tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48750391067797305522024-03-13T05:34:34.277-07:00THE RAMBLING NEWSpacktoterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08904292209126449778noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-18698340344138547102019-09-17T09:21:00.003-07:002019-09-17T09:57:25.709-07:00FINISHING UP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>The trail is a metaphor for life. It can be hard, tedious and cold. But near the end you look back across the craggy horizon to where you toiled to climb and all you see is joy. The hard times have evaporated in the warming sun leaving only the traces of a life well lived. </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>- </i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dick Mallery</span></i></span><br />
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<b>GAILA</b>: As you all know, Dick made it to Canada on September 6. He then hiked another 8 miles to civilization at Manning Park. I met a cat lover in the park that would take care of BOO for 4 days and left the morning of the 7th to drive 6 hours to meet him. We stayed the night at the lodge there. Thank goodness there was a hiker facility where he could do laundry and shower before I arrived. We put his backpack in a large garbage bag so I wouldn't have to smell it on the trip back to Chimicum. Each time we went to eat at the restaurant in the lodge, someone would say, "Hey, there's Umbrella Man." From there we stopped in Chilliwack, B.C. and stayed two nights with good friends, where they began the fattening up process. He lost around 30 pounds overall and now has a long way to go to get back to his normal weight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A bit thin, boney and hairy!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A resemblance except Sasquatch looks healthier!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>His Alta Lone Peak 3.5s got him through 1200 miles!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our wonderful Canada friends sent along a special treat for our reunion.</b></td></tr>
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<b>Here are his last few texts from the time he left Stehekin, WA to Manning Park, B.C.</b><br />
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The international flavor never ends. I am now in a new bubble for 80 miles to the border with a guy named <b>Shakespeare</b> who looks exactly like Sean Connery. He is from England but lives in Amsterdam. Then there is <b>Metric Ton </b>who, you guessed it, carries a huge pack full of shit. He is French Canadian. There is also <b>Jungle </b>who is Brazilian, Jacob, a 17 year old who is a great kid, and a German that I can't understand enough to know his trail name.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My bubble - L to R: Shredder, Crush, Numbers, JP and Hobbs</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another bubble friend - Karma<br />I called him Frisbee because he carried one the whole way.</b></td></tr>
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Stehekin means "Way through" an ancient passage into the mountains. It's remote, laid back, beautiful and expensive. Everything comes in by ferry. It's not a bad place to be stuck waiting for resupply, but better planning would have had me in and out of here in a day. I have been very fortunate with weather, only a couple rain days but not a big deal, I'm <b>Umbrella Man</b>! In fact, it started raining the day I finished.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The only way to reach Stehekin is by trail or ferry up Lake Chelan.<br />The lake is 50 miles long and takes 4 hours from Chelan to Stehekin. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Thankful for this place. I walked 2 miles each way twice a day from my campsite.<br />Food is a big motivater. There is a shuttle but it never ran when I was hungry!!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Inside the Stehekin Pastry Company</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shakespeare and Metric Ton</b></td></tr>
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I left Stehekin later than planned. By the time I picked up my resupply box and got everything organized it was 12:30. I missed "trail Magic" this whole trip but was fortunate to run into it twice over these past four days.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trail Magic at Hart Pass</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Met up with hikers section hiking with their 3 dogs.<br />The dogs took advantage of a break. A breed new to me - Dogo Argentino.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscT_zoPXK2JNvmniRD4S8vZrWDHIAYPKgRB5U0KGYcpFnVy9FhZE8xnHHVNcpuk4CDwmM-7qMx0lwjKYxPJzJqdi4enSYxc2UIh_yCUh5g_QcnpvsZUdvD-csAmKQ4qxEExFW8arLcHk/s1600/20190904_122548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="786" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscT_zoPXK2JNvmniRD4S8vZrWDHIAYPKgRB5U0KGYcpFnVy9FhZE8xnHHVNcpuk4CDwmM-7qMx0lwjKYxPJzJqdi4enSYxc2UIh_yCUh5g_QcnpvsZUdvD-csAmKQ4qxEExFW8arLcHk/s400/20190904_122548.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Glacier carved valley</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44jJGsjk0vnzuoFivv4UMpM8NrrSKqdQjti3u4nG-xsH3sa4VaMbVck3LDK6w-puIPQ65unEl_Eop18w6b19dRGxDxC9Dnv4kLxv3hfPlqd7oWSDc41dL8gMa6ynLqn0EzppUrrqSDo4/s1600/20190905_060409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="786" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44jJGsjk0vnzuoFivv4UMpM8NrrSKqdQjti3u4nG-xsH3sa4VaMbVck3LDK6w-puIPQ65unEl_Eop18w6b19dRGxDxC9Dnv4kLxv3hfPlqd7oWSDc41dL8gMa6ynLqn0EzppUrrqSDo4/s400/20190905_060409.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Last climb on the PCT - about 30 miles from the border</b></td></tr>
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When I reached the Canada border it was anti-climatic. Unfortunately, my bubble group was not there. I took lots of pictures, ate dinner and moved on into Canada. <b>PCT - Check ✔</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4jo6NcdQroqetGTSesqpq7MnqzsDXtQAjnaoI4hZuHh3jo73pMrebvpzptifArrbVLHvY7Dh0IiM3qE3SjDMwGM0TqzeKWL2Am6Dk_W087XhNRUeGa3LqqqJ5gwhDQT-c5PLjh-8kuc/s1600/20190907_103822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="481" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4jo6NcdQroqetGTSesqpq7MnqzsDXtQAjnaoI4hZuHh3jo73pMrebvpzptifArrbVLHvY7Dh0IiM3qE3SjDMwGM0TqzeKWL2Am6Dk_W087XhNRUeGa3LqqqJ5gwhDQT-c5PLjh-8kuc/s400/20190907_103822.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Eating while I waited for Gaila to arrive in Manning Park.</b></td></tr>
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I took lots of video but working on putting it all together.<br />
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<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-36770635936625390982019-09-02T12:11:00.003-07:002019-09-02T21:23:50.331-07:00ALMOST THERE!<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/AVvXsEgonHG3ldSeE964ssr0aeWBQsqPI3idH_OV1AWdft80JcHmmEKw-xODg1jD3LztpvqHFeEa8paAhzZ-wNdzCv3TM0b6TPantbB_zA25nD68SiRhgVC4_J2W1rA3rbYnY6Ix_2oje9uJ7hY/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonHG3ldSeE964ssr0aeWBQsqPI3idH_OV1AWdft80JcHmmEKw-xODg1jD3LztpvqHFeEa8paAhzZ-wNdzCv3TM0b6TPantbB_zA25nD68SiRhgVC4_J2W1rA3rbYnY6Ix_2oje9uJ7hY/s320/0-1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My friend invited me to her Private House Concert.<br />A great evening of entertainment with <a href="http://geoffkaufman.com/">Geoff Kaufman</a>, from Mystic Seaport, CT.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL5n7K0Zz5HCaTHozc4Dyn1Gk6coZdygkoShOUnw1JnYsrOH5APs-48Dz428mMvZdnDWl520-PN9LEe7u2VG17QUCL3NLg0DhD2xHBRDWb5f0R6GIJqThKQvBcUYBGQONP5Z3sVr0x_s/s1600/0-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL5n7K0Zz5HCaTHozc4Dyn1Gk6coZdygkoShOUnw1JnYsrOH5APs-48Dz428mMvZdnDWl520-PN9LEe7u2VG17QUCL3NLg0DhD2xHBRDWb5f0R6GIJqThKQvBcUYBGQONP5Z3sVr0x_s/s400/0-3.jpeg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Maggie's 40 minute ride back to Seattle from Kingston.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cULPj8gxzEp2Fb9AmtCtvLSRE95FrEVcsCQih8-OdmI_ToqmW40nvZlMStDddylISrMhPyVmRdiSrBu6IPPLTXbuMGwXOdIyQXzl5NQDgJuXkwBfZG0r8ojrT61h-nU_qEeZ-IG3RKU/s1600/61688215_10214175768740597_854596817143201792_n.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/AVvXsEh5cULPj8gxzEp2Fb9AmtCtvLSRE95FrEVcsCQih8-OdmI_ToqmW40nvZlMStDddylISrMhPyVmRdiSrBu6IPPLTXbuMGwXOdIyQXzl5NQDgJuXkwBfZG0r8ojrT61h-nU_qEeZ-IG3RKU/s400/61688215_10214175768740597_854596817143201792_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Took this photo from my friend's FB page. <br />I love the beautiful historical buildings in Port Townsend.<br />The courthouse in the background is an example.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLd8VhK8Xq6OlzV3MiZENJdF4-r73UqobcwajaiWRyqZKdNU-9HuS1GkZZJ23U6lryluYR40upJRGfHUMlsZ96HACf_T2nd1hqB0IWE8oT7g2T1a1xgZXCKHmg6sczFg8ezQIbpzTn9o/s1600/0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="855" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLd8VhK8Xq6OlzV3MiZENJdF4-r73UqobcwajaiWRyqZKdNU-9HuS1GkZZJ23U6lryluYR40upJRGfHUMlsZ96HACf_T2nd1hqB0IWE8oT7g2T1a1xgZXCKHmg6sczFg8ezQIbpzTn9o/s400/0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We welcomed the Maiden, with Tracy Edwards and crew, when it made a stop in Port Townsend.<br />The documentary about Tracy's historic sail in the 1989<br />Whitbread Round the World Race is a must see!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKF8hQkYRZw62E7d4z2U1vTx1sD-JEU34WZ6bnzeZcfmixG6DRlyXjILyGvHh-nbdgHyeDLflDujYtWw0x7Vyia4HTBmgq0qZsI2MqNN1xCMI4H6IO85tbDCCKLk3Yxb6MnhVGk_PDdo/s1600/0-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="641" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKF8hQkYRZw62E7d4z2U1vTx1sD-JEU34WZ6bnzeZcfmixG6DRlyXjILyGvHh-nbdgHyeDLflDujYtWw0x7Vyia4HTBmgq0qZsI2MqNN1xCMI4H6IO85tbDCCKLk3Yxb6MnhVGk_PDdo/s400/0-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking in Fort Worden State Park.<br />Look closely and you will find the lighthouse.</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Many have asked me what I've been up to. Above are a few of the highlights. I have probably said this before, but I am so glad I made the decision to stay on the Olympic Peninsula while Dick did this hike. I have had a wonderful summer. Enjoyed new friends, beautiful weather, time with Maggie, a great area and close to beautiful Port Townsend.</span></td></tr>
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I'm writing this on Sept. 2nd and the HAPPY HIKER has now reached Stehekin, WA. He arrived Saturday after the post office closed. So he now, because of Labor Day, has to wait until Tuesday morning to get his resupply box with his food. He says it's a beautiful place to be stranded. The problem is he doesn't have any food so it's a 4 mile round trip hike to the PASTRY COMPANY which serves croissant sandwiches, pizza slices and all sorts of baked goods. Heaven to a hiker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tC0vZ7B-vi6roEfNktcbEznSpalzZ-vvVXtTWVa_SYNucWM65q7GdMQw1fCCeIP0IfnW8DaFHwmLXiL3GHwdDJNcHIEREUWRV_d2ZbU1qzpWbIRHRiPlghzqsgOHW9lm9O9LXQZYBN8/s1600/0-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tC0vZ7B-vi6roEfNktcbEznSpalzZ-vvVXtTWVa_SYNucWM65q7GdMQw1fCCeIP0IfnW8DaFHwmLXiL3GHwdDJNcHIEREUWRV_d2ZbU1qzpWbIRHRiPlghzqsgOHW9lm9O9LXQZYBN8/s400/0-4.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick's message sent from Stehekin via inReach Satelite Communicator</b></td></tr>
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Here are his Texts over the past couple weeks:<br />
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<b>August 21:</b> (south of Snoqualmie, WA)<br />
Having a hard time sending my inReach message due to rain, overcast and dense forest. I have about 18 more miles to the Summit Inn but will hike in early tomorrow. Looks like you've been getting quite a few Squirrel Poster orders! That should help pay for this trip - NOT!<br />
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<b>August 22:</b><br />
I'm three miles from Snoqualmie Pass, I-90. An English guy told me about a hostel with dinner at the pass for 20 bucks (not on my Guthook App). I plan to stay there tonight since it's been raining all day. The first half of the state of Washington has been surprisingly flatter than I anticipated, BUT the last couple days into Snoqualmie pass is an example of what's ahead. The terrain is now going to blow up and I'm going to slow up. My shortest day since California has been 27 miles. Oregon was mostly 30+ miles. I'm thinking the remaining 250 miles is going to be more like 15 mile days. I have several passes ahead that look like 4000 ft. - ups and downs. My boots are on their last legs. Pun intended. I could throw my shirt and pants away right now, they are so tattered and torn. I wonder what trail name they would give me then? I will spend the day at Snoqualmie gluing and Gorilla taping them together. Works better than sewing. I thought I brought enough Gorilla tape wrapped around my hiking poles, but running low.<br />
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<b>August 23:</b><br />
Had breakfast and got my resupply box but I got to the Summit Inn too early so now I have to wait til noon to get in my room. Should have slept in at the hostel but I'm so used to getting up at 4 or 5 a.m. So I'll just wait in the Lobby since it's raining. I don't smell too bad since I had a shower and did laundry at the hostel (at least I don't think I do). I will need to wash my clothes again here because once just doesn't get all the dirt out.<br />
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It's interesting how you meet people on this trail. At first it's a quick hello as we pass, but if they end up being in a bubble with you for a few days or weeks, the conversations get longer. I have met many incredible people from all over the world. It makes you appreciate the human family. I guess our common glue is the desire to do this trek, but I think there is more to it than that.<br />
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I am so glad I was told about the WAC Hostel. It was such a comfortable hostel stop, filled with an evening of conversation with an international perspective, in contrast with the night before hunkered down in my tent, under a fir tree in a downpour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhd97gXKEp8GgSYu1frHlJPRPjhoJqBZ5mVeD82XkPAcCKdt8rB4uHvwgzYKZ1Dty0BKEKAunr_ed9Xx-fQ9QDYz1mgI4mOIcsnH97MpJs_GDJsEVOrnnsdZX9WP7Lu4jpAf4XuW1D6s/s1600/20190823_080840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="855" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhd97gXKEp8GgSYu1frHlJPRPjhoJqBZ5mVeD82XkPAcCKdt8rB4uHvwgzYKZ1Dty0BKEKAunr_ed9Xx-fQ9QDYz1mgI4mOIcsnH97MpJs_GDJsEVOrnnsdZX9WP7Lu4jpAf4XuW1D6s/s400/20190823_080840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Washington Alpine Club Hostel</b> </span></td></tr>
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SHREDDER, the girl from Bavaria, and JP showed up here, so the bubble is catching up to me again. I don't take as much time off as these young hikers do. They are faster hikers than I am. They take days off and then end up catching up to me again. It's like the Tortoise and the Hare story. Another interesting kid I've been hiking with is STREAMER. He does contract freelance work and lives on a sailboat in Fort Lauderdale when he's not hiking. I see him a lot. He sleeps in later in the morning but hikes into the dark at night. I get up at 4 a.m. and pass him sleeping in the morning. Now when I pass his bivy tent, I yell "Top O the Morning to ya Streamer." I'm his wakeup call. By noon he has passed me and then we start the whole process over the next day.<br />
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<b>August 27:</b> (Stevens Pass Lodge, WA)<br />
It took me 3 days to get here from Snoqualmie. Beautiful, big country and much steeper terrain. With 8 billion people on the planet, last night it was just me and a barred owl sharing a huge piece of old growth forest. Doesn't get any better than this! A bit rocky and rooty hiking tho. I fell into some boulders and landed on the wrist with the titanium plate. That doctor that screwed my wrist back together years ago, did a hell of a job. It didn't even dent it this go round. Then the next morning I walked into a swarm of bees and one stung me on the same wrist! I still have a welt and scab from tripping over a root last week.<br />
I found food at the lodge, not cheap, but it's the only game in town. The problem with slowing down and doing less miles each day, is stretching my food supply.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt15QfVxQVR5MYnURPL4xkJ-HqT2OfQC6vRvcKHevR7QGPIjTEIz3c_-cHksuEAG2h4AwnEHZfDb5vFxjMxcSl_pz9achE1T0NvdCVYXwDvNSavZjWtASssrP9FRu15HlWeRC9WwgEJtU/s1600/20190819_124057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="363" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt15QfVxQVR5MYnURPL4xkJ-HqT2OfQC6vRvcKHevR7QGPIjTEIz3c_-cHksuEAG2h4AwnEHZfDb5vFxjMxcSl_pz9achE1T0NvdCVYXwDvNSavZjWtASssrP9FRu15HlWeRC9WwgEJtU/s400/20190819_124057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have also been hiking with a great kid now and then. Jacob is 16 yrs old and is hiking the Washington PCT. He is ultra-light which means he sleeps wet, miserable and hungry. If you read all these ultra-light hiking forums, and drink the kool-aid, you too can sleep wet cold and hungry. His mom and grandpa met up with him at Stevens Pass. After visiting awhile, they invited me down the mountain to have lunch with them. Bad timing, I had just stuffed my face. Besides I have miles to go before I sleep.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O5avNfU1epZb8v8SWTADBSLRCPtofAhBDl7fCmh_hPSxvaJYvLCk9mmJMekmrukrOV1-SOYhJ9JJIzodDQRwlJHbSl-sjnayq1nNB5PWfdByGdgHBoy95HxdRmy5pnb3ucwJEU4IFqE/s1600/20190819_081011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="786" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O5avNfU1epZb8v8SWTADBSLRCPtofAhBDl7fCmh_hPSxvaJYvLCk9mmJMekmrukrOV1-SOYhJ9JJIzodDQRwlJHbSl-sjnayq1nNB5PWfdByGdgHBoy95HxdRmy5pnb3ucwJEU4IFqE/s400/20190819_081011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBS1gGLctolKejOPsJ01iFi6qnoKiIA0hjxFvdRZ5aZeRsDhlhlWTiAcvp0TzlOXO436Z9zzk1BMkCzDpg9BAZ60diWyehlxK01CCYjFNcZERyIkLmmM_mBsboz2j9G50cZ7EW9eEKfk/s1600/20190820_194007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="547" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBS1gGLctolKejOPsJ01iFi6qnoKiIA0hjxFvdRZ5aZeRsDhlhlWTiAcvp0TzlOXO436Z9zzk1BMkCzDpg9BAZ60diWyehlxK01CCYjFNcZERyIkLmmM_mBsboz2j9G50cZ7EW9eEKfk/s320/20190820_194007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">This little one room cabin is just north of Mt. Rainer Nat'l Park.<br />It's open to the public. It has a wood stove with a loft.<br />Candy, myself, a Frenchman and two others stayed the night.<br />(oh - and one cow elk grazing out front)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlOxbkPyJHOM915UwOD774HcNJnrqdWMNqCQ1h_3ec7Hb3ulegIroqo650pXO7C38w6LFdbcCMNwLMySJvKieR-y2wRIVSckfRwrpyuJqxJUDP3qY676jVbAqdtm5Gkp0CD2heKkwPrE/s1600/20190823_075631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="641" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlOxbkPyJHOM915UwOD774HcNJnrqdWMNqCQ1h_3ec7Hb3ulegIroqo650pXO7C38w6LFdbcCMNwLMySJvKieR-y2wRIVSckfRwrpyuJqxJUDP3qY676jVbAqdtm5Gkp0CD2heKkwPrE/s320/20190823_075631.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone has a trail name given to them by other hikers.<br />This is CANDY because his food is mostly candy bars.<br /> He's from Germany and has hiked all over the world.<br />He speaks English very well (non-stop) and very interesting.</span></b></td></tr>
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I ran into a kid from Alberta this morning as I was sitting in the trail eating breakfast. When he was passing by I said, "Keep Smilin". He said, "I've heard of you! You're the keep smilin' guy and all this time I thought you were super hero UMBRELLA MAN.<br />
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.......TO BE CONTINUED - I should reach Manning Park, BC around Sept. 7.<br />
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-42669826921600089632019-08-19T17:52:00.002-07:002019-08-20T09:21:58.284-07:00UPWARD and ONWARD<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyluv3KsSNj2H0Vbh6_o5mni402LlHpprltLOiHJMbIvePawXsMUh3W3FsfOxTTFXHa-JPeh8DvQ75uypiSvR9hNmkbHATSPaJdo1I52eFSpzx1LjzrtjAdnP_-7-VForaG6uO141580I/s1600/0-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="885" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyluv3KsSNj2H0Vbh6_o5mni402LlHpprltLOiHJMbIvePawXsMUh3W3FsfOxTTFXHa-JPeh8DvQ75uypiSvR9hNmkbHATSPaJdo1I52eFSpzx1LjzrtjAdnP_-7-VForaG6uO141580I/s400/0-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ferry from Bainbridge to Seattle </b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZW68LfunEuvLbdgYHH9TqoXVOyvopzwNSgcmG9NUZj5KykBFE87xwcgeS5EKMWimxQ_gXVdkctXsBsuhRzXfBIYt-8SIY9Lvm6N91DXsjxYC-2H5AczWLFh1qkMoPp1l7TPxEnW8fY4/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="885" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZW68LfunEuvLbdgYHH9TqoXVOyvopzwNSgcmG9NUZj5KykBFE87xwcgeS5EKMWimxQ_gXVdkctXsBsuhRzXfBIYt-8SIY9Lvm6N91DXsjxYC-2H5AczWLFh1qkMoPp1l7TPxEnW8fY4/s400/0-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I am loving this part of the country. It's beautiful here and the weather couldn’t be better. I’ve had lots of mother/daughter time with Maggie. It’s not easy because it’s a ferry ride between us. The ferry system here is dealing with population explosion and sometimes there is a wait of an hour or more to even get on, unless I don’t drive the car and walk on instead, but it's worth the hassle to be together. Also, lots of friends old and new that I've enjoyed being with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are Dick’s updates. The photos are not necessarily in correct order and I'm not sure what mountain etc.,but they are all beautiful. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGGb1PlYjj1qJQVrRDP_11L6RiihuylzGOW7c2XdrwwjPMDWyuNZiVtbxGarioPiX64DMl925fBkUvRc784WMteUtlT5YXtqdYT3J6Ao71YW-34mqZ8UJJVJfpowFTHBQNYNflcPTvPc/s1600/20190807_170412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1140" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGGb1PlYjj1qJQVrRDP_11L6RiihuylzGOW7c2XdrwwjPMDWyuNZiVtbxGarioPiX64DMl925fBkUvRc784WMteUtlT5YXtqdYT3J6Ao71YW-34mqZ8UJJVJfpowFTHBQNYNflcPTvPc/s400/20190807_170412.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Russell Creek. Looks easy - NOT!</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>August 10</b>: After Big Lake Youth Camp, I have been doing 30+ mile days. Lots of burn sections with little shade. Again, I’m thankful for my umbrella. I had to cross Russell Creek which is glacial melt from Mt. Jefferson. Hiker Dan, from Newport Beach, OR, helped me out by directing me over the area he’d crossed. It was roaring so LOUD that he didn’t see me trip after I was across and almost roll back into the torrent. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVVMugybPMhlJZklE03hZJo6AJeK2s2t24_qAxlO-IagJKWrz5Qn9T6KBTfqPXAvkM3VdvWhIg5HD2xU-MCs6Wm9P7Jgycf96gIVxVqDwpd7qOrgJZy2WXZyAREygDBzidL5Z7FqWuAM/s1600/20190807_145826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="439" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVVMugybPMhlJZklE03hZJo6AJeK2s2t24_qAxlO-IagJKWrz5Qn9T6KBTfqPXAvkM3VdvWhIg5HD2xU-MCs6Wm9P7Jgycf96gIVxVqDwpd7qOrgJZy2WXZyAREygDBzidL5Z7FqWuAM/s320/20190807_145826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I camped on a ridge overlooking Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood. The next morning, hiking in the dark using my headlamp, I lost the trail since it was covered with snow. I’ve been hiking in the dark most mornings, since I get started before dawn, but this was the first time I’d encountered a snow field. I'm thinking this may be the start of hiking in snow now and then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Side note: (Before going to bed Dick mixes in his empty water bottle, a concoction of Carnation Instant Breakfast (strawberry) with a pkt of Via Pike Place coffee and one cup of milk made with powdered Nido. In the a.m., he drinks it down before hitting the trail and it gives him that quick energy boost to last him til it's light and warm enough to stop and make breakfast).</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1_iC-RTxC2_yISZ8QrzSKGonOLJusCSEq_I25-HoDO4hwqOdc91a2hL1TImLL6oaJqMxARiHMQYVkU25vaV6H9v4n-a7_rga4BUQcWBuBuO8kqgneMXrNhB0q4vxa9o4g3Y6XIghKPo/s1600/20190811_080546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="855" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1_iC-RTxC2_yISZ8QrzSKGonOLJusCSEq_I25-HoDO4hwqOdc91a2hL1TImLL6oaJqMxARiHMQYVkU25vaV6H9v4n-a7_rga4BUQcWBuBuO8kqgneMXrNhB0q4vxa9o4g3Y6XIghKPo/s400/20190811_080546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMie6PEDTxAEEg4Q0LoRCzZR0Kxa78Gb0opE7YDXgB3s5bPnr3xQskLxWiHky8jRmaJkl2aqN8ZYkwVGdHqiIEYEq2uUNJEq3VmtmXoHp8SffoSq4y-FLk9Fg2Zvv2uSmjHPJZQyj2Oc/s1600/20190815_053222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="855" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMie6PEDTxAEEg4Q0LoRCzZR0Kxa78Gb0opE7YDXgB3s5bPnr3xQskLxWiHky8jRmaJkl2aqN8ZYkwVGdHqiIEYEq2uUNJEq3VmtmXoHp8SffoSq4y-FLk9Fg2Zvv2uSmjHPJZQyj2Oc/s320/20190815_053222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2dtGvO5NX1DJV5HMHIdqTbl7C0Ex-oMcnPX1t1Usj-l_egwbW7AS5zNgTDyOtR7z96Z2c30eQK67HbRG-7QgYPFpxVszm7A_7mUBk7BquZ8yEVrE9KemPcQb5fDmCrAl1O5CX8LBhtw/s1600/20190814_070007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="363" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2dtGvO5NX1DJV5HMHIdqTbl7C0Ex-oMcnPX1t1Usj-l_egwbW7AS5zNgTDyOtR7z96Z2c30eQK67HbRG-7QgYPFpxVszm7A_7mUBk7BquZ8yEVrE9KemPcQb5fDmCrAl1O5CX8LBhtw/s400/20190814_070007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Most of the Mt. Hood area was beautiful with old growth trees. Lots of rain and fog. Fire danger was extremely low but the Bigfoot danger extremely high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I thought I had lost all my bubble people. They decided to do the “24 Hour Challenge” (60 miles in 24 hrs). They all caught up with me at the Timberline Lodge and we enjoyed the all you can eat breakfast. This stop was a highlight of my trip but, of course, I ate TOO much and had to lay low for 3+ hours and let it digest. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI0e-DL6xzcXMw_aiPBFzcGIR2CYjLjhoRuN8YrX-mnhdzmfuFf3YXXq9DBuC3BB8g1kh6QnYtrjrHK8JhBivGVJviSynsb_3qDGB9NpTlshdyhhHV1H-GGfO3CJ29hHov-U3aoqAk2g/s1600/20190810_084554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="547" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI0e-DL6xzcXMw_aiPBFzcGIR2CYjLjhoRuN8YrX-mnhdzmfuFf3YXXq9DBuC3BB8g1kh6QnYtrjrHK8JhBivGVJviSynsb_3qDGB9NpTlshdyhhHV1H-GGfO3CJ29hHov-U3aoqAk2g/s400/20190810_084554.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Breakfast with my "bubble hikers" at Timberline Lodge</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>August 11</b> - Bummer, sorry I missed Connie's friends! Too bad they were off trail eating lunch and hadn’t seen me sooner. They were right! That was me for sure - the only old man out here carrying an umbrella. </span>Bad timing. We could have had a fun visit. </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Scary story to share:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_CAXrs9l6bFQRmWxyTL8YMNMt2QXa4gHl4w7bycHhp3uktPrpQGD5E7nfmB03ChDIz9x4_THgEJdi-aBJCVVSVF2plh_-h9gOMcUIXG3FosqWpMPaLCgckO_20r6agUliZkfYFRprNU/s1600/20190810_073446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="855" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_CAXrs9l6bFQRmWxyTL8YMNMt2QXa4gHl4w7bycHhp3uktPrpQGD5E7nfmB03ChDIz9x4_THgEJdi-aBJCVVSVF2plh_-h9gOMcUIXG3FosqWpMPaLCgckO_20r6agUliZkfYFRprNU/s320/20190810_073446.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">I had a little excitement one night in the Mt. Hood area. Coming down a steep ridge I met a couple from Croatia. It was getting dark and I told them there were no camping spots flat enough for a tent for several miles. I mentioned they may want to go back to the trailhead parking area where there would be some flatter ground to set up a tent. They said there was a man there talking to himself and they were afraid of him. I convinced them to go back with me (safety in numbers) and hopefully he would leave. Otherwise we would sleep away from him and I would deal with him if we had to. At 11 p.m. the guy started screaming profanity at the top of his lungs. Every time it rained a little harder he got louder screaming for the rain gods to shut it off. The couple were understandably freaked out. At one point he came a bit too close so I got dressed, put on my headlamp and went out to find a tennis ball size rock and a stick the size of a club. He kept his distance, but I didn’t sleep the rest of the night. After what happened on the AT this year, I was taking no chances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>August 12</b> - That all you can eat breakfast at the Timberline Lodge powered me up the mountain and all the way to the Oregon/Washington border to Cascade Locks. I left before my bubble friends and haven’t seen them since. There were no rooms available at the lodge so I think after the breakfast they all crawled under a rock and went to sleep. It will be interesting to see when I’ll see them next. Doing that "Challenge" is a good way to ruin your feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Two miles to Cascade Locks and BREAKFAST. Then crossing the Bridge of the Gods and getting a room in Washington. Rooms cost less on the other side of the Columbia River. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It took me 17 days (approx. 450 miles) to hike through Oregon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The motel I’m staying at will drive me the 5 miles from the bridge to save me the extra walk. It will be great to have a room. I need to regroup big time. My boots are in desperate need of repair so hoping to get some <i>Shoe Goo</i> and hope they get me to Canada. The patch kit sent by Hilleberg for my tent just may do the job.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shoe Goo and Gorilla Tape should get me to Canada!</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>August 13</b> - Did my laundry, but my socks were still full of dirt! I’ve had to soak them in the tub overnight and rinse them about 100 times and still getting dirt out. I guess they aren’t called DARN TOUGH socks just because they never wear out - but because they are darn tough to get clean! I got my money’s worth in hot water at this hotel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After a day of eating like a little pig, cleaning my gear, clothes and body, I think I’m ready to take on Washington State! But first I need one more super breakfast this morning before I start climbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Days later.</b>....(connection very limited. So glad I have the InReach so you know I’m still moving.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Wow, Washington has been amazing. Old growth forests, massive mountains, glacial melt rivers. Goat Rocks Wilderness is beautiful. Lots of fog though and I’ve had some cold wet mornings. My bubble of people caught up to me but now they have split up. Some hitched a ride back to Cascade Locks for PCT days <a href="http://www.pctdays.com/">http://www.pctdays.com</a>. The others from out of the country have VISA deadlines to meet and must hike faster to finish in time. A good group of hikers. I will miss their company.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A room with a view. A beautiful camping spot.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Some camping spots are a bit rough. <br />Sometimes flat and smooth is difficult to find.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>August 18</b> - Texting from on top of the world! 14 miles to the Kracker Store at White Pass. I have been warned about two bears that have been harassing hikers there, so I will be sleeping with my food. If they want it they will have to fight me for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Later....Made it to White Pass. Paid $5 for a shower, $5 to get my resupply box and bought a pizza. They only sold XL pizzas but (believe it or not) I could only eat half. I was going to hang the other half so the bears didn’t get it and eat it for breakfast but gave it to one of my hiker friends instead. He was so appreciative because he didn’t arrive until after everything closed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Amazing trip so far but this is my last LONG TRAIL. I'm not giving up backpacking, but I would rather do shorter ones and not be away so long. I miss my wife, I miss my life. I know I've said this before</span>, but I'm ready now. I did the CDT the year I turned 50 and now the PCT the year I'm turning 70. I think that's enough.<br />
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That's all Folks. Keep Smilin'</div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-31158598848187462312019-08-09T08:28:00.001-07:002019-08-19T12:53:09.500-07:00HE'S MAKING GOOD TIME!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Here are Dick's updates. Many of you are asking how he's doing. In the meantime, I am enjoying my stay here and involved in so many activities. Plus, the added bonus of being with Maggie now and then. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">July 29, 2019 - 9:13 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Did 29 miles today. Have to do more miles because water is scarce. I’m in my tent texting you. Still a bad phone connection. I head for Crater Lake tomorrow. Hope we can talk. Love you more than mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 30 - 7:08 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Made it to Crater Lake, got a shower and will get a bite to eat after doing laundry. Signal still bad here so using their wifi. Will pick up my resupply box in the a.m. and I’ll check to see if there’s a pay phone so I can call you. This place is a ZOO. I stayed in a campsite with 35+ tents. The park has no plan to deal with all these hikers! Everyone is fighting over 75 cent showers that last 4 minutes, and the washers are filthy - the ones that work. Typical National park food - high priced and low quality. After breakfast in the morning I think I’ll work on my foot and haul ass. Oregon is much easier walking so far - much flatter than California. I’m getting in 27 to 29 mile days. If my foot was better it would be 30+ days. Although there is lots of volcanic rock, little water sources, thick mosquito population and very hot. The good news is the smoke has cleared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 31 - 6:07 a.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Found a pay phone. I’ll call you when you’re up. Got up early and went down to the other campground and found clean FREE showers with no time limit. Wonderful. I’ll be leaving this morning and walking the RIM Trail back to the PCT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here’s the foot story. The little bastard rat that chewed my gear is what caused it all! After tying my shoe lace back together, it was too tight, which irritated the top of my foot up into my ankle. The Crater Lake store carried few supplies. Another hiker gave me four Vitamin I. She said she carried too much. The cashier at the store went out to his truck and brought back a brand new pair of boot laces. Old guys rock - Trail Magic! I bought some Icy Hot and it has helped. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I now keep my pack inside my tent with me and not in the vestibule part. I sleep with my feet elevated on the pack which also seems to be helping. I “RIME” my foot as much as I can (Rest, ice, milkshake and elevate). Can you believe it - Crater Lake has NO milkshakes! I think they should lose their park status for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’ve been hiking in a “bubble” with a great group of kids from all over the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I think there must be a factory in Scandinavia that makes nice people. These kids are also very smart and speak better English than 95% of Americans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Back in Dunsmuir, as I stepped out onto the trail, I fell over the gate. This young girl in the bubble ran over to make sure I was okay. I know they were all thinking, “this old man thinks he’s going to walk the trail and he can’t even get out of the starting gate". Later they all passed me using my umbrella and all thought that was quite funny. They now call me <i>“Umbrella Man”</i> and think I fly like Mary Poppins. Two weeks later they are a day behind me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Crater Lake is so deep blue! Unfortunately, the actual PCT was closed near the park because of mountain lion activity. I was going to go through anyway because I’ve always wanted to see one in the wild, but the Rim Trail that goes around the lake is awesome so I didn’t mind the reroute. The color of this lake is so amazing that I kept stopping every now and then to just stare at it. I was told the trail has long stretches with no water but a south bounder told me there are some water caches with gallons galore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">August 1 - Noon - Day 14 on the trail, 358 miles so far!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everyone else is talking on their phones. I don’t know why we can’t!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">From now on I will refer to rodent bastards as FRB’s. I just discovered bigger tent damages! He also chewed the hem and it is beginning to rip up from the bottom. Luckily I brought a lot of gorilla tape and it has stopped the ripping for now. I hope it will last the hike if I don’t get a heavy wind. So upset about it. I hope there is some California rat constipated from eating rip-stop nylon! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">August 2nd - Shelter Cove RV Resort</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A section of the PCT was closed, probably due to an old fire maybe. The reroute funnels all PCT hikers right by this RV Resort. Only $10 to camp here and they have wifi. I took advantage of a hot shower and FOOD, plus I could charge my phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I sent a video of a dip I took in a lake today. That was another great thing about the reroute, it went by lots of beautiful lakes. (If you want to see this video ask Gaila to send it to you.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The girl that waited on me at breakfast just started working here today. She and her boyfriend bought a RV and are working their way around the country. Sound familiar? This is a great place and everyone is so friendly. We must stay here with the motorhome sometime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Headed out .......love you more than milkshakes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">August 4 - 2 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Contacted Hilleberg to see if they could provide me with a repair kit for my tent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">22 miles so far today. Very hot but foot doing well. I’m thinking it was the tied together shoelace chewed by the FRB!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">8 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Stopped raining but I still hear thunder in the distance - camped for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When I hit the cut-off to Elk Lake Lodge today it started to rain and even some marble size hail. Everyone wanted my umbrella. Met a couple hiking in light t-shirts who wished they had one. I told them I’d sell mine to them for $500. They asked if I took Visa. I said, “No, that’s the cash price.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Most of my “bubble” went down to the lodge and into the towns of Bend or Sisters. My resupply box is waiting for me at Big Lake Youth Camp so I’m staying on trail. I wonder if I’ll see them again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I lost my hat yesterday. I don’t wear it when I use my umbrella so I had stuck it in my pack and somehow it fell out. Fortunately, a guy (trail name <i>Butterfly Catcher</i>) recognized it as mine. I’m the only one out here who wears one like this. I’m not sure how he ever found me. I was off trail up in the woods by a lake having dinner. I only realized my hat was missing for about 10 minutes and I was kicking myself when he shows up with it!! I’m so thankful to have it back. I use it a lot. The flaps hang down and discourage the mosquitoes. It might be ugly, but it’s very protective from sun and bugs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That night I set up on a bald (hiking term for treeless, rocky summit). It was thundering and everyone was wondering what to do. I was already pounding stakes. Then the sky started falling. I climbed into my tent and they all hauled ass for tree cover. <i>Snickers</i> and <i>Stevie Wonder</i> said if they didn’t see me the next day they would know I was toast!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">August 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’ve been hiking with <i>Gaper</i> the last couple of days. A great kid. He’s going off trail for a couple of days but will probably catch me. He moves fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I timed Big Lake Youth Camp perfectly. I got up at 4 a.m. and arrived before the rush. Had a shower, did my laundry, had breakfast and picked up my resupply box all before 9 a.m. The 10 miles of trail before Big Lake was lava rock and nasty - ankle twisting, boot shredding torture. I can’t believe how bad the burn is in this area - Apocalyptic!! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Gaper</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Decided to not stay the night. I’m ready to move on. Made contact with Hilleberg and they are shipping to Cascade Locks a tent stuff bag (mine ripped out this morning) as well as a repair kit for my tent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">August 7 - 6:06 a.m.</span></div>
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Passed mile marker 2000 yesterday! All is well.<br />
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(....and that's the last I heard from him except his notifications from the InReach satellite communicator letting me know he's ok. I am so thankful he has this now.)</div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-23718939549728447322019-07-28T13:41:00.000-07:002019-07-28T18:56:01.580-07:00TEXTS AND PHOTOS FROM THE TRAIL!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(35, 35, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Not much communication from Dick except now and then his texts come through. (I keep pestering him to text me more info for the blog and more people photos). The following is some of what I've received from him: (Photos may not be in order.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">1st day out of Dunsmuir it was very hot. I climbed for about 17 miles and I was just whupped! Lack of sleep and heat convinced me to stop early. Ran into a young Canadian girl from New Brunswick. She said she was ahead of her group and wondered if she could camp with me. She had never camped alone so far on the trail. I told her I hated to be anti-social but after we set up camp I crawled in my tent and went right to sleep. I was exhausted. I get up in the morning at 4:15 and hike to beat the heat, so I’m sure I’m days ahead of her by now. The next day I met <i>School Bus</i>. He lives in a school bus turned RV with his wife and 5 kids when he’s not on the trail. He grew up in the Yukon. A really nice kid. Everybody's a nice KID out here. I'm the only old fart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The trail is really burnt in so many areas, but still very beautiful. It's hot with lots of elevation to deal with. I’m looking forward to Oregon. It’s supposed to be a little more flat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 24 7:18 a.m. - Now I’m in Seiad Valley, California, waiting for my eggs and bacon. I took a bath in the river last night so I wouldn’t smell like a homeless person. The last 12 miles Into town was steep downhill, very bushy and lots of rattlesnakes. The climb out is 8 to 10 miles of Southern exposure with few trees. I'm waiting til late afternoon to leave when it cools down a bit. But I've been able to shower, do laundry, eat twice, get my 1st resupply box at the Post Office, clean my gear, and rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I will be here awhile. I am the only one at the campground but I saw a lot of hikers at the cafe. They look hot and miserable with the huge climb out of here to look forward to. One girl told Charlie (the owner who is quite the character) she wouldn't stay here because one of the RVs in his park was flying a Confederate flag. I told him I was a little pissed there was no Irish flag but at least there’s air conditioning and hot showers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It sure pays to be friendly. When I passed a couple on the trail, I said, “Beautiful day. Sun’s shining, birds are singing, flowers are growing”. That put a smile on their faces and we started talking. When I mentioned you were staying in Chimicum, WA they mentioned they have friends who live there. Can you believe it was our new friends the Wellers? I could have just passed them and never made the connection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So far no aches and pains. I'm in better shape than many of these young people with their blisters and assorted issues from long mile days. I sure love my Altra Lone Peaks! Feels like I’m hiking in slippers and my umbrella is a lifesaver in this sun and heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m sleeping like a baby at night. Sometimes too good. Woke up one morning and found a packrat chewed my shoelace and pack strap. Little bastard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 26 - Breakfast in the morning, 5 miles ahead!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 27 8 a.m. - At Calahan’s for breakfast. Waitress just said I could have all the pancakes I can physically consume. Filled one leg so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At Mile 1741 - Lots of thick smoke. Fire is north of Ashland,OR. I sure hope I run out of it in a couple days. It's windy, so maybe it will blow away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So far water is scarce in Oregon - who would have thought!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">July 28 - 1:13 p.m. - Sitting next to aqueduct soaking clothes and feet. Having a right foot issue I never had before. Maybe a shin splint. Slowing me a bit. I already have 18 miles in today. I cold-soaked it and that helped a lot. I will doctor it more when I reach Crater Lake. Remember - "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I'm thinking of going to Fish Lake Resort. Free camping for PCT hikers, showers, laundry, FOOD!!</span></div>
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(GAILA) All is well with me. I'm loving my time here in the Pacific Northwest. A beautiful place to be. Weather is perfect. Enjoying friends and everyone here at the RV park is so friendly and helpful. Maggie came to visit once already and we had a wonderful time together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B<b>lossom Point, one of my favorite spots in this RV park.<br />So many flowers and birds.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Visited the Marine Science Center with Maggie.</b><br />
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<b>An amazing place. Loved the Octopus most of all.</b></td></tr>
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<b>Kayaking with friends that I met in 2017 at another SKP campground.<br />They contacted me when they received my blog to say they were in nearby Port Ludlow.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Everytime I take the ferry it's been clear enough to see<br />the beautiful mountains. Mt. Rainer is amazing.</b></td></tr>
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All is well. </div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-75654096248316078252019-07-19T12:01:00.001-07:002019-07-19T12:49:15.704-07:00BACK ON THE TRAIL AGAIN<div style="color: #232323; line-height: normal;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">My home for the next two months on the Olympic Peninsula, WA.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Not as nice or private as our property in Michigan, but so much quieter!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We left Michigan late June and headed for Washington. I will be living here while Dick is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. He has 1150 miles to go to reach Canada. I wanted to be out west while he hiked and chose this beautiful area. Plus, Maggie lives only a couple hours away. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">This is BOO's favorite spot as we travel.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Leaving Michigan's lower peninsula across the Mackinaw Bridge.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Stopped for a rest at Seney Wildlife Refuge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">We enjoyed a short visit with the Emericks when we passed through the Upper Peninsula.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">We made several stops on our three week trip from Michigan to Washington, including Glacier National Park. Dick wanted to hike in the park, not only because it’s his favorite place in North America but to hike some mountain trails to help get ready for his long hike. While at Glacier we visited a friend who is a backcountry ranger at the Many Glacier area. They were turning visitors away at the Many Glacier entrance due to too many people and vehicles and not enough parking. Everyone has put this park on their list of places to see before all the glaciers are gone. So now it is dealing with the masses and growing pains. Fortunately, just saying his name allowed us in. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ed Bouffard swearing in new park rangers</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">There were lots of wildflowers in June and we loved all the Bear grass.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxQfDiP7stbQrRw7-8XI7wImQFMhv3n4ya69cKTLMCIjq5SE55qhkftVdujRVjB_1UfgshQ9FceZt9iuGFd9iFy2BWzsOznSFOCW7LXeb00v5XMGIhjkstDev6nJjiYj-FBRZu-Stce0/s1600/47132612472_f2a11cd4f7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxQfDiP7stbQrRw7-8XI7wImQFMhv3n4ya69cKTLMCIjq5SE55qhkftVdujRVjB_1UfgshQ9FceZt9iuGFd9iFy2BWzsOznSFOCW7LXeb00v5XMGIhjkstDev6nJjiYj-FBRZu-Stce0/s320/47132612472_f2a11cd4f7_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite spot in Glacier NP - overlooking Pray Lake Two Medicine.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUpCA6mBLR8SOUhp_7Wc0gfeIW2CgIvW_4d5ic-3MWNmyE0ms4yJQvDjyA5FeHkIIPkyy9DgVW1QF4N8N4WrW2-4LcVod72vxkPLRTKx73okmZKXoPDtKbgDsRDM6Nm7l0xNQ0BuR2q4/s1600/0-17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUpCA6mBLR8SOUhp_7Wc0gfeIW2CgIvW_4d5ic-3MWNmyE0ms4yJQvDjyA5FeHkIIPkyy9DgVW1QF4N8N4WrW2-4LcVod72vxkPLRTKx73okmZKXoPDtKbgDsRDM6Nm7l0xNQ0BuR2q4/s320/0-17.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The drive to Many Glacier along the Swiftcurrent River.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We also stopped to visit friends in Sandpoint, Idaho for an overnight. We met them in Glacier NP several years ago when we offered to watch their dog so they could go on a long day hike. A great connection and we've stayed in contact through the years.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mZt2mZ1vjx1TH2dtCX-3JbynOJieGK9DDvNYZyBceOVmNEIU4O4Iv1kRbO7WS7MpdEVQqQjlCXquGRpiwyq1EI4MVyeRyUVpM1ZEGLyvCyPFdklRl10G8_k8r5fpLpTgZ0ACrh5nVEU/s1600/0-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mZt2mZ1vjx1TH2dtCX-3JbynOJieGK9DDvNYZyBceOVmNEIU4O4Iv1kRbO7WS7MpdEVQqQjlCXquGRpiwyq1EI4MVyeRyUVpM1ZEGLyvCyPFdklRl10G8_k8r5fpLpTgZ0ACrh5nVEU/s320/0-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Dinner at Bottle Bay with Nancy and Dick. </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk_7C1ABPV_sbFZkz-UyQTMQGX-RjrZs31mJ0v7u183vjv_EPJyxNzwUr4xxWB3fLeCs-Gr168dejvv37R7kLwW28DdE69ZnXY6-6jb2OjYepeBJ3_hVkIYNlXCbfjkrW_ED672qE30M/s1600/0-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk_7C1ABPV_sbFZkz-UyQTMQGX-RjrZs31mJ0v7u183vjv_EPJyxNzwUr4xxWB3fLeCs-Gr168dejvv37R7kLwW28DdE69ZnXY6-6jb2OjYepeBJ3_hVkIYNlXCbfjkrW_ED672qE30M/s320/0-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Nice campground and great hospitality. Thanks 💗</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I am slowly meeting people in my temporary home. My 90 yr old neighbor loves to play Cribbage, and guess what, her name is Evelyn. (For those of you who don’t know, I play Cribbage at home with my 93 yr old friend Evelyn.) Plus, I’ve made other connections in Port Townsend through a friend in Michigan and my sister in California. It's a small world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I almost put a wrench in Dick’s plans. Shopping at Safeway a few days before he left, I slipped on some water and landed hard. Fortunately, I didn’t break anything which could have easily happened. A store worker saw the whole accident and insisted I report it in case I have future problems. So far I just have some aches and bruises that are SLOWLY getting better.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s2Wv4R-irHGKGxgwUU-FLUViT3E-OLIaMWa2KzbGp6ghrCa99baMLk5y1Sylom-eU9Ro9yqlEqCXRujBSxDOfzPtlMZw4xwXV0gv4Fs2UVfu73bcTV5LMGL1vPUcAb-qxTd63FnYzgE/s1600/0-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s2Wv4R-irHGKGxgwUU-FLUViT3E-OLIaMWa2KzbGp6ghrCa99baMLk5y1Sylom-eU9Ro9yqlEqCXRujBSxDOfzPtlMZw4xwXV0gv4Fs2UVfu73bcTV5LMGL1vPUcAb-qxTd63FnYzgE/s320/0-7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It's a 40 minute ferry ride to visit Maggie.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL__GS1S6CeySUDvrCnEZQ0PJb-sZaMyWmVmgzGCvMZi5Ij0VETHIQrXuqgUOTDjnUtszwCN-mIxl5b7UDaVKI5zKtdDoY8pxNfnOEVQMvcroy3srf7eALj60pR_sWb48zzLrwop2Hq-0/s1600/0-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL__GS1S6CeySUDvrCnEZQ0PJb-sZaMyWmVmgzGCvMZi5Ij0VETHIQrXuqgUOTDjnUtszwCN-mIxl5b7UDaVKI5zKtdDoY8pxNfnOEVQMvcroy3srf7eALj60pR_sWb48zzLrwop2Hq-0/s320/0-4.jpeg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A visit with Maggie and Tom before hitting the trail.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> We visited Maggie and Tom in Seattle the night before Dick left on his trip, then Tom delivered him to King Station, downtown Seattle, to catch the train south to Dunsmuir, CA where he began his hike. It was nearly a 15 hour train ride, arriving just past midnight. Then a 2 mile walk (2 miles is nothing, it’s walking in the dark that concerned me) to the town where he got a room for a few hours and a hearty breakfast (enough for two) before heading for the trail (7/18). Dunsmuir is where he left off last summer and he hopes to reach Canada by mid-September. The big concern is fire. So far Dick has made contact through his satellite communicator that he is ok. He sends me a message morning, noon and night through the communicator and it gives me a topo map with coordinates so I can zoom in and see exactly where he is. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOrbraJnEWFxqFosoInPWt7k-Vw0uTu_L4ysKvP4uKqvZkVcq9FUmDVUT7XPp-5YV0RBVrtuZ3hKq52kP7uV0qxiuq1NJRqdawPlb1L82n2XBEwH5UUE2IbIIlt9BfBpdxRLvywo9IYI/s1600/0-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOrbraJnEWFxqFosoInPWt7k-Vw0uTu_L4ysKvP4uKqvZkVcq9FUmDVUT7XPp-5YV0RBVrtuZ3hKq52kP7uV0qxiuq1NJRqdawPlb1L82n2XBEwH5UUE2IbIIlt9BfBpdxRLvywo9IYI/s320/0-19.jpeg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0-LrusFKICZb_hfrwY8uXOwgFNsl2EFipKVNmONHoyqG_8C1-ucifWJHE_NxaSX0b3tIL_AE0L8sZhC3jfjLLse03iXdQH1mJVFNXKkMZV3esbhBtNs2p4aKVyFiIN0aqftOgxAwLQU/s1600/0-20.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0-LrusFKICZb_hfrwY8uXOwgFNsl2EFipKVNmONHoyqG_8C1-ucifWJHE_NxaSX0b3tIL_AE0L8sZhC3jfjLLse03iXdQH1mJVFNXKkMZV3esbhBtNs2p4aKVyFiIN0aqftOgxAwLQU/s320/0-20.jpeg" width="192" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When he gets a connection he will also be sending me updates and photos of his hike. I will keep you posted.......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRKkxLyAOo55bZfaeJUYVFQbJu0gNY61bVa7sNeM_EyKyk1-KYsfiDOz7PphbvzBWx3swBN7C7uYbvemQqqBOLdMmvJiMv8jrqdaEzDgkDl0VwaM8oSK282wm9Si6Hnpi8pthA8fPlCw/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRKkxLyAOo55bZfaeJUYVFQbJu0gNY61bVa7sNeM_EyKyk1-KYsfiDOz7PphbvzBWx3swBN7C7uYbvemQqqBOLdMmvJiMv8jrqdaEzDgkDl0VwaM8oSK282wm9Si6Hnpi8pthA8fPlCw/s320/0-1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">BOO loves doing puzzles but is not a big help.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">BOO helping me write this blog</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenuX6j_kRNuzAKzIMSSUbiXsjRGkL-f5eNPVT4myPLCswf7C1BLvf5Mu4Qn9TcalpugAc7ik5_hB1hCgpIqpJRC15JQ0ucCmiWlIimwGValCXzCEXjIb1x6NA_6YhSZ-VsWCkG4qDQ9w/s1600/0-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenuX6j_kRNuzAKzIMSSUbiXsjRGkL-f5eNPVT4myPLCswf7C1BLvf5Mu4Qn9TcalpugAc7ik5_hB1hCgpIqpJRC15JQ0ucCmiWlIimwGValCXzCEXjIb1x6NA_6YhSZ-VsWCkG4qDQ9w/s320/0-8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">View of the Kootenai River from bridge in photo below</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A stop on the way to Idaho near Troy, Mt</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Diablo Lake in the North Cascades NP</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbOHPz_gddvlUEvrSSjrM4AJTC9r9pLQsThGyrRNrXXhv7UddcDvFY2sp7xsck9F_N0id5Dx9pZOu37nJcNnY2EbfNTkLlVxhMjJJG-MV0UKtdPoF8XB9iCgodQHOIr3TqVLXkB1ROh8/s1600/0-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1"></a><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Added a few extra photos </span></div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-26754524128756998112018-07-25T15:53:00.001-07:002018-07-26T11:14:00.108-07:00ALMOST FINISHED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0B3Bj639Ps5XHQzkgviQ_mgkjZ40ycXqftgEuBbXfNl8JwTu5uCd7YVbRvAnZNxCnbt3005IJfIaLgnms-Srj-U3cWoDtSHaoksbP9PshtVZvikAk2oUkDX_wSAG9Z2enQwMlizQII/s1600/Donner-hike-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0B3Bj639Ps5XHQzkgviQ_mgkjZ40ycXqftgEuBbXfNl8JwTu5uCd7YVbRvAnZNxCnbt3005IJfIaLgnms-Srj-U3cWoDtSHaoksbP9PshtVZvikAk2oUkDX_wSAG9Z2enQwMlizQII/s640/Donner-hike-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>DONNER LAKE IN THE DISTANCE ON THE WAY TO DONNER PASS</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dick's energy was renewed from his time with Joel and Wendy, and the views as he hiked up and away from Lake Tahoe were beautiful.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG9rbeLZooIcIAPiyTA8bTRWS4cjmnX1I2mY_DEWtWQ12A2NUR3peKyi7bwyXuFvfLMm-V6-Jyd_dUm6jSI5DH8QUbXY9rzNdVbsqEjxPSToSBqAgx4JCvQq6Nc77mYdJxEGWMebjKQI/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG9rbeLZooIcIAPiyTA8bTRWS4cjmnX1I2mY_DEWtWQ12A2NUR3peKyi7bwyXuFvfLMm-V6-Jyd_dUm6jSI5DH8QUbXY9rzNdVbsqEjxPSToSBqAgx4JCvQq6Nc77mYdJxEGWMebjKQI/s400/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TUNNEL BELOW HWY 80 AT DONNER PASS</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His original plan when he left home was to only go as far as Donner Pass but he reached that point sooner than planned and still had time before he had to catch his flight home. So he continued on....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">After Donner Pass where he camped for the night, he was startled out of a deep sleep by a noise. He thought he was having a nightmare when he woke up to the sight of a bear's head at the entrance of his tent. The bear had busted through the outside zipper and all that was between the two of them was the tent netting. Dick yelled and, fortunately, the bear took off. Dick had left his bear canister with my brother, Joel, because he didn't want to carry the extra 2 lbs since it wasn't required. He </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">was only required to carry his food in the canister through the Sierras and Lassen National Park. I asked him why he didn't hang his food and he said if he hung it the bear would get it for sure! Keeping it in the tent with him he would be able to protect it and at least have a chance to negotiate. :-}</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUij7XPXNfKtxtDKI5kOZcZTDubTCRHDgA76rerKsK8S0z0B_ug-x__0rPB5lnNaZjFIUfApZaM0u6F6g2Cld6ft0n_IxitI3547Bs4OwvrwoIWslfByoDXsrVV0sQAM9r1GG8mi71cuw/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUij7XPXNfKtxtDKI5kOZcZTDubTCRHDgA76rerKsK8S0z0B_ug-x__0rPB5lnNaZjFIUfApZaM0u6F6g2Cld6ft0n_IxitI3547Bs4OwvrwoIWslfByoDXsrVV0sQAM9r1GG8mi71cuw/s400/unnamed-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>AFTER DONNER PASS, DICK HIKED PAST THE PETER GRUBB HUT. <br />IT WAS OVERFLOWING WITH HIKERS STAYING FOR THE NIGHT, SO HE CHOSE</b><br />
<b>TO STAY IN HIS TENT UP THE TRAIL. LITTLE DID HE KNOW HE WOULD BE</b><br />
<b>SHARING HIS TENT THAT NIGHT WITH A BEAR.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received an email from our friend, Sue Piscatella, who lives in Nevada City. She had been keeping up on Dick's hike and coordinated with me and the satellite communicator approximately when he would be crossing hwy 49, which was a couple hours from her house. She wanted to surprise him with snacks. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCe6nQ_axAUdcSvynzLpTeO86lHmvgaHbpnjM9PLhLkcE1Lqrkt0pGg1D-ZDsxYuHobvrkVJ2dtZPLDOaOCGLxt3doz4TyU_Fwt1k8HtIbJEVfw5z3Gr7_0cKFweHxrLoNMO5YJ6ExNE/s1600/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="480" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCe6nQ_axAUdcSvynzLpTeO86lHmvgaHbpnjM9PLhLkcE1Lqrkt0pGg1D-ZDsxYuHobvrkVJ2dtZPLDOaOCGLxt3doz4TyU_Fwt1k8HtIbJEVfw5z3Gr7_0cKFweHxrLoNMO5YJ6ExNE/s400/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> DICK WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN SUE MET UP WITH HIM ON THE TRAIL (early morning).</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TRAIL ANGEL SUE ARRIVED WITH FOOD!</b></td></tr>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><u>SUE's Text to me</u></b>: So I got there around 6:30 and decided to hike in until 7 a.m. thinking I would see him. Since it was mostly up hill I decided I would walk until 7:10 and than turn around. Two old guys and a young girl passed me. I asked about Dick but they said everyone was still in their tents when they left. So then I started to think I missed him, that he got up early or my mileage was wrong. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But I said keep going you didn’t come this far not to see him. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">At 7:08, 2 minutes from turning around, I see a guy and say Hi Dick...took him a minute and he recognized me. So we hiked to my car and we went to Sierra City and had breakfast. It was meant to be...nice chatting with him...he told me he misses his life, he misses his wife. ❤️ He had also planned on having l</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">unch at Sierra City but since I had loaded him with sandwiches he was ready to go. I drove him back to the trail..he said he had 4 miles to climb up but these ups were nothing compared to the Sierras and he planned on eating again when he got to the top. He even took the rest of the milk 😂 he looked really good.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sue brought him a bag of donuts, a half gallon of milk and two huge hoagie sandwiches. I asked her if he smelled bad. She said, "No, he told me when he reached Jackson Reservoir he jumped in fully dressed and he looked pretty clean. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>YUBA RIVER NORTH FORK at HWY 49</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>NORTH FORK FEATHER RIVER - BELDEN</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWAySnjJZS4_xdjwfYLGACZmeL3zmt5zoefAy_2AswQrCuffdgYUz5mUsy8DZC-lkjl55u2utXLjhESw9dXYpZgsRTfX01dsUs7LDTb3Gn00kOffK9VgjXRryRMwzz3QYpl6pfUPad4A/s1600/cxsqybmm.jpg%253Bpreset%253Dcrmls%253Bw%253D640%253Bh%253D480%253Bbgcolor%253Dwhite%253Bscale%253Dboth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWAySnjJZS4_xdjwfYLGACZmeL3zmt5zoefAy_2AswQrCuffdgYUz5mUsy8DZC-lkjl55u2utXLjhESw9dXYpZgsRTfX01dsUs7LDTb3Gn00kOffK9VgjXRryRMwzz3QYpl6pfUPad4A/s400/cxsqybmm.jpg%253Bpreset%253Dcrmls%253Bw%253D640%253Bh%253D480%253Bbgcolor%253Dwhite%253Bscale%253Dboth.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CARIBOU CROSSROADS IN BELDEN</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I shipped his 3RD and final resupply box to Caribou Crossroads in Belden. As he was walking the road into town a woman </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(another trail angel) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pulled over and asked if he wanted a ride. It just happened to be the owner of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Braatens Little Haven. The Braatens built an addition to their house specifically for PCT hikers, complete with two bedrooms (2 beds in each), kitchen and bathroom. She invited him to stay in one of the rooms (only $10 a night). He had a room all to himself (at least that's what he told me). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was only a quarter mile from Braatens to Caribou Crossroads where he did his laundry and, of course, to get some food and have one of their famous milkshakes he kept hearing were “The Best Milkshakes on the PCT.” He was so into eating that he completely forgot he had his resupply box waiting for him there. A pile of resupply boxes caught his eye and then it registered. This has been his M O on this hike - when he reaches towns or food along the trail he is so into eating that he doesn't take any pictures or send any info on what he is doing, which has made it difficult for me. He admitted he is not a good photo journalist.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He left Belden and hiked most of the day and had no plans to go to the town of Chester which is about 8 miles off the trail, but when he was crossing the road leading into town, a trail angel just happened to be there dropping off a group of hikers at the trailhead. When the driver said he was heading back into town and offered him a ride, he thought, why not? He camped with several others in a church yard. He said it was nice catching up with some other hikers he'd met, plus a chance to get a shower, do laundry, and EAT. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, back at the ranch</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, my sister flew here from California to visit me for 8 days. There was rarely a dull moment. We were on the go visiting friends and family and just enjoying northern Michigan together. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>ENJOYING TIME WITH MY SISTER, KATHY. </b><br />
<b>NO, WE'RE NOT TWINS. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>WE TOOK A TRIP SOUTH TO SEE "THE FARM" IN MARTIN, MI.<br />OUR MOM WAS BORN HERE AND WHERE WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WHEN WE WERE KIDS.<br />SO MANY FUN TIMES PLAYING IN THE BARN AND PLAYING BASEBALL<br />ON THE FRONT LAWN.....AND THE WONDERFUL MEALS HERE WITH FAMILY.....MEMORIES</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>THIS IS WHAT THE FARM LOOKS LIKE NOW. IT SURE SEEMED A LOT BIGGER AS KIDS. <br /> NO ONE WAS HOME SO WE HAD FUN LOOKING AROUND AND REMINISCING. </b><br />
<b>IT WAS SAD TO SEE THE BARN IS GONE.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="m_4262585740103307148gmail-tr-caption" style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 4px;"><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">WE ENJOYED VISITING WITH OUR AUNT ROSEMARY AND UNCLE RED</b> <b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">IN AUGUSTA. <br />OUR GRANDPARENTS ALSO LIVED HERE SO THIS IS ANOTHER PLACE WE <br />VISITED A LOT WHEN WE WERE KIDS. LOVED OUR TIMES IN THIS LITTLE TOWN.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">(THE FIRST YEAR OF MY LIFE I LIVED THERE.)</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Also, I had RV friends, Tony and Dee Dee Sparks, camp in our yard overnight as they passed through on their way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Dick missed out on a fun visit with them. I wasn't quite sure how their 34' motorhome was going to fit in our driveway, but Tony managed to turn it around in our yard and the spot was perfect. (George & Nan - now we know where you'll be parking your motorhome when you arrive).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've enjoyed being home but I miss my RV lifestyle and I feel like I'm missing out on some beautiful areas where Dick is hiking (besides being closer to him where I can see him more). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, back on the trail, from Chester, Dick headed for Lassen National Park. His plan was to camp just outside the southern border and then do the miles through the park since he no longer carried the required bear canister. Other hikers told him about a campground 5 miles into the park with bear boxes so he stayed the night there. (For those who don't know what a bear box is - pic below.) He hiked the remaining 20 miles the next day to reach the northern border of the park. He was hiking in very hot weather at this point so he'd hoped for a tree-shaded trail but, unfortunately, his hike in the park was mostly through a burned area. Again he was thankful for his trusty umbrella.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After leaving the tiny town of Old Station, just north of Lassen NP he hiked a high treeless ridge for 30 miles all the way to Burney, hiking again in triple digit heat. About 10 miles in he passes a cooler full of refreshments for hikers - pop, water, oranges etc... The timing was just right! He was getting low on water. Then he'd hiked about another 10 miles when what to his wondering eyes should appear, but a guy with a truck camper handing out root beer floats to hikers (pictured below - Coppertone is his trail name). <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Dick wondered how he kept all the ice cream cold in that little camper freezer. T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">he generosity he's seen and experienced on the Pacific Crest Trail amazes him. Trail Magic for sure.</span></span></span><br />
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Heading north from Lassen towards Burney Falls he headed for the Burney Tourist Ranch - a beautiful Oasis for hikers in a scenic setting. It is only 1/4 mile off the trail and he smelled food. After his "energy" breakfast, he did his laundry, took a $3 shower and he was back on the trail by 10 a.m. Wow - nice place in the middle of nowhere (pic below).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Today Dick is just outside of Dunsmuir, where he will catch a 6 hour train ride to Sacramento. (First he will get a room so he can clean up a bit so he doesn't gross everyone out) My brother, Joel, is going to pick him up and deliver him to my sister (the one who visited me) and brother-in-law. He will stay with them until the 31st when he'll catch a red-eye out of Reno. I'm sure they have lots of plans and will pamper him and feed him well. He will have hiked a total of 850 miles on this section of the PCT. A total of 1501 miles since Campo at the border of Mexico. He hikes around 25 to 30 miles a day. He said that he has "literally walked his ass off", and that he is skin and bones and he smells real bad!! But he says he feels great - no aches or pains. This trip is the total opposite of the section he hiked in March where he endured rain (or snow) every day. This time there was not a drop of rain the whole 6 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photos below taken when he reached the MID POINT OF THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL. The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-57051610064567343262018-07-10T08:01:00.005-07:002018-07-10T11:45:22.355-07:00KEEP ON, KEEPIN ON!<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/AVvXsEjpARgugWxfIzb0MUWz7DPIIDeyaBNzWufTCh6r1lbKHgRilK9ektVkX88FIzO2n8rZBzd0awxFc2QuHjwU0kd7gOLIxPu33xMczSKrTHGo16C9dYbxL38MdDU3-Ky2SGz44A-PPNy0-GM/s1600/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpARgugWxfIzb0MUWz7DPIIDeyaBNzWufTCh6r1lbKHgRilK9ektVkX88FIzO2n8rZBzd0awxFc2QuHjwU0kd7gOLIxPu33xMczSKrTHGo16C9dYbxL38MdDU3-Ky2SGz44A-PPNy0-GM/s400/unnamed-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1000 MILE MARK (PCT is 2,650 miles total)</b></td></tr>
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Not much to report this time. I rarely hear from him since he has no phone service. I just continue to get the pre-set messages via satellite - morning, mid-day and night. So I know he's alive and well. No weather events or injuries. He's just enjoying this beautiful part of the PCT. He hikes about 25 mile days from dawn to dusk and keeps up with the younger hikers. They stop and take time off to go into towns to eat, he bypasses the towns and keeps on moving. He leaves his boots on and sloshes through the water crossings and they stop and take off their boots and cross in sandals. Next thing they pass him again and then he passes them when they stop. He calls it leapfrogging.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>ONE MORNING THESE TRAIL ANGELS (Patty and Maurice) HOLLERED AS HE</b><br />
<b>WAS HIKING BY, "HEY, WANT SOME BREAKFAST BURRITOS?"</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>HIKERS ENJOYING SOME TRAIL MAGIC (chairs even provided)</b></td></tr>
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He has met several Trail Angels. This is how someone described Trail Magic in an article I read on-line "It can be a moment of extreme beauty, feelings of connectedness or a remarkable wildlife experience that becomes trail magic when a hiker really needs it to continue." Dick says, to him, Trail Magic is when he's hiking along and hikes by someone cooking and offering him food."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>MY BROTHER, JOEL, RELAXING AT THE CAMPGROUND (</b>Photo by Wendy)</td></tr>
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One special time of Trail Magic was when my brother and his wife drove their pickup camper 90 miles from their home in Newcastle to meet Dick at Echo Summit, where the trail meets hwy 50. They took him to a campground on south Lake Tahoe for two days and treated (fed) him royally. He needs to be fattened up. He's looking a bit thin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hJk5CGs4v4GWZZWwx_6hwxOrSZJPkW1Su_-YVqQ0dL9zTvz8YFnzEO88p_iNixz0CGCo1EViITAPNOMo_z2fUjOmAWnjCoo7i5P0JsFXejVUjCavB-LVha201xN_7JzglW40Lxky6xc/s1600/1970%2527sbackpking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hJk5CGs4v4GWZZWwx_6hwxOrSZJPkW1Su_-YVqQ0dL9zTvz8YFnzEO88p_iNixz0CGCo1EViITAPNOMo_z2fUjOmAWnjCoo7i5P0JsFXejVUjCavB-LVha201xN_7JzglW40Lxky6xc/s320/1970%2527sbackpking.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A BLAST FROM THE PAST: Photo taken 1979. When my brother, Joel, was around 15, </b><br />
<b>he traveled with us several summers to different National Parks. This was a backpacking<br />trip in the Grand Tetons. (Looks like Dick is carrying most of the gear).<br />Joel still doesn't like backpacking but loves the National Parks. </b></td></tr>
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Meanwhile, I'm staying busy here at home. Lots to do here (work and play), although I do miss my best friend and handyman. One day while I went biking, I returned home to my friends mowing my yard. Thank you again Kyle and Joe - I appreciate you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BEAUTIFUL WHEN IT'S MOWED!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi69h0UgJOGeGfrgNuJqhKydsMGGydByp2SuVP0KsJtJk0eFu6W1gO8SOGh-tSaOys1mfXz1JzA5K_JUTI_UCTaU1GBRzmABs75iJr9rydaod5i4zwd6_ijKEaol12MkXu-W9e7FK4Zg/s1600/unnamed-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1125" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi69h0UgJOGeGfrgNuJqhKydsMGGydByp2SuVP0KsJtJk0eFu6W1gO8SOGh-tSaOys1mfXz1JzA5K_JUTI_UCTaU1GBRzmABs75iJr9rydaod5i4zwd6_ijKEaol12MkXu-W9e7FK4Zg/s320/unnamed-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>THESE TWO WORKED WHILE I PLAYED! (YOU ARE NOW OFFICIALLY PART OF THE SUPPORT TEAM)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BOO HAS THE RIGHT IDEA IN THIS HEAT WAVE</b></td></tr>
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Just before sending this, I noticed these photos came across my email. Must be his phone has a connection! I'm assuming these are views of Lake Tahoe and the trail.<br />
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.....and as the happy hiker would say, "Keep Smilin"!<br />
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Gaunt and thin but a happy camper.<br />
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-55589592901247790892018-06-29T13:14:00.001-07:002018-06-30T10:04:38.788-07:00HE'S AT IT AGAIN!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BACK ON THE TRAIL AGAIN</b></td></tr>
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As many of you know, Dick is back on the Pacific Crest Trail. He flew to Bakersfield, CA mid-June and took a shuttle to the town of Lake Isabella where he picked up his cooking fuel, shipped ahead of time to the post office (not allowed on the plane). He slept behind a church and caught the 5:30 a.m. shuttle to Walker Pass and began hiking north. He hiked in triple digit temps the first three days to Kennedy Meadows, the gateway to the Sierra Mtns. Fortunately, it's cooled down to 80s and 90s in the mountains.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>HE HIKED 8 MILES OFF TRAIL TO REACH THE TOP OF MT. WHITNEY<br />AND SAID THE VIEWS WERE AMAZING AND WORTH THE EFFORT.<br />(</b>It took him 11 hrs to hike the 16 miles up and then back to the PCT) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>MODELING HIS NEW HAT MADE BY PATAGONIA<br />HE SAYS HE LOOKS DORKY BUT THE FLAPS PROTECT<br />THE SIDES OF HIS FACE MORE. (</b>Health before handsome).</td></tr>
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For this trip I convinced Dick to purchase a satellite communicator. This was a very good investment. Out of his first 12 days on the trail, he only had a phone connection twice (he has Verizon. He noticed the hikers with ATT were talking on their phones). His first call was from the top of Mt. Whitney and the second when he made it to Red's Meadow Camp near the town of Mammoth Lakes. It eases my mind to receive his pre-set messages via satellite morning, mid-day and evening, and what's really fun is that I also get a map of where he is.<br />
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By the time he reached Mammoth Lakes (where he took a "NERO" to regroup) he'd hiked approx 255 miles out of the 6 or 700 he plans to hike on this trip. A total of 905 miles since the border of Mexico. There has been a lot of snow at Muir, Forester and Mather Passes and he <b>ONLY</b> fell twice. On one fall he tore his hiking pants, and on another he lost his favorite knife that he's had for nearly 40 years, plus both water bottles came out of their holders and slid down to no-man's land. He also broke a piece of camera equipment. He sent one message to me through the satellite communicator that read, "Send spare pair of hiking pants to Mammoth Lakes. Ripped the ass out of these and they are sewn together with dental floss." See - I knew that thing would come in handy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>GRUMPY BEARS at Kennedy Meadows</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>GREAT TO MEET UP WITH LINDA MOORE</b><br />
<b>(</b><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Kennedy Meadows is a place where many hikers stop and get food and water.</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> )</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We have been following a friend on Facebook (above) who started hiking the PCT in mid-April. Dick said there would be no way he would meet up with her because she would be way behind him. When he arrived at Kennedy Meadows there she was. She had skipped ahead because of the triple digit heat.</span><br />
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When Dick finally got a phone connection, he told me all of his woes about falling and losing things and the heat and mosquitoes and another small leak in his sleeping pad etc... I made the comment that I thought he sounded discouraged and wasn't enjoying the hike. He quickly pepped up and said, "Oh no, it is fantastic. It is so beautiful out here and especially on the John Muir trail and I'm loving it."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0IgZ_55iaX9Lr3IbZ6w_-CcOpIf6LbsLTF0N0Z9lk3EvJ83zRjfn2RtBTHk5Gpxxz2DQAdz4zytd3wrJqhV9wSHj0iuCebS55f2StLB9wVZxpiNsfzaxKvD8x8LEehB28LWMIY_hFLg/s1600/36281705_10216385978150724_8502056318423531520_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0IgZ_55iaX9Lr3IbZ6w_-CcOpIf6LbsLTF0N0Z9lk3EvJ83zRjfn2RtBTHk5Gpxxz2DQAdz4zytd3wrJqhV9wSHj0iuCebS55f2StLB9wVZxpiNsfzaxKvD8x8LEehB28LWMIY_hFLg/s320/36281705_10216385978150724_8502056318423531520_n.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>DICK AND GEORGE<br />(I'm sure there was a lot of blarney going on between these two Irishmen)</b></td></tr>
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I coordinated a meetup with a friend (above) we met in 1981 while working in Alaska. When I saw on Facebook he was hiking the John Muir Trail and heading south in the same area at the same time Dick was heading north, I messaged George and sent him a picture of Dick and told him to watch for a bearded 68 year old (not many out there that fits that description). George told me to tell Dick what to look for. Dick would have normally stayed on the Pacific Crest Trail but took the John Muir Trail cutoff so they could meet up. George sent the above photo and said, "Surprise, surprise, at 7 pm, who comes strolling in and finds us. What a fun hour we had with him, regaling us with all of his adventures! Truly a wonderful cap to our fun day!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>DICK ENJOYED HIKING A BIT WITH MANNE WHO IS FROM SWEDEN<br />(photo taken at Crabtree Meadows)</b></td></tr>
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People ask me all the time if he is hiking alone. Yes, most of the time, but there are so many people on the trail. He passes at least a dozen a day. There is estimated to be over 3,000+ on the trail this year. Not all will make it to the end.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL LAKES AND GLACIER CARVED VALLEYS</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>PARK RANGER WITH MULE TRAIN BY RAE LAKE<br />(King's Canyon National Park)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CAMPING IN SOLITUDE</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>MUIR PASS SHELTER </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>ANOTHER GREAT CAMPSITE</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqnVKdJ-H0MLOYFy96pmFIyoHOge-LZfrt5Zgcu2ebZ9zDhVFzhP1Tng94UsnPGg7xdr-5OKYT-OWTI_b2ETgMqRtOovfe58mmXh53xmnFB0Pg20FOUL2OASXjd767WBq1mDzyC-bui8/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqnVKdJ-H0MLOYFy96pmFIyoHOge-LZfrt5Zgcu2ebZ9zDhVFzhP1Tng94UsnPGg7xdr-5OKYT-OWTI_b2ETgMqRtOovfe58mmXh53xmnFB0Pg20FOUL2OASXjd767WBq1mDzyC-bui8/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>HE TOOK A 45 MINUTE PONTOON BOAT RIDE TO VVR (Vermillion Valley Resort)</b><br />
<b>HE WANTED A HAMBURGER AND WIFI</b><br />
<b>(This is only the back half of the boat)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>LOVE THIS PHOTO - COW PIE CAIRN</b></td></tr>
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<b>He is now at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. The only reason I know this for sure is I see food purchases coming through on our credit card. To be continued...</b>THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-71100837100942758762018-03-30T13:24:00.001-07:002018-03-31T09:37:48.184-07:00651 MILES OF THE PCT CONQUERED<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId-HZqUtBVY_EkO5yrvy6PBZNohcRIiUdnCTn7138PTXjsPNDzFPPW1L6TpwvypS6r-u1eW6oJHwRbuzygabYl4oruczNWsmsZeACXCNmoRKW3S5t9ja8QwnwVmB6OEZwgKK0ZvfxbGQ/s1600/1024px-Weavers_Needle-Peralta_view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId-HZqUtBVY_EkO5yrvy6PBZNohcRIiUdnCTn7138PTXjsPNDzFPPW1L6TpwvypS6r-u1eW6oJHwRbuzygabYl4oruczNWsmsZeACXCNmoRKW3S5t9ja8QwnwVmB6OEZwgKK0ZvfxbGQ/s640/1024px-Weavers_Needle-Peralta_view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A view of Weaver's Needle</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>FROM GAILA:</b> </div>
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When Dick finished the hike he took a shuttle from Big Bear Lake to Ontario, CA. to catch the 11 pm train. It was a 6.5 hour ride to Maricopa, AZ where mom and I picked him up. He was happy to be back. After a shave and a haircut he's beginning to look less of a mountain man! We will be heading back to Michigan soon.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y2C5QadLKPG_7rdov6HgIFDQ9tos1rExheW2bv4gngftboDHUp_a_jOvJgQUwoD-MRAOS2zaYj_Vn99YkoovzvW48-WYuczLFgY4X7raIK1fbIIqgTwX1DL0-1ZMFqWgI0A90wjba0k/s1600/unnamed-7+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="710" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y2C5QadLKPG_7rdov6HgIFDQ9tos1rExheW2bv4gngftboDHUp_a_jOvJgQUwoD-MRAOS2zaYj_Vn99YkoovzvW48-WYuczLFgY4X7raIK1fbIIqgTwX1DL0-1ZMFqWgI0A90wjba0k/s320/unnamed-7+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It's time to move on because these guys are moving in!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">They are relocated away from the campground.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgQJgD89D8wnhmQD-Uf-YGhFXhT2wIQqXbRGyCq4lVH_uQwQ9DT5f0Uin96Tbi6WqUF09S2pYV3V8UIagk1iRvPBgjrq8DTJtRXTM2k5XON_-iX-P_x2mUaZLOlDdHqtuPFyXEByADZU/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="715" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgQJgD89D8wnhmQD-Uf-YGhFXhT2wIQqXbRGyCq4lVH_uQwQ9DT5f0Uin96Tbi6WqUF09S2pYV3V8UIagk1iRvPBgjrq8DTJtRXTM2k5XON_-iX-P_x2mUaZLOlDdHqtuPFyXEByADZU/s320/unnamed-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Thought BOO got out of the motorhome but this guy belonged<br />to the neighbors camped next door. They said they just let him<br />run free and he always returns at the end of the day.<br /> (NOT if a coyote or a snake gets him!) I was tempted to keep him.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz65KyboVjFC8Mex6AUBWnb1XJMWwrJ6ptWu8DLF12YNFQ8-CShORgsaS9qCP0bM8ESoNsX6fI7DvoOGOgrBpC9E5Y0ne28wCh6UbgJGBQ6yjhcuoBYwwALJ18WNGrgqnoInfztNjOu9I/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz65KyboVjFC8Mex6AUBWnb1XJMWwrJ6ptWu8DLF12YNFQ8-CShORgsaS9qCP0bM8ESoNsX6fI7DvoOGOgrBpC9E5Y0ne28wCh6UbgJGBQ6yjhcuoBYwwALJ18WNGrgqnoInfztNjOu9I/s320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">She returns every year and nests at the Public Library.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCUGSp2BCF-LRsudaV45TTGsKw82mF0uDAR3cIKDDHPlJOSaYsrMG_yG5JfmeSxDKw87qOonnwXutotpZIBwuSIWKrbBkvBBFICglDcjNYE4WQmbxv1gGnXo1-1HzjNMzmv_m2WGgoAM/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1198" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCUGSp2BCF-LRsudaV45TTGsKw82mF0uDAR3cIKDDHPlJOSaYsrMG_yG5JfmeSxDKw87qOonnwXutotpZIBwuSIWKrbBkvBBFICglDcjNYE4WQmbxv1gGnXo1-1HzjNMzmv_m2WGgoAM/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thankfully, the Saturn hung in there while Dick was gone.<br />The day before he left it had mechanical problems (long story)<br />so I was instructed to baby it until I got above 20 MPH.<br />We hope it hangs in there until we get home.</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>FROM DICK:</b></div>
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I hiked to Cajon Pass through tunnels under railroad tracks and Interstate 15. I was heading for the Best Western. This was where I planned to regroup and pick up my second resupply box (the first one was picked up in Lake Hughes). It was supposed to be my ONLY indoor stay on this hike, but due to all the wet and cold this was my fourth (counting the RV). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hz0mlswWRt9f9LGzzRou2os6qRusdI9Axu-mXeq6BgGrM7FxU0aB9hemcrRGdgnkYvu2MXpJ8d0_3ytxb4GIvzRfCuspa9eKwTVssvHyy2CqtVcP3J52T0cqi2BhokpAM_rhk92TDSM/s1600/unnamed-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hz0mlswWRt9f9LGzzRou2os6qRusdI9Axu-mXeq6BgGrM7FxU0aB9hemcrRGdgnkYvu2MXpJ8d0_3ytxb4GIvzRfCuspa9eKwTVssvHyy2CqtVcP3J52T0cqi2BhokpAM_rhk92TDSM/s1600/unnamed-11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Tunnel under the railroad tracks</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVLKizpgl7GCoaemjPtcZ05o6jdei2Wz965BGO5xGatb7EqBwYiK1Ie3c23azjqXUV00ex4AnEBgMfwUNMBfMaAjpRS18mDJ4a1LBoSvzg7Garx_XhwB05-crIdKPNZ1PQWeQtLXGmRo/s1600/unnamed-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVLKizpgl7GCoaemjPtcZ05o6jdei2Wz965BGO5xGatb7EqBwYiK1Ie3c23azjqXUV00ex4AnEBgMfwUNMBfMaAjpRS18mDJ4a1LBoSvzg7Garx_XhwB05-crIdKPNZ1PQWeQtLXGmRo/s320/unnamed-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It's fun opening my resupply box but it means a heavy pack again for a few days.</span></b></td></tr>
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When I left the next day, the weather report said it wasn’t supposed to rain but by noon it started. It rained all day and all night - a cold wind-driven rain! I felt like a drowned rat! The next morning I put on my rain gear and packed up early to get away from the hill I was camped at in case of a mudslide. The Sierra snowpack has doubled since I left on this trip and the storm that came through added more.<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">By this time, I started meeting more northbounders, but many were miserable and quitting between Big Bear and Wrightwood. Hiking north from Mexico they had also encountered a lot of wet and cold weather. </span>When I met up with them they hadn't even hit the bad snow yet except for the few miles across Mt. Jacinto. Many of them were light-weight minimalists and weren't carrying gear that would help make it a little more comfortable for them. They pack so light they don't have enough layers or good shelter. I just don't get some of the "gram weenies". I go as light as I can but I will add on pounds for comfort (of course, many of you don't get why I do what I do! ha)<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, towards the end of the day, the sun came out and it was beautiful. I found Deep Creek Hot Springs and had a nice soak while I let my gear dry out.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bpkmi0dKsDcTTkZhcnrSCvddDRnhAGd207ae3LJjek9jwMWGIBKC0RLe2E6Vu2j8R7E3saQzmebCuJa7oaHbfPgkeTbHZmEK7fElwf-r4pvpLMV6ePst2wiJf8zZiWkK4GH8FxbFxRo/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bpkmi0dKsDcTTkZhcnrSCvddDRnhAGd207ae3LJjek9jwMWGIBKC0RLe2E6Vu2j8R7E3saQzmebCuJa7oaHbfPgkeTbHZmEK7fElwf-r4pvpLMV6ePst2wiJf8zZiWkK4GH8FxbFxRo/s400/unnamed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Camped next to the hot springs.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU6-Vg43xRH4HUgmW_Bvro613E3Td_yXGekU6T8h9xsud76xHPkOR2BRzkvDSA_vrXSWWAXx190M_3UZ5uOPSpKW-6jISE0pmT0sAcD_-o3h1zJC_OCkaVJibVqZItCHffBc7oiSVdCY/s1600/rocky-canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="947" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU6-Vg43xRH4HUgmW_Bvro613E3Td_yXGekU6T8h9xsud76xHPkOR2BRzkvDSA_vrXSWWAXx190M_3UZ5uOPSpKW-6jISE0pmT0sAcD_-o3h1zJC_OCkaVJibVqZItCHffBc7oiSVdCY/s400/rocky-canyon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A much-deserved refreshing evening!</span></b></td></tr>
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Every day from the Hot Springs the weather was cold but thankfully sunny. Prior to the springs there was plenty of water because of the two-day downpour. My water bottles were frozen every morning but things were fairly dry, besides condensation. </div>
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On the trail south of Big Bear is this private zoo for Hollywood animals. I had read about it in other PCT hiker blogs. Looks like this grizzly was being treated like a movie star. He was eating the biggest steak I’ve ever seen - or a PCT hiker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs2ZvHfd0aM9kVQzp9riqju4naguRzN7wjb7EFuOFnKRw7iaF4AD5rkPEgoB8MW5rbDmLE0-ISo9jieIPbs025lgHui-KfQ0NSPNqSckAb2q7mRjxcMi89aHG7QrPoIjvsfsl7W4B4os/s1600/2017_0509_06304900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs2ZvHfd0aM9kVQzp9riqju4naguRzN7wjb7EFuOFnKRw7iaF4AD5rkPEgoB8MW5rbDmLE0-ISo9jieIPbs025lgHui-KfQ0NSPNqSckAb2q7mRjxcMi89aHG7QrPoIjvsfsl7W4B4os/s400/2017_0509_06304900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #323333; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: small;"><b>Who says California doesn't have grizzlies?</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Coming around Big Bear I could see in the distance Mt. Jacinto, the beast that tried to slay me last year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICtfTpLaM3HNwGG6vzb8faVoejmrmIY-FhXeCo7n6KB_d7QxxBtCSODm1wkciFNMGYwUkLZPW7rL-5xtNmgFk1GgOBbbDp1j5NyapihgiGW60CKKqCGhLEUhYKIWcrPMcugUSDboiDfg/s1600/unnamed-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICtfTpLaM3HNwGG6vzb8faVoejmrmIY-FhXeCo7n6KB_d7QxxBtCSODm1wkciFNMGYwUkLZPW7rL-5xtNmgFk1GgOBbbDp1j5NyapihgiGW60CKKqCGhLEUhYKIWcrPMcugUSDboiDfg/s640/unnamed-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A beautiful view of Mt. Jacinto</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #323333; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> I reached Mile 246 where I left off last March. Twenty-six days to hike 400 miles. I walked a FS road to </span><span style="color: #323333; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">the Heart Bar Family Campground. It was closed but I stayed the night anyway. The next morning, my plan was to hitchhike back to Big Bear Lake to catch a shuttle. I stood three hours in the cold wind before finally a car full of four Russian kids gave me a ride. Only one could speak limited English. But in the 16 miles to Big Bear I was able to launder some money, found out who's going to win the mid-terms, and learned that next 3 elections Putin wins (I kept my mouth shut - I didn't want to talk politics).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1iA7DWg3W4gZq7WX6o0J-OAviOKUyJVG5T4N7SJdSRzvjb1FnjU0kV5zGCB3U6MlO7kjKdYP3AXYWFPCu353vMfrK8309eVWl3woVGtC0BoU9XwHHX8_lYt41r3CQrTFdbABTYejSrM/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1iA7DWg3W4gZq7WX6o0J-OAviOKUyJVG5T4N7SJdSRzvjb1FnjU0kV5zGCB3U6MlO7kjKdYP3AXYWFPCu353vMfrK8309eVWl3woVGtC0BoU9XwHHX8_lYt41r3CQrTFdbABTYejSrM/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A hiker box put here by the Big Bear Hostel <br />where hikers can discard things to lighten their load.<br />(Or find something they may need)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfdESQr-suhKOP1g-C0EC1WjPg8BZDAr_9EnnmWbtYFFHbPdx_MFSBxTM42laTNHvd4jNLxy9wszKl7CLPMzxvwkpjCt5_kx2-lADLqUuJUytu1sjbSf-iM6ADZvOcJ5cxoJqLj5jGGs/s1600/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfdESQr-suhKOP1g-C0EC1WjPg8BZDAr_9EnnmWbtYFFHbPdx_MFSBxTM42laTNHvd4jNLxy9wszKl7CLPMzxvwkpjCt5_kx2-lADLqUuJUytu1sjbSf-iM6ADZvOcJ5cxoJqLj5jGGs/s400/unnamed-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Finish Line!</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Area burned over last June around Big Bear</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>FROM GAILA:</b></span></div>
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It's been interesting writing these three blog updates on Dick's hike, especially with him so far away. He would talk/text me about his days on the trail and then I would try to put it as much as possible in his words. Now that he has returned, he has written a more thorough blog to share. Most of it is repeat but it is definately worth taking the time to read.</div>
Click here to read Dick's blog: <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com/">http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
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BOO is thinking he may want to be shipped home overnight via UPS rather than traveling for three weeks.</div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-85406127704574656762018-03-25T16:51:00.000-07:002018-03-25T21:47:23.030-07:00KEEP ON KEEPIN ON.....<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<b>FROM GAILA</b>:<br />
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All is going well. There are so many areas where there is no phone connection for Dick to make contact with me. I haven't worried too much. A busy mind, is a happy mind and I've been busy. I am so thankful I could stay at the Lost Dutchman State Park while he was doing this hike. It's been great. This week more friends have camped here and I'm enjoying time with them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7H6HDxwqnq5iUxjgWWVvJK3xNw5B-kzeosejt-5ZLcGb4bGi6Wqfs5AFuAzaBHoIQXb7ZbJG8sU9a1YKBa4qI-Hh7AVVRHGX85fdYuK0qGYcASdVNlwIBWl2BzgAMiKJ9t2qZ7Io4Ew/s1600/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1071" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7H6HDxwqnq5iUxjgWWVvJK3xNw5B-kzeosejt-5ZLcGb4bGi6Wqfs5AFuAzaBHoIQXb7ZbJG8sU9a1YKBa4qI-Hh7AVVRHGX85fdYuK0qGYcASdVNlwIBWl2BzgAMiKJ9t2qZ7Io4Ew/s320/unnamed-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I will miss this beautiful place.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuiXGbQ7xI8Hxzc4RbHrwmlSRJjNEzWqxqbd6RJ46y9qtV2U7GXjAUqCGY14gPvzy4TMFWdiUtQnb6P4pjZ4UbtaIAJeO9d3-heYRRYC-NAubv9_56Y_tZses8RcXZmRPLPjkGs0pJ1A/s1600/unnamed-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1071" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuiXGbQ7xI8Hxzc4RbHrwmlSRJjNEzWqxqbd6RJ46y9qtV2U7GXjAUqCGY14gPvzy4TMFWdiUtQnb6P4pjZ4UbtaIAJeO9d3-heYRRYC-NAubv9_56Y_tZses8RcXZmRPLPjkGs0pJ1A/s400/unnamed-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Enjoyed a morning ride at Canyon Lake on the paddleboat "Dolly".</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I love all my Canadian friends. They know how to suck the juice out of life. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLrkJnc2_Pt0OtD6XxwLu1h3PoOVqPxstWgmzLPCQkuU1PeR14bm71z7giFuNy43BzOhL9-37V9ylzky_rIdke0Ik3iIn0vVD0MhZofNMxBHg_js-j51riVrWe21tdIdgh4rcL2ZcaYE/s1600/unnamed-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLrkJnc2_Pt0OtD6XxwLu1h3PoOVqPxstWgmzLPCQkuU1PeR14bm71z7giFuNy43BzOhL9-37V9ylzky_rIdke0Ik3iIn0vVD0MhZofNMxBHg_js-j51riVrWe21tdIdgh4rcL2ZcaYE/s320/unnamed-8.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BOO is wondering where the guy is that used to live here!</b></td></tr>
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<b>FROM DICK</b>:<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I left the Acton KOA early because I wanted to start making time. The third part of the storm front was supposed to hit late in the day. I hiked 15 miles straight up before I reached snow at about 6200 feet. They sure got the weather report right! It started raining in the late afternoon. I had made it to my campsite and set up my tent before the downpour. I woke up in the morning to an inch of snow. Every day I hiked on snow-covered trails, and every night I camped in deep snow all the way to Wrightwood and beyond. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hwy 2 was closed because of snow so I walked the road around Mt. Baden Powell from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap. The PCT crosscrosses the hwy several times. At one point I dropped down to a visitor’s center on Hwy 2 and from there continued walking the road into the town of Wrightwood.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hwy 2 was closed due to snow so I walked this safer route around Mt. Baden Powell</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I found an all-day breakfast place but they wouldn’t let me bring my pack inside. I decided to leave because I don't feel comfortable leaving my pack unattended. Then a couple with their 3 daughters said, “He can put it under our table and sit with us.” Which I did, and had a great time with them. Then when I went to pay for my breakfast, I found out they had paid without telling me. More "Trail Angels". I did see them as they were leaving town and had a chance to thank them again. The world is full of great people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I was told to go to the local hardware where they have a list of places to stay and to sign their PCT register which they’ve been keeping since 1966. Then they gave me a PCT pin. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb5csdGvkRdIaIhpWjCbf3keuIWPVUJ4woF-D1ui04hITFmXZEdOHuXi83DnLFGKWHL-ISnUQdOACbKBuSjqR484W2q0S5PFsLauxkIc43HCActJebfS3yevHlj1nrijQCSjpN8yl4cA/s1600/unnamed-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb5csdGvkRdIaIhpWjCbf3keuIWPVUJ4woF-D1ui04hITFmXZEdOHuXi83DnLFGKWHL-ISnUQdOACbKBuSjqR484W2q0S5PFsLauxkIc43HCActJebfS3yevHlj1nrijQCSjpN8yl4cA/s1600/unnamed-7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #323333;">My first choice for the night was a place for $10 run by the local Methodist Church, but it wasn’t open yet, so </span><span style="color: #323333;">I took a $30</span><span style="color: #323333;"> room at a lodge just outside of town.</span><span style="color: #323333;"> Again, I dried out all my gear and soaked in a hot bath and I was so happy to be high and dry.</span><span style="color: #323333;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For three nights it was freezing cold and I slept on several inches of snow. In the morning, my tent would be frozen to the ground, my boots were so hard I couldn't fit them on my feet, and my water bottles were frozen! So far, this has basically been a winter camping trip. I just can’t believe the weather change after all winter being so mild in the west.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UymmWE3DW9FNbh4V5WJhzOQIqhpSo9QgxGGen1EawdqjlJqp2Gt-CohQoSkqBAhGBpue5QJiVWr2KVE-l6R5zOt5bstMZWlett_U7e2ndNHdgR3aEdOI1dNf0mkyTPKWMCdPUovNNIY/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UymmWE3DW9FNbh4V5WJhzOQIqhpSo9QgxGGen1EawdqjlJqp2Gt-CohQoSkqBAhGBpue5QJiVWr2KVE-l6R5zOt5bstMZWlett_U7e2ndNHdgR3aEdOI1dNf0mkyTPKWMCdPUovNNIY/s400/unnamed-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The coldest night of all on this trip. </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m trying to get my 20 miles in a day. I get up early and deal with the cold, packing everything up and then walk until dark-thirty, but it’s slow going in the snow and trail finding. </span>I have to say, though, I’ve sure given my gear a good testing. My 5 degree bag has been the best. My boots have been very comfortable. Even in deep snow my feet aren’t cold, as long as I keep moving. When I stop at night my feet hurt but as long as I’m moving they are fine. I get up in the morning and within a couple miles my feet warm up. My possum gloves have also been great, even though I’ve worn them out from wearing them 24/7 since I started this trek. I think what wore them out was hiking with poles. The thumb and palms have holes in them - but they still keep my hands warm. It’s hard to believe because I can see my skin through them. They are great because even in the freezing cold, I can tie my shoes, button my clothes, roll up my tent, snap my pack and still my fingers stay fairly warm. </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At one point I was thinking I needed to get therapy when I get home. No, not for an injury, but for my head - to find out why I do this s---! But then there are the rewarding experiences in between that make it all worthwhile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next morning I hiked out of Wrightwood after another huge breakfast at the Evergreen Cafe. This time the owners let me bring my pack inside. The restaurant just happened to still have their </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">St. Patrick’s Day decorations up. Everyone inside asked me all kinds of questions about my hike. Of course, I entertained everyone with my blarney!</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That morning I climbed 8200 ft, back up to the snow, but it was sunny and dry. I hoped I was looking at the last of the snow for at least 100 miles. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Up, up up ......</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick sent this photo with text saying, "<i>I have been to the mountaintop <br />and I have seeeeen the other side</i>."</b><br />
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<span style="color: #323333; font-size: 16px;">It was all downhill from there all the way to Cajon Pass through brown hills and grassy canyons. The trail serpentined all the way down and then I saw it in the distance - the golden arches and it wasn't a mirage!</span><br />
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-11332103575549267022018-03-18T19:59:00.001-07:002018-03-19T10:26:23.783-07:00SLOW BUT SURE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <i>“Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.” - John Muir</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>FROM GAILA</b><i>: </i> All is going well for me so far. I had to move to a new space in the campground so I used my RV skills to dump and fill and back into a space. I was just hoping I would be the only one at the dump station because I didn't want anyone watching me. My friend agreed by saying (in his humorous way), "I hate it when people watch me dump!" </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>FROM DICK</b>:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The weather was perfect the day I returned to the trail, after drying out in a motel in Mojave and a huge brunch at Denny's. Fortunately, the rain had stopped and there was no wind or too much sun. I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> climbed 10 miles to Campana Ridge, surrounded by hundreds of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> windmills. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzyfmigq_BrunIEAghvxaXXptb0hIQ8FqMta4wS7MqIkzXuPDQlm5kHGp0_lC_O3VZv0Qa1mDPyNcnHCX1TcgXwPLJLm8AuF6BSHbMdd25wMUIHk_IxdMaI1sRax3s6w07SZXo5rJbno/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzyfmigq_BrunIEAghvxaXXptb0hIQ8FqMta4wS7MqIkzXuPDQlm5kHGp0_lC_O3VZv0Qa1mDPyNcnHCX1TcgXwPLJLm8AuF6BSHbMdd25wMUIHk_IxdMaI1sRax3s6w07SZXo5rJbno/s400/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Miles and miles of windmills </b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I spoke with workers on the trail that said I was lucky because it's usually so windy on that ridge.** The next morning I packed up early. I didn't want to be caught up there when the winds began. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I couldn't find water until late that day in a small canyon, but it was only a trickle. I realized I should have taken more. At the LA Aqueduct, where I set up camp and had counted on getting water, the faucet wasn't working. Knowing it was going to be hot the next day, and having only a liter of water left, I packed up at 3:30 a.m. and started hiking to a place called "Hiker Town".*** </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">At that time of the morning i</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t was cold and windy. When the sun came up I put my Tilley hat on over my hoodie. I was so upset when I realized the hat had blown off at some point. There was no way I was going to backtrack with only limited water supply and it could be 5 miles before finding it. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately, I had my umbrella for sun protection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The next day it was raining like crazy - a constant root soaker with lots of fog. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everything again soaked, even inside my tent due to condensation. My umbrella came in very handy once more. Fortunately, my sleeping bag is dry and I sleep warm and comfortable.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0hU_8CrTUcq62gF-q5dcdmVKoPat44mN2ZjW_bKeUH2NbmeYEQuKXffgEyzC3lo0VwEGjI_f7zEJRpJ80XNNSswAUK4RiCNc0ZhmuqiJ2ci3WH-AsphnFrkCZ0pNIbJzQfQp1Ay0Ih4/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0hU_8CrTUcq62gF-q5dcdmVKoPat44mN2ZjW_bKeUH2NbmeYEQuKXffgEyzC3lo0VwEGjI_f7zEJRpJ80XNNSswAUK4RiCNc0ZhmuqiJ2ci3WH-AsphnFrkCZ0pNIbJzQfQp1Ay0Ih4/s400/unnamed-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Drying everything out when the rain finally stopped.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I camped near the road leading into the tiny town of Lake Hughes. I hiked into town the next morning to get my first resupply box and then had a huge breakfast (I call it rocket fuel) at the <u>f<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2477a.htm"><span style="color: black;">amous</span><b><span style="color: black;"> </span>Rock Inn</b></a></u> before hitting the trail again. I needed to get myself another hat and didn't want to spend much. Found a deal for $7.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hola amigos, cómo me veo?</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EyneU0zQRWV6RyC3YV4wYMrPJg67MfuEtosmPNZfuOa8MfdmTMcHdoenjmSjV78gRlZL26rNeD9plgg4qZSgVCZ1TBb0Joa0wMB-j8OejEbgB_LwA_CXvAADApYedCF7ght_Ufh-oAs/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EyneU0zQRWV6RyC3YV4wYMrPJg67MfuEtosmPNZfuOa8MfdmTMcHdoenjmSjV78gRlZL26rNeD9plgg4qZSgVCZ1TBb0Joa0wMB-j8OejEbgB_LwA_CXvAADApYedCF7ght_Ufh-oAs/s400/unnamed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I enjoyed a seat and a water cache provided by PCT trail angels on my hike to Agua Dulce.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Made it to Hiker Heaven late at night. The owners were so accommodating. They let me stay in a mobile home where I cold get a hot shower and they even insisted on doing my laundry. It felt like heaven to me! They have been hosting PCT hikers for 20 years.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_TXWE7G0SYcbKbuH1OB-f7S_V530ugfF-O6Jp_B5FWeKSvjs8fQjtbvhYgP88P9vjGXS8Omkg32Ot4fbwZ9RMBOcjuSfFFH_nMbEEiIVJ2ofS_3LZPZqKVRrZ7twqEeXma3IyLP3_m0/s1600/15822774_1211486315555943_7771327048313726178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_TXWE7G0SYcbKbuH1OB-f7S_V530ugfF-O6Jp_B5FWeKSvjs8fQjtbvhYgP88P9vjGXS8Omkg32Ot4fbwZ9RMBOcjuSfFFH_nMbEEiIVJ2ofS_3LZPZqKVRrZ7twqEeXma3IyLP3_m0/s320/15822774_1211486315555943_7771327048313726178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Even though I was told the area I was heading was expecting 1 to 3 inches of snow, I decided to leave Hiker Heaven and keep on truckin. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqFIjVD1zL5tarWHRxjTw5hPeGMf-T6XL9e5CW7se4NGjn2XevTexTdWpS-rQyuFi3gLzmcFr4Vnhy7bA9wvP2m3TTNCsxiBrXSHzFu2HcdktMC9R_rAhIl4ejZLd9-zJNjSc1wg5HPE/s1600/unnamed-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqFIjVD1zL5tarWHRxjTw5hPeGMf-T6XL9e5CW7se4NGjn2XevTexTdWpS-rQyuFi3gLzmcFr4Vnhy7bA9wvP2m3TTNCsxiBrXSHzFu2HcdktMC9R_rAhIl4ejZLd9-zJNjSc1wg5HPE/s1600/unnamed-7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://<iframe src='//players.brightcove.net/3690581438001/HkhIMtvwW_default/index.html?videoId=5116948957001' allowfullscreen frameborder=0></iframe>">Hiked through Vasquez Rocks </a> (click here)</b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hiking through the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area was beautiful. For all you Trekkies - it's Star Treks favorite alien landscape. Eventually it began raining again and was supposed to rain all night so I cut my day short and hiked to the Acton KOA. I asked the owner if I could sleep under the pavilion but he told me no. It began raining harder so I thought I'd see if he had a change of heart - NOT. As I was leaving the office a guy asked me if I was hiking the PCT so we struck up a conversation. He was carrying a guitar and asked if I played. I played one of my own songs for him (<a href="https://youtu.be/S37rUUJRMWI"><span style="color: blue;"><b>UAW RAG</b></span></a>). He must have liked the song because he said, "you are more than welcome to stay as long as you like in one of our props for the movie we're filming here." </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My room for the night - a prop for a movie set.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPksj_1FTst9WtMwrZ-kyiqxuDUC1f0j-Tw2-Wo1y0V7tCjyJlPI3Cap1-_iQnYVg_70LB2kZA9rlS14v8GM7ExEGAJ-oWflZM7gsWzotNF2CwGXZb8RPnCJbud7qpP3xhPnIYCOft2Ec/s1600/unnamed-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPksj_1FTst9WtMwrZ-kyiqxuDUC1f0j-Tw2-Wo1y0V7tCjyJlPI3Cap1-_iQnYVg_70LB2kZA9rlS14v8GM7ExEGAJ-oWflZM7gsWzotNF2CwGXZb8RPnCJbud7qpP3xhPnIYCOft2Ec/s1600/unnamed-12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Avions have come a long way!</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I slept out of the cold and wet. I don't like taking Neros or Zeros if I don't have to. (Hiker jargon for either no miles or almost no miles.)</span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b> T</b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he forecast said 3 days of rain and snow, but I decided to continue on........</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The section Dick is hiking this month.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BOO enjoys watching Chick Flicks with me!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>St. Patrick's Day lunch at the Senior Center with mom.<br />(She's the good-looking one with the white sweater)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tOQ_bCCrIdXZm-Zo5dgtQXx6U66llc50aCioQ3Om3Dnxkhv8XnIlxaoge-8zXEYRNg44bdQA9TZ88JzEbXOIL8TQohmIqDbRdelTrioUlcMZk8FAhbyWKwcb8Y3vdh1U-fD3dvyh75Y/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="929" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tOQ_bCCrIdXZm-Zo5dgtQXx6U66llc50aCioQ3Om3Dnxkhv8XnIlxaoge-8zXEYRNg44bdQA9TZ88JzEbXOIL8TQohmIqDbRdelTrioUlcMZk8FAhbyWKwcb8Y3vdh1U-fD3dvyh75Y/s640/unnamed-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy hour with our Canadian friends. We connect every year when we're in the south.</b></td></tr>
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FOOTNOTES:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">**</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">That night out of Mohave I camped on an exposed ridge about 10 miles south surrounded by a forest of wind generators. It's almost like sleeping in a railyard full of trains going through. I didn’t realize how much noise they make and each one seems to have its own tone. Over the years they’ve grown bigger with each generator and I could see all the generators from my perch. The newest ones are as large as redwood trees.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Some windmills are actually broken like skeletons and others are wounded, with blades missing almost as if they’ve been sheared off. I ran into a firefighter doing trail maintenance on the way up and he explained to me that what happens is the bearings go out on them occasionally and they start free wheeling. In a bad windstorm they sometimes shut the highways down because the blades will break off and can actually travel a mile or more and do a lot of damage.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">***Hiker town (not to be confused with Hiker Heaven) is a goofy little place and looks like a movie set - churches, saloon with a dozen little false facade houses. The guy who lives there lets PCT hikers camp there for a fee which supports him a bit. I needed water otherwise this is a place I would have passed by. There was a <i>Do not Disturb</i> sign on his door so I just took water and headed up the trail hiking the distance needed to get off the Tejon Ranch where I could camp. <i>(An agreement between the Tejon Ranch Company and a coalition of environmental groups is designed to permanently protect 240,000 acres of the historic ranch. It is the largest conservation and land-use pact in California history.)</i></span></span><br />
<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-72195060020185925462018-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:002018-03-07T09:37:07.264-08:00WINTER WONDERLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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FROM GAILA:<br />
Before Dick left I was told not to worry until after the 6th day. I forgot to ask him THEN what I was supposed to do? This time I made sure I knew the rules. He said, "NOTHING! Not for two weeks at least." That's easy for him to say - RIGHT? Meanwhile, I am enjoying time with my mom and friends and all is well. (A couple photos at bottom of blog).<br />
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FROM DICK:<br />
Day One thru Six:<br />
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It rained all night in Lake Isabella. I slept behind a Baptist Church and caught the 5:20 a.m. bus to Walker Pass. By morning the rain had turned into a sleet storm and when I was getting off the bus at the pass everyone was shaking their heads at this crazy man. Five inches of snow was expected but then that was cancelled. A day later we got the 5 inches.<br />
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My worry was not being able to find the trail, but as it turned out it wasn't a problem. There were no human tracks (I never saw another hiker due to the bad weather). So whenever I lost the trail I would look for animal tracks and I could see a little depression. Animals take the path of least resistance so I followed coyote, Bobcat and mountain lion tracks. If there had been more than 5 inches I would have been in trouble.<br />
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Setting up and taking down my tent was a pain in the ass. In the morning it was frozen and when I set it back up at night there would still be snow stuck to it. I am not a big fan of winter camping. I had no idea we were going to get a snowstorm. I had not planned to bail after only hiking 5 days and 85 miles but I kept dreaming of a hot bath.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great shuttle system </td></tr>
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So I decided to get off the trail and catch a shuttle at Hwy 58 that would take me on a 10 minute ride into the town of Mojave. I got a room at a Motel 6 and was very disappointed when I was told none of the rooms had bathtubs - only showers. That's what I get for going with the cheapest place in town. At least I could do a load of laundry and get everything cleaned up and dried out (including me). I was also dreaming of food, so I headed out in search of a big juicy hamburger.<br />
After a big breakfast I'll be shuttled back to the trail. I'm expecting this section to be flat. I'll be following the LA aqueduct south. I've just hiked 85 miles in cold/freezing weather and now I'll be hiking into the Mojave desert for the next 85 miles in warm/hot weather.<br />
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I am so happy with my new gear. My 5 degree sleeping bag is worth it's weight in gold and it's actually lighter than my old 30 degree bag. My possom gloves keep my hands nice and warm. I had on four layers of clothing for 5 days/24 hrs straight. <br />
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Thankful for my Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Mid Mesh hiking boots. It's like walking on clouds. </div>
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My gear <span style="color: #6699cc; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><b><a href="http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #6699cc; font-size: 11.880000114440918px; text-decoration: none;">http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com</a></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #6699cc; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span>
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For at least 20 miles of the trail it was very windy and there were hundreds of windmills. I even ate lunch sitting on a broken one that had landed near the trail. That must have been one hell of a windstorm to break that apart!<br />
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TO BE CONTINUED......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another interesting RV spotted in the campground.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Enjoying hikes with friends</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waiting for a table at Postino's in downtown Gilbert! Well worth the wait.</b></td></tr>
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<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-48736122519587468692018-03-01T20:04:00.000-08:002018-03-04T06:38:04.610-08:00ANOTHER ATTEMPT<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqkxeqamhrEPpDeekdEBwObhKC_qL4iYBMDjmzLQlQJ_pNvpsqnjZqSPfRT0OMXiF4vgE430BO_5N5RdQJQNxGN-afbTaFLFTxAmbRt4cerAA4k68TI3Kuk5Hnyy1DK7hWDCoQ-bYnIk/s1600/unnamed-1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="505" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqkxeqamhrEPpDeekdEBwObhKC_qL4iYBMDjmzLQlQJ_pNvpsqnjZqSPfRT0OMXiF4vgE430BO_5N5RdQJQNxGN-afbTaFLFTxAmbRt4cerAA4k68TI3Kuk5Hnyy1DK7hWDCoQ-bYnIk/s400/unnamed-1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick hiked several Arizona trails this winter to stay in shape</b><br />
<b> and also worked hard at getting his pack weight down to around 15 lbs plus food, water and fuel. </b><br />
<b>Here is a recent blog he wrote about his gear </b><a href="http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>http://packtoterblog.blogspot.com</b></span></a><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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Dick has decided to return to the Pacific Crest Trail and hike the area where he left off last March (see previous blog). This year is a low snow year so he's counting on good trail. He's hiking 400 miles north to south beginning at Walker Pass. He flew out today from Phoenix to Bakersfield, CA where he caught a shuttle up to Lake Isabella for the night. He couldn't put his fuel canisters on the plane so he shipped them to the Lake Isabella post office (lots of paperwork etc...to be legal). Tomorrow he'll catch another shuttle to Walker Pass, which is just below the Sierra Nevada Mtns.<br />
It was hard last year when he had to give up on the hike. His goal was to hike all the way to Canada. Whenever Dick does any long distance hikes I feel just as much a part of it, even though I'm not doing the walking, so I was diappointed too. All the months of planning and all the logistics put into preparing for the hike, and then after nearly 250 miles having to drop out was difficult for both of us. Although I must admit I was relieved that he wasn't going to attempt to hike through more dangerous snow areas. This time when he said he'd like to continue the hike I decided I would stay in Arizona, camped near my mom and friends. That made it a bit easier for us doing it this way, although it's harder being so far away in case he needs help.<br />
When he left he said good-bye to BOO and apologized that he couldn't take him as his "emotional support animal" on the flight. He told me not to worry if I don't hear from him for 4 or 5 days after Lake Isabella because he may not have reception. He has finally agreed to using a satellite locator beacon if he decides after this 400 miles to continue north. I didn't convince him in time for this trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFMx3WIo11lTLdNrYFuNYVkJFH60_Z27XrpiWwqj_tPt65S03bLQwCldRuUz0wUExZSMURZN72zOyJtdUqSO81ulXci-0LBOFbVQjw8FlqMvQbg25IauOVX0baqw6h5BOhx2VZ-jlLZg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1068" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFMx3WIo11lTLdNrYFuNYVkJFH60_Z27XrpiWwqj_tPt65S03bLQwCldRuUz0wUExZSMURZN72zOyJtdUqSO81ulXci-0LBOFbVQjw8FlqMvQbg25IauOVX0baqw6h5BOhx2VZ-jlLZg/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our beautiful backyard for most of this winter and where I decided to stay while Dick is hiking. </b></td></tr>
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I had to do an RV101 refresher course, learning again how to back-in, level, dump and fill. One lesson I learned was to make sure you put a rock on the end of the sewer hose when you dump. Dick was showing me how and forgot that part and s---- went everywhere. Fortunately, we were the only ones at the dump station. Glad it was him and not me. 😛<br />
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<b>Red shows the section Dick hiked last March - 246 miles from the border at Campo north </b></div>
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<b>to about 20 miles south of Big Bear.</b></div>
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<b>Pink shows where he's hiking now - Walker Pass south to where he left off last year.</b></div>
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I have given Dick the assignment to send me photos and info from the trail. So I will continue to keep you posted with blog updates when I have more to share.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Two different groups came in to camp here this weekend - Vintage RVs and Teardrops. I've been invited to join in around the campfire each evening while they're here. Sounds like a great plan. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPeD_Jh2238EYxIDULWzXukjW0CoImmfIob9pWjuv49OAubPa24GH7pYDbEn3zZufRK9YxfPOSIekxhyE6jquRS95nNspsDjaWBslgNaId4znQPaTmfF0mAGSDFO-OO0k1pEyjxsFztk/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1068" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPeD_Jh2238EYxIDULWzXukjW0CoImmfIob9pWjuv49OAubPa24GH7pYDbEn3zZufRK9YxfPOSIekxhyE6jquRS95nNspsDjaWBslgNaId4znQPaTmfF0mAGSDFO-OO0k1pEyjxsFztk/s320/unnamed-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This is actually a 2017 replica of a 1930's Airstream - cost around $100,000</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7EFEtqIiGzcCUlCz2js99UfHz8EgQ-5J0fobmAs3hAMrYr7Ds2_Kqy25dRbfUn7n-opRaZ8xaKAaI6KUWcH_SFhX8xDNJDy3P2-VmlGo5XxJVVw2jbpLR0IrPsBUGQ1qZkfaj3yo-2E/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1068" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7EFEtqIiGzcCUlCz2js99UfHz8EgQ-5J0fobmAs3hAMrYr7Ds2_Kqy25dRbfUn7n-opRaZ8xaKAaI6KUWcH_SFhX8xDNJDy3P2-VmlGo5XxJVVw2jbpLR0IrPsBUGQ1qZkfaj3yo-2E/s320/unnamed-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mid-50's model</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ8i9YD5tWWMMJrJB5yiRk1aznoMs8OUVev1cbY8x7g2xzC8H11htdg75nILP1u0pjCqrCMzvMQcDiun4LXaNKZzoEjQR0cRLAjCqsiQg5EntSXF6GU5pNYq4h7vZVNTOwGflc-FwWow/s1600/unnamed-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1068" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ8i9YD5tWWMMJrJB5yiRk1aznoMs8OUVev1cbY8x7g2xzC8H11htdg75nILP1u0pjCqrCMzvMQcDiun4LXaNKZzoEjQR0cRLAjCqsiQg5EntSXF6GU5pNYq4h7vZVNTOwGflc-FwWow/s320/unnamed-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Homemade Teardrop</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU84hAamVJo6DgPirAo9DCPnQbsEJwzeXBg4B6MgsNvvnhC-pz5s0n42r1noobrwtsrCtt7w8rhXOUJxTRouo2i4BFTJ71OAgcqfTTqJPI50PZDL60y2F7g1Fciu0wkfRB5oAw8i9jls/s1600/unnamed-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="657" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU84hAamVJo6DgPirAo9DCPnQbsEJwzeXBg4B6MgsNvvnhC-pz5s0n42r1noobrwtsrCtt7w8rhXOUJxTRouo2i4BFTJ71OAgcqfTTqJPI50PZDL60y2F7g1Fciu0wkfRB5oAw8i9jls/s320/unnamed-31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Of course this photo was not taken here in the desert!<br />It was taken 3 yrs ago at Glacier National Park. I wanted to add it because it's one of my<br />neighbors right now! The man told me it's a 1950's model truck, 1950's model Airstream <br />and his wife is also a 1950's model.</b></td></tr>
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<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-2865656547816539082017-04-01T15:37:00.001-07:002017-04-03T12:47:43.825-07:00RATTLESNAKES TO BLIZZARDS<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/AVvXsEjY9szNmZ_RuQ7SP89ocLxXQqIjszmRDKtUZw1Gs2VaHxRjqtzOZCQIYBpiC6vtQpnZQTTAomqyDkTLcQ3Hwn08VnqLqnn62jUyE_W4Vpo3DfzeorY20rLfH68c8kroAomLjzsEZ-RC_Qc/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9szNmZ_RuQ7SP89ocLxXQqIjszmRDKtUZw1Gs2VaHxRjqtzOZCQIYBpiC6vtQpnZQTTAomqyDkTLcQ3Hwn08VnqLqnn62jUyE_W4Vpo3DfzeorY20rLfH68c8kroAomLjzsEZ-RC_Qc/s400/unnamed-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Earlier in the day heading for Fuller Ridge</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the late afternoon of 3/24 I received a text from Dick "Mile 178 coming out have some problems will call you later" Great! More information please!! Then two hours later "Heading for Humber Park trailhead near Idllywild might make it tonite or morning will let you know." Fortunately, when he reached the Humber Park trailhead a car pulled in. Dick asked the couple if he could get a ride to Idyllwild. They were kind enough to help him out. They dropped him at the Idyllwild Post Office where they knew he could get a phone connection. I made it to him before dark. He did not look good. Below is what he wrote and put on the Pacific Crest Trail site for other hikers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dick's Blog:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #232323; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I misjudged the elevations in Southern California and reached my first nemesis (Fuller Ridge) Mt. Jacinto only 180 miles along the PCT. I was carrying micro spikes (crampons) and tried crossing the sheer, hard packed snow. I did okay for awhile, but it only took one slip. I got religion very quickly. I should have brought my ice axe. It could have reduced a lot of pain. My first pole broke, the second was not hefty enough to dig into the snowpack, as hard as I tried. I was sliding out of control and bouncing off rocks and trees. It all happened so fast I just reacted by grabbing for whatever I could to slow me down or stop the madness. My spiked boots caught in the snow and turned me face down. I saw an outcropping of rock that looked like my last chance before a much longer ride with a scree field at the bottom. You might say I was Romancing the Stone.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My pack took most of the abuse, thankfully. I watched my water bottles and broken pole continue on down into the rocks. I was able to save my good pole to help get me out of this mess. One bump along this human pinball ride tore my pant pocket apart and cracked my iphone case. In a daze I felt for broken bones, looked for my glasses and tried to gather gear that was within reach. </span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All I could find wrong was the skin was badly scrapped off my left arm and elbow, blood coming from my forehead and a couple of fingers hurt bad and swelling a bit. Once I knew I was physically alright, I started questioning my sanity. "What the hell are you doing?" "You are a freaking nut case." "I'm too old for this shit."</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once I got all that frustration out of the way I knew I had to get out of this somehow. I had spent a lot of time and effort kicking steps into the snow to get this far. I had to get back up the grade without falling again, and back to the last trail junction that would take me down to Idyllwild, Ca.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took me almost 12 hours of constant focusing on each and every step. I would rest on rock outcroppings and sun wells around trees. I was so glad to get back to real trail and drop down below the snow line. A couple at a trailhead parking area offered me a ride into town and dropped me at the post office where they assured me I could get cell reception to call GAILA911. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luckily, right next to the post office I was able to get emergency care. There was pizza, beer and coffee to medicate me until Gaila arrived.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Views of Fuller Ridge from the reroute</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Heading to Black Mountain rd an alternate route - longer but safer</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After 3 days R & R (rest and replacement) Dick felt good enough to hit the trail again. </span><br />
I was glad to get some much needed R & R (rest and relaxation) myself. Jojoba Hills RV Resort is very nice. I'm learning new card games, pickle ball and enjoying the heated pool. Lots of other things I've signed up for. Everyone here is very friendly and always make me feel welcome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BOO is saying, "Don't leave us again, we don't want you to get hurt anymore!"</b></td></tr>
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The desert surrounding Borrego Springs has magnificent metal sculptures by Ricaro Breceda. I was surprised to find his studio is located next to Jojoba RV Resort in Aguanga, where I am staying. Amazing work. <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/36265">http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/36265</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><b>A new lease on life - a superbloom of Brittlebush</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took three days off to recoup, fix gear, resupply and lick my wounds. Okay, I'm ready to go again. A friend, who had hiked this area before, emailed me directions that would take me up a 10 mile Forest Service road that would let me skip the several miles of Fuller Ridge. The road still had plenty of hard packed snow but wide, and no place to take a slide. Once it intersected with the PCT again, it was all day down out of the snow. I went from 8600 ft to about 1200 where I crossed Interstate 10 into a super bloom of Brittlebush. I was feeling good, a bit sore from the fall but mentally I had a new lease on life. In fact I texted Gaila and said, "Great trail, great weather, new lease on life, thinking about section hiking and flip-flopping to do this trail."</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><b>Mile 200 - beautiful hiking day</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I really thought I was out of the snow for at least a hundred miles or more. For two days I climbed back up to almost 9000 ft., but I was on a south facing canyon slope. It was pushing 90 degrees and I had little energy. I just couldn't get it into second gear. You need second and third gear every day if you want to do the miles it takes to make it to Canada in a season. Again, I started questioning my sanity. Why would I want to hike in this non-recreational backpacking terrain just to link Mexico to Canada? I can't explain it. I have done it before, but maybe I should be getting smarter as I get older. Maybe I should save my knees for pristine backpacking destinations that appreciate me more than California's hot, burnt-over scrubland, full of rattlesnakes with an attitude. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did I tell you I stepped on one? They can be ornery just walking past them, but when you step on them, they really get pissssed. The human body works in conjunction with the human mind when you step on a rattlesnake. The snake twists and turns almost in a rolling fashion, all the time shaking the noise making device hanging off his ass. The human mind instantaneously gives the body super human capabilities. Who says, "white men can't jump." I learned I could jump higher and make much higher pitched noises than I ever realized. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gaila will tell you I don't dance but you should see me do the rattlesnake twist. It is probably better described as a souix war dance, just before the Battle of the Little Big Horn. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><b>Hiking through a burned over scrubland for several miles</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I climbed all the way back up to elevation, crossed over to the north side of the mountain and almost instantly the wind picked up, blowing a cold fog into the mountains. I hit hard pack snow that obliterated the trail, and it started snowing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I promised Gaila, and myself, I would not cross anymore slide areas, BUT! It was 20+ miles back to a junction out, or only two miles past this snow to a Forest Service road. I had an hour of light so decided to go for it. I put on my spikes and started kicking steps. This snow had softened all day and really didn't seem as dangerous. I knew by morning it would again harden up and I needed to get across before dark and make it to the Forest Service road in case the snow continued. I did make it, but ended up on a very exposed ridge. I have been forced to camp in high wind before and it's no fun. This was right up there with the worst of my backpacking experiences. Crystallized snow with a velocity of a wind tunnel. I managed to get my tent up and place rocks on each tent stake. It was cold, but once I climbed in and put all my layers on, I was fairly warm. The wind blew so hard all night my tent mainstay pole is now warped out of shape. I have a bombproof tent. It's a Hilleberg single person tent with a vestibule. I leave my pack, water bottles, poles and boots in the vestibule at night. In the morning everything in the vestibule was covered in dirty snow the wind had mixed into a mountain mortar. It was still windchill cold, but the sun was rising. I have designed my gear to be able to pack everything away inside the tent, then climb out and only have to deal with the tent itself. On a nice day this wouldn't matter much, but on the occasional day from hell, like this one, it makes all the difference in the world. I packed everything up and headed for lower elevation. I could see nothing ahead but snowpack and the elevation would not drop for another couple dozen miles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am afraid I picked the wrong year to do the PCT. I know I started way too early (seasonally) and perhaps too late (agingly). Everything started out fine. I still had the stamina to hike 25 mile days in the hot California sun, still had a positive attitude about long distance hiking and slamming out miles everyday for a few months, but things changed. This is a challenging year because of the massive accumulations of snow California much needed and received in historic amounts. They are saying hikers won't get through the Sierra until July. Skipping ahead to Oregon/Washington is not really an option because they too have piles of snow. This is truly a hemorrhoidial snow year for the Sierra and Cascades with piles everywhere. Those that do will never see the John Muir trail because it will be under many feet of snow for most of this hiking season. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ANNOUNCEMENT: <b>I'm pulling the pin on the PCT at Mile 246. It's one of the wettest years on record and the snow is just killing it for me.</b> I</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t is not a total loss. I figure the foot and ankle part of the body have 26 bones, 33 joints, and about a 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. I don't think I usually use half of them, they get lazy, stop working and think they can retire. Doing big miles everyday is an awakening for all of them. You know you have their attention because they all hurt. This eventually goes away once they all wake up and start doing their job again. Mine are starting to feel pretty good so I know they have all been made well aware that I expect them to do their job and stop dreaming about the good life of sitting idle and just letting me drag them along. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel bad for Gaila. She thought she was going to get more alone time throughout the next several months. Now she is reminding me that I have packaged up about four months worth of dehydrated food, so I see a lot of backpacking in my immediate future. I am already working on a plan to check off the Primo backpacking areas in the United States that are on my bucket list, and make it the best year to not hike the PCT. --Keep Smilin, Dickebird</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><b>Here's to more enjoyable hikes ahead</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Finally, mom and I can relax for awhile!!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This is more like it!!</b></td></tr>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-80937072651530636682017-03-24T08:15:00.002-07:002017-03-24T20:59:04.734-07:00CAMPO to ANZA, CALIFORNIA <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My week at Borrego Springs was not fun. I would go into town for a couple of hours each day but dealing with the traffic and crowds was not enjoyable. There were people from all over the world there to see the Superbloom!! Bad timing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>When we couldn't take the heat any longer I would crank up the generator and run the AC for a few hours.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was OK with camping outside of town on the BLM except for dealing with the heat. I did enjoy my cool and quiet mornings and evenings. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After 6 days, I was so happy to move north to a higher elevation out of the hot 90+degree weather.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I taped a sign on the door to remind me to look for snakes when I stepped out of the motorhome. I didn’t want any surprise encounters. One morning I went out to upright our chairs that had blown over in the wind and I jumped and squeeled when a horny toad ran out. (Photo from images because there would be no way I could have caught up with him.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These graves were near where I was camped in the desert. When I showed it to Dick he said it was probably the last people (or pets) who died out here in the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since BOO and I are Dick’s “Support Team” we plan to meet up every now and then. On day Seven of his hike I picked him up in the morning where the trail meets Hwy 73 east of Anza. The first thing he said was “let’s go get breakfast”. I brought him clean clothes and something to wash up with so that I (and those around us) could enjoy breakfast. I’ve learned from past experience he can smell real bad after several days on the trail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dick has been doing 25 mile days. That is his goal. This first 150+ miles includes a one mile off-trail hike into Warner Springs to get a hamburger, fries and shake and another couple of miles of backtracking to get water. He was told about the Community Center in Warner Springs right next to the trail that serves food to hikers but it wasn’t serving til April. The restaurant he hiked a mile to was at a fancy Golf Club with a sign that reads “HIKERS EAT OUTSIDE.” (I love the sign in a restaurant window along the Appalacian Trail “SORRY WE’RE OPEN”).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's had to deal with the 90+ degree days and sometimes moves like a slug. I moved like a slug just staying at the campground. I can’t imagine. When he came to water (he calls this a “hallelujah moment”) he would take off his hat and use it to scoop up water and poor it over his head. His MO is to leave at dark thirty and hike when it’s cooler. Problem is he has seen a total of 4 rattlers and actually one of them he stepped on. Luckily it just rattled and side-winded off into the bushes. He said, “Michael Jordan would be proud of me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">He is thankful for the lightweight umbrella I found at a thrift store. He emailed me this picture from the trail with the words “YOUR IDIOT”. The photo was taken by HALF MILE who wrote the APP Dick has on his phone called HALF MILE. The APP tells you everything you'll run into every half mile along the trail.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>HALF MILE</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dick’s trail name is DICKEBIRD. Several times he has met up with HARRISON and CRUISE CONTROL, two young guys training to hike the Continental Divide Trail, and doing the lightweight, zero comfort hike, carrying backpacks the size of a purse and only weighing about 7 or 8 lbs. They only carry snacks and hitch into towns for meals. Dick doesn’t like to road walk or hitch and plans to stick to the trail as much as he can - except when I pick him up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He saw lots of hikers. Many of the younger ones hike with ipods in their ears. Hikers have scrawled BEER in the trail. He met a guy along the trail who wants to hike the whole trail but needs to lose a lot of weight and his workout is walking 6 miles a day. In the meantime, he’s a “trail angel” with a kiddy pool full of beer, pop and apples. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early yesterday I dropped him back at the trailhead to continue north. He’d been dreaming of SNOW all through the desert. He is heading for Fuller Ridge where he will find plenty of it. He took crampons on this part. He will begin with 30 climbing miles from 5,000 elevation to 10,500 to reach the peak. Apparently no connection because up until now he would text or call me a couple of times a day but I haven’t heard from him yet. We had our doubts on that, because of the area, so I’m not worried. We have an agreement to not worry if we don't hear from each other for a few days. We'll see if I can stick with that.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A few people have called me "THE GOOD WIFE" </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had to take a crash course on a few things I've never done on this motorhome before - dumping and filling, leveling and backing into a space. I am in a beautiful Escapee RV Resort east of Temeculah where I can stay up to 28 days if needed, but I will have to move around a few times as spaces open up and do all the things Dick usually does. It's a great place. I talked to more people the first day I was here than I talked to the whole week at Borrego Springs. I haven't ejoyed the mud facials yet but the whirlpool is nice.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Guthook App is highly recommended.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Mile 91 and Mile 101 he found pallets of gallons of water. The sign said use only in case of emergency but he felt it was an emergency at that point and took a gallon. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dick tried recording a message to me (and BOO) at one point but I haven't figured out how to add it to the blog. If you are interested I can email it to you upon request. </span></li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"A great thirst is a joy when quinched in time." - Edward Abbey</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"(from majestic saguaros to innocent weeds) and even the land itself (from river-bottom quick sand to valley fever lurking in the dust) is at any moment ready to strike, sting, bite, scratch, poke, infect or crumble away beneath your feet without warning." - Edward Abbey</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> Eagle Rock - a beautiful formation he hiked by along the trail.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> One of my favorite flowers of the Superbloom - the desert lily.</b></span></div>
THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-65105832865989260332017-03-15T15:40:00.003-07:002017-03-15T15:40:55.892-07:00THE HAPPY HIKER HAS HIT THE TRAIL!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night Dick was like a kid waiting for Christmas. This morning we drove nearly 2 hours (75 miles) south to the WALL by Campo, CA where the PCT begins. On our way when he saw a mileage sign for Oceanside, he commented it was about this time in 1969, in this same terrain and heat, he was carrying a M50 machine gun base at Camp Pendleton in Marine Corp boot camp. So carrying a backpack is much more enjoyable. It's all a frame of mind.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3Bw8rKnIjMx5hDGl6HPXonwo6zyKbgLWWyUBOtgik5cbQrh2VpjCQFrqNc6a3y3sbka7plWyXzk4KpVUYkdcFcHKk-TwoRD-K_Y_LNn44VAVXRIqOS75MfKxdzIELUelov1li3-epYE/s1600/17356859_10212379744872816_723981512_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3Bw8rKnIjMx5hDGl6HPXonwo6zyKbgLWWyUBOtgik5cbQrh2VpjCQFrqNc6a3y3sbka7plWyXzk4KpVUYkdcFcHKk-TwoRD-K_Y_LNn44VAVXRIqOS75MfKxdzIELUelov1li3-epYE/s400/17356859_10212379744872816_723981512_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Finishing touches at the dropoff point. The WALL in the background.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an odd year for the PCT with so much more snow and this heatwave (mid-90's where I'm camped), but still according to the PCTA Calendar, approx. 50 people a day will be starting to hike this trail over the next couple of months. We saw evidence of this today when we arrived at the trailhead and several cars were pulling up to drop hikers off and hikers getting their pictures taken at the trailhead marker. Dick is hoping to get ahead of the herd. He is not into the social scene and prefers to hike alone. Overall there will be around 2,000 hikers this year. **</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A view of the landscape as Dick is heading down the trail</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of Dick’s long trails have been <a href="about:blank">Continental Divide Trail (CDT) (3200 mi) in 1999</a> when he was turning 50, the Great Divide Trail in 2001 (600 mi) and the Arizona Trail in 2014 (800 mi). He has thought of doing the PCT for several years, but mostly what has held him back was worrying about me and where I would stay and being apart too long. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">He would love for me to hike with him, but days on end of EAT, WALK, SLEEP just doesn’t appeal to me. Plus, I would hold him back. He wants to do 25 miles a day. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Then he read an article in the Jan. 17 issue of <i>BACKPACKER</i> magazine titled </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I Can’t Stop Now</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;"> about a 77 yr old guy with the trail name Billy Goat. The article must have inspired him because he started planning. We both decided we would make it work somehow. Now is the time while he still can.We sort of have a Plan but working it out as we go. That’s the way we did it for the CDT trip. It is so much easier now with all the different communications we have. He even has an APP on his </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">iPhone</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;"> called GUTHOOK. A great guidebook and map of the trail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;">I am camped in the nice little desert town of Borrego Springs. I have plenty to do but the population of 2,000 has increased to 10,000 because of the </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/southern-california-desert-sees-superbloom-after-winter-of-heavy-rains/"><b>Superbloom</b></a> which, from what I'm hearing, hasn't happended in 23 yrs</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 14px;">Plan A is to pick him up in around 7 days east of Anza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>He has slowly upgraded his equipment to get lighter.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> His pack weight is 25.5 lbs loaded (18.5 lbs without food and water). </b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sent to us by our good friend, Ken Bausch</b></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**This explosion of hikers has happened since the 2012 publication of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WILD</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Dick agrees with Billy Goat. He is appalled by the profusion of ill-equipped soul seekers that have washed up on the PCT. “I see a lot of hikers who have no idea what’s in front of them. They just want to drink beer and smoke pot like the PCT is one big party.” </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-82208551356578346832016-11-04T09:02:00.018-07:002016-11-04T10:43:43.910-07:00UTAH TO THE ARIZONA BORDER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u><b>GOBLIN STATE PARK</b></u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking among the goblin formations</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bird's eye view of the campground (our RV is behind bathroom)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yurt for rent </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mushroom shaped rock pinacles</b></td></tr>
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<b> <u>CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK</u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5NggsVgQl5nuJU4xVtfWNVGm8xVQdmZrfg6DQP7uxFS_rkYP19Ysg-whQFezLTVk455SZlS87ez5gLRXj9XP054A7QVb2O1n66YMGSNiTWwZXH1b21JDI1RV-gibvfNkAzIxOlA2jCY/s1600/unnamed-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5NggsVgQl5nuJU4xVtfWNVGm8xVQdmZrfg6DQP7uxFS_rkYP19Ysg-whQFezLTVk455SZlS87ez5gLRXj9XP054A7QVb2O1n66YMGSNiTWwZXH1b21JDI1RV-gibvfNkAzIxOlA2jCY/s400/unnamed-19.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking the canyon</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GphUk6iq3TfROzzFI417ed8AeTtsynzr93CvdtZAF-Z42VFPKCdru9zHGFM6CjNMz_JYsJu0GnMjIQgnuZAgzxahANhlu6MajBAMqlqCcLxyUsfvNkiQ7s7xc6_sSlnvTL6sut94Bws/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GphUk6iq3TfROzzFI417ed8AeTtsynzr93CvdtZAF-Z42VFPKCdru9zHGFM6CjNMz_JYsJu0GnMjIQgnuZAgzxahANhlu6MajBAMqlqCcLxyUsfvNkiQ7s7xc6_sSlnvTL6sut94Bws/s400/unnamed-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Gifford House Museum and MORE.....</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKUiBJLnakYkXl7mVeBkM3RLW4oTxbPTFEfmEych1yaUhyphenhyphenDsEB8P6Lld838yiG4r1bQ_lXSnAfc2jhdGxpcplnhnvE6UzIpFPiERpfMczVJnklCNEjUXMFZXDMJih_gRkxD0MN9dbxNE/s1600/unnamed-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKUiBJLnakYkXl7mVeBkM3RLW4oTxbPTFEfmEych1yaUhyphenhyphenDsEB8P6Lld838yiG4r1bQ_lXSnAfc2jhdGxpcplnhnvE6UzIpFPiERpfMczVJnklCNEjUXMFZXDMJih_gRkxD0MN9dbxNE/s400/unnamed-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pies, cinnamon rolls, ice cream, jams......sold at the Gifford House</b></td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
<b> <u>BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK</u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjOtaSGdrfxzIagzk1ZiXepM1HPjGV06dG41DITAlU-cmCrwBE_2JGxeamoKryPE_0th5OHDwhwkd3__2bZrqP4oqaaaY1sbUnMEJPhwZWhyYGmto4RjHi1zQgZObyk878wiW-wgMHRc/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjOtaSGdrfxzIagzk1ZiXepM1HPjGV06dG41DITAlU-cmCrwBE_2JGxeamoKryPE_0th5OHDwhwkd3__2bZrqP4oqaaaY1sbUnMEJPhwZWhyYGmto4RjHi1zQgZObyk878wiW-wgMHRc/s640/unnamed-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking the Hoodoos</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUX1PvHmToHY3_TjDoLd_2g_x6ksUEo02x_SP0HfmRvItEZl7qZxmc8O_7FxpUbwasmoa4VmtKgDTaVvb8vYMVwOXFpxtwJSVn3EtkTlRbBneDCdzujNyGaC8JHJG7zuFmbcjEDz8HeI/s1600/DSCN1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUX1PvHmToHY3_TjDoLd_2g_x6ksUEo02x_SP0HfmRvItEZl7qZxmc8O_7FxpUbwasmoa4VmtKgDTaVvb8vYMVwOXFpxtwJSVn3EtkTlRbBneDCdzujNyGaC8JHJG7zuFmbcjEDz8HeI/s400/DSCN1135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>So difficult to capture these amazing views </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGG1vGaT0hAi4ItFEEpclwVM6DeJ17YY-ZtP14pBtm6GCZViOD-iPgStgvh8PTW8dMBzfuoifdjcjRRmLPSCzLJsagvVnDnk3YxVw7eBKWSjYP-SftALTQMhdK2eQ26kVwPUTKu6RSro/s1600/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGG1vGaT0hAi4ItFEEpclwVM6DeJ17YY-ZtP14pBtm6GCZViOD-iPgStgvh8PTW8dMBzfuoifdjcjRRmLPSCzLJsagvVnDnk3YxVw7eBKWSjYP-SftALTQMhdK2eQ26kVwPUTKu6RSro/s400/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>George and Nancy Finlayson</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zzuuXx5vaTNu2XBbx4mIx5VoddbK7-ac6bdyPEPtwEhip-AiLKTjEnAAxaGhyqyKCrXKs1WVDgTVYrcWvtElFsG4FX2m04DOVY31xBLYv_j_zMlrTtaEgCWiBvsFAwRu7v31k4HAtS8/s1600/unnamed-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zzuuXx5vaTNu2XBbx4mIx5VoddbK7-ac6bdyPEPtwEhip-AiLKTjEnAAxaGhyqyKCrXKs1WVDgTVYrcWvtElFsG4FX2m04DOVY31xBLYv_j_zMlrTtaEgCWiBvsFAwRu7v31k4HAtS8/s400/unnamed-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking south out of Bryce into Escalante National Monumen</b>t</td></tr>
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<b>ZION NATIONAL PARK</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR9fKIcY_7OL2dmnh9G2uFqPeLrnABVwjPCF9FQq8yvfVP4rFd1N-pdGXL87goJlVB9abkQuMBDUvV8hwkY0XpgyESEMgP6UGTifeIZmzC_W_5BRwMKKMxn7e_ssS6qTcTkYGxk2QR0Y/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR9fKIcY_7OL2dmnh9G2uFqPeLrnABVwjPCF9FQq8yvfVP4rFd1N-pdGXL87goJlVB9abkQuMBDUvV8hwkY0XpgyESEMgP6UGTifeIZmzC_W_5BRwMKKMxn7e_ssS6qTcTkYGxk2QR0Y/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sheep along the east side of the park</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO72qdTo4bSjitOs7Pr8UkRUJTAn8Z43O0QcTcMYGd498VWZvRFJPa6tOmkj2I5w6s9c7vumk76cnJ57pHGLZgQK_z2u3mJ9jpz4H9PoLflYZ2_RlFbK15Q017PTJrZGhU-m05sIL-yw/s1600/14708193_10207753915865782_4204858556592087902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO72qdTo4bSjitOs7Pr8UkRUJTAn8Z43O0QcTcMYGd498VWZvRFJPa6tOmkj2I5w6s9c7vumk76cnJ57pHGLZgQK_z2u3mJ9jpz4H9PoLflYZ2_RlFbK15Q017PTJrZGhU-m05sIL-yw/s400/14708193_10207753915865782_4204858556592087902_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Camping with my sister and brother-in-law</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupBrvwGJTUCxQXGHu85miJ_CH-gEMIXUU-e81fzYJ1HRjGgCsRmsZ9zd4Auln7WHQ5jz-d6sm6zPQbqFbhdHT7XIE9DeRYyCI7PF7xfrHgyxygVOVvq-s9HcOUw7BoBGN1BiqcwNvlKw/s1600/14568062_10207753912945709_3463244040624054037_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupBrvwGJTUCxQXGHu85miJ_CH-gEMIXUU-e81fzYJ1HRjGgCsRmsZ9zd4Auln7WHQ5jz-d6sm6zPQbqFbhdHT7XIE9DeRYyCI7PF7xfrHgyxygVOVvq-s9HcOUw7BoBGN1BiqcwNvlKw/s640/14568062_10207753912945709_3463244040624054037_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My sister, Kathy, and her husband, Pat, on a hike to the Emerald Pools</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP6Dctgs1BthmqsK6ltu2m3i-5MRBw1VUt1DtC5R1yRcfjXrgzhFfGeYcXeVwPw1BBegOVSPDyRdjnMBYhdeA7A0y_3PqHOM5WPzW6ad1ErSZr_Ia-j-ruTq10LCgP6aVgrQEi9qWH-c/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP6Dctgs1BthmqsK6ltu2m3i-5MRBw1VUt1DtC5R1yRcfjXrgzhFfGeYcXeVwPw1BBegOVSPDyRdjnMBYhdeA7A0y_3PqHOM5WPzW6ad1ErSZr_Ia-j-ruTq10LCgP6aVgrQEi9qWH-c/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Coffee together in the mornings</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M5hjd4TsCT3mqVWhBLMeBJI2-wFlcuJbVDKpEMH7Jo6MldYxGdiD8fY0zN4WpmW6qyPD8UN3IfWyfnw6Zk1obLQ-Bo-eLVh474IpuU5_nvtbaVNeozKp1fjA6PsdYKWqMa6P8J6oGg0/s1600/P1000382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2M5hjd4TsCT3mqVWhBLMeBJI2-wFlcuJbVDKpEMH7Jo6MldYxGdiD8fY0zN4WpmW6qyPD8UN3IfWyfnw6Zk1obLQ-Bo-eLVh474IpuU5_nvtbaVNeozKp1fjA6PsdYKWqMa6P8J6oGg0/s400/P1000382.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I dropped Dick off at the North Branch of the Virgin River to hike 15 miles of the Zion Narrows<br />(His first attempt at a selfie)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zf9dVpcKMlcflXCaKaU7iKXtvwhC2VG7wIvLJC0i-niFVJEtANmuji9t5ocGbgofX1D0jRb23xP1AnzKKn833gk-9eco8o0tWIP16RdDhtvvGETPXvAl5kkFx2MX-mtkQ27W2uE1_EI/s1600/P1000389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zf9dVpcKMlcflXCaKaU7iKXtvwhC2VG7wIvLJC0i-niFVJEtANmuji9t5ocGbgofX1D0jRb23xP1AnzKKn833gk-9eco8o0tWIP16RdDhtvvGETPXvAl5kkFx2MX-mtkQ27W2uE1_EI/s400/P1000389.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>His campsite in the Narrows</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4fhjUm-9uw5D-6AEcKvuLrw9H8odzxhhF0RPZhB9JMCnGxk0wJLdBPl7zr2bFJ1XnzaSk4CHvAK8UW-J1-n5_w7fMlzDRwTQBwz_8DvlS7nxxntRAol6Pk-mhIehI_wPhIm7aLCclns/s1600/unnamed-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4fhjUm-9uw5D-6AEcKvuLrw9H8odzxhhF0RPZhB9JMCnGxk0wJLdBPl7zr2bFJ1XnzaSk4CHvAK8UW-J1-n5_w7fMlzDRwTQBwz_8DvlS7nxxntRAol6Pk-mhIehI_wPhIm7aLCclns/s640/unnamed-28.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pat, Dick and I did a day hike up the Narrows from Temple of Sinawava. A wonderful experience.</b></td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b> </b><b><u>GLENDALE, UTAH</u> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgh94pARZb9Jxn5L4Z51bIG5mnyly4QvQrqupM2Jy6Xenh5lPQeeAriHkmFEH-dKxpFF5vW7Ni6pIN6BDR9GtEOkbqCNgTHCSdgiP0Q9EqZLp2vVrKBOJOAvjQxA6409lTN3zp-ykpWw/s1600/unnamed-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgh94pARZb9Jxn5L4Z51bIG5mnyly4QvQrqupM2Jy6Xenh5lPQeeAriHkmFEH-dKxpFF5vW7Ni6pIN6BDR9GtEOkbqCNgTHCSdgiP0Q9EqZLp2vVrKBOJOAvjQxA6409lTN3zp-ykpWw/s400/unnamed-2-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Visiting Mike and Rochelle Schlins at their historic Smith Hotel B & B </b></td></tr>
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</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAwivYvT5FNpcsiMYXKHJUwLm5eCl1dG5shviTvJt2jgxAaJ-toqC8YN5cxUMD2G0AAKPzCh8eg1b2hrJqdEGbKDGfEV446L700_jtgQEZrLwqDXeBjNR-MfRW4P_1DX9-4lCq07n1w4/s1600/unnamed-3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAwivYvT5FNpcsiMYXKHJUwLm5eCl1dG5shviTvJt2jgxAaJ-toqC8YN5cxUMD2G0AAKPzCh8eg1b2hrJqdEGbKDGfEV446L700_jtgQEZrLwqDXeBjNR-MfRW4P_1DX9-4lCq07n1w4/s400/unnamed-3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>They treated us to a relaxing cruise (for us) up the Colorado River to the Glen Canyon Dam</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXJuBnzbBxPmY-Bv_4-uv_dsjexWS9rqwk97an4GNIDpOGkMiZidk6NJQpW3gOcNhfEqmYSWTrd4dTC4VvQtI-6dl8yOMsXgdlVLtslfG4pB2d5h1ZmIG1g_EBtuogWveI2eYzLPteNE/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXJuBnzbBxPmY-Bv_4-uv_dsjexWS9rqwk97an4GNIDpOGkMiZidk6NJQpW3gOcNhfEqmYSWTrd4dTC4VvQtI-6dl8yOMsXgdlVLtslfG4pB2d5h1ZmIG1g_EBtuogWveI2eYzLPteNE/s640/unnamed-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mike at the helm (just learning how to use the panoramic setting on my camera)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nh3U4CjWZcQOVnk_n8wEGfmMyNiWs-92zK8l1CV0dhdFQkU9VOsqs8QI1zx_RsZYY24jk1UmJjjhRto7ph73XlMMm6IK0x_fj2BsTwRoHXtJdG3GVzfaqO75oHvXMPg9eKdPXcMBtfs/s1600/unnamed-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nh3U4CjWZcQOVnk_n8wEGfmMyNiWs-92zK8l1CV0dhdFQkU9VOsqs8QI1zx_RsZYY24jk1UmJjjhRto7ph73XlMMm6IK0x_fj2BsTwRoHXtJdG3GVzfaqO75oHvXMPg9eKdPXcMBtfs/s400/unnamed-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We would stop along the way while Mike cast in a line for trout</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E2ZyTRUXaWoePM8jH-k-pxjRuCxapWRiMpt_IhZxm3jsApQfhJaVGevSZ5SZf4sbzMSVJncXEwBUiWMkRf1GyMQADcSzH3BSRDqEXFS2OZ70O_BkbAuJiFA5WJaO1ducwFTKIm0kPPM/s1600/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E2ZyTRUXaWoePM8jH-k-pxjRuCxapWRiMpt_IhZxm3jsApQfhJaVGevSZ5SZf4sbzMSVJncXEwBUiWMkRf1GyMQADcSzH3BSRDqEXFS2OZ70O_BkbAuJiFA5WJaO1ducwFTKIm0kPPM/s400/unnamed-4+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Glen Canyon Dam, Page AZ</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO_SPWIVXThg0xfyNwllkziTRVVvjzXIRzmfyBp-Dv0ZJgq1wXLkMEYZscSEDoxHwIudQ0_GEYccLbn2Hul8ZJ8uSB7L8Kqn4CLzfnHGYDGteQeO6GFfMwaVmhl2hfaEcJp-Sac2-314/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO_SPWIVXThg0xfyNwllkziTRVVvjzXIRzmfyBp-Dv0ZJgq1wXLkMEYZscSEDoxHwIudQ0_GEYccLbn2Hul8ZJ8uSB7L8Kqn4CLzfnHGYDGteQeO6GFfMwaVmhl2hfaEcJp-Sac2-314/s400/unnamed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We camped a few days at Lone Rock NRA so we could tour Antelope Canyon</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGfyojGCDtdatLW64MkL1KpXGFHIJdBWKWVqzmwxujMVpdeHvBTKgGmq9-Z9TmLYYbyQt05jJ0rO3249PeLF0WfUYQtrtwF1i0g2m6eegMTZ4n_hkT8klqXl0J9wSXBpuy426TQx1uUs/s1600/unnamed-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGfyojGCDtdatLW64MkL1KpXGFHIJdBWKWVqzmwxujMVpdeHvBTKgGmq9-Z9TmLYYbyQt05jJ0rO3249PeLF0WfUYQtrtwF1i0g2m6eegMTZ4n_hkT8klqXl0J9wSXBpuy426TQx1uUs/s400/unnamed-29.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Touring Antelope Canyon </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSzZl1q81EdssacKopu274wa2_5ysO3SLZGB5LnzipY2ljuF7GpP0WqLtWw8hndLg0m7ObTuGoZwMHVVSFmUUzOx_WZlST7xzTKx_8hMy2cCYumXMDPE472HK8m1c71WZR9jeV6f2pbM/s1600/unnamed-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSzZl1q81EdssacKopu274wa2_5ysO3SLZGB5LnzipY2ljuF7GpP0WqLtWw8hndLg0m7ObTuGoZwMHVVSFmUUzOx_WZlST7xzTKx_8hMy2cCYumXMDPE472HK8m1c71WZR9jeV6f2pbM/s400/unnamed-35.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick coming out of the canyon at the end of the tour</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV9OypHdbXu67zZlejyv8zLQqczZtr86f03LX5pd2AHf_RHFXCQNthtNXjjTEAD5c6vhmO52TtkoJ14I9gd9J4sgjhMr9LjgRHTyOPrZGF6WtIy4DHfE1i8XnCUwYD0ZSudogRAlG8jQ/s1600/unnamed-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV9OypHdbXu67zZlejyv8zLQqczZtr86f03LX5pd2AHf_RHFXCQNthtNXjjTEAD5c6vhmO52TtkoJ14I9gd9J4sgjhMr9LjgRHTyOPrZGF6WtIy4DHfE1i8XnCUwYD0ZSudogRAlG8jQ/s320/unnamed-34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Horseshoe Bend from above (we saw it below on our boat ride with Mike and Rochelle)</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvR6YFLi-gPjbrvoVIrF8esPg-e739JVus4yj7Mfji6ivb5db5Bi8yKv-6IcJ040fcNBgfUJEHDWX5iCyTfUDX-cRDkcW2SEnwIesU8qrteQtrXazgTEKyAMt2UgZK-CUzyHc23FWfOA/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvR6YFLi-gPjbrvoVIrF8esPg-e739JVus4yj7Mfji6ivb5db5Bi8yKv-6IcJ040fcNBgfUJEHDWX5iCyTfUDX-cRDkcW2SEnwIesU8qrteQtrXazgTEKyAMt2UgZK-CUzyHc23FWfOA/s320/unnamed-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Here ya go!! Everything you need</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHXtEyKyKbohSiYn3SLti5YGFfM5-RlvV9iTMi82GpUTc_dUx4DXOMSdHdyw2qZ-vMltPH_FT9tEh5k5L38iDC2Z2Ipx5CdW-PbXmBRnNtXp4fECjB5wzrLos7ktXciISxfoiFxc8cqU/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHXtEyKyKbohSiYn3SLti5YGFfM5-RlvV9iTMi82GpUTc_dUx4DXOMSdHdyw2qZ-vMltPH_FT9tEh5k5L38iDC2Z2Ipx5CdW-PbXmBRnNtXp4fECjB5wzrLos7ktXciISxfoiFxc8cqU/s400/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A fun breakfast stop in Panguitch at an old movie theater - restaurant by day/movie theater by night</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX6f4dvV1GbETSclafS1qclXB3vlebRpttS6TKh43WhbQVzzqXTZI3C9kkMpULZuG_rcXdGUKcpk43PFi2YmBzXV7VgVzpnj7G1l-2ivrc5bps1PUesrq-GArZOw51q-1J7nZl8XxAM4/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX6f4dvV1GbETSclafS1qclXB3vlebRpttS6TKh43WhbQVzzqXTZI3C9kkMpULZuG_rcXdGUKcpk43PFi2YmBzXV7VgVzpnj7G1l-2ivrc5bps1PUesrq-GArZOw51q-1J7nZl8XxAM4/s320/unnamed-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Look what we found upstairs</b></td></tr>
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<b><u><br /></u></b>THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-41252272960325678252016-10-06T19:39:00.001-07:002016-10-07T17:06:50.557-07:00FALL IN THE ROCKIES<br />
We were in Glacier National Park for 5 weeks. During that time Dick hiked close to 300 miles overall. He did one last 5 day backpacking trip in an area he'd never explored before. He discovered a part of the park that is now his favorite called HOLE IN THE WALL.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW9cV_vB42AKCjHFv60aUmaWY247nr34jCFLL8E9z1BOfUmTZNNstAIbFobP1RrrEIL3TkZ6JbWcaQ1Gmh9K4dpPFYRHWGqHf9g9pshca-htxiZ4yNna65rFdIGfrdHPaEn8dXGRt6SE/s1600/DSCN0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW9cV_vB42AKCjHFv60aUmaWY247nr34jCFLL8E9z1BOfUmTZNNstAIbFobP1RrrEIL3TkZ6JbWcaQ1Gmh9K4dpPFYRHWGqHf9g9pshca-htxiZ4yNna65rFdIGfrdHPaEn8dXGRt6SE/s640/DSCN0824.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick's campsite at Hole in the Wall with Thunderbird Mtn. in the background.</b></td></tr>
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Our Michigan friends, Fred and Jill Moon, were visiting the park with a Road Scholar group. Before the activies began they visited us at the campground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCBMvomPqmZnMZv6iguAlnnWqqLeomGkR4UjbH-ON2hgEnmMgORq_5ZatAZYARVjoCoivYe1HexD7Y8aTtxR_SWSw2I_-n2Y9s3gvkdF7MaSW_yrMO_MVPUsTHYJssFyzoVUsEw85ip4/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCBMvomPqmZnMZv6iguAlnnWqqLeomGkR4UjbH-ON2hgEnmMgORq_5ZatAZYARVjoCoivYe1HexD7Y8aTtxR_SWSw2I_-n2Y9s3gvkdF7MaSW_yrMO_MVPUsTHYJssFyzoVUsEw85ip4/s400/unnamed-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jill Moon and I walked to see beautiful McDonald Lake</b></td></tr>
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We stayed a week longer than planned while I flew to Seattle to visit Maggie for a few days. Dick stayed behind to take care of BOO. Maggie is well and loves her life in the big city. She was busy with work but I enjoyed whatever time I could get with her.<br />
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After my return to Montana it was time to begin migrating south. We were getting lots of rain and we needed sun to recharge our solar panels, plus we were seeing signs of mildew taking over. We traveled on to Yellowstone hoping for sunshine and we found it!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF1qFfZV0T9EAehgGJ8IIkw7b-yXJh0ARKg2FbrypLt-CP-cM2ivhyphenhyphen8shw7mf7sA3SoSaIvEUqIBB5IDkigVx2YbH5EF_hrCexwrMFRT02wlznZnA2hh3QkvrcdRf1cxRYjs4QYM96X4/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF1qFfZV0T9EAehgGJ8IIkw7b-yXJh0ARKg2FbrypLt-CP-cM2ivhyphenhyphen8shw7mf7sA3SoSaIvEUqIBB5IDkigVx2YbH5EF_hrCexwrMFRT02wlznZnA2hh3QkvrcdRf1cxRYjs4QYM96X4/s640/unnamed-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We enjoyed soaking in the hot springs in the Boiling River north of our campground.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiYILWzdyntkSfuTFLgXgJO5IIeJBMlyRZke8x1A1f-dz87-y2HjrfQgaBBu7T8bnCb8Ne_WlsV4mKoX9PKRT0ayRMYBrcbN5guyzFJc9Sl3t0oxANVLA476oTYoarNOcuvbbXJI7cxE/s1600/unnamed-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiYILWzdyntkSfuTFLgXgJO5IIeJBMlyRZke8x1A1f-dz87-y2HjrfQgaBBu7T8bnCb8Ne_WlsV4mKoX9PKRT0ayRMYBrcbN5guyzFJc9Sl3t0oxANVLA476oTYoarNOcuvbbXJI7cxE/s400/unnamed-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We were surrounded by elk in our campground. </b><br />
<b>The males were bugling throughout the day and night.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>On a drive to Lamar Valley we were fortunate enough to see a pack of wolves.</b></td></tr>
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Dick went on a two day hike in Lamar Valley before we traveled south to the West Yellowstone area.<br />
He had hoped to see more wolves or grizzlies but mostly walked through herds of buffalo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lots of traffic jams in Yellowstone. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Q1wg0lAC81sc_LxvaD0MtMF_L9SU3WeFt6k747Ph9dsrCgeYTpNaoccpwCbaF-pJ4h-YusChuexGHTyv2Q4w3dyOPOfNASA-jgZXo7DzrsoiSPiNMwb70bIN7lWC47jrOtufei2o0g/s1600/unnamed-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Q1wg0lAC81sc_LxvaD0MtMF_L9SU3WeFt6k747Ph9dsrCgeYTpNaoccpwCbaF-pJ4h-YusChuexGHTyv2Q4w3dyOPOfNASA-jgZXo7DzrsoiSPiNMwb70bIN7lWC47jrOtufei2o0g/s400/unnamed-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>...and this was the reason!</b></td></tr>
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While on the west side of the park we hiked the several thermal areas and, of course, watched Old Faithful spout off.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gaila.mallery/videos/10210789855286570/">MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT A VIDEO</a> - crowds of people watching Old Faithful<br />
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It was getting cold and wet again so we headed south to Grand Tetons National Park. Dick had hoped to hike the Teton Crest but it was raining at the campground and snowing in the higher elevations so we didn't stay long. From Jackson Hole, south to the Flaming Gorge, we saw lots of wildlife - moose, pronghorn, elk and hawks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oi67GQZUj2sUVXkzbCFgRgeaBa82uxIRAj2AdFfzMzKAEEULAVpTjODSh-unbD6PXndItqCIZXhat6ZruzcYSsmuDN80AZpjubHYPWGSvrfeyrMDYKfwZlsk_hjyrxSt7m0LKiPAw-4/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oi67GQZUj2sUVXkzbCFgRgeaBa82uxIRAj2AdFfzMzKAEEULAVpTjODSh-unbD6PXndItqCIZXhat6ZruzcYSsmuDN80AZpjubHYPWGSvrfeyrMDYKfwZlsk_hjyrxSt7m0LKiPAw-4/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Driving through the vast landscapes of the Flaming Gorge (WY and UT) I<br />imagined the dinosaurs who roamed the land long before humans.</b></td></tr>
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Now we are enjoying the Utah sunshine and heading for Capital Reef, Bryce and Zion National Parks.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More pics:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The elk love the green grass in Mammoth (Yellowstone).</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd0-MIBv34p_eY1XDjsBYRfkh6xfSDcFsYOOGrixlEexb3EQl0lmeKA0ivbXJceyNViqUwEh0TXyodNW4Hjh6BxiUSdAc8HNCiFaKs21T5xW07zK_cvfzeg8msG7kS_f5MuJ9Q6PPA00/s1600/DSCN0910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd0-MIBv34p_eY1XDjsBYRfkh6xfSDcFsYOOGrixlEexb3EQl0lmeKA0ivbXJceyNViqUwEh0TXyodNW4Hjh6BxiUSdAc8HNCiFaKs21T5xW07zK_cvfzeg8msG7kS_f5MuJ9Q6PPA00/s400/DSCN0910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Photo credit: Richard Mallery (A badger spotted on his hike in Lamar Valley)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dave Hansen knows how to advertise! (Jackson Hole, WY)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Isn't there a law against leaving your frog in the hot car? It's not easy being green!</b></td></tr>
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<b>POSTED BY GAILA MALLERY 10/4/2016 </b><br />
<br />packtoterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08904292209126449778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-87767478535816678022015-12-23T10:14:00.003-08:002015-12-24T08:57:49.333-08:00DESERT LIFE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaJzWIPJV0-Yyybw49JFyKxwXdtcHro1r0gEl0Edlh2IAq0mdWsSchTSFlmrnP9aB2x-rTXpLJndsN1Hd3eP-LGgD1gKMuHr7jjVV2LKSikizcDgQmwl2cFpeo4JAQ600ZMEB4nyvRiQ/s1600/Borrego_Springs_Map.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaJzWIPJV0-Yyybw49JFyKxwXdtcHro1r0gEl0Edlh2IAq0mdWsSchTSFlmrnP9aB2x-rTXpLJndsN1Hd3eP-LGgD1gKMuHr7jjVV2LKSikizcDgQmwl2cFpeo4JAQ600ZMEB4nyvRiQ/s400/Borrego_Springs_Map.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMigIQsxMSpnncojYvlIKaMg8mDELvc0sYU4iTYl83hwaLZYqUJE8DQzy9-P03dw-WPvi48pXUd-Sx_kTAcVDQytTo22afOvG5y7Ah0ZNPCjXRmc32xO860Cc8emhwi8cTO-ZD3HB5ll4/s1600/DSC07909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMigIQsxMSpnncojYvlIKaMg8mDELvc0sYU4iTYl83hwaLZYqUJE8DQzy9-P03dw-WPvi48pXUd-Sx_kTAcVDQytTo22afOvG5y7Ah0ZNPCjXRmc32xO860Cc8emhwi8cTO-ZD3HB5ll4/s400/DSC07909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've always wondered about the Borrego Springs area in California. We found a quiet place to park on BLM land about 5 miles outside of the town. It's always nice to find free camping that is also clean and safe. Borrego Springs is a little oasis completely surrounded by Anza-Borrego State Park. We were amazed as we drove around the town to see the</span><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html" style="font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: red;">130 sculptures by the artist, Ricardo Breceda</span></a></span><span style="color: red; font-family: '"verdana"', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Me standing by the 350 ft long dragon</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our motorhome at Lost Dutchman State Park</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We traveled to Apache Jct., AZ to be near my parents for a couple of weeks and have Thanksgiving together. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We camped at Lost Dutchman State Park which is about a 16 mile drive from them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dad has Alzheimers so I was wondering if he would know us. He did, but said he hadn't seen me in years. He apparently remembers me as a younger woman because he wouldn't stop commenting how much older and bigger I looked. Otherwise it was good to be near and give some support. We'll return for another couple of weeks in February.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dad and Mom</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Brother Curt </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My brother, Curt, delivers lightweight RVs for Forest River out of Indiana. Now and then he will get trips through Arizona and my parents will meet him. He happened to get a trip while we were in the area. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick in his element</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dick did a 80 mile backpacking trip along the first two sections of <a href="http://www.simblissity.net/get-about.shtml"><span style="color: red;">The Grand Enchantment Trail</span></a>. His comment was "This isn't the best time of year for backpacking...it gets dark at 5 o'clock so you have to be in your tent for 13 hours." There wasn't much of a trail and he had to deal with being poked and prodded by everything that grows in the desert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While Dick was hiking I stopped at the Superstition Mtn Museum. We pass by it when we stay at Lost Dutchman State Park. I love chapels and expecting to go inside to sit in silence I was surprised to find a statue of Elvis on stage and posters lining the walls of western motion pictures and television that were filmed in the area over a 45 year period, including "Charro" which starred Elvis Presley. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've been trying out several of the Escapees RV Parks in Arizona. The price is right for boon-docking at $5.00/night. Rover's Roost, located in Casa Grande, was pleasant most of the time but when the wind is just right you can hardly stand the smell. Down the road there is a big dairy feedlot consisting of around 2500 Holsteins</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">. </span>We drove past the miles of cattle standing in mud (or manure) and it was so awful.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Seeing and smelling this will make you rethink eating meat or dairy products. <a href="http://www.madcowboy.com/"><span style="color: red;">INTERESTING BOOK: MAD COWBOY by Howard Lyman</span></a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ed and Dick </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The good news about staying the night at Rover's Roost was meeting up with Ed Trautwein, who happened to be there too. We enjoyed catching up. We met him several years ago while traveling in New Mexico and meet up with him now and then in our travels. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Finlaysons visiting us for an evening</b></td></tr>
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We headed for Tucson to meet up with Nancy and George Finlayson who we hadn't seen since last winter in Florida. The next day we got out of our comfort zone - Dick went mountain biking with George and uncoordinated me went to a line dancing class with Nancy. After Dick saw George do a face plant he decided he just wasn't into mountain biking. The Desert Trails RV Park where they were staying had so many activities. One evening we listened to a blues group at the park - <span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Angel Diamond and the Blues Disciples.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were all curious about <a href="http://blogs.britannica.com/2011/09/years-glass-biosphere-2-mission/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Biosphere 2</span></a>, a glass enclosed facility with 6,500 windows. So we drove north out of Tucson to take a tour. We arrived in a snowstorm. Dick's comment was, "I know what this place is, we're inside </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">a big snow globe."</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Biosphere 2 trip</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Planet Earth is Biosphere 1 and Biosphere 2 is a research facility used to study ecosystem processes under controlled conditions. In 1991, eight people "Biospherians" were sealed inside for two years to test survivability and to see if they could develop and live in a self-sustaining colony. I just ordered the book <i>The Human Experiment</i> written by Jane </span><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">Poynter, one of the Biospherians. She has also given a TED Talk if you want to check it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">We are now in Benson, Arizona to be with Michigan friends, Diane and Dean Tobias, for Christmas week. We have been busy exploring the area - biking, hiking etc.... That's the reason I'm way behind on blogging. Not complaining. We always enjoy doing things with them.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Biking the Julian Wash Bikepath <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eWkLPjXfEk"><span style="color: red;">Youtube of the bikeway</span></a></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking in Chiricahua National Monument</b> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Visiting Tombstone<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Just some extras I couldn't leave out:</span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We had a short but sweet visit from Lisa & Carl, friends from home, as they passed through<br />Tucson on their way to Mexico. The picture above explains why!!!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Unique Rattlesnake bridge downtown Tucson</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DESERT!</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BOO enjoying his Christmas tree</b></td></tr>
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<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-90348540984325505132015-11-14T13:44:00.003-08:002015-11-15T17:53:03.061-08:00HEADING FOR WARMTH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As I'm writing this, we are camped on BLM land just outside the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. We have beautiful weather and it's warm enough to leave the windows open at night and hear the coyotes. In my last blog we were traveling through Oregon.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #626262; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>We continued traveling down the beautiful Oregon coast to Tillamook and camped by this World War II blimp hangar...</b></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp2gdWI-YkMmQz6ZwhCmrE1Lel6TYGMP02q9Aw5g-CmKKdkJB4P1B3gdyBETkrFP9j1JPMIw2Nq2ggNPAWbtJiXeyXrU46j4J5ZAeOXPLhNTqQ0i_VoMx78YU0SMF4E6oQJeakFX7tLo/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp2gdWI-YkMmQz6ZwhCmrE1Lel6TYGMP02q9Aw5g-CmKKdkJB4P1B3gdyBETkrFP9j1JPMIw2Nq2ggNPAWbtJiXeyXrU46j4J5ZAeOXPLhNTqQ0i_VoMx78YU0SMF4E6oQJeakFX7tLo/s400/unnamed.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #626262; font-family: 'PT Sans', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">...then we toured the Tillamook factory and had to try the ice cream that everyone claims is the best. (It almost compares to <a href="http://www.moomers.com/">MOOMERS</a>). It was interesting to learn the history of how this area became known today as the "Dairyland." </span></b><b style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #626262; font-family: 'PT Sans', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course our campground had the aroma of cows to get used to.</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIXl_VF-LtXOCQfYViCjcSfgmijZpPmzB8waMtxw69PIXLTDKzOuWRtRlvj9t5Eps-aErsKpig8uzPL_4n3gP_Oy9ORHwqIhsJgIsPvWdlC9PeVTEW41R43I6ePlBKFy5tXsSTvbantU/s1600/Specks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIXl_VF-LtXOCQfYViCjcSfgmijZpPmzB8waMtxw69PIXLTDKzOuWRtRlvj9t5Eps-aErsKpig8uzPL_4n3gP_Oy9ORHwqIhsJgIsPvWdlC9PeVTEW41R43I6ePlBKFy5tXsSTvbantU/s640/Specks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>As we drove south on hwy 20 around Oroville, CA., there were miles of ricefields filled with thousands of Greater white fronted geese or "Specks" as the locals call them.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In California, we traveled through the Redwoods National Park on our way to my sister's place in Foresthill. It's always nice when we reach her home. Pat and Kathy always spoil us. They let us park in their beautiful yard, feed us and drive us around. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's also nice to spend some time with my brother, Joel, and his family while we're in the area.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Dick was even invited to go on a hunting trip. They would hunt and he would hike (in orange). After the hunters set camp in the Sierra's he hiked higher for a couple days to the Pacific Crest Trail in the Granite Chief Wilderness. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxVq2p7bE-gY7O_ShVrTPO1nOUYnEXzIl8A7NkOAXXbz9wlJKrvbkOk0SocnGXSBuWcrv-R4nz_y61xhBWBlHZJ49ygabYSAJ_9eBhSQwl6qw234u6nn131QpRA_tkuVepB2_g7NxBv4/s1600/Dittmer+CG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxVq2p7bE-gY7O_ShVrTPO1nOUYnEXzIl8A7NkOAXXbz9wlJKrvbkOk0SocnGXSBuWcrv-R4nz_y61xhBWBlHZJ49ygabYSAJ_9eBhSQwl6qw234u6nn131QpRA_tkuVepB2_g7NxBv4/s400/Dittmer+CG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our camping spot in my sister's backyard.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BOO loved it when their dogs visited him at the motorhome.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnQcV29rySc73s7Fy3oHx8iRi_VM655atZOu4fftJxdB91gD4XGztPEqB9e1p9usX_kN47UQbFejUB9oJbCBUCWqZSEWJ5YH8t_ef1WY81BbUdmjGxKgbuLk-qbcp0To01WBjCkpCznA/s1600/1148781_10200460864384053_526546455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnQcV29rySc73s7Fy3oHx8iRi_VM655atZOu4fftJxdB91gD4XGztPEqB9e1p9usX_kN47UQbFejUB9oJbCBUCWqZSEWJ5YH8t_ef1WY81BbUdmjGxKgbuLk-qbcp0To01WBjCkpCznA/s320/1148781_10200460864384053_526546455_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My sister and husband.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFgU0YTIl8yHrA8EAMZPdXFEau3Wmp2-1WHQ_TXE5dSqhgaJP8hHotE3xZRdPbKbezxUcOE5h_oaWwB2mMQ3qTfQkNBaN-4CFVJRJ909EBB3XdB-FvR57x5fIqzbZ8WPGTI6NJX4TDcY/s1600/12143326_1039762169391998_4982522416119414036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFgU0YTIl8yHrA8EAMZPdXFEau3Wmp2-1WHQ_TXE5dSqhgaJP8hHotE3xZRdPbKbezxUcOE5h_oaWwB2mMQ3qTfQkNBaN-4CFVJRJ909EBB3XdB-FvR57x5fIqzbZ8WPGTI6NJX4TDcY/s320/12143326_1039762169391998_4982522416119414036_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My nephew and his wife enjoying their Willie boat. They announced in March they were expecting in June....</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">and the new boat was delivered on time.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3eiPy0f5SZXQmQ-1q7eUajiCgTv8ja1SbGpVszUA9xD7wR6Qnun6-_sqQHb4Snf1sHLwKWMqFJccE6rTQVWKRdzwu0fzYl7iwGvNH3smaNMpIH7gcrFlrX-Az-9rK4-RT_59EjGWuHo/s1600/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3eiPy0f5SZXQmQ-1q7eUajiCgTv8ja1SbGpVszUA9xD7wR6Qnun6-_sqQHb4Snf1sHLwKWMqFJccE6rTQVWKRdzwu0fzYl7iwGvNH3smaNMpIH7gcrFlrX-Az-9rK4-RT_59EjGWuHo/s320/unnamed-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My niece and her family excited about their new home.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0vHijvXjaDyUC_DCUvZvk_beL9lh8HI9q5aIPemGZKb3pF3Tj5LDyF3R1qFCywl1TBpey04ict1gLfAWkrm-7xvAU4VWBMO_ZGwlAzs2_mr68Fnh-kzSaTwdJPHHrULjZxnhH5D13CI/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0vHijvXjaDyUC_DCUvZvk_beL9lh8HI9q5aIPemGZKb3pF3Tj5LDyF3R1qFCywl1TBpey04ict1gLfAWkrm-7xvAU4VWBMO_ZGwlAzs2_mr68Fnh-kzSaTwdJPHHrULjZxnhH5D13CI/s320/unnamed-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My baby brother - so huggable! </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My nephew and his girlfriend</span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjXsyR7-sm-5bf9RxB5g7YSOT74RdbjczejVZvv7KTKZFZjg-A4bAJpkiQTek7AL7Elw_2sgSPAqdXg1PwkgcMBTbT7DtpSh650ImC1C8qQHzTo1B1tg6v6oxNWOxrrh0JKQoqLK7u4k/s1600/Nevada+City.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjXsyR7-sm-5bf9RxB5g7YSOT74RdbjczejVZvv7KTKZFZjg-A4bAJpkiQTek7AL7Elw_2sgSPAqdXg1PwkgcMBTbT7DtpSh650ImC1C8qQHzTo1B1tg6v6oxNWOxrrh0JKQoqLK7u4k/s400/Nevada+City.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Again this year I spent the day with my friend Sally Drone enjoying a MET Opera in Grass Valley's <a href="http://www.sierracinemas.com/deloro">DEL ORO Theater</a>. Then she took me on a tour of Nevada City. I like downtown Grass Valley but Nevada City is even better with its beautiful 1800's architecture. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sally - I wish I would have taken a picture of YOU)</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The timing was right when we left my family. Two days prior they had significant snowfall in the mountains. We picked a good day to travel over Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mtns.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6z8tIcYvfpxHGZo1Fb6FVrF3a6PdMFUHOrFCR8jJtkFqYwYZ8OHNO-OOgQnHpQySE4Bv7o3fobtolr9X-_POU4ofcCqehg4yPIGgV8cNB5lWynunfA6ble-Y2kSbbR-Eaossew9mXcM/s1600/donner-memorial-state-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6z8tIcYvfpxHGZo1Fb6FVrF3a6PdMFUHOrFCR8jJtkFqYwYZ8OHNO-OOgQnHpQySE4Bv7o3fobtolr9X-_POU4ofcCqehg4yPIGgV8cNB5lWynunfA6ble-Y2kSbbR-Eaossew9mXcM/s320/donner-memorial-state-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">There is a memorial at Donner Pass to commerate those who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-1800s. I highly recommend the book about the Donner Party - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ordeal-Hunger-Story-Donner-Party/dp/0395611598" style="text-align: start;">ORDEAL BY HUNGER by George R. Stewart</a><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">.</span></span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We traveled to Reno, Nevada where we camped a night with Dean and Diane Tobias. Yes, we seem to be following them. We drove Hwy 95 south to Tonopah where we camped for a night and woke up to ice on our windshield. We were not happy campers and anxious to reach the warmth of Furnace Creek Campground, 196 ft below sea level in Death Valley. </b></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNiR4bUXF0Qr0sO8VFLJLVYjPGRViTh_0mW8F49CrbCR5kPA8AkzFM8WGwrFo64uXV9UlgwRLYioP3og8IIlPsem97Gyx1iT9-6LehmUp-ZIDMalX6DedPI89uS6551lJuf_ea-zkD4E/s1600/cdream_062_med.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNiR4bUXF0Qr0sO8VFLJLVYjPGRViTh_0mW8F49CrbCR5kPA8AkzFM8WGwrFo64uXV9UlgwRLYioP3og8IIlPsem97Gyx1iT9-6LehmUp-ZIDMalX6DedPI89uS6551lJuf_ea-zkD4E/s320/cdream_062_med.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The ghost town of Rhyolite, at the NE entrance of Death Valley, was fun to visit. </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The above ghosts and "Ghost Rider" were sculpted </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">by Albert Szukalski in 1984</span></b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwemO0AyogUVIq2JlSUx69dlxP5vA_CRTelzRpzDgoBUHfjd-vlXVQj5qLv4qlULbxt4K3v6scIJKMVAJyz44MxmIV1hIzMLNKXgvjKh51pX_JrZkG0rHYoanPjKgTFrnieWkJHPiujJ4/s1600/Rhyolite48-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwemO0AyogUVIq2JlSUx69dlxP5vA_CRTelzRpzDgoBUHfjd-vlXVQj5qLv4qlULbxt4K3v6scIJKMVAJyz44MxmIV1hIzMLNKXgvjKh51pX_JrZkG0rHYoanPjKgTFrnieWkJHPiujJ4/s320/Rhyolite48-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">T<b>he Bottle House in Rhyolite, built by Saloon owner Tom Kelly </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>in 1906 at age 76.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>It was a great time of year to visit Death Valley. Fortunately, we were able to get a campsite. Without knowing it, we had arrived the week of the annual 49ers Encampment. They were gearing up for 5 days of activities and the campgrounds were filling up. In the evening we could hear the old-time and western style music around the campfires. We had beautiful weather. Sunny skies are the norm but the day we left a storm was rolling in.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AqQad0olyA7DVWl8krDFh1X1tQtkK6CQ-NV1uDZ9CfJ_K01BCF4DvhVltRDdxj090JxBKyGdRoCjMUrRLkw3OsScTL0xsSokMx-r-UpvjEl4iz2yEuND2NTnT1Z6ydTF6b0fNMIQnn0/s1600/unnamed-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AqQad0olyA7DVWl8krDFh1X1tQtkK6CQ-NV1uDZ9CfJ_K01BCF4DvhVltRDdxj090JxBKyGdRoCjMUrRLkw3OsScTL0xsSokMx-r-UpvjEl4iz2yEuND2NTnT1Z6ydTF6b0fNMIQnn0/s400/unnamed-15.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Many areas of the park were closed due to flooding. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We did enjoy a 4 mile hike through the Golden Canyon.</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX17Q0cw3FIuTBrYQwRh5KIB_yMfpsyjSA_0wGcq4gKf_jmKwjGNsDmE1ZFmHll5U_65krRCdrA8iJjwYFa-XwOrdYPXgsYqbZzo2YbN2_N2LzKwe89cBxyo3z5YpewX5J2g39W40-01c/s1600/unnamed-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX17Q0cw3FIuTBrYQwRh5KIB_yMfpsyjSA_0wGcq4gKf_jmKwjGNsDmE1ZFmHll5U_65krRCdrA8iJjwYFa-XwOrdYPXgsYqbZzo2YbN2_N2LzKwe89cBxyo3z5YpewX5J2g39W40-01c/s400/unnamed-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>I've always wanted to visit the Opera House in Death Valley Jct. I timed it right for a morning tour with this group visiting from San Diego.</b></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This Youtube explains a bit about it: <a href="https://youtu.be/X7PBObz9K9M">MARTA BECKET'S OPERA HOUSE</a></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6o2osGl-mWMwsei8L6GdxTxPkkcGfRAZR4jNiHD0GLQ5ZgN8puGVUbRhyphenhyphenYh8BFz8Gmsd4ejb9F9vtsSqX_zSFwGQc9sKhmJWCMItVa3mRNuFJITYoH5rBJ_kbKihtIKmADgqNEQKBMY/s1600/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6o2osGl-mWMwsei8L6GdxTxPkkcGfRAZR4jNiHD0GLQ5ZgN8puGVUbRhyphenhyphenYh8BFz8Gmsd4ejb9F9vtsSqX_zSFwGQc9sKhmJWCMItVa3mRNuFJITYoH5rBJ_kbKihtIKmADgqNEQKBMY/s400/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Marta painted her own audience on the interior walls. Amazing.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>We had made plans to travel to Zion National Park in Utah, but the weather was getting colder. We headed for Pahrump,NV to the Escapees Park and then we would make some travel decisions. The temps were dropping into the 20's at night. We don't like dealing with cold weather. We looked at the map and voted to head south to warmer climate. We've always wanted to stay in the Anza-Borrego desert area east of San Diego. Our route passed by Tecopa Hot Springs, so we decided to check it out. </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As we pulled over on the side of the road, we noticed some walkers heading our way and asked them about the area. They recommended the RV Park where they stay. We normally don't stay in commercial parks, but when they told us about the 104 degree hot springs baths we decided to splurge and stay a night. Peterson's Tecopa Palm RV Park was well-worth the price of admission. When we were told we must check out<a href="https://www.chinaranch.com/"> the CHINA RANCH DATE FARM</a>, and get a date shake, that was like icing on the cake. The Happy Hour lasted nearly 2 hours and coffee and donuts in the morning another two hours. We became good friends with the couple we met out on the road. </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSppuHVnbqIJC0-aqg_8N9hGiEsTKaBMPDS7nuw6405Lev-JQdE9V2bKDZDSFFQnqhtiW4kmAKt-xe-IEtEJn-2R01AqL6IwelkHQ5fwQdcDmIbRAFSha2t4vRQ-YoJHWCi_I2AOrBsBY/s1600/tecopa-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSppuHVnbqIJC0-aqg_8N9hGiEsTKaBMPDS7nuw6405Lev-JQdE9V2bKDZDSFFQnqhtiW4kmAKt-xe-IEtEJn-2R01AqL6IwelkHQ5fwQdcDmIbRAFSha2t4vRQ-YoJHWCi_I2AOrBsBY/s400/tecopa-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Dick loved the rules of the private mineral baths: No shampoos, no lotions and nudity is required. Minerals pull the soaps out of clothing which degrades the water and everything flows out into the marsh.</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26.400001525878906px; text-align: start;"> </span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </b><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Because of Dick's history of fainting in hot water, I had to go with him every time. </b></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cdf34-CDWD1kLWpzdQAdBSj_tYgjQ77DiKW658iGiU5MZffDGJmQQz0FX1tg1qQP63i54cKYNTY1q9T8iegleBCrxSOfY2XnVQW0D7uGKh49wUrwJ_Gwb2WSRYKOxarJ437ny66xhVo/s1600/unnamed-1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cdf34-CDWD1kLWpzdQAdBSj_tYgjQ77DiKW658iGiU5MZffDGJmQQz0FX1tg1qQP63i54cKYNTY1q9T8iegleBCrxSOfY2XnVQW0D7uGKh49wUrwJ_Gwb2WSRYKOxarJ437ny66xhVo/s400/unnamed-1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Hour at Tecopa Palms RV Park. Commercial parks aren't for Dick. He was being a good sport and singing along. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(yes, Evelyn, he's playing the </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>accordion!)</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7LFX6Wf25OGZC1rpRau7TIvFW3x7NlqvufMvIP0-EoFtUlneDPzeuPJZLlVnW4PDBbUa7q-_G2uaD1UVp5oumyG3sBBv3HeaHzEmBL6ngWxR_8O-eW31LYYAi81Hs2uxSEZ6YSqUSRg/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7LFX6Wf25OGZC1rpRau7TIvFW3x7NlqvufMvIP0-EoFtUlneDPzeuPJZLlVnW4PDBbUa7q-_G2uaD1UVp5oumyG3sBBv3HeaHzEmBL6ngWxR_8O-eW31LYYAi81Hs2uxSEZ6YSqUSRg/s320/unnamed-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Corvair Ultravan motorhome</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjPpK0GVOhjkedTbgjBqmHKLf7e_gHuewzt6eQ988HiQtBaLvn0nO_E2V6AUiLhUgEhVWcAkmEhNs_uiUSbStDbAVHtHcc6y6oL4i5Wrwe7w0z05DHcsLnyeyPfwabT_J3clxiSSJzrI/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjPpK0GVOhjkedTbgjBqmHKLf7e_gHuewzt6eQ988HiQtBaLvn0nO_E2V6AUiLhUgEhVWcAkmEhNs_uiUSbStDbAVHtHcc6y6oL4i5Wrwe7w0z05DHcsLnyeyPfwabT_J3clxiSSJzrI/s320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We passed by this RV parked in Tecopa Hot Springs </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvBc0p9ZJLaRDsEtB-6CwE6ftZ3AmfwKZceUN9dWDfwsQ8o0cN48V2J90C0qUh8g0DzhwMxbZcdoxfz3BWDvnmldUY9dsmktXjBji5hX1saax7vQtXCcWq7_7xkn4BRhrd-GFWgsTzQY/s1600/unnamed-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvBc0p9ZJLaRDsEtB-6CwE6ftZ3AmfwKZceUN9dWDfwsQ8o0cN48V2J90C0qUh8g0DzhwMxbZcdoxfz3BWDvnmldUY9dsmktXjBji5hX1saax7vQtXCcWq7_7xkn4BRhrd-GFWgsTzQY/s400/unnamed-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This sign was modest compared to some things advertised in Nevada</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Next stop Borrego Springs.....</span></b><br />
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-62352118995582533432015-10-21T20:38:00.000-07:002015-10-22T09:09:09.226-07:00TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow - it's already been a month since my last travel update. We just left Washington and are now heading down the Oregon coast along Hwy 101. We've traveled this route many times but always south to north. The views are so much more spectacular going south. Maybe because I can see better riding on the shoulder side looking down on all the amazing views from the motorhome. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkex5E2KyuvswA9k4f5bXTJs2Luf9jZJyWGO7nipKKLemebXJYhUZu74HCY5NIPFeab0qA1lx75OMKjoq3bkSNCLPxODmxeApUAyiDeIgfJ1pgQhVfW2XSDJ3ajPleMWSSOpyJgBowoLg/s1600/unnamed-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkex5E2KyuvswA9k4f5bXTJs2Luf9jZJyWGO7nipKKLemebXJYhUZu74HCY5NIPFeab0qA1lx75OMKjoq3bkSNCLPxODmxeApUAyiDeIgfJ1pgQhVfW2XSDJ3ajPleMWSSOpyJgBowoLg/s640/unnamed-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our campsite where I'm writing this blog and only $10/nite. Can you find the motorhome?</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While visiting Maggie in Seattle we decided we would stay on the less populated Olympic Peninsula. So the Escapee park in Chimacum, WA was the perfect place to stay. It would take about 2 hrs to her place by car and ferry. Plus it was only about a 45 minute drive to Olympic National Park so Dick could enjoy some backpacking. It was extra nice to be at the "SKP" park because TC friends, Dean and Diane Tobias were also staying there. They say we're following them because we met up with them in September in Glacier National Park where they were camp hosts. We love following them. We have so much fun together.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQoTTlFY-UDO6d9gev9w4qV_5dHmOysQRBcoDEGrxqAfoJs90ohx-szALLHzo2F2Gl_cTGn5eaetnpwJ79R_RP9fNlKhR_DCcx_OJY56g7gECb0vb1aYDYZfZ-vS40euZhfOsJUPRLFM/s1600/11214120_10207129458854036_5256394638947551997_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQoTTlFY-UDO6d9gev9w4qV_5dHmOysQRBcoDEGrxqAfoJs90ohx-szALLHzo2F2Gl_cTGn5eaetnpwJ79R_RP9fNlKhR_DCcx_OJY56g7gECb0vb1aYDYZfZ-vS40euZhfOsJUPRLFM/s400/11214120_10207129458854036_5256394638947551997_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dean and Diane Tobias</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Diane fascinated with Dick testing out quick ways to cook an omelette with his backpacking stove.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joan and Phil Richardson, more friends from home, just happened to be passing through Port Angeles so we enjoyed a few hours with them before they caught the ferry to Vancouver Island, B.C.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoying the views at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park with the Richardsons</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really loved the town of Port Townsend, which was only a few miles from us. They still use all the old Victorian buildings dating back to the 19th century. It's as if you've stepped back in time. When I saw the beautiful <a href="http://rosetheatre.com/about/about-the-rose"><span style="color: red;">Rose Theater</span></a> in town and the movie A WALK IN THE WOODS was playing, we just had to go. The movie was great and the theater was amazing. Also, there was a wonderful farmer's market on Saturday mornings. We were told by a local to make sure we got there right when it opens and get in line for a croissant. Best he'd ever tasted since visiting France. We bought two to eat right then and two for the next day. We had no willpower and ate all four right then.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fdd3HsArDOiv1fbxAr1heYZbhvNHUwHGCmqa2Y0jqqOycj2QBepQj76PektM1e0a8Fuk1WxxAD4x5rZWlhznqz-f3OR0FdsiN_mohv-_c2PBS_IzNhXLPpkWgBo9ZMwOzL9W0zNPqWs/s1600/552451af37c7e.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fdd3HsArDOiv1fbxAr1heYZbhvNHUwHGCmqa2Y0jqqOycj2QBepQj76PektM1e0a8Fuk1WxxAD4x5rZWlhznqz-f3OR0FdsiN_mohv-_c2PBS_IzNhXLPpkWgBo9ZMwOzL9W0zNPqWs/s400/552451af37c7e.image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Saturday morning Farmer's Market in Port Townsend</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The little yellow front building in the middle is the Rose Theater and the building to the right is an extension of the theater with a restaurant below and the Starlight Room on the third floor with a beautiful view.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Starlight Room looked fun. You sit in comfy chairs and you can even order food and drink while watching a movie. Maybe next year.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA6GHq20krMXSSxsLGULXChVn7Q5ZODTI5t2qPfcDUcodc53LM4hhGJQOLZYjBVMRyqWCwVLTk4EVvdv5gpczF0kcKIdAuIuk9dPcz814_OBaRIm3PuD8F5zo4dorf5Vs1APWgFB0Gpw/s1600/Center_Egg_Road+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA6GHq20krMXSSxsLGULXChVn7Q5ZODTI5t2qPfcDUcodc53LM4hhGJQOLZYjBVMRyqWCwVLTk4EVvdv5gpczF0kcKIdAuIuk9dPcz814_OBaRIm3PuD8F5zo4dorf5Vs1APWgFB0Gpw/s200/Center_Egg_Road+%25281%2529.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlvx7fD320B82myMklmS3rxxBDwcty7t_Q-185ZmZdfVr39f8ZTvhvwk1XxpWpHvF_ctxpcwEdCO7Sz8cmlHOmLgyo-k4v_40CT-_4CVx8m8oSXMHHkGaC140DxeMj1Y6NNjH1V3LefE/s1600/Eggandidustjacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlvx7fD320B82myMklmS3rxxBDwcty7t_Q-185ZmZdfVr39f8ZTvhvwk1XxpWpHvF_ctxpcwEdCO7Sz8cmlHOmLgyo-k4v_40CT-_4CVx8m8oSXMHHkGaC140DxeMj1Y6NNjH1V3LefE/s200/Eggandidustjacket.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />One day while driving through the Chimacum countryside we passed<i> Egg and I </i>Rd. I Googled it to find that this was where the farm was located where Betty McDonald lived. She wrote a humorous memoir about her life as a newlywed trying to acclimate and operate a small chicken farm with her husband. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visiting Maggie was always interesting. She took advantage of having our wheels and drove us around doing errands. We didn't care what we did we just enjoyed being with her. She is happy to be back in Seattle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maggie's boyfriend, Tom Wick, was visiting a week during the time we were there. So we had the chance to spend some time with him. This was his first time in Seattle and he loved it. His brother also lives there and they enjoyed being together. Tom had a job with Shoreline Aviation all summer in Connecticut and from now through December he's back working for them in St. Croix, V.I. He's working hard accumulating the flying hours needed to get his Captain's license and they're both hoping eventually he can get a job flying in Seattle.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dick and Tom</span> </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love being with my daughter!</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maggie and Tom</span></b> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a few car problems which Dick can't wait to tell you about. He makes it very entertaining to say the least. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://lookingatlifethruoneeye.blogspot.com/2015/10/new-transmission-for-my-birthday.html">CLICK HERE TO READ DICK'S BLOG </a> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Transmission for My Birthday"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh9fSj-dzfR0Koq1q7zYk7YG61P42V8DrFruORE_TdNd-pSqO9SO9_JvgHVLA5im-O_AhoVundAY71rp36Fayi3cbItSpFsTg1gBRtisqSLoI6A1s3An_HVEVQiJJlt1pHE45eg93X9I/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh9fSj-dzfR0Koq1q7zYk7YG61P42V8DrFruORE_TdNd-pSqO9SO9_JvgHVLA5im-O_AhoVundAY71rp36Fayi3cbItSpFsTg1gBRtisqSLoI6A1s3An_HVEVQiJJlt1pHE45eg93X9I/s320/unnamed-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, BOO is still enjoying our travels - we are on to California to visit family</span></b></td></tr>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-40272570360940732482015-09-21T18:59:00.001-07:002015-09-23T06:50:28.733-07:00PROMISED BLOG<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After several friends and relatives asked me to continue blogging I've decided to try again. Thank you for your encouragement. My computer was giving me fits but hopefully it's going to work better now that my live-in "Handy Man" fixed it and got me going again with all his help. You're in for a long one because a lot has happened in a month.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Ole E Ranch" </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was great to be home. Since we're only home two or three months we don't even move out of the motorhome. We say it's the best campground we've ever stayed in. This year it was especially quiet because our road was blocked off to through traffic because of road work and construction. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Walking on our torn up road checking out the progress of the new Town Center </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our little rural road will never be the same. There is a 160-acre Town Center being developed on our corner. The new Meijer anchor store is only the beginning. It won't stand alone long. We will see a big change when we return in the spring. The good thing is we can walk to the store. We may like that as we get older. Dick says I could always be a greeter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FIRST DAY ON THE ROAD ------</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKulRiMczEiDSQlRM6PE5h7PL4dWdSoxJZDZ0XphipUAZm_B4sXKsoHTXNLCmCroIycAx-JLITP6dRD-ARGvyo2f8unKpGSTpv4I9_PjFkZl0QMntrbkRazpts1jltvOgnjNOdnoM_UU/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKulRiMczEiDSQlRM6PE5h7PL4dWdSoxJZDZ0XphipUAZm_B4sXKsoHTXNLCmCroIycAx-JLITP6dRD-ARGvyo2f8unKpGSTpv4I9_PjFkZl0QMntrbkRazpts1jltvOgnjNOdnoM_UU/s400/unnamed-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BOO got a little freaked out and we finally found him in the dashboard. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Passing through all the small towns in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is always interesting</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took Hwy 2 across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan planning to be in Glacier National Park in five days. When we arrived in North Dakota we checked on the fire situation in the park and heard there were several still burning with low visibility because of all the smoke. So we decided to wait it out at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, hoping they would be contained soon. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGMpnMdGCR1DFJdkegk-YJhyphenhyphenvemu8la8v-j143_CffJKg3c7BiaFR8L7eoDvW3GCeg4miO_y0b6haghUY560Gos4_9drSPBXnQQGC6rlyMb5xN9iI_KOtx1-hz1lAxxv1v2o8CSoCGXA/s1600/unnamed-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGMpnMdGCR1DFJdkegk-YJhyphenhyphenvemu8la8v-j143_CffJKg3c7BiaFR8L7eoDvW3GCeg4miO_y0b6haghUY560Gos4_9drSPBXnQQGC6rlyMb5xN9iI_KOtx1-hz1lAxxv1v2o8CSoCGXA/s400/unnamed-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lots of Prairie Dogs</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNT5oe0wFbNBXWvgF7B77ZoSqm1jBWTB4G3hgu8zIkJDRzrxRnqLjsdrJoOYxMjVNlTtwwAC4RK26IBlHfB6ayE71iuDnc4XpV-wBZaxgtLHzPG9d9L_iR4McPI6IMJ3wNVMDBhv4_SY/s1600/unnamed-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNT5oe0wFbNBXWvgF7B77ZoSqm1jBWTB4G3hgu8zIkJDRzrxRnqLjsdrJoOYxMjVNlTtwwAC4RK26IBlHfB6ayE71iuDnc4XpV-wBZaxgtLHzPG9d9L_iR4McPI6IMJ3wNVMDBhv4_SY/s640/unnamed-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Buffalo roaming everywhere</b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a week exploring both the north and south units of the park, the fires were still burning in Glacier, so we made the decision to change our destination to Yellowstone National Park. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took Hwy 12 into Montana, a beautiful route that goes all the way to the west coast. Then we hear there is just as much smoke in Yellowstone. So we figured if we have to deal with smoke we might as well head for Glacier. But first we took a detour to visit a place we've never been -- the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. It was a deeply humbling experience.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwLHWYb3U5a2IwUPn5bjo1ceAF4-bOh1wmneH2eRAgHB7mYXIO-s3BkrH-r2kqdX_5t1Vp3qIKB_MjMdAlkmSP44SsUOUxLvmlrYw7njXIyU5J4X60KAjPSlpWNmyrJfeF8HUeIw7hPo/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwLHWYb3U5a2IwUPn5bjo1ceAF4-bOh1wmneH2eRAgHB7mYXIO-s3BkrH-r2kqdX_5t1Vp3qIKB_MjMdAlkmSP44SsUOUxLvmlrYw7njXIyU5J4X60KAjPSlpWNmyrJfeF8HUeIw7hPo/s400/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6ONfdoA0NfV9K66Vr7jj4CcG-mo1LN01Hjl4DuX6Bys77IyLwf4B7oTsnYbrpu0REmtyE3QfkgieTKOh7nYMKCNPGvJ_ntgGlI3a3sQB7R_WVBq2BzblxXL4tFLboUlAsVjJUGC72Lk/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6ONfdoA0NfV9K66Vr7jj4CcG-mo1LN01Hjl4DuX6Bys77IyLwf4B7oTsnYbrpu0REmtyE3QfkgieTKOh7nYMKCNPGvJ_ntgGlI3a3sQB7R_WVBq2BzblxXL4tFLboUlAsVjJUGC72Lk/s400/unnamed-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A beautiful memorial to the Lakota, Sioux and Cheyenne who fought to preserve their way of life.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aSRtDiOi20n5pl_8h4g6SP-yXzukHbLldC6KrXL9ItAx_ch_D1TCmbP_UBFAFhlqfhJCcYiZ_43LevEN7didWsCF5FYF2DHt4BsNyWK684xHCnjIB19-BzFNNxsmEndbRtFzFHgoCGI/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aSRtDiOi20n5pl_8h4g6SP-yXzukHbLldC6KrXL9ItAx_ch_D1TCmbP_UBFAFhlqfhJCcYiZ_43LevEN7didWsCF5FYF2DHt4BsNyWK684xHCnjIB19-BzFNNxsmEndbRtFzFHgoCGI/s640/unnamed-4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Memorial to the soldiers, including Custer, who died here in 1876 fighting the Sioux and Cheyenne.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrM8lYLDBRNaL0N9pFcZHkbRIncM40Kcn1FVm8aei17odeZwHmgnsqief-fjMuWx-qKMDUXqjTOl5m5KEgao6GUfMvIYKALZn1QdNprTt0ytZyh55iebHBiCZhhPgz6gax2ieu62AbEQ/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrM8lYLDBRNaL0N9pFcZHkbRIncM40Kcn1FVm8aei17odeZwHmgnsqief-fjMuWx-qKMDUXqjTOl5m5KEgao6GUfMvIYKALZn1QdNprTt0ytZyh55iebHBiCZhhPgz6gax2ieu62AbEQ/s640/unnamed-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The black marker is Custer's</b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We traveled north to Many Glacier Campground finally arriving Sept 1st and just in time for eight days of cold, cloudy or rain, but that didn't stop Dick from backpacking to a couple of his favorite places. He'd come back looking like a drowned rat but with a smile on his face. We would rather have the rain than fires and smoke. Fortunately, the three weeks we were in the park we had some sunshine too. What was extra special while staying at Many Glacier was our friends from home were campground hosts. We enjoyed our time with them.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEg74x2PzNj-knfxji3yAZukIAW-cugxnL3v-kdB84QqGg70FMv7SZkR8HI67ZsBVNBbjmmJ9Ppf7H1xCekWyRUAc513b0fhauhJrhaviF7yY8h44TFvIoMCrmQ1gG3xrVWMh06GxeZc/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEg74x2PzNj-knfxji3yAZukIAW-cugxnL3v-kdB84QqGg70FMv7SZkR8HI67ZsBVNBbjmmJ9Ppf7H1xCekWyRUAc513b0fhauhJrhaviF7yY8h44TFvIoMCrmQ1gG3xrVWMh06GxeZc/s320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Friends from home, Dean and Diane Tobias, campground hosts at Many Glacier</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEl3x-r-wKEQQaNMQDye6_ITQ8wDVST5KYV_qx902htjyub_1cHAsyZ9ZsAArxB30pLfVgw2GoLjoJpaDY5Kynwu-ohBafOd1Q33op0KqC6J2D6cuVxdGU3GwSI8yRO47I2VI613MebE/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEl3x-r-wKEQQaNMQDye6_ITQ8wDVST5KYV_qx902htjyub_1cHAsyZ9ZsAArxB30pLfVgw2GoLjoJpaDY5Kynwu-ohBafOd1Q33op0KqC6J2D6cuVxdGU3GwSI8yRO47I2VI613MebE/s320/unnamed-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A special treat - my birthday dinner at the Many Glacier Lodge with friends. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsZOmULj7KuhBxoOpo9zdcBEtoRbBOXvfadGaAs94jaxvyTxIEoNzSTSocotJ07zKkdncKu6fdtG_bwP1WdW4KM8y6RxPC8k0aXUjPVU4DKVXdB2I1n56GYOYlxfI_bxdbJq4wZ6IMtQ/s1600/unnamed-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsZOmULj7KuhBxoOpo9zdcBEtoRbBOXvfadGaAs94jaxvyTxIEoNzSTSocotJ07zKkdncKu6fdtG_bwP1WdW4KM8y6RxPC8k0aXUjPVU4DKVXdB2I1n56GYOYlxfI_bxdbJq4wZ6IMtQ/s320/unnamed-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Hutterites sell fresh fruits and vegetables in Babb, MT once a week.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmuRSd_Hi73uhMp_y_LVFyYZMM8EoT3wzQcTO5jBIqR3nrXfP1F2iQZhe-ZqL7k6SDTglFLlPPfyuBWBONDavFncZFUpfK4OC0DmWtRLXMhFc7vaob5rhu7l7jqCz-5V6CohYwpJCKC4/s1600/unnamed-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmuRSd_Hi73uhMp_y_LVFyYZMM8EoT3wzQcTO5jBIqR3nrXfP1F2iQZhe-ZqL7k6SDTglFLlPPfyuBWBONDavFncZFUpfK4OC0DmWtRLXMhFc7vaob5rhu7l7jqCz-5V6CohYwpJCKC4/s320/unnamed-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We hiked to Iceberg Lake but unfortunately, no icebergs this year.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtZlJWHMMzBhQ2-aD3bZJgjV17eBkYB0sutN8qMNuLGGrSPmd5idL1wCkLWmy1Q1ON5p7uUM7IS1ek03ZgKjezmOA4jYf7tpE1ibw1KejCgFwmlypXWO3kzp5RfIcX4m8RHSaDWJA6ic/s1600/unnamed-27+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtZlJWHMMzBhQ2-aD3bZJgjV17eBkYB0sutN8qMNuLGGrSPmd5idL1wCkLWmy1Q1ON5p7uUM7IS1ek03ZgKjezmOA4jYf7tpE1ibw1KejCgFwmlypXWO3kzp5RfIcX4m8RHSaDWJA6ic/s320/unnamed-27+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>There's always a moose at Fishercap Lake just a short hike out of Many Glacier</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also stayed in two other campgrounds in other areas of the park where we enjoyed some beautiful fall weather.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBqXHM6rqGv_O6QFU6swmqhC05rk8Q7F0P6meH3VsHa1zKw_0mO5iXA6nAn9hZFFombrNHB1wwcJK63wHpDf9NuWrY53YW4AI4YQ7kOV4mFeYSSvP7d_xNbG4rp2k0dciUOM8rIW6HVE/s1600/unnamed-22+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBqXHM6rqGv_O6QFU6swmqhC05rk8Q7F0P6meH3VsHa1zKw_0mO5iXA6nAn9hZFFombrNHB1wwcJK63wHpDf9NuWrY53YW4AI4YQ7kOV4mFeYSSvP7d_xNbG4rp2k0dciUOM8rIW6HVE/s320/unnamed-22+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hiking with Dean and Diane Tobias</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57fy4qWAgPw-V7_LRMRUbt0TnkH6dcuj-sGUMyiSpF3XL-qpLPIoPuCGH9LntR_ZCW-a1U-yFaXgM9E5-58nnCL3lINDsvzRFzkLZv7w6Z1BM3Cve_XxZ4y1kl-5v5WCfFPTRt40Aho/s1600/unnamed-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57fy4qWAgPw-V7_LRMRUbt0TnkH6dcuj-sGUMyiSpF3XL-qpLPIoPuCGH9LntR_ZCW-a1U-yFaXgM9E5-58nnCL3lINDsvzRFzkLZv7w6Z1BM3Cve_XxZ4y1kl-5v5WCfFPTRt40Aho/s320/unnamed-26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wolf Mountain at sunrise (our motorhome and car)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-axtqi1h9Wn8WYx1Ftb2D7llQg_Vvn6RQ49MIvPns96euDEtbiFnw1_9QrGtTrTHIy1hDcX_hqRkX6PoVl3_g9F8mAJtUY7mrkeND-1HcSsfbMOhhxO6ieE_L7-h98e29lpI7CEmbnQ/s1600/unnamed-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-axtqi1h9Wn8WYx1Ftb2D7llQg_Vvn6RQ49MIvPns96euDEtbiFnw1_9QrGtTrTHIy1hDcX_hqRkX6PoVl3_g9F8mAJtUY7mrkeND-1HcSsfbMOhhxO6ieE_L7-h98e29lpI7CEmbnQ/s320/unnamed-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dick was happy to have sunshine and good weather for a 3-day hike.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-UPfsAQL2WPTIKxj-w4r2hGMM8YnPqrsY-5T6jnAKtFVoH8-f_GdkoFaAZOmE3epK2nZfRDYYgZ_jXik6uHWdeHpKa3tGd_BMyomgsF8cMCDniFXdVnpXiAFRdEbDNqCa4mix0qR36o/s1600/unnamed-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-UPfsAQL2WPTIKxj-w4r2hGMM8YnPqrsY-5T6jnAKtFVoH8-f_GdkoFaAZOmE3epK2nZfRDYYgZ_jXik6uHWdeHpKa3tGd_BMyomgsF8cMCDniFXdVnpXiAFRdEbDNqCa4mix0qR36o/s320/unnamed-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I saw lots of wildlife while hiking around Two Medicine.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJYHqAr4laWSvtNGMCD4NWRCs-YapZSt0UINZsEiIQdioY9eHX1M430EOUHvA47tiNX4bskHhVeex83T0NCdnIHrGcV1MNcy8dSbKeIuvt4WSUKE8D3XxkhrgojXSYkZm7CAUuIXZZ94/s1600/unnamed-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJYHqAr4laWSvtNGMCD4NWRCs-YapZSt0UINZsEiIQdioY9eHX1M430EOUHvA47tiNX4bskHhVeex83T0NCdnIHrGcV1MNcy8dSbKeIuvt4WSUKE8D3XxkhrgojXSYkZm7CAUuIXZZ94/s320/unnamed-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another picture of Mt Sinopah, my favorite place in Glacier.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdWz7W996mFV2mh3MvhkJi5woMCnjBP6jNDoJRBTS_A7-1wgorXoLolvujgpnb0k9mpOf7AegnQicFphLKnO5-536O1e81gkPTQKTKershyphenhyphen5-QRqvrCTg6cGodh-xao7xZCmjCiyQ7_s/s1600/unnamed-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdWz7W996mFV2mh3MvhkJi5woMCnjBP6jNDoJRBTS_A7-1wgorXoLolvujgpnb0k9mpOf7AegnQicFphLKnO5-536O1e81gkPTQKTKershyphenhyphen5-QRqvrCTg6cGodh-xao7xZCmjCiyQ7_s/s320/unnamed-37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Visited our nephew, Kevin Mallery, in Whitefish where he lives year round.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgMnlIbcaidnbldvoB2w2y1QR8vTBYfHAMgfKDlo5VC-u0szA45vX5ePpM52-Qdf3e7YRcaendZwYEvPBKnjV_hjViXcawdAeVQJ0DfWdIA1xuXO6Ym3S_LzndXTdDQHfl2-Y63RrQV4/s1600/unnamed-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgMnlIbcaidnbldvoB2w2y1QR8vTBYfHAMgfKDlo5VC-u0szA45vX5ePpM52-Qdf3e7YRcaendZwYEvPBKnjV_hjViXcawdAeVQJ0DfWdIA1xuXO6Ym3S_LzndXTdDQHfl2-Y63RrQV4/s320/unnamed-19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Discovered in our bathroom</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At one of the campgrounds, we picked up several stowaways who wanted to get in out of the rain. It was an exciting night of mousecapades. I took a double take when I saw the above. At first I thought it was one of BOO's toys! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our traps caught 5 and BOO caught two. It gave Dick something to write about. As you know Dick is the RV Shrink and writes a weekly column for <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>, an online newsletter. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDryG5gZkU2DYBZ0waU58g-1IbM3gO6wJeI6Tmg_DI1FlVTWyUmWCyg42KoqXJI9glsn61iIaBAZD3cfKWMQceQcDWcGEouSHFYvzpjmz7feI-4S_Rcbs-qXN0zcqT7SzTvAOOljcGhg/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDryG5gZkU2DYBZ0waU58g-1IbM3gO6wJeI6Tmg_DI1FlVTWyUmWCyg42KoqXJI9glsn61iIaBAZD3cfKWMQceQcDWcGEouSHFYvzpjmz7feI-4S_Rcbs-qXN0zcqT7SzTvAOOljcGhg/s400/unnamed-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elinor loved hitching a ride in our motorhome.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We met some Continental Divide hikers when we were in East Glacier. Dick talked with them awhile and then one of them asked for a ride when she heard we were heading to Marias Pass. We ended up visiting with her for nearly an hour. She has also hiked the AT, the PCT and this was her second time hiking the CDT, her favorite. Her next hike is across New Zeeland. A great morning. Dick enjoys giving back - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he owes a lot of people for all the "trail magic" he has when he hikes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9di2qyYKncfd5oVY__KSiEnKBWAdDq9f8aULPgsurGVjUa9jLN4sjIUhf_9290l3MyFva43n5tE0lOsOw5tgmRY3gm7h4snnnidWP9EQXCqedJQ_iVlfbZDbTirJHwROrzFuaFD0_HE/s1600/unnamed-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9di2qyYKncfd5oVY__KSiEnKBWAdDq9f8aULPgsurGVjUa9jLN4sjIUhf_9290l3MyFva43n5tE0lOsOw5tgmRY3gm7h4snnnidWP9EQXCqedJQ_iVlfbZDbTirJHwROrzFuaFD0_HE/s400/unnamed-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A fun visit with Walt at the Polebridge Mercantile</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, when we visit Glacier NP we HAVE to go to the Polebridge Mercantile for a "bear claw" pastry. It's about a 30 mile drive from our campground on the west side. We were very disappointed when we saw how small they were this year. Nearly half as big as other years. New ownership has to ruin things. Oh well, it ended up being another great morning when we met Walt from Minneapolis. Dick found his match. I rarely got a word in edgewise as these two characters and lovers of Glacier NP bounced stories off each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While camping it's always fun to see all the different RVs people have. Here are a few I just had to share.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s7O8PpoEFVzGKs75UhUniM3s6vuuJ-SglFPjs1CO0WOSyZ-fjdys2r9iin3rvulgRWBcfbD7glJnTrTAfR-X83dqrwy2-WQqIrkgfhQFS5gWmWKF_MT6zbN-fzNHg1mncLTlD6qjdGg/s1600/unnamed-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s7O8PpoEFVzGKs75UhUniM3s6vuuJ-SglFPjs1CO0WOSyZ-fjdys2r9iin3rvulgRWBcfbD7glJnTrTAfR-X83dqrwy2-WQqIrkgfhQFS5gWmWKF_MT6zbN-fzNHg1mncLTlD6qjdGg/s400/unnamed-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1950 Chevrolet pulling a 1950 Silver Streak and the guy said his wife was also a 1950 model.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKB2JAB_kbBoK8YijkO_X7UThM00jgHbeY0_487n7vV9oTfwGTRM-KFE6_1MQJz3XJPs7AaZilUJZrEtuY_az5rxTRxLHeOvnQNb6FnjW9kH6fTsBlvc3quhfJS9_BylsO6MOQsZBavg/s1600/unnamed-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKB2JAB_kbBoK8YijkO_X7UThM00jgHbeY0_487n7vV9oTfwGTRM-KFE6_1MQJz3XJPs7AaZilUJZrEtuY_az5rxTRxLHeOvnQNb6FnjW9kH6fTsBlvc3quhfJS9_BylsO6MOQsZBavg/s400/unnamed-10.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shasta trailer - love the plaid curtains</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtCeUNIPBkT7xy1Z2laXICCrTgAk2PBPk04icN875Xxd_nCV8SvSTbK6ntfwQDMMFL0tWbw2DyxOfwwWdyy41nUv3S0ueVCotQddjknJkaTMCHFcsRtK1bscM-z-dFLR1O9zIvgub2VI/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtCeUNIPBkT7xy1Z2laXICCrTgAk2PBPk04icN875Xxd_nCV8SvSTbK6ntfwQDMMFL0tWbw2DyxOfwwWdyy41nUv3S0ueVCotQddjknJkaTMCHFcsRtK1bscM-z-dFLR1O9zIvgub2VI/s400/unnamed-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This interesting monster was parked across from us. Made in the USA by <a href="http://globalxvehicles.com/">globalxvehicles.com</a></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik055PYgUoAWmf9lgPE53zJJG9Uluaz6cUqHMEw5ZEgPYLoBv26BPFryS9CzO0PCC_VYiHhhMKbsLJUxOAmbn1rbSPy62vNaYNBK5WYrGZHP8FJY3VaL5CYbdFOTncP4t-80l3E54kmnY/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik055PYgUoAWmf9lgPE53zJJG9Uluaz6cUqHMEw5ZEgPYLoBv26BPFryS9CzO0PCC_VYiHhhMKbsLJUxOAmbn1rbSPy62vNaYNBK5WYrGZHP8FJY3VaL5CYbdFOTncP4t-80l3E54kmnY/s320/unnamed-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are enjoying our trip and have had no problems except for the night Dick camped at Granite Park and a "pack"rat ate a large hole in his expensive tent. It must have been trying to get in out of the cold and rain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to Washington......</span></div>
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<br />THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-29799393652661497542015-09-19T12:44:00.001-07:002015-09-19T12:44:52.001-07:00PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS to.....FLORIDA!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>It was fun watching all the pleasure boats going through the locks</b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>We are camped at a beautiful C.O.E. campground alongside the Cabosahatchee River, also known as the C-43 Canal which connects Lake Okechobee with the Gulf of Mexico. We had a difficult time reserving a space here but we snagged two nights playing Campground BINGO! All was well until we realized we had reserved a shared space. This was a first for us. Our neighbor was sitting outside so we introduced ourselves and my first impression was there was something a bit strange about this guy, especially since he kept spitting and talking to himself. I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was talking on an earbud phone. Then whoever was on the other end was getting an earful of the F word. No - he WAS talking to himself and very angrily. Whoa....this was not good. Then around 2pm we get a knock on our door and it was HIM asking if we'd like anything from the store...."beer, steaks etc..." He was heading into town and would be glad to bring something back for us. We didn't even know this guy??? Then we realized there was a woman with him as they drove away. Fortunately, she was doing the driving. He apparently was drunk or high on something. We lucked out because they never returned and we wondered if they were hoping we'd give them some money to pick up the beer and steaks he suggested. A sad situation. We enjoyed the rest of our stay at Ortona and hope to stay longer next time.<br /><span id="goog_339617417"></span><span id="goog_339617418"></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In our last blog we were camped at Padre Island National Park. We always enjoy our time there. We did the morning birding trip given by two volunteers and learned so much about the park. The nice thing about going with someone who lives there is they know where the birds hangout - especially the Peregrine and the elusive Snipe.</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>The sad part about Padre Island National Park is all the trash that washes up onto the beach. Every time we are here we enjoy driving out onto the beach to look for shells etc... I always have a bag handy to pick up trash. This is what I gathered in a one hour walk one morning, and I had to leave a lot behind too large for the bag. The predominant southeast wind drives the currents to this location in the Northwest corner. We were told most of these objects come from fishing/shrimping industries or offshore natural gas platforms and also Mexico. It's a constant job to keep the beaches clean.</b></div>
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<b>We have a route along the coast to and from Florida that stays away from the Interstate. There are three ferry crossings. Only the one from Freeport to Galveston charges $2.00, the other two are free. Except the squeezing through the pay gate and scraped our wheel cover along the curb. It's a more scenic route along the Gulf, passing houses on stilts, lots of shorebirds, sometimes porpoises leading our way at the ferry crossings, brama bulls in the fields. Then there are also areas of gas drilling which isn't so beautiful. </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This picture was taken from our motorhome window of the ferry we're waiting to board.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Refineries</b></td></tr>
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<b>The Bluewater Hwy from Surfside to Galveston is another beautiful part on this route. This 10 ft tall statue created as a memorial to the <a href="http://www.1900storm.com/">Great Storm of 1900</a> that killed over 6,000 people in Galveston.</b></div>
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<b>Another beautiful road along the coast is Hwy 82. It begins at the Texas/Louisiana border all the way to Abbeville. I love traveling through the historic towns of Abbeville, New Iberia and Morgan City. We arrived in the area two days after Mardi Gras and there were gold, purple and green decorations everywhere. We stayed away from New Orleans this trip. We were there two years ago and have wonderful memories. (I would have liked a beignet though). This time we camped on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain at Fontainebleau State Park and the Saloneks from Minnesota just happen to be there the same time. We met them in 2010 on Padre Island. We enjoyed our visit. </b><br />
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<b>It was getting close to OSCAR time so we timed it to be at Davis Bayou National Park in Ocean Springs where we knew we'd get ABC. We had our own Oscar party.</b></div>
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<b>We knew it was time to replace our nearly 10 year old tires on the motorhome. While in Ocean Springs, Dick found a deal at a reputable tire dealer and bit the bullet. I feel safer now but for several days after, everytime I stepped out of the RV I would smell horse manure. I got to thinking it must be something about us and finally realized it was the new tires. I sure hope that doesn't last long.</b></div>
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<b>We finally made it to Florida and stayed at Ft. Pickens National Seashore. The Barkers, friends from home, just happened to be renting a condo just outside the park gate. The weather turned cold and rainy so they took us to the <a href="http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/">National Naval Aviation Museum</a> in Pensacola. After three days it was time to move on and the morning we left the park they were waving from their 13th floor Condo balcony. </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Colleen and Rob Barker disembarking Nixon's Marine One Presidential Helicopter </b></td></tr>
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THE RAMBLING NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349675978792826227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875039106779730552.post-75761333445780747202015-02-15T19:37:00.001-08:002015-02-16T10:45:09.297-08:00THE COAST IS CLEAR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are presently in Texas enjoying a few days at Padre Island National Park. We are parked at Bird Island Basin facing this view from our front window. This is the #2 spot in the country for windsurfing. With a Bird Island Basin Annual Pass (available for $10) you can camp for free. This is the first time all winter we haven't had to turn on the heat when we get up in the morning. So nice!<br />
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We enjoyed our three weeks near my parents and our stay at Lost Dutchman State Park. We were told by the ranger as long as we "behaved" we could stay as long as we wanted. We had great weather for hiking, plus I loved the quiet and dark nights with only the sounds of the coyotes and owls. (<a href="http://www.coyotetale.net/roughing.php">Mark Twain’s description of the coyote</a>).<br />
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Many campers string solar lights around the perimeter of their RVs, but I noticed there were several campsites with mechanic work lamps under their vehicles. Out of curiosity, I asked the campground Host what was the reason for this.<br />
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She explained it's to keep the Pack Rats from building nests in the engine. They don’t like light. So that also explains why so many had rope lights! The light also keeps the rattlesnakes away. We’d been there two weeks already and fortunately nothing had moved in. We didn't have electricity, so Dick put solar lights under the engine hoping that would deter them.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">These birds were everywhere! We Googled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqoF8Kern4">how to pronounce</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqoF8Kern4">Phainopepla</a> and practiced everyday. It is a tough one to learn!</span></span></div>
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While in the area we drove to Florence to visit Ed and Gerry Agnew, friends that I’ve kept in touch with from the park I stayed in while Dick hiked the Arizona Trail last spring. On the way we noticed the <a href="http://www.hcn.org/articles/new-mexico-commission-votes-to-divert-gila-river">Gila River</a> beds were dry. This once beautiful river has now been diverted. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> </span>Ed said the River Bottom Grill in Florence has a sign on their menu that reads, "located next to the mighty Gila River where the water is so clear you can see the bottom."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times; font-size: small;">When we left my parents our plan was to begin traveling to Florida but the weather through New Mexico and Texas was cold with below freezing nights. We wanted to enjoy those areas so we headed south to wait it out. We camped a couple nights at Catalina State Park and contacted a couple we camped next to in Glacier National Park in Montana a couple summers ago. They invited us to their home for salmon dinner. It was fun reconnecting for an evening. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Renee and Jacques - picture taken at Glacier National Park 2013</b></td></tr>
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From there we went to Patagonia again. This time we stayed at the Patagonia Lake State Park. This would be a good place to connect with several friends from home. Maryanne Macy and Gregg Chance were there again this year. The highlight of our time with them was dinner and a jam session with a group at their "A Room With a View" rental located in a beautiful area just outside of the state park. Since we like the Patagonia area, Dick was checking out real estate. He read about some acerage for sale at a great price in this area and used his Google Earth App to check it out. On the App it looked like a ridge but when we drove over to check it was a steep canyon with no building site, which explained the cheap price!<br />
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Laurie and Bill Bassett were heading for California and had always wanted to see Patagonia so this was perfect timing - except for the weather! It rained a couple days but the Bassetts were game for checking out Nogales on the AZ side of the border. Laurie who is also known for her “Lottie’s Loot” store in Traverse City, loves to check out the thrift stores. We had so much fun exploring the only two in town. When we walked into the Goodwill Store we both just about turned around and walked out. We couldn’t believe our eyes. The two young girls at the door who were sorting intake both had face masks on and there were bins the length of the store, each piled high with unorganized stuff. After about 20 minutes, we went to the checkout with a few items and then found out everything is sold by the pound. When we heard 89 cents a pound we just had to stay longer. We didn’t care how much we itched or what kind of disease we might get. We'd gamble for a bargain!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bill and Laurie Bassett at their Patagonia campsite</b><br />
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<b>This is definately not anything like the Goodwill Stores I'm used to!</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We got up early to go look for the Elegant Trogan one more time and then we'd pack up and begin our trip east. When we returned from the hike we couldn't make up our minds if we should stay another day or go. We decided to flip a coin. We are so glad the coin landed to stay. We received an email from Canada friends that we met and traveled with last winter. They were on the west side of Tucson and wanted to drive down to Patagonia for the day.</span></div>
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Loved being with Judy Preston again! (You also, Mike. Thanks for the nice photo)</div>
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The weather forecast through New Mexico and Texas finally looked good for us. Plus, Dick said we'd better get going before the gas prices go back up! Along our route we reconnected with several traveling friends.<br />
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Karen and Don Richardson who were our hosts at the Junction Creek Campground by Durango, CO</div>
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Ed Trautwein in his little home on wheels</div>
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We couldn't go through New Mexico without seeing the Fergusons one more time.</div>
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We've gone through several Border Patrol checkpoints in these southwestern border states. We wonder if they have devices setup that can hear what people are saying inside their vehicle. Dick wanted to test it out once by saying, "did you hide that kilo in the toilet?" but thought he'd better not. We read on-line that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/22/us/ap-us-magnetic-drug-smuggling.html?_r=0">drug smugglers are putting containers with powerful magnets </a>under cars in Mexico and then recovering the containers after they've gotten past the U.S. border authorities. Most of the time going through is uneventful, they just ask us a couple of questions and wave us on, but we stopped at one on our way to Benson, AZ and the dog sniffing the vehicle ahead of us went ballistic. They say with all the electronic, Big Brother survallence equipment the government has, the most successful method they deploy is the dog. Once the dog was on to something there was no way to distract him. The handler gave the agent speaking to the driver a two finger sign and the driver was asked for his license and registration. Another agent came over, took the documents and instructed the driver to pull into an inspection area off to the side. For their sake, I hope all they were hiding was a rear bumper full of Alpo.<br />
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We stayed a night outside of <a href="http://www.marfacc.com/todo/marfalights.php">Marfa, Texas at the Marfa Lights Viewing Area</a>. It was a Saturday night so there were several people waiting in the dark hoping to get a chance to see these mystery lights. One lady mentioned she read this phenomena only happens a dozen times a year. So what is the chance that we are there on the right night? Dick is still a sceptic.<br />
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The Marfa Lights Viewing Area</div>
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We traveled the backroad through Presidio along the border and the Rio Grande River to get to Big Bend National Park. Along this route is a movie set that was used for several westerns. One in particular we remember is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWcT_J821sA">THE STREETS OF LOREDO</a>. We were in Marfa, Texas in 1994 or 95 when they were auditioning children for the school scenes. So we thought, what the heck, and took Maggie to try out. We figured we'd make it work if she got the part, but then again hoping she wouldn't because we knew we should get her back home to her real school.<br />
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The movie set for several westerns near Presidio, Texas</div>
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A rest area between Presidio and Lajitas</div>
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Big Bend is one of our favorite National Parks. It's an amazing place. </div>
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Dick did an overnight backpacking trip to the South Rim and I had some alone time. </div>
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We were pleasantly surprised to find Marv and Nancy Kelso in our campground. They're from Gaylord, Michigan. We met them last year at Big Bend. We knew they were heading for Texas but that was the last we heard. It's a small world. Dick is laughing because Marv just told us he told his kids he wants his ashes spread at Walmart because then Nancy will visit him twice a week. HA</div>
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One of my favorites in the Rio Grande Village campground - the Vermillion Flycatcher.</div>
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After a week in Big Bend we headed for the cute little western town of Marathon to get our</div>
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forwarded mail and then continued our trip east riding the belly of America!</div>
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MY TWO TRAVELING PARTNERS</div>
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