1/4 of the way done. Reached Kenosha Pass at about 3pm. Started at about 8:30 knowing we only had 13 miles to hike today. I started off slow. My back is pretty uncomfortable and have tried every position to help relieve it with no success. The sun was more brutal on me today without sunscreen. My tan has burned off in spots on my arms and have decided to start using sunscreen now. In a short time I was ahead of john as he slowed to favor the knee. In the lead I was about a 1/4 mile in front so alone. I sense something and as I flinch I hear a loud hawk cry as I swung my head around just as it struck me in the back of the head. Almost knocking off my hat. Startled I realize what just happened and begin laughing to myself. Never been dive bombed by a hawk before. I watched her/him as it flew up to the highest pine and yelled at me. A little later the clouds closed in and I heard the rumble of thunder. "Crap!" I thought. It was pretty cool too so I thought "if it rains I will use my tarp". Of course it started raining. I got my tarp set up and as soon as I was done the professor comes by. "You wanna sit here?" I yell. "No, I am soaked anyway". "My bladder broke in my bag and everything is wet". I yelled "That sucks!" "Ya, I know" says the professor and continues walking. He seemed ok nonetheless. After about a half hour the rain stops and I repack and head out. We came to nice patch of land where we re-up'd on water and took a break. There were no beaver ponds here either, bummer!
The second half of the hike was more brutal with a steep uphill and a minefield for a trail. One wrong step and your journey is done. Camp Lesson ... need a larger sized tarp. Probably an 8 by 10 would work the best. Have decided that excessive mountain bike usage really ruins the trails and makes it dangerous for hikers. This is really apparent at and around Kenosha pass. Most have been very friendly with a couple exceptions but that's always the rule.
Physical: Middle back problems still persist but that is the only thing right now.
Now as we approached hwy 285, I could see a large vehicle parked at the trailhead and from where I was it looked like a delicious yummy fatty roach coach. My mouth started watering and I suddenly realized how hungry I was. I had many thoughts like cheese burgers, fries, hot dogs, ice cream, soda, chips among many more items I am pretty sure no roach coach in the country carries. Like a mirage in the desert I kept asking the professor " Is that a roach coach?" "is It?" "Man looks like one doesn't it?" Profess says "I don't think so but I can't tell". As we get closer it doesn't disappear so its not a mirage. I begin to recall seeing that kind of truck on the sides of the roads in Colorado selling jerky. "That's it!" " A jerky truck! " Almost as good I think. I get there as fast as I can and quickly get in line ... (there is no one in front of me). "Howdy!" I say as the guy from inside says "hey, hey!" An older guy and super friendly. He lets me sample a few pieces. I don't think I could taste it as it ran down my throat to feed my sore muscles. First meat in 5 days. I wish I had taken a picture. The professor and I decide to stay at the pay camping. We walk in and the couple running the site are out front. He comes up and asks " You staying with us tonight?" "Yes" we reply. " I have one site left, its right here." as he points across the dirt road. Perfect I thought. He only charges us half price and the wife gives us some iced tea ... ummm ... god thats good! We get settled and professor gets a ride to Bailey by the manager. Awesome place. They take him there and back. When he rreturns he says, " Cirque (Carl) will be here today". "Right on!" I say. That means we can get a good day in tomorrow I hope. Well rains coming.
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