I took back to back Fridays off and we headed into the woods for an overnight backpack trip X2. I have to use my vacation before retiring!
TRIP 1: We started at Dunham Siding and took the North Country Trail toward Kellettville.
The first part of the trail is a gentle downhill until you reach the shelterWe stayed here before but slept in our tent behind the shelter. Shelter’s are great until you turn out your light and a mouse runs over your face, no thanks.This camp is about 5 miles from the start. We decided to keep going since there was a few more sites about a mile farther. We did not like the other one’s so came back here. I don’t think people realize it’s here, leaves were still in the fire ring from the fall. The creek is small so definitely not something to plan on using mid to late summer. Nice thing about a site that sees little use: there was firewood everywhereIt cooled down enough to warrant a fire, I am sitting far enough back to avoid any new melt spots on my Crocs.
I woke about 2:30 in the morning to a strange animal call. I have a lot of nights in tents and this call was a first. We were on a remote section of the trail so I know it was not anything domestic. Whatever was making the sound was on the bank above our tent. I heard the call getting closer and closer then farther and farther. I thought about getting out of the tent but decided not to since the animal was going away. It remained a mystery until the drive home. I asked Leann to look for animal calls on YouTube. Best guess it was a baby black bear. Good thing I did not stick my nose out of the tent and come face to face with mama.
I decided to use my Gregory Baltoro for the weekend. This is a heavy pack but is very comfortable to carry. This is my go to pack for Alaska adventures. Ultralight backpackers would be appalled. After this weekend I decided to keep using it.A friend in high school ran high hurdles, wonder how quickly he could run through these?
TRIP 2: We started at Hickory Creek Trailhead and took Tanbark trail to Tom’s Run, then Ironwood, back to the Tanbark to our camp on Minister Creek
Hickory Creek parking lot was empty, first time ever. This could be a preview of retirement, empty parking lots and empty trails.Leann taking the high road to stay out of the mud.Tom’s Run LoopNope, it was not cold or rainy. We decided to stop for lunch and sat on a downed tree. Leann had a bug buzzing here and swatted at it, she got stung. We then looked at Sammy and he had several bees on him. I told Leann to take him and get away. She did but a few followed so I told her to keep going and I would get the gear. During all of this I got stung six times. She suggested I put on the my rain coat and gloves before going back for the rest of the stuff. Good idea. I did 2 quick trips got the rest of our stuff without anymore stings.
About 12 days after this trip my left hand started hurting, swelling and turning red. It was not getting better so I went to CVS to see the NP. She commented that last time I visited it was also for a bug bite. Told her there was a good chance I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever on my last visit. Very rare in the East and potentially fatal if it goes untreated. One slight issue: they can’t diagnose until you are dead. I had all of the symptoms so they gave me antibiotics and I got better very quickly. On this visit they also gave me antibiotics and I am improving. NP said if the redness starts going up my arm to go back right away, no shit.
People ask if I am worried about hiking in bear country and my answer never changes. Bears don’t worry me, it’s the little bastards that are always trying to kill me.
This is a typical trail in Allegheny: old railroad bed.
I woke up in the middle of the night and heard a Barred Owl in the distance, it kept getting closer and closer. Sounded like it ended up right above our tent. I took the teepee for our rain shelter, I knew it was not going to rain but setting it up guarantees no rain. This is lighter and easier to set up than our other tarp so I will take it from now on. Anyone interested in a Jacks R Better, catenary tarp?Sammy is very interested in Leann’s breakfastAnother beautiful morning in the woods, sure beats workingThere is a fungus among us, anyone know what this is?I thought it was interesting to see all of the rocks under the root ball of this tree, maybe that is why it fell.
Oh well back to reality at least for a little while.
