eRvVLK0XzkekAi6Cs3OiJUfTc4ONIdkKhNGUSFlWi3RVJrks-W5oyG1fnzflFQ/s320/ETLG-3.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-31362970325063582272019-03-31T14:39:00.000-04:002019-03-31T14:47:20.139-04:00Dirt Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dRCyNXD9UvAqCmpso3quFDz9fBPhyphenhyphen42GbofvCAj7Pf94k62lgRSBGxBLVbB6A2hhRam3aUmvcjENzvsjKoZdDvgQeSZWSrnxGcOxuy3YIAj1MU3lQ-ic4mxszmRw2Pt3D74n66-925BA/s1600/spirit+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dRCyNXD9UvAqCmpso3quFDz9fBPhyphenhyphen42GbofvCAj7Pf94k62lgRSBGxBLVbB6A2hhRam3aUmvcjENzvsjKoZdDvgQeSZWSrnxGcOxuy3YIAj1MU3lQ-ic4mxszmRw2Pt3D74n66-925BA/s320/spirit+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For several weeks now, we have been meaning to get back on the Trail for an overnight. As time goes by, I start to crave, then to obsess about getting back on trail, walking up and down mountains with a ruck on my back. It has become a part of me so much, its absence screams at me when I experience it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, finally, nothing was going on and we made plans to head to Harpers Ferry and start filling some more gaps that LoGear has on her traverse of the Trail. The forecast was hinting of high 60s, but as the day grew closer, some rain crept its way into the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The morning dawned somewhat cloudy, but pleasantly warm as we headed out from Pasadena, westward to South Mountain where the Appalachian Trail winds its way north and south towards Maine and Georgia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I dropped LoGear off up the hill from the ATC in town. A few raindrops splattered on my windshield as I headed back across the two rivers to a parking lot about four miles northbound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I arrived at the parking lot at 1116, parked and started heading south. The trail meanders around in this area, passing under the highway and along the gully of an old rail line and leads to the C & O canal trail. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqZelEU4VBiycIx8Uu8YhROEMgK78OGFw_FEyUddA13yyz_C0cePvf-PWED9FlmSUhHLWlVcIlC6IHuW94Ip1KT7fullbDqG83oYWcaPG4bWAK0jC67uAy5102SeHf9AloEIRV_tmLaIA/s1600/20190329_114001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqZelEU4VBiycIx8Uu8YhROEMgK78OGFw_FEyUddA13yyz_C0cePvf-PWED9FlmSUhHLWlVcIlC6IHuW94Ip1KT7fullbDqG83oYWcaPG4bWAK0jC67uAy5102SeHf9AloEIRV_tmLaIA/s400/20190329_114001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tow path</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked along there in a very light rain, taking a few pictures, but still moving at a quick pace. After almost two miles, I saw LoGear heading my way. She wasn't alone.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuUh3E95weWkq0IjsfTRuLshkwyfcKI2soVxNaiyWgzC3lG_2fq3EJAEB-8O_dI1icQXN9HM3PfMgeE-6xbft6LfwrMhsEnb074gfzPRkWXpiI315kVtio-3xd2L-j46Icxq7AUlToSKo/s1600/20190329_114514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuUh3E95weWkq0IjsfTRuLshkwyfcKI2soVxNaiyWgzC3lG_2fq3EJAEB-8O_dI1icQXN9HM3PfMgeE-6xbft6LfwrMhsEnb074gfzPRkWXpiI315kVtio-3xd2L-j46Icxq7AUlToSKo/s400/20190329_114514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring flowers along the Potomac </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LoGear had joined up with Wayne, a USMC retired vet who was out for a few days, heading north to the PA line. We learned a bit about each other as we all made our way north now, back to the parking lot.<br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got back to the truck, rucked up, then headed up the mountain. The climb up wasn't too bad. There are a lot of switch backs and you just have to keep moving at your best pace to get to the top. After about a mile, we were at the top of the ridge. We stopped at Weaverton Cliffs for a view. I try to walk down to this overlook each time I hike by, which has been about four or five times now. After a few pictures, we continued along the ridge. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHscnwU9M1bcem3GUsDTOqcFNvwszjkiOXmi7UpcxpvlnUryX0WuQL_vAEhkNNX7P0YN-_Gqla1F0IM4qfsE8ze5GNmdeTlpxfJs3rGh8AoKv4AZo2gYtBTX5aTY-3VGcyZVA0magAqwPx/s1600/weaverton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHscnwU9M1bcem3GUsDTOqcFNvwszjkiOXmi7UpcxpvlnUryX0WuQL_vAEhkNNX7P0YN-_Gqla1F0IM4qfsE8ze5GNmdeTlpxfJs3rGh8AoKv4AZo2gYtBTX5aTY-3VGcyZVA0magAqwPx/s400/weaverton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlOOMQDv8O6nWKC2WnTDttTbkeLz8cthJq9yeKlcFJSNZ4Zw-4G_0uqUvB_SQufRAJZ2S15tp1D1e2DTF-Q7xrQbxpJdLw-RBwtuzTI9glMZrrC6Sx__SEBoRA-inCDFsfDVg5mmN_fE/s1600/20190329_130850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlOOMQDv8O6nWKC2WnTDttTbkeLz8cthJq9yeKlcFJSNZ4Zw-4G_0uqUvB_SQufRAJZ2S15tp1D1e2DTF-Q7xrQbxpJdLw-RBwtuzTI9glMZrrC6Sx__SEBoRA-inCDFsfDVg5mmN_fE/s400/20190329_130850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once you get past the rocky end of the ridge, the trail smooths out and the pace picks up. We arrived at the Ed Garvey Shelter around 1400 and stopped to eat lunch. At the shelter we met Feral and Zorro, two early nobos. We learned a lot about their hikes and told our own stories. They had both started their hikes in late January and were hoping to summit Katahdin in early June. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq5CspMC3ObsPIVOAATRdcafGxeRxObgTRC1yZS6iwrvZ6tUp3MSBVnB3QFtVWSxNMysEnoYPehDI4AtuhM5-uneP5ZJEbEDcCnl1Pjy_w6SYvEOx97rmx_6sNppZe522mm4mFlDrMay2/s1600/garvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq5CspMC3ObsPIVOAATRdcafGxeRxObgTRC1yZS6iwrvZ6tUp3MSBVnB3QFtVWSxNMysEnoYPehDI4AtuhM5-uneP5ZJEbEDcCnl1Pjy_w6SYvEOx97rmx_6sNppZe522mm4mFlDrMay2/s400/garvey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed Garvey Shelter - Lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water at Gathland Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued on along the ridge. The hiking was easy enough and before too long we were descending down into Crampton Gap. We stopped for water at Gathland Park and then it was just .4 back up the ridge to the shelter. We arrived just before 1700.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The blue blaze heads back down hill to the shelter and along the way there are numerous tent pads and suitable trees for hanging our hammocks. We found two good spots and LoGear started setting up as I explored a little down to the shelter and checked out the spring, which was flowing strong. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crampton Gap Shelter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />I set up my hammock and sat in it recliner style as I enjoyed one of the beers I had been humping all day. A trail beer is usually a warm beer, but it is always a good beer. Worth the weight for this short trip.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoGear's setup</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We gathered some wood and made a nice fire as we prepared our dinners for the evening. A few other hikers came in, including Wayne the Marine. There was a family nearby that looked to be out for the weekend. They had a mixture of tent and hammocks and also built their own fire. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dinner was good. I had my usual of ramen, with bacon pieces, spices and some dry roasted red pepper from chick-fil-a. LoGear had brought in some sausages that she added to her ramen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had also brought along two mini bottles of Hot Shot and we each sipped at our own as we tended the fire and felt the woods darken around us. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire and EarthTone's setup</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We invited Wayne over to the fire and we listened to his stories of his career until the fire had burned down and it was time to retire to our hammocks. We each had hiked about 11 miles and my body was ready for some hammock time. <br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slept ok, but I usually toss and turn a lot the first night out. The hammock felt great and it was good to be back in it after so many months. The last time I had slept in the hammock was when I finished up Phase III, south of Rockfish Gap, last June. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dawn came and with it the birds started singing after a very quiet night. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rolled out before 07 and did my morning routine, catching a pink sunrise through the still bare trees.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTtvyEn3noqI2wR4DovBiIvMYxFwPkJObfaQC-pbwpiJ1bYdoNIUeqTzjoOX5sGsxBdZrenTPqQXScL6o0Zr5X8wYuo2W3Uf0SYooUOlQTzXah23GZdkPgFJBQTGexN-Ut9jECzliWE73/s1600/20190330_070309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTtvyEn3noqI2wR4DovBiIvMYxFwPkJObfaQC-pbwpiJ1bYdoNIUeqTzjoOX5sGsxBdZrenTPqQXScL6o0Zr5X8wYuo2W3Uf0SYooUOlQTzXah23GZdkPgFJBQTGexN-Ut9jECzliWE73/s400/20190330_070309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />I made coffee from my hammock recliner and it was glorious. Breakfast was a nice bagel with peanut butter, bacon pieces and honey. Yum. Sitting in my hammock, watching the morning come on felt so good. Being out in the woods as the dawn breaks is the best of Outsider life. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSPeb9ajvGueFsD-yECT_HEVqf2SSpejqi404i-PdiGJMkMpvL826Opx4c5EsuF5sVusQ_Dh5Xs7H46C8TykjjzGBFWkHn1fS_E0MI2D2sBII-1lbpHa7aVq7ZupI5eHqfhL73v7TM-82/s1600/20190330_074941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSPeb9ajvGueFsD-yECT_HEVqf2SSpejqi404i-PdiGJMkMpvL826Opx4c5EsuF5sVusQ_Dh5Xs7H46C8TykjjzGBFWkHn1fS_E0MI2D2sBII-1lbpHa7aVq7ZupI5eHqfhL73v7TM-82/s400/20190330_074941.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast of champions</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 0830 we were packed up. I headed south and LoGear went north. We each had 7 miles to go. Me back to the truck and her to The South Mountain Inn parking lot.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went fast, taking no pack off breaks as I had drank and ate all my excess weight and had a light pack. I caught and walked with Bruce for awhile, who had also camped in our area, away from us. He too was out for a few days, only going sobo from the PA line.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made it back to the truck at 1112, almost 24 hours since I had parked and headed to LoGear's pick up, a 15 min drive away. As I drove north, I thought that about how I was covering the same distance it had taken us basically two days to walk in a mere quarter of an hour. We live in a fast world. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled into a spot in the crowded, busy lot just as LoGear </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">walked into the parking lot. It was pretty good timing. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We pointed the truck towards home, stopping at McDs on the way for some comfort food.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a good hike. The weather was good, with only a few sprinkles each day and the terrain was challenging enough, but still on the easy side. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first question as we headed home was; when can we get out here again?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">EarthTone and LoGear</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-76173969441118730022019-03-24T10:38:00.000-04:002019-03-24T10:38:58.839-04:00The Hardest Thing About This Quest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pamola's Quest started in April of 2017. To walk the whole trail and get myself to Pamola Peak on Katahdin, rebuilding the Talisman of the Storm along the way and presenting it to Pamola on his mountain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Quest continues. When I started the Quest, I was hoping that maybe we would do the whole thing in one go. Essentially a Thru Hike. But, I knew that the chances of that were going to be low, so I didn't make it a primary goal. The primary goal of the Quest is to get it done. With no time limit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the Quest evolved due to various influences, the potential of it being a Thru Hike evaporated (maybe for another day, who knows), but the Quest itself continued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have never quit my hike. I just get "off Trail". And that has become the hardest part of this Quest. Being off Trail and waiting to get back on again. So far I have weathered the physical part pretty well. Yes, I did injure myself by tearing my rotator cuff, which required surgery to correct, but I was still able to continue hiking for three more weeks, even though I knew something was wrong and it wasn't going to heal on its own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The mental part of the hike is mostly responsible for the evolution of the Quest. After LoGear decided to get off Trail, my mind started telling me that maybe I wanted to get off too. At least for awhile. After trying to ignore those voices for a while, I decided that they may have a point and knew that I could get off and come back later to finish. The Quest didn't have a time limit other than the span of my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hindsight has shown me that the decision to break up the Quest into Phases, was a good one. Some things have happened when I was off Trail that would have been missed opportunities if I hadn't left the Trail. One example is being able to see Tom Petty in concert on his last earthly tour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have 600 miles left to finish the Quest. About 50 days or so of hiking. I have set a date to return at the end of May. As early as I can start up north, when the trails of Vermont are slightly less muddy. I'm sure they will still be a challenge. And I will also be dealing with the black fly season by starting back up that early. But I must. My daughter is growing my first grand child in her belly and I want to be back by her due date of July 15th.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, I sit here and wait. I have my final Phase planned out. I'm basically ready to go, with just a few consumables to purchase to refresh everything in my pack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">The waiting is truly the hardest part of this Quest. But wait I must. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Soon I will be back "on Trail".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">EarthTone</span><br />
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The waiting is the hardest part</div>
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Every day you get one more yard</div>
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You take it on faith, you take it to the heart</div>
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The waiting is the hardest part</div>
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Tom Petty - The Waiting </div>
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EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-3049119539442354222019-02-08T21:24:00.000-05:002019-02-08T21:24:27.202-05:00Resolution Update - Walking the Streets of Pasadena<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZDd08ep6Q-0B7mzxAWx8P_VmCEwN-Vs6ZymAcdfAhZi0Bi9-dioYcODjPIZUieuNCx4rLo2y2DrmTPdgajUKP5JlPiypbW-9vYYw3PyZsVm1CfmU3fe7a5nbgTKze6du2jNGMs9ZbITe/s1600/20190121_124405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZDd08ep6Q-0B7mzxAWx8P_VmCEwN-Vs6ZymAcdfAhZi0Bi9-dioYcODjPIZUieuNCx4rLo2y2DrmTPdgajUKP5JlPiypbW-9vYYw3PyZsVm1CfmU3fe7a5nbgTKze6du2jNGMs9ZbITe/s400/20190121_124405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweating and freezing on a crisp clear day</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's now February and I have successfully accomplished my New Year's Resolution, but I like things to be scale-able, so I am still walking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have settled into the routine of walking everyday and have become used to my hiker hobble and use it as a gauge to measure my day's walk. More hobble, good walk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the month of January I was able to walk 196.9 miles. Now that is something I would hope to do every two, two and a half weeks out on the Trail, but for around here, that was pretty good. It averages out to 6.3 miles each day of the month. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I started out pretty easy, but still accomplished my 30 miles a week goal at the beginning. I also started with a light pack of probably 5 pounds or so. After a few days, I added a another water bottle and a few other items to bring it up to 10 lbs. After another week, I added a 5 lb dumbell to bring it up to 15 lbs. That last 5 lb addition was felt quickly. Especially in my knees and feet. But it felt good to have the weight on my back and now, I don't even notice it. It is time to add a little more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each week, I would add a few more miles to the total until I was doing about 7 miles a day. After a few weeks, LoGear started coming out with me. She came along most days unless the temp was sub freezing. During the Polar Vortex, I walked alone. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvxuBu-TKQ_xBOIS1hWwvSriVdyox0PB-LhiR1vQ59dUOc2nOgCPjjCzYDtvZkKOV3QngCdYYyzUB0etJv7mB5MTAW33IDX-1MEviGDhAb6MNikEnbL6CDqjX6q-z7CzrhdnzSak64fmm/s1600/20190128_144851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvxuBu-TKQ_xBOIS1hWwvSriVdyox0PB-LhiR1vQ59dUOc2nOgCPjjCzYDtvZkKOV3QngCdYYyzUB0etJv7mB5MTAW33IDX-1MEviGDhAb6MNikEnbL6CDqjX6q-z7CzrhdnzSak64fmm/s400/20190128_144851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring a new bike trail we discovered</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have fun out there. It isn't the woods, so we have created a few games to pass the time as we walk the blocks. One thing that was jarring was the amount of litter that is everywhere out there. I shudder to think of the mindlessness that causes a person to litter. It can be disgusting at times. I learned at a young age that throwing your trash willy-nilly isn't a good thing for the earth. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiDm6ltg3EULQcoN0t9aUal1Ta1G0Fu_mItonYtHvQnt7GfeI90b9X6Vbro5db1ZvxkKF54xh1bhptpcJPFVSgS2S2lnPXFu5mK1s1uxPsTPuK5CIWBvvEO44OFvjLY9Yyt4Hu6fxNCqs/s1600/20190113_090013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiDm6ltg3EULQcoN0t9aUal1Ta1G0Fu_mItonYtHvQnt7GfeI90b9X6Vbro5db1ZvxkKF54xh1bhptpcJPFVSgS2S2lnPXFu5mK1s1uxPsTPuK5CIWBvvEO44OFvjLY9Yyt4Hu6fxNCqs/s400/20190113_090013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger enjoying a new snowfall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After awhile though, you start to become numb to it. One thing we noticed was how common mini alcohol bottles were. We point them out as we go along, saying "mini" when we see them. Extra points for a hotshot bottle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Another game I created on the fly was cop baiting. I suggested it as a joke to LoGear as we walked along. The gist is, when you see a cop car along the way, you act suspicious. Pull up your hood and hide you face with your hands as you go by. If the cop notices and responds, you win. Of course, LoGear doesn't see it as a joke and takes on that challenge. Later in the walk, we were walking along and saw a cop car waiting to pull out onto the main road. I egged LoGear on an of course, she took on the challenge. I immediately chickened out. We got closer and LoGear kept playing the game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">As we approached the car, the cop rolled down his window. I knew he was going to say something and I was practicing my explanation of our game, but we lucked out at that point. The cop saw an opening in the traffic and pulled out. I'm pretty sure he was going to say something to us. So, two points for LoGeardor. She had more balls than I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Each morning, I bring up the map and try to alter our course a little, but still try to cover about five miles. We have several favorite routes now and hope to keep doing it, pointing out our minis as we do our miles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Its good to get outside and move around the neighborhood and our favorite woods. I will continue to do around five miles or so each day and try to keep ramping it up as much as time permits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">EarthTone</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-89206757924765050182019-01-20T15:47:00.000-05:002019-01-20T15:47:18.630-05:00A Shiver of Excitement<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDtJn61SUtEyofvJuuiJpzc2F_YmovjVBqzsteFvQSF4xD1P3PyqQ3o6JyfjBajqxXyRMpi7jsUQdo-sv-fmTFqhVMv5Py5VaqT9it4hy0zGnpJLjFkRBl0nHXEABqSgZAXYlQLZz6nAe/s1600/20190118_080225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDtJn61SUtEyofvJuuiJpzc2F_YmovjVBqzsteFvQSF4xD1P3PyqQ3o6JyfjBajqxXyRMpi7jsUQdo-sv-fmTFqhVMv5Py5VaqT9it4hy0zGnpJLjFkRBl0nHXEABqSgZAXYlQLZz6nAe/s400/20190118_080225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter woods.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From time to time, I get this weird feeling in my gut that rises up my spine to my brain. I don't know what it is. I don't know what it means or what causes it, but it fills me with a strange excitement. I know I have felt it before a race or a long hike. Maybe before a vacation or even a sporting event, but I'm not sure what is stirring this feeling this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I felt it today as I walked in the woods with Ginger. The weather was sullen, but my spirit was soaring. I have a feeling it is a desire to get back out into the forest for a time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm still methodically and slowly planning my hike to finish my Quest. My daughter's pregnancy is dictating my schedule. I have 600 miles to go. Somewhere around 50 more days of hiking, I estimate. Vermont doesn't recommend using the Trail before Memorial Day, so that is my starting date. Shauni is due July 15th. I hope to complete the Trail around then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure I will need some time in the bush before that. LoGear and I have been thinking about getting out for an overnight or two soon, but it is winter and we are waiting for a window of at least a somewhat decent weather forecast before we head out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Heading out to finish this Quest while my baby is gestating one of her own will be hard, but I figured that I technically don't need to be there and their first fur baby was in the house for a week while I was away before I met her, so this is like that, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The feeling is hard to explain. The best I can do is describe it as a excited sense of well-being. It's kind of hard to believe that I would be feeling a sense of well-being with what is going on in this country right now, but it does prove my constant mantra that I have always been responsible for my own happiness and well-being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have said hundreds of times that in all of my adult life, no President has ever directly affected my happiness and well-being. I generate that myself. I maintain that frame of mind even though this "president" is using me and the organization I have served as a fucking pawn in a power struggle. I really don't like being a pawn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm ready for any challenge that is put in front of me. Just like climbing a mountain on the Trail. I take it one step at a time and just keep going until it is done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are going to be just fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EarthTone</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-38868759776562927612019-01-11T21:25:00.000-05:002019-02-05T19:59:33.036-05:00Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been remiss on this site for a while now. It's time to add a post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every year, I make a resolution or two on the new year. Most times, I've forgotten what it was by the first day of spring and move on from there. It's never a real big deal with me. Plans change. Shit happens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year I resolved to get out for at least one overnight each month of the year. I actually didn't do too bad and if you counted my nights as an Outsider, I far surpassed 12 nights, but I wasn't able to spread it out over the whole year. After I returned from the trail with my injured shoulder and had surgery, I went from July thru December without spending even one night in the nature that I love. I haven't slept in my hammock since my last night on the Trail in June. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year, I resolved to start walking again. I have two reasons for doing this and I really hope I can accomplish the goals I have set for myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First, I need to get moving again. I don't run anymore, I have ballooned out to a very high weight that I need to start reducing and walking is my most enjoyable activity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Second, I want to get my body once again used to walking every day. If I'm going to finish this Quest, I need to walk another 600 miles. Being ready for that is important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, for the month of January, I hope to walk at least 5 miles a day, every day. Actually my goal at this time is 30 miles a week, which is less than 5 a day, but I hope to increase that goal each month as time goes by. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm 11 days in and doing well still. I have walked every day and am starting to really enjoy it. I don't do it all at one time. In the morning Ginger gets her walk in the woods. I try to keep it around a mile. After I work a couple hours on the Uber, I go out for a walk along the streets of my community. I try to find a new route each day or at least add to or change a route that I have walked before. I have been exploring some of the streets and woods of my past. In the evening, Ginger gets another walk. Usually another mile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have also trespassed a few times, but that is the hazard of the activity. As I explore some of the old woods trails nearby, From time to time, I end up in someone's backyard as I try to make my way to a street to continue my walk. So far, no one has called the cops on me or shot at me yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm liking the feeling of sore walking muscles each day. I have even developed a little hiker hobble if I sit around too long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if you live near me and see a guy with a long white beard walking out of the woods into your back yard. Don't shoot me, I'm only passing through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EarthTone</span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751729702607048026.post-24024623440133926782018-11-26T06:33:00.000-05:002018-11-26T06:33:10.283-05:00From Hiker to RVer<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyone who knows me has heard me starting to talk about EarthTone and LoGear's next Adventure. We are planning on embarking on the Full Time RVer life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I know that I still need to finish my first traverse of the Appalachian Trail and that is still at the top of my To Do list, but over the last several weeks I have watched hundreds of videos, bookmarked dozens of websites and spent lots of hours researching what it takes to get rid of our stuff, sell our sticks and bricks, buy something that moves and head out on the road. Saying that it has become my latest obsession is an understatement.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Quest continues</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />When we first started discussing this new Adventure, we weren't sure what it took to make it happen. When I started looking into it, I immediately became overwhelmed. After taking a deep breath and reminding myself of the technique of eating an elephant (one bite at a time), I started learning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been searching online for a nice used truck to buy to tow a Travel Trailer and we have already gone to three RV shows and visited two local dealers to look at a few coaches. At first we were looking into the Class C. That is one the midsize one that you drive yourself. The large Class A were a little too big for our needs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75pLQKVmWp55LpJk7MFp2cyI3veoZDB783oowtDAOV98wgQ4_uBTsM_wzb-g7VUPZBcygdYyuFDtSWtfGnwFP1Y_fEiAmUHo6bYsYFrR8liqoraZHnypQ6Xlp7_YXBfZHnlnHPaJgp0El/s1600/class-A-motor-home-clipart-3314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="550" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75pLQKVmWp55LpJk7MFp2cyI3veoZDB783oowtDAOV98wgQ4_uBTsM_wzb-g7VUPZBcygdYyuFDtSWtfGnwFP1Y_fEiAmUHo6bYsYFrR8liqoraZHnypQ6Xlp7_YXBfZHnlnHPaJgp0El/s320/class-A-motor-home-clipart-3314.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class A</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After looking at a lot of Class Cs, we decided that if we went that route, we would need a vehicle to tow behind so we could be mobile when out camping without having to pick up the whole rig and break camp every time we want to head out. Next we looked at a couple of 5th wheels, but then focused our search on a regular old Travel Trailer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNhXsZn_e83btXz5zZ2Fvp_gtnHPLetIoUYLxwoKyz5LgXRpqXN63PTszfPByegcOQIge0lyt5VmbMbXXHM9gzRtH42EmURGuwZRvWcjy64JoXZOmF48_duqZSKaLgiBnCjNEXYw7egjz/s1600/motor-home-clipart-+454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="550" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNhXsZn_e83btXz5zZ2Fvp_gtnHPLetIoUYLxwoKyz5LgXRpqXN63PTszfPByegcOQIge0lyt5VmbMbXXHM9gzRtH42EmURGuwZRvWcjy64JoXZOmF48_duqZSKaLgiBnCjNEXYw7egjz/s320/motor-home-clipart-+454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class C</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I learned more, I decided that I don't want anything much more than 30 feet long. We are trying to find that sweet spot of big enough to be comfortable, but not too long to challenge my towing skills or restrict where we can take it. The Goldilocks Trailer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I now know what the model name codes mean and can get an idea of the layout just by reading the code. We really don't care if it is a Rear Bath or Front Living or any of the other layouts. As long as it has a bathroom of a decent size, a kitchen with the essentials a couch and dinette table, heater, AC, TV and a decent amount of storage.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPpevaNxCf4tFQXqRFOGhPQTHivhBCrX6-kLnf45N5RmhyWhNwpuxAwvi-kzv4fRrlHH-UBTCnempHbNmqZKNL8n0oCW-dWpiFGBG5_BdWhINHG488thKeME83zYGXWWcmeT8DQE4_-WE/s1600/206228.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="600" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPpevaNxCf4tFQXqRFOGhPQTHivhBCrX6-kLnf45N5RmhyWhNwpuxAwvi-kzv4fRrlHH-UBTCnempHbNmqZKNL8n0oCW-dWpiFGBG5_BdWhINHG488thKeME83zYGXWWcmeT8DQE4_-WE/s320/206228.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th Wheel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixftWdA2BwA-IihNR8gvvUU_CqqjoUTSPMs31acY7x1xysWevxap-Nnn1TXLwCPxhOTFyRLoK-qTJTopKs0gr_GQJ_OYMaPZx8Wip1ToalYHf01InKNN1dZ9b9IrJs_0HEYP2kGfhAdnhX/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixftWdA2BwA-IihNR8gvvUU_CqqjoUTSPMs31acY7x1xysWevxap-Nnn1TXLwCPxhOTFyRLoK-qTJTopKs0gr_GQJ_OYMaPZx8Wip1ToalYHf01InKNN1dZ9b9IrJs_0HEYP2kGfhAdnhX/s1600/download.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travel Trailer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My truck search has been a task. My mind keep changing about what I need/want. I've gone from an overpowered diesel to something that would work, to a regular truck that should be able to handle what we buy. It hasn't been easy and I'm still suffering from sticker shock at the price of heavy duty pickup trucks. I have been searching the webs and visiting dealerships, driving a few and comparing their options. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a kid, my family used to spend a lot of the summer renting a small Scotty trailer that somehow fit the six of us and we would go up and down the east coast staying at campgrounds. Those fond memories still linger in my mind as I think about what LoGear and I will be doing in the hopefully not too distant future. I have plans of visiting all of the lower 48 states and maybe even do Alaska and Canada. There are so many places in this great country that I want to see or re-visit. I am excited to get started.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlwI6S2A7gYxku9-SXIVNTSYG0-gJQaM9eVqrAvxFGLqlDlo3NIZz7CcN-JgSyfZl8bRsP7XiIpSp1IvsdiCXuQ1254Bvut9t65dUTp88nGuKuaY5X7aL0HxB5_muTE6OFGnTSCd_WwO3/s1600/travel-trailer-clipart-901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="550" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlwI6S2A7gYxku9-SXIVNTSYG0-gJQaM9eVqrAvxFGLqlDlo3NIZz7CcN-JgSyfZl8bRsP7XiIpSp1IvsdiCXuQ1254Bvut9t65dUTp88nGuKuaY5X7aL0HxB5_muTE6OFGnTSCd_WwO3/s200/travel-trailer-clipart-901.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My childhood trailer was like this</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So now I'm learning new terms like boondocking, black tank, dump station, lithium batteries, brake controller, sway bars, bunkhouse, rear living, converter, toy hauler, full hookup, slide-out, and the list goes on and on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have found that the RV community is a lot like the Hiker community. They have their own language and the camaraderie is just as strong. And just like hikers, RVers talk a lot about poop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each day I pick a topic to research and learn about and I take my notes, bookmark another site or two and watch several more videos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are slowly trying to get rid of all the "stuff" we have accumulated over the last few decades and we are planning on attending another RV show this winter. We have a nest egg that we put away several years ago, not knowing what we would use it for, but using that seems like the perfect way to get on the road without increasing our debt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once we sell our sticks and bricks house, we will re-egg our nest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spending so much time on the Trail has instilled in me a need to simplify my life, decrease my "stuff" and keep Adventuring before I'm too old to do what I want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, the Quest continues, but has once again evolved into seeing all I can in this already Great Country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">EarthTone and LoGear</span>EarthTone LoGearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317997424105793510noreply@blogger.com0