![here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/12/17/16/gruff-rhys.jpg)
The Crew with the weed whips attack the meadow with a vengeance. The next meadow is even worse than the first! It is nearly totally obscured in some places, with over hanging maples sagging into it as well. Knowing that it cannot be removed without months of swinging a Pulaski or a type of tool (cross-cut saw or chain-saw) that we don't have, Howard takes his time to put a step into it so it is easier to traverse. Right before another meadow lies a huge 3 foot diameter tree across the trail. For a few tenths up the trail is in good condition, under the cover of the forest only some woody shrubs show any sign of encroachment. The sound of the river is loud, so I know I will sleep like a rock!Īfter all of us have put up and stowed and stashed our gear we eat a quick lunch before heading out to work up the trail or back to finish up the first meadow. The loam is springy and makes for a very comfortable mattress.
![here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse](https://www.heymanchester.com/wp/files/Fuzzy-Lights-Gullivers-Manchester.jpg)
Where I pitch my tent the ground is very soft. However closer to camp, there are a bunch of maples that are very difficult to navigate, and it is much easier to get to my site by going through the rest of the tent area. My tent site is down the river bank, about splitting the difference to the river and camp. My site is slightly separated from the others and more difficult to get to. I pull out the food bag and take my pack over to where my tent site lays. The colorful bear pinata survived unscathed! I was half expecting to see bits of plastic and parts of apples scattered about in some macabre scene of fruity destruction. Soon enough we roll into camp and toss off our packs. The hiking poles, as always, help tremendously to keep footing and to pull myself up the incline. The views, the meadow, the mountains, and streams flow quickly by, I keep my posture upright, glancing where my feet are to go so I don't trip. I think this way really is advantageous to reducing energy consumption. I decided to try that method and found that it made the hills much more bearable, the weight of myself and the pack never being exposed to only one leg for a long period of time. One of the first days I noticed Bill would take very tiny but fast steps as he got to very steep sections of trail. The hike seems to go very quickly, the pack taking my thoughts away. Joni gives me plenty of space for both of us to have solitude, but keeps me in view for safety. Mostly to get out of the way, but also to be able to go the pace we want to go without being alone. Joni and I start again just as they stop. Howard comes puffing up, saying he always sounds like that. Soon We arrive at the bench, well before everyone else. Looking at the ground, and taking short steps, using hiking poles, and going slow enough not to get over-heated and exhausted takes much concentration. Josh takes up the rear to make sure everyone in between is okay. I take the lead and Joni follows 20 or 30 yards behind. They effectively keep debris out of my boots and they are lower than my socks so there is no discomfort.Īfter everyone is packed up and has their bags loaded with divided group food we set off for Company Creek.
![here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse here we have a bed and breakfast josh rouse](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NmkEvoO-qgc/hqdefault.jpg)
The required adding a strip of Velcro to the back of the boot to hold it down. I am also using Mountain Hardware gaiters. It's easy to setup and just an all-around comfortable piece of gear. I can hang a rope inside for a clothes line and hang a light from for reading. For a one person I have enough room for my boots and my back pack inside the tent with me. I am also quite happy with my 1-person Mountain Hardware Sprite 1 tent. The bag is plenty warm and very comfortable. I have been putting my liner and a sweat shirt and it works fine as a pillow that doesn't run away since it is attached to the bag. Inside the bag there is a sack that works as a pillow. My sleeping pad fits and stays in a pouch on the exterior of the bag. I like that it doesn't waste filling on the bottom of the bag, as that area gets compacted anyway. Which leads me to a gear discussion! The Big Agnes down Grouse Mountain sleeping bag I'm using for the first time is great. I pack my back pack as I go about knocking down everything. When I get out of the tent I toss everything else out also so the tent is empty. I'm trying to practice so when it rains I can do it with a bit less pain inside the tent. I pack my sleeping bag and roll my ground pad before getting out of the tent.