Ten Ten

The mountains shall bring peace to the people... Psalm 72:3

To check our training progress, Becky and I decided to spend a weekend backpacking.  Although we had hiked two consecutive days on a previous trip, the mileage was rather small.  We wanted to up the ante to ten miles each day.  Remember, we are planning on a 100-mile section hike next summer and will have to cover 15-20 miles per day.

On a normal backpacking trip all I would have is my loaded backpack.  This was what I call a hybrid trip; it was a combination of backpacking and car camping.  We had reservations to stay at Hungry Mother State Park, but would be carrying full packs while hiking.  This allowed us a few more creature comforts like a bath-house, my full-size pillow from home, and an extra sleeping bag.  I loaded my pack and some firewood into the car then headed to Becky's.  She added her gear and two camp chairs.

Upon arriving at our destination, we hiked a four-mile loop immediately followed by a six-mile loop.   After finishing ten miles in four hours, we thought we had earned ourselves a cup of coffee.  I had placed my mittens and hiking poles on and against the bumper of my car.  After I put my pack in the vehicle, I got into the driver's seat, buckled up and headed to town for a coffee I had been craving all...day...long.  Driving back toward our "home for the night" I saw my mittens in the road and instantly knew what I had done.  I said, "Becky, there are my mittens."  I pulled into a parking area so she could jump out to retrieve my mits.  They are hand knitted and felted by yours truly, so, I wanted to keep them.  We then crossed the highway to retrieve my poles.  Thankfully, I had not ruined them.  That was my "brain fart" moment of the trip.

Molly's Knob as seen from Clyburn Ridge

We pitched our tent, rolled out sleeping pads and bags, then turned our attention to a camp-fire.

home for the night

Because we were unsuccessful with starting a fire on our first overnight trip, we were determined to have one this night.  I brought proper kindling and dry wood.  Becky brought "Meacham Matches", otherwise known as a blow torch.  My sweet husband and son brought extra wood and coffee to us shortly after we set up camp.

we conquered fire

In the morning, I started the fire again.  We prepared and ate breakfast, read our Bibles, attended to hygiene, then tore down camp.  The scripture quoted at the beginning of this post was in my daily reading.  I thought it was timely, appropriate, and very much describes what hiking does for me.

I suggested we hike the upper half of the Lake Trail, cross the highway to  Clyburn Ridge, then finish the remainder of the Lake Trail back to where we would leave the car.  After Becky agreed, we drove to Molly's Knob parking area.  As usual for me, I had to stop within the first hour to eat.  Over the last few years, I have learned to listen to my body when it tells me to refuel.  I ate two handfuls of dates, prunes, cranberries, and almonds.  Not done yet.  I then ate a peanut butter and nutella sandwich round.

Around mile four, my right abductor started to really tighten up.  This progressed throughout the remainder of the day, but as long as I remained in motion the pain was minimal.  Conversely, after stopping for a minute, the first few steps were more painful.  Becky's foot started giving her trouble, too.  We persevered and finished all ten miles in four and a half hours.  While we were a tad slower on the second day, we did hike twenty miles in two days.  I'll take that. 

I had a couple of giggle moments on this trip.  When I unzipped my second sleeping bag, a pair of socks fell out.  I have a habit of taking my socks off in my sleep.  Apparently I had done that when I camped a few weeks ago and didn't realize or remember the socks were still there.

Another time I laughed out loud at myself was just before we started out for the second-day hike.  I had put my pack on and wanted to pocket some tissues for the hike.  With cooler temps and winds, I have to wipe my nose more often. (Gross, I know.  Sorry.)  After opening the car door, I reached in for the box of tissues only to be stopped just short of reaching them.  My pack had caught on the upper door frame and I was stuck.  I thought, "This must be a sight."  

a section of  Lake Trail

It was another great trip.  These prep hikes are serving their purposes.  I'm getting stronger and more fit, as well as learning what needs to be tweaked.