tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29190754817872026802024-03-14T01:10:02.643-07:00Tales From the TrailsMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.comBlogger1196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-38607266235935407112024-01-16T16:53:00.000-08:002024-01-16T16:53:37.870-08:00Snow Day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4tDbUpUqNoPUF_M0aIPBpSHcW6hBhzQNoWNKsKhy4QKyvG6Gdp386klR9NIBUY3JnDyRIuX1RVCLPQuvT9oPaLgc81KTrQtJbbQt_GRRMsXtl5N5GUDEcpKkx8GLq9bqd75yEQXHJAhXKZ6ozQJyRR-SAD-ByMcrY0w2mFoCQCD856OpdLERVTj5NmQ/s4608/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4tDbUpUqNoPUF_M0aIPBpSHcW6hBhzQNoWNKsKhy4QKyvG6Gdp386klR9NIBUY3JnDyRIuX1RVCLPQuvT9oPaLgc81KTrQtJbbQt_GRRMsXtl5N5GUDEcpKkx8GLq9bqd75yEQXHJAhXKZ6ozQJyRR-SAD-ByMcrY0w2mFoCQCD856OpdLERVTj5NmQ/w400-h300/IMG_0473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lpgHI_Mv1jrOuFpLL0vdSqsfP4Ne_lNrfHKTo88cJhxrb7nV2WV__P6n8tvKoQeXFm12Pten_0YmJcgpBWkT2cu59uGltN99pQao1vqbCrRDfV5-HJK2DMeAnBsCJzZAQ7Rt_RGryYDvMjY2dRzBKkTlw7fvRz4xgI_VEnbikfhDHLyB6xJYU-Z9sJk/s3264/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lpgHI_Mv1jrOuFpLL0vdSqsfP4Ne_lNrfHKTo88cJhxrb7nV2WV__P6n8tvKoQeXFm12Pten_0YmJcgpBWkT2cu59uGltN99pQao1vqbCrRDfV5-HJK2DMeAnBsCJzZAQ7Rt_RGryYDvMjY2dRzBKkTlw7fvRz4xgI_VEnbikfhDHLyB6xJYU-Z9sJk/w400-h300/IMG_0464.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtFsaD7liIlIeJP3EkqmPnB1Zr6mgdPj1x5Mvsxam9CSTwYG5Yjcdc8HWHYCeot25Qux8s8FLC3iQavSlGSPQcrMpHBQDnWLAN8tGIzlpG6aniO_R6lGoaUXg4bZuV5hfLcDtu2aeaJ_3ZBIpNDsSnsxMUyoxjj8omajM6tDgpfLVznEl-RMfDD8_Oj0/s4608/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtFsaD7liIlIeJP3EkqmPnB1Zr6mgdPj1x5Mvsxam9CSTwYG5Yjcdc8HWHYCeot25Qux8s8FLC3iQavSlGSPQcrMpHBQDnWLAN8tGIzlpG6aniO_R6lGoaUXg4bZuV5hfLcDtu2aeaJ_3ZBIpNDsSnsxMUyoxjj8omajM6tDgpfLVznEl-RMfDD8_Oj0/w400-h300/IMG_0449.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGyj0XAo8quUs4OMZlCdw0DqgsanHTeUoLnIuZWhM1Bi1wGmyYt9yYEvZaYv_NSkQMEvmKV6yIL_jb3f3E7WTT-uwKpI_hqQ8DigOzCCKPKTRudtsoN5LJoJZnT73XN5H-Yk4jbKvHfNMjkLJ4EY_uihZHWDye2jMK36QtIKksVTxfCKVZX5KEq_RvZQ/s4608/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGyj0XAo8quUs4OMZlCdw0DqgsanHTeUoLnIuZWhM1Bi1wGmyYt9yYEvZaYv_NSkQMEvmKV6yIL_jb3f3E7WTT-uwKpI_hqQ8DigOzCCKPKTRudtsoN5LJoJZnT73XN5H-Yk4jbKvHfNMjkLJ4EY_uihZHWDye2jMK36QtIKksVTxfCKVZX5KEq_RvZQ/w400-h300/IMG_0436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zbY7z0plk3KOVHCIpfm5hW3bnm8FfqtHc0pcJdIo5_5v201I7urtcBh3s5CVYJWiqp-9FfPm_j91tySAO81Afa6aZUupNP-I9pkxtTf_fSf10kDxiLTCXfEb1VxW8KSvpO4wNDNSNANTdLjUPZuK9WM0V80XkBuXJfqCaMbV5SSypMfG_YSK37iePK8/s4608/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zbY7z0plk3KOVHCIpfm5hW3bnm8FfqtHc0pcJdIo5_5v201I7urtcBh3s5CVYJWiqp-9FfPm_j91tySAO81Afa6aZUupNP-I9pkxtTf_fSf10kDxiLTCXfEb1VxW8KSvpO4wNDNSNANTdLjUPZuK9WM0V80XkBuXJfqCaMbV5SSypMfG_YSK37iePK8/w400-h300/IMG_0434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We just had our first measurable snow in a couple years, yesterday and today. Maybe about 4-6 inches total. Schools were closed. Took a nice little hike in the neighborhood woods...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-80350369944195217072023-04-22T11:30:00.000-07:002023-04-22T11:30:09.956-07:003 day Bike/pack along the C&O Canal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b0piPV0uWVW5beFp-dbwGD30rYDMCim9GbuNdE9CeBc8BkXJPne-O9ebQXeSa9G4q04GNoKV8-gv4UbhORv-A4z-SVx_A6g_ZshEfEzTmrw1Qvf_q5sRAPjq_9DoWIcdt2efR7uVEbCOXBJC16naV4PTQHOZNTDO6kM8YvyBS0KHfPc8PJIQts9K/s4608/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b0piPV0uWVW5beFp-dbwGD30rYDMCim9GbuNdE9CeBc8BkXJPne-O9ebQXeSa9G4q04GNoKV8-gv4UbhORv-A4z-SVx_A6g_ZshEfEzTmrw1Qvf_q5sRAPjq_9DoWIcdt2efR7uVEbCOXBJC16naV4PTQHOZNTDO6kM8YvyBS0KHfPc8PJIQts9K/w400-h300/IMG_9532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguppvjglNWGio1lT8llZoVRs-gR7GNe22Hhv2b4UVKRBoHWsxwL2I6H2i4GXY4D0uHRyF3uOXIe_rRRjqqBobNaB2CRM-zh3wWZupy0ugv9lLiB-nhr2ATeHXiKAvwO2P1lfz4_CbVFcp0cEHe7Y34yiEBihNVB0gMtflNuTrmbB0NT6xNcncO80nq/s4608/IMG_9608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguppvjglNWGio1lT8llZoVRs-gR7GNe22Hhv2b4UVKRBoHWsxwL2I6H2i4GXY4D0uHRyF3uOXIe_rRRjqqBobNaB2CRM-zh3wWZupy0ugv9lLiB-nhr2ATeHXiKAvwO2P1lfz4_CbVFcp0cEHe7Y34yiEBihNVB0gMtflNuTrmbB0NT6xNcncO80nq/w400-h300/IMG_9608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7a8ZFJGLFueZSJHg5NWXJgSotE4TEcwOJCP1yuOBkTu02B6yc1vlrgG53ZyB6t0nYgi-xEPfd3Aqnp54u8cbgYAYSKD2g67otxkbcWxpjrqTxdC3KOB7g0M1e7heGPrwMbCzbYyBHdr_WDxbUQ48ZHV0lF1KjMB1mWgOsjdYMg-devEybUmKMs08/s4608/IMG_9587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7a8ZFJGLFueZSJHg5NWXJgSotE4TEcwOJCP1yuOBkTu02B6yc1vlrgG53ZyB6t0nYgi-xEPfd3Aqnp54u8cbgYAYSKD2g67otxkbcWxpjrqTxdC3KOB7g0M1e7heGPrwMbCzbYyBHdr_WDxbUQ48ZHV0lF1KjMB1mWgOsjdYMg-devEybUmKMs08/w400-h300/IMG_9587.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile bald eagle </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdWZ_w0ZSsdw8n5khcVxDimGi2HQcGiGgL2wqGe7ug0MAVsLI_No1DyaPOomrldczFFstAhGIc8CwAgeqzshBJRccXbkLp32PxPbL7ViBvsIv5JDBrCt_4bIenZe1QFOIHN9CkZfHKaF1-7v5gw9gRzDHu9EWQieSPiwxECAAoBnG1wKbrDI79HPf/s4608/IMG_9584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdWZ_w0ZSsdw8n5khcVxDimGi2HQcGiGgL2wqGe7ug0MAVsLI_No1DyaPOomrldczFFstAhGIc8CwAgeqzshBJRccXbkLp32PxPbL7ViBvsIv5JDBrCt_4bIenZe1QFOIHN9CkZfHKaF1-7v5gw9gRzDHu9EWQieSPiwxECAAoBnG1wKbrDI79HPf/w640-h480/IMG_9584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a picture of this bald eagle. Didn't realize until I got home, that a baby chick is in there too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr9uGmY73oOVp11KM1FdKLh_foDQZnXkWwjc5LY8GhO3PS3zjo-E3KEuspauvzc9fnRZJTR4mBZLqy2ej1pUfdCPhqpr_TmJfENYGGJ6GcXOtJbuZavOwe8ACfTLA97eIziAgl-ao0C0YDvucMuYGtDh7CHyAE4Rvup45tmjvK-meZ0Ssyjjlt0ED/s4608/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr9uGmY73oOVp11KM1FdKLh_foDQZnXkWwjc5LY8GhO3PS3zjo-E3KEuspauvzc9fnRZJTR4mBZLqy2ej1pUfdCPhqpr_TmJfENYGGJ6GcXOtJbuZavOwe8ACfTLA97eIziAgl-ao0C0YDvucMuYGtDh7CHyAE4Rvup45tmjvK-meZ0Ssyjjlt0ED/w400-h300/IMG_9581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monocacy aqueduct </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnXbwYXptofSo4T9fjIKT7_P_Ex3Z38f5pTm3Ts4IXMO7HjHjJjR4JnzYzRyQtwGXTslF5vuBc4cb4ceIIhf1LHvMR1R9Oxxke-vEe0dvDzEpjfjpk9bpv9ORoRB912aHzeJWgeXgK80pzp5E-KH0PgsoQGmKiWlvljEfS0yuA8j8jKHo0b5DwWIM/s4608/IMG_9574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnXbwYXptofSo4T9fjIKT7_P_Ex3Z38f5pTm3Ts4IXMO7HjHjJjR4JnzYzRyQtwGXTslF5vuBc4cb4ceIIhf1LHvMR1R9Oxxke-vEe0dvDzEpjfjpk9bpv9ORoRB912aHzeJWgeXgK80pzp5E-KH0PgsoQGmKiWlvljEfS0yuA8j8jKHo0b5DwWIM/w640-h480/IMG_9574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These white flowers were everywhere</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKMNYolbfZkurJBiRJlQvNirybpux6dpbVcYLvN4p19cYg5XFRkff5HMJCCprFWi58rAckvPIcg-vg-kUAmitP2cUpUU8XzkdIze46yLkoEIsuHJFSuIQffGD61a0eBGTRpqflC_FSXrA8fxnyvpw0x0-IaiQC6M2u5sfQoxpAOEU1hACkGHLxXLY/s4608/IMG_9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKMNYolbfZkurJBiRJlQvNirybpux6dpbVcYLvN4p19cYg5XFRkff5HMJCCprFWi58rAckvPIcg-vg-kUAmitP2cUpUU8XzkdIze46yLkoEIsuHJFSuIQffGD61a0eBGTRpqflC_FSXrA8fxnyvpw0x0-IaiQC6M2u5sfQoxpAOEU1hACkGHLxXLY/w640-h480/IMG_9571.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb3aGk9QR2kZQy3kRsEC77HYlB6ng-lVcbEbmqSV_Rfd-RZGaKRTFft-xK5-hiWqsex4k-BE0vWLpKKrTOP51qULmY03sgEpy3sTGHhD0HB4aPVSUnhxqNp27JlLqpZ12sIHO67pXQ-NiCXdcBZUWfS5P6W-8290x8bioyN6YGQip7URaNty6cyuz/s4608/IMG_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb3aGk9QR2kZQy3kRsEC77HYlB6ng-lVcbEbmqSV_Rfd-RZGaKRTFft-xK5-hiWqsex4k-BE0vWLpKKrTOP51qULmY03sgEpy3sTGHhD0HB4aPVSUnhxqNp27JlLqpZ12sIHO67pXQ-NiCXdcBZUWfS5P6W-8290x8bioyN6YGQip7URaNty6cyuz/w640-h480/IMG_9563.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping in Brunswick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIMWfGK5mphRmJYvfu1Uk5zTk2YreAJiKzJZlH-yyWzATQEmfNEV6rs68MvHJA6WXKtQMimn6e4okdp6EWaY9RK4GasddvxHa5h0s5rHtaoyRV5NZADn5vxUHQWXA5gymJSe4jFz_DHkJRo4B9EOKaC0CsV_zPd51wCH6zyP3QvLHQlmRDCTybTDn/s4608/IMG_9558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIMWfGK5mphRmJYvfu1Uk5zTk2YreAJiKzJZlH-yyWzATQEmfNEV6rs68MvHJA6WXKtQMimn6e4okdp6EWaY9RK4GasddvxHa5h0s5rHtaoyRV5NZADn5vxUHQWXA5gymJSe4jFz_DHkJRo4B9EOKaC0CsV_zPd51wCH6zyP3QvLHQlmRDCTybTDn/w480-h640/IMG_9558.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Bluebell</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisNxygsxdCyyKivJxpkYgPsjwyrkw1QFQyg59ux8Hzpypzh-TbvCU5HTYJp97S1HD22Vx7oi0P-IB5NAu_il-uoTL97S_HoQ1R4_B8yrw3XgTrgdGujcOjopWx4CqroNWQHj-KhFX4J-_5pil6eGL8lIwmcz6guxQWxUbyA8aFKunuaqtNhLY677S/s4608/IMG_9543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisNxygsxdCyyKivJxpkYgPsjwyrkw1QFQyg59ux8Hzpypzh-TbvCU5HTYJp97S1HD22Vx7oi0P-IB5NAu_il-uoTL97S_HoQ1R4_B8yrw3XgTrgdGujcOjopWx4CqroNWQHj-KhFX4J-_5pil6eGL8lIwmcz6guxQWxUbyA8aFKunuaqtNhLY677S/w640-h480/IMG_9543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_3DR31yOCJxnfIH-iS4RALNqujrbFPhNzrCoQiYvCrCdHxORlrr7LHP0Q0Q5JEsJWNPstb-7G4rj2R6Rggv9erxAnKyXqFa7w-0Zvt8kgZBgp57sRF8E9zAyhsl3ITdk6y9JKUaccUoCCyTCqdaiaXoWBeoNA0CNT6liQqJnaYLk6jWp7MTjJnt3/s4608/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_3DR31yOCJxnfIH-iS4RALNqujrbFPhNzrCoQiYvCrCdHxORlrr7LHP0Q0Q5JEsJWNPstb-7G4rj2R6Rggv9erxAnKyXqFa7w-0Zvt8kgZBgp57sRF8E9zAyhsl3ITdk6y9JKUaccUoCCyTCqdaiaXoWBeoNA0CNT6liQqJnaYLk6jWp7MTjJnt3/w640-h480/IMG_9528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant snapper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-77AMbJvGPl-SFMfekpy0vBeA59A5nj7E9S-_pkgWodI7Ado682IWo_GoPQd8lWT1n2itjUAVv_hbq--TYVRRn-WI513mrgIshbOmVyyRLailmSJTE5tx0gCpLo7SQbpO61uvKBiy9yF1qMQWy5oGdImNhXPhIwuHk2FpmhwzG04DmE424nNiQsCK/s4608/IMG_9498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-77AMbJvGPl-SFMfekpy0vBeA59A5nj7E9S-_pkgWodI7Ado682IWo_GoPQd8lWT1n2itjUAVv_hbq--TYVRRn-WI513mrgIshbOmVyyRLailmSJTE5tx0gCpLo7SQbpO61uvKBiy9yF1qMQWy5oGdImNhXPhIwuHk2FpmhwzG04DmE424nNiQsCK/w400-h300/IMG_9498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxlmhievrf75Uem_dBh4SKNoVn0jfef7xb3QbmzWRQxX-pJl36d_Aa5OAfJXVAneQmZMDHpcrcP-ES5WHZRl2g8aIhbiieRrDjgDlCokTqf_n4t5-4fZTffiSDwcXO1MAUKHw2Bo2mVElnZQTf_6IPQHZf1qNWztKYkxtTnuDhSPFwkqV2nU1mOx2/s4608/IMG_9496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxlmhievrf75Uem_dBh4SKNoVn0jfef7xb3QbmzWRQxX-pJl36d_Aa5OAfJXVAneQmZMDHpcrcP-ES5WHZRl2g8aIhbiieRrDjgDlCokTqf_n4t5-4fZTffiSDwcXO1MAUKHw2Bo2mVElnZQTf_6IPQHZf1qNWztKYkxtTnuDhSPFwkqV2nU1mOx2/w640-h480/IMG_9496.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm020N6KgEFtX-9IQV_zyrn90LirnuKKtVyEIr0pSrLAhGje5ZPXE4XDTWa4wVaW4KyoWUob9Ss94pHCLUhOLQtPpYVcNiTiWvNqcS3quulMQGC49etznI09Z0T7EoBSbEbIHmJRL9Us7irLXmrydgv9KhT8EYhoXHgm7qW7jfkHTTMB7M1RcjjSp/s4608/IMG_9485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm020N6KgEFtX-9IQV_zyrn90LirnuKKtVyEIr0pSrLAhGje5ZPXE4XDTWa4wVaW4KyoWUob9Ss94pHCLUhOLQtPpYVcNiTiWvNqcS3quulMQGC49etznI09Z0T7EoBSbEbIHmJRL9Us7irLXmrydgv9KhT8EYhoXHgm7qW7jfkHTTMB7M1RcjjSp/w640-h480/IMG_9485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_-MLtAupXv8Wp8GkpbARKKP1YdAfY-hWNDpYcedaRHfCRDpKYAKPOH2SKRrPN2XaXztu_OToTsJR1u2nqi5Y2u-aTTqGRwlQ54gNqqo2hvq3B6M-xKvJSGQZxRsZKF_-6Hb4I2zR4HXLFoeiKGxbc5FfGilvngkddts25zPUnrB-Wvgn_db01nlu/s4608/IMG_9469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_-MLtAupXv8Wp8GkpbARKKP1YdAfY-hWNDpYcedaRHfCRDpKYAKPOH2SKRrPN2XaXztu_OToTsJR1u2nqi5Y2u-aTTqGRwlQ54gNqqo2hvq3B6M-xKvJSGQZxRsZKF_-6Hb4I2zR4HXLFoeiKGxbc5FfGilvngkddts25zPUnrB-Wvgn_db01nlu/w640-h480/IMG_9469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC4zto0SuzPs_vmIn5DoDnH2Lu6bjqQjdFwOf2OAyYg_GpONJVQJy33EX2w-5KNz_a4byzTn4m6TiirJ7X2SX66HOYIL1L1hPXSIlNFiEZn3s6RugeGqFKy6pf2eNRkmQrM8FWt6JEiF1xuEl2tsLdbDoSBuPooQI8Eg8ZLWJesc8G3ny1vnYr-uO/s4608/IMG_9461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC4zto0SuzPs_vmIn5DoDnH2Lu6bjqQjdFwOf2OAyYg_GpONJVQJy33EX2w-5KNz_a4byzTn4m6TiirJ7X2SX66HOYIL1L1hPXSIlNFiEZn3s6RugeGqFKy6pf2eNRkmQrM8FWt6JEiF1xuEl2tsLdbDoSBuPooQI8Eg8ZLWJesc8G3ny1vnYr-uO/w640-h480/IMG_9461.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ7yUE-2rIYXUb_4pW5i4Rexwdokkse2qbNTiN3im6geYqKm6kwUJx8s0CdNBdsffop60RE8VAuBGeT0oh62Ud0eUqZydyI4CwGWiUQ0zTaOKHQbzRHAl88_-S3O0RfpsbeJUL6RkC7sKjxMVfCqSTBfjPZwRTBEexpq89pbJgnnit9E9Emn6j3Yg/s4608/IMG_9458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ7yUE-2rIYXUb_4pW5i4Rexwdokkse2qbNTiN3im6geYqKm6kwUJx8s0CdNBdsffop60RE8VAuBGeT0oh62Ud0eUqZydyI4CwGWiUQ0zTaOKHQbzRHAl88_-S3O0RfpsbeJUL6RkC7sKjxMVfCqSTBfjPZwRTBEexpq89pbJgnnit9E9Emn6j3Yg/w640-h480/IMG_9458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_DaFct1aF9ejXvgyqoqNZp9iMyqq1jUA4FSQFFpV1D7q_AeG0aqW9Hal20UfFdn0gmuAqKbjr5hox5pfKgC6rFK66rCyY80pJutKz8YESYSh_--LakggQBwqQHyrTSq4xeCGkJqUmO_uwn3_8fXuoQmlgkC5uHkYr4Otcce2bDnkhvmBpnGJNz2L/s4608/IMG_9449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_DaFct1aF9ejXvgyqoqNZp9iMyqq1jUA4FSQFFpV1D7q_AeG0aqW9Hal20UfFdn0gmuAqKbjr5hox5pfKgC6rFK66rCyY80pJutKz8YESYSh_--LakggQBwqQHyrTSq4xeCGkJqUmO_uwn3_8fXuoQmlgkC5uHkYr4Otcce2bDnkhvmBpnGJNz2L/w640-h480/IMG_9449.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trilliums</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SRsPOcm9R1fwEj53744SWxgxaTL6ZVdIIR56naBw4EHWwsS07hpZdDpnfYKTXyi3_ftrWEcVHpy2Tv-GOC5GapIA46m7m7Lpanj3C2Eah9NyYSJawXuBR9qMzq9_QB49JEZZ3sYssWWEADmUIQaKuiABGK0PD8-9thUI_Wh8mConw5zFNmuUHJSC/s4608/IMG_9446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SRsPOcm9R1fwEj53744SWxgxaTL6ZVdIIR56naBw4EHWwsS07hpZdDpnfYKTXyi3_ftrWEcVHpy2Tv-GOC5GapIA46m7m7Lpanj3C2Eah9NyYSJawXuBR9qMzq9_QB49JEZZ3sYssWWEADmUIQaKuiABGK0PD8-9thUI_Wh8mConw5zFNmuUHJSC/w640-h480/IMG_9446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout lilies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Jt_XPuTVAyXoceyUNrI245KVDsruNSjfeCPgmG5jh99jnUGAhJACSL9mrbpSWB7OW2HTi32zf_QWyerlis4I_147Bcez6P3gr5yAcLD200EQFpT2vm4iZxHN5fSQfoYF7mtdlXU9gb3W29VicBA18w5ueteFkMGYyZyATiW9dK8QW4NB-P1GuI3/s4608/IMG_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Jt_XPuTVAyXoceyUNrI245KVDsruNSjfeCPgmG5jh99jnUGAhJACSL9mrbpSWB7OW2HTi32zf_QWyerlis4I_147Bcez6P3gr5yAcLD200EQFpT2vm4iZxHN5fSQfoYF7mtdlXU9gb3W29VicBA18w5ueteFkMGYyZyATiW9dK8QW4NB-P1GuI3/w640-h480/IMG_9432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgKMo8Phg-Y1PX9sHmG2j6SZAEMMPrJa1ZF5vrOrShBtPyfcl3WYkGo14aQD1PH1IAFTaVGhpVJQPJ5Qoa__TgVjKKqTsUsb3BrAOtqf8JdZaJch3Tzlld8OMMnGzcmztCbHRyeeXDmBleo6XY93QydZlIz2xFM4j5NiH1EyjWF0xrDuo-xu8or85/s4608/IMG_9430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgKMo8Phg-Y1PX9sHmG2j6SZAEMMPrJa1ZF5vrOrShBtPyfcl3WYkGo14aQD1PH1IAFTaVGhpVJQPJ5Qoa__TgVjKKqTsUsb3BrAOtqf8JdZaJch3Tzlld8OMMnGzcmztCbHRyeeXDmBleo6XY93QydZlIz2xFM4j5NiH1EyjWF0xrDuo-xu8or85/w640-h480/IMG_9430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LNuvsw3aQTrNhjoigpjTlaqRlRc1l1hWWoIIg-rWET-islDJ-A8G-gHUENae3IJ6uDxzd4Hd2j_U6wNgbMf5WdukBcB6q1FBtMIHqLhoy5XXyoMSYADHRKL18N8QnifaHNUlCipENKJAuHykdqod3avRgV-orJA8Rt1OgbbJqKAp4yRKfuVrC86O/s4608/IMG_9428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LNuvsw3aQTrNhjoigpjTlaqRlRc1l1hWWoIIg-rWET-islDJ-A8G-gHUENae3IJ6uDxzd4Hd2j_U6wNgbMf5WdukBcB6q1FBtMIHqLhoy5XXyoMSYADHRKL18N8QnifaHNUlCipENKJAuHykdqod3avRgV-orJA8Rt1OgbbJqKAp4yRKfuVrC86O/w640-h480/IMG_9428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufmeWwzwb8G4SP0_zgR-R4g7Hyn8wgD8Zw13o22kWM8TR5XLE3z4tzQMSdB7xWuXAMhxWKNJ11TdhZ405VrC2Ii8PokGKQKpGjHQXRoBLsqmNWkcTZwUJLu3f8lv8aF1EswmZD2JiZbQ3jS8vgnE6iQCX1yd9ZdS-uwLTJaYtHoiPGRPu-Gj1yT5l/s4608/IMG_9419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufmeWwzwb8G4SP0_zgR-R4g7Hyn8wgD8Zw13o22kWM8TR5XLE3z4tzQMSdB7xWuXAMhxWKNJ11TdhZ405VrC2Ii8PokGKQKpGjHQXRoBLsqmNWkcTZwUJLu3f8lv8aF1EswmZD2JiZbQ3jS8vgnE6iQCX1yd9ZdS-uwLTJaYtHoiPGRPu-Gj1yT5l/w640-h480/IMG_9419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb_GIJi0rtK65bP23pEfK7ppyU7SpJ0VA-qdPpi8NaMMG3-dd8nwUkPwxBMedZsJRBdFr9YfSxEeMFniKI1Mc55sDb4f70E80CwNSGXRkLwzZwUFxGzylgItzTr5wUD4ia_Y_hek0niwbvgoMDlPnjN5ZBqy7NGG3nEg7omHbbhah4Y7GPb8j6g3X/s4608/IMG_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb_GIJi0rtK65bP23pEfK7ppyU7SpJ0VA-qdPpi8NaMMG3-dd8nwUkPwxBMedZsJRBdFr9YfSxEeMFniKI1Mc55sDb4f70E80CwNSGXRkLwzZwUFxGzylgItzTr5wUD4ia_Y_hek0niwbvgoMDlPnjN5ZBqy7NGG3nEg7omHbbhah4Y7GPb8j6g3X/w640-h480/IMG_9411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>During spring break in the beginning of April, I went on a 3 day, 2 night back/pack trip along the C&O Canal. The weather was perfect, the forest was just coming back to life with an abundance of wildflowers, birds, amphibians, and animals. Here are a few pictures from the trip...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-3541143890756889102022-11-19T11:20:00.006-08:002022-11-19T11:42:34.562-08:00Appalachian Trail Overnighter: Gathland State Park to Harpers Ferry<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc33RJjTPF5vGYmoFkGKOro7Oef0EVksOqm5GoRk_BT3ob70zlTfumZRLvLuJSlydonlaXsOoVgQYNlSIo2RGAelqxdtGw8_23Efs7kzQPE55k7DajX_YJFLrNHsew6aPWCexDaBzbe2fJB2OfWCUUWsZYmUIGnqzdxL6DxjtIDjGOa2qTbBBhf0SY/s4032/IMG_0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc33RJjTPF5vGYmoFkGKOro7Oef0EVksOqm5GoRk_BT3ob70zlTfumZRLvLuJSlydonlaXsOoVgQYNlSIo2RGAelqxdtGw8_23Efs7kzQPE55k7DajX_YJFLrNHsew6aPWCexDaBzbe2fJB2OfWCUUWsZYmUIGnqzdxL6DxjtIDjGOa2qTbBBhf0SY/w480-h640/IMG_0018.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuz9HXyATg7UM0lMuTBTtuq1P1NXc7OvevcHeSnTCWptJFS4szioJxmIB2cYhuTkuWih4NHzUYI76mILZAoX3NgNOPfiiI844qoZv4omebLOLth9tYvP7Zg2FSuNBf5vcPzRXNDDISODDyU4tDd1zcl2STsZ9fNjlZJLJQE0p_oxjTIebpdCVoT22/s4032/IMG_7470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuz9HXyATg7UM0lMuTBTtuq1P1NXc7OvevcHeSnTCWptJFS4szioJxmIB2cYhuTkuWih4NHzUYI76mILZAoX3NgNOPfiiI844qoZv4omebLOLth9tYvP7Zg2FSuNBf5vcPzRXNDDISODDyU4tDd1zcl2STsZ9fNjlZJLJQE0p_oxjTIebpdCVoT22/w480-h640/IMG_7470.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and nephew at Gathland State Park, MD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoV_sMFkrG3Srlo76L4HXX1gi4fu1gSFTL85EirpIxOOID7W8-2RNRcZmCEMAvDsfr07tiJ2FUogO6rb4zsPdc0gQDg2xPH4yH-nkJsgUqvl-KG937qXHJLjCvLZkm8GP1JEbJvYdsdyeKZpyWLiQUD34-_FkbiDyla4CMAD5DH6-FqXzL-zfwRlU/s4032/IMG_7471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoV_sMFkrG3Srlo76L4HXX1gi4fu1gSFTL85EirpIxOOID7W8-2RNRcZmCEMAvDsfr07tiJ2FUogO6rb4zsPdc0gQDg2xPH4yH-nkJsgUqvl-KG937qXHJLjCvLZkm8GP1JEbJvYdsdyeKZpyWLiQUD34-_FkbiDyla4CMAD5DH6-FqXzL-zfwRlU/w400-h300/IMG_7471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZH5UTHmq6Tj-qa54dAR0-pUsObz1XXu44DDzAjH7e5JP01RlCz7nFYWfJQVuhrVg0d7CL5Ll9BW07ICBvSOkiNgj-VewNTry-_ylU23R8G0KkSNpHr_zzQMsjU2ipGQq55MpMu1nEONL7E1s3Ys1a94VfldpNfbuvELXZRjjAk_uClb4D3XBzYV7/s4032/IMG_7488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZH5UTHmq6Tj-qa54dAR0-pUsObz1XXu44DDzAjH7e5JP01RlCz7nFYWfJQVuhrVg0d7CL5Ll9BW07ICBvSOkiNgj-VewNTry-_ylU23R8G0KkSNpHr_zzQMsjU2ipGQq55MpMu1nEONL7E1s3Ys1a94VfldpNfbuvELXZRjjAk_uClb4D3XBzYV7/w400-h300/IMG_7488.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF0r6GRzfkv1BYxfKZ8XYqvcsxDid-DvWxGOWelbo2aunrXhlYgFSnR_PXj8lFuRjaBvvmxDoK3VRMzO7okZgLxjfHchvYld9VHpmgmD2GVzCpkVaBWSYOKcsYpzM2qnA7JcMSJYJoXfR12FjbYuj2sZydaKqaz9gl46YtKo4C7vYqwmOiihQ6K0V/s4032/IMG_7499.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF0r6GRzfkv1BYxfKZ8XYqvcsxDid-DvWxGOWelbo2aunrXhlYgFSnR_PXj8lFuRjaBvvmxDoK3VRMzO7okZgLxjfHchvYld9VHpmgmD2GVzCpkVaBWSYOKcsYpzM2qnA7JcMSJYJoXfR12FjbYuj2sZydaKqaz9gl46YtKo4C7vYqwmOiihQ6K0V/w400-h300/IMG_7499.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew collecting water at the spring near the shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8fNK_d0vJH5eR6-JBs0vdkWLPkL_3KgSKkbsP-jR2L9C64PcceAhjusLVH6raRMjXqBtYTdwchX83Q5D1cVj-8dhreOB-AKGGvwT-VHTXLsuKS-j8X8iAQiNMpbHL7DGLOoMvvxTbCXzMSdtkvF3Zr0fcTjDLwtaBvusUqZ73Yv0I15VWWlil3K5/s4032/IMG_7500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8fNK_d0vJH5eR6-JBs0vdkWLPkL_3KgSKkbsP-jR2L9C64PcceAhjusLVH6raRMjXqBtYTdwchX83Q5D1cVj-8dhreOB-AKGGvwT-VHTXLsuKS-j8X8iAQiNMpbHL7DGLOoMvvxTbCXzMSdtkvF3Zr0fcTjDLwtaBvusUqZ73Yv0I15VWWlil3K5/w640-h480/IMG_7500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">large afternoon gathering at the shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hd-onESUEVPO34Z1RB0hGHlSyx1Kl-Fm3jDPwinKQZJTSH_B8m0WI1j1vYWeknU3aYae8ivS-cnqcFPHSJzQIDfRFA1dSLwbJNjxz6CufotfsHdNuiL_7S5XvcofDhxN2neIsYl2kcscU72G6QyU6zv66uWph_DVikPLXgNNLyoLdDsKC3PH8jPl/s4032/IMG_7518.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hd-onESUEVPO34Z1RB0hGHlSyx1Kl-Fm3jDPwinKQZJTSH_B8m0WI1j1vYWeknU3aYae8ivS-cnqcFPHSJzQIDfRFA1dSLwbJNjxz6CufotfsHdNuiL_7S5XvcofDhxN2neIsYl2kcscU72G6QyU6zv66uWph_DVikPLXgNNLyoLdDsKC3PH8jPl/w640-h480/IMG_7518.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we found a nice quiet camp along the ridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0_qPFwbX6p2F-4rOYKhOr7mf3CbzAsDfSpDZLz5WYc3houx61nUBsijV-kXoK4p-vwptxMEyw6GTv2reOmDGghg_heYUeIL70T2VorDzoNAmyMsBHVDPECjP2-XnYfjc6DBZ2idHdacrEI45yUL3hFfJGOSj3Cv57txWA4FUDmQZQbbhGjPS0FiW/s4032/IMG_7527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0_qPFwbX6p2F-4rOYKhOr7mf3CbzAsDfSpDZLz5WYc3houx61nUBsijV-kXoK4p-vwptxMEyw6GTv2reOmDGghg_heYUeIL70T2VorDzoNAmyMsBHVDPECjP2-XnYfjc6DBZ2idHdacrEI45yUL3hFfJGOSj3Cv57txWA4FUDmQZQbbhGjPS0FiW/w640-h480/IMG_7527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuj-Men790rw0vsxy7nom1deN7BVJhvGpiEdl1erFn5GOqdFGXMe1JzeatsXHNIK3vMscGFKqoBc9IFBV0bfAqdBFbqGcImvn3JFmWp3fZEHCKnehrMKNy0ZgfdFvi51WCOTJmeDhbs3FkkAY8sDaWwNQ_6B57ZPS3pnVXR4jUpdetA9uO_wU4DxQ/s4032/IMG_7524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuj-Men790rw0vsxy7nom1deN7BVJhvGpiEdl1erFn5GOqdFGXMe1JzeatsXHNIK3vMscGFKqoBc9IFBV0bfAqdBFbqGcImvn3JFmWp3fZEHCKnehrMKNy0ZgfdFvi51WCOTJmeDhbs3FkkAY8sDaWwNQ_6B57ZPS3pnVXR4jUpdetA9uO_wU4DxQ/w640-h480/IMG_7524.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weaverton cliffs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBLHLaY__n7KgXxrFv3vhrmj61fgH7k1dbfyfLfdy_52v_eiHSyFdT_7qMXdGEta2D_dhNailEL6HuV-CnQap6jmeN6p3yu_YCmSPNSpZf7wkjCVMBEUgtXrqXBcPui8LJaSXTbW_W8lMevUZYaWXnhyjpO8xGY5Q7PLG3b93s7d8E4Sk3pAAk2fN/s4032/IMG_7533.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBLHLaY__n7KgXxrFv3vhrmj61fgH7k1dbfyfLfdy_52v_eiHSyFdT_7qMXdGEta2D_dhNailEL6HuV-CnQap6jmeN6p3yu_YCmSPNSpZf7wkjCVMBEUgtXrqXBcPui8LJaSXTbW_W8lMevUZYaWXnhyjpO8xGY5Q7PLG3b93s7d8E4Sk3pAAk2fN/w640-h480/IMG_7533.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">footbridge into Harpers Ferry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45ORj-uQgSaCnQniwz5q2CKOUUrSXwJYdDdRjPxR6CTJCROY9uW8AcnSXugkUe-8oyGFs1xeU8U2kHG4QjF6xS_5IyS297_p2Gkcz-Hrxomt76rWvhjYw_y9KPLVPE20hpSuQxeMKp3_cHc2fMCUj9aQHwwVDhpWv69zDlIQ-xUraAGZilk-H9INE/s4032/IMG_7539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45ORj-uQgSaCnQniwz5q2CKOUUrSXwJYdDdRjPxR6CTJCROY9uW8AcnSXugkUe-8oyGFs1xeU8U2kHG4QjF6xS_5IyS297_p2Gkcz-Hrxomt76rWvhjYw_y9KPLVPE20hpSuQxeMKp3_cHc2fMCUj9aQHwwVDhpWv69zDlIQ-xUraAGZilk-H9INE/w640-h480/IMG_7539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jsxH_sh560UOVfd6H-W3ZOMgikGtTHzG5ZoZQUz3iTtGBQ-eL52RiMjrA5hAqNXkpMTbpII2cS_w3hvAVjpqqFplUz0aRxDPgpN-jhkuZaT-ZFPR-Ya5Sv3xGrkozmerh0AkUjnXz3z1XcQd8AzvUPUK-igVEvq_T6o9eiu6qXuNSbsFu6WpyL3o/s4032/IMG_7545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jsxH_sh560UOVfd6H-W3ZOMgikGtTHzG5ZoZQUz3iTtGBQ-eL52RiMjrA5hAqNXkpMTbpII2cS_w3hvAVjpqqFplUz0aRxDPgpN-jhkuZaT-ZFPR-Ya5Sv3xGrkozmerh0AkUjnXz3z1XcQd8AzvUPUK-igVEvq_T6o9eiu6qXuNSbsFu6WpyL3o/w640-h480/IMG_7545.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9byAHWJEUNnd4dfUEvU2Cmb9YLvhOYuzJA88nxf9xCcW5uFzXAceP9dOYTdwqEPfFDf9RecG9gyq-o7s3RYCMi5B2WWym3mcQC8nsbvCy4BstfNkWZ45VMTbKXikHwcbNhOH63PVL6NgefwYjyppXXjIU6_2xU-KqHKKlsvfOPP0ForMftFsbYPHl/s4032/IMG_7546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9byAHWJEUNnd4dfUEvU2Cmb9YLvhOYuzJA88nxf9xCcW5uFzXAceP9dOYTdwqEPfFDf9RecG9gyq-o7s3RYCMi5B2WWym3mcQC8nsbvCy4BstfNkWZ45VMTbKXikHwcbNhOH63PVL6NgefwYjyppXXjIU6_2xU-KqHKKlsvfOPP0ForMftFsbYPHl/w640-h480/IMG_7546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shuttle bus</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br />My brother contacted me and told me that my nephew was interested in some backpacking on the AT. We chose a 10 mile section of trail: Gathland State Park to Harpers Ferry. It was a perfect section to introduce my nephew into the backpacking lifestyle. I met my brother and nephew at the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center lot at 9:00am last Saturday. There was a 20 dollar entrance fee. After filling out a permit to leave my car overnight at the lot, my brother, nephew and I drove my brother's car to Gathland State Park and parked his car there, no fee. After packing up our backpacks, we hit the Appalachian Trail at 10:00 am. Our goal was to hike about five miles and camp, then do five miles on Sunday and call it good. </p><p>It felt great to be back on the trail. We took our time, temps rose into the 60's, gray and overcast. After lunch we came upon the shelter. There was a large group gathered there for a cookout. Our goal was to get some water and hike another mile or so and camp on the ridge. The water was about .4 miles down off the mountain. By 3:00, we were ready to find a place to camp.</p><p></p><p></p>We found a nice semi flat area off the trail and set up our tents and made a little fire. After eating dinner, it was already getting dark shortly after 5:00. We managed to stay up until about 7:00 before heading to our tents for the night. Minutes after getting into our tents the wind began to pick up. It was literally old man winter bearing down on the mountains. Temperatures plummeted. The forest was absolutely howling in the middle of the night as a cold front was passing though, I can't recall ever hearing it roar like that before. <p></p><p>When we woke up in the morning, it was hat/glove/down coat weather. Wind was blowing most of the day Sunday and temperatures stayed in the 40's. After breaking down camp, we hiked down the ridge to Weaverton Cliffs where we enjoyed a nice view. Then we hiked off the mountain to the C&O Canal and hiked a leisurely 3 flat miles to Harpers Ferry. There we picked up a shuttle bus right as we arrived in town which drove us back to the Visitors Center and my car. There we drove back to my brother's car at Gathland State Park. Everything went off without a hitch...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-25709202070277642992022-11-06T08:26:00.000-08:002022-11-06T08:26:51.414-08:00Fall<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-xyRKEbqLBw138tZ5Un8yX777uEJ83RbYjci8kRS2JX5W8Ba-RBnCZfs1kDwF5kIfzC66hbGE_PdzS1k_FhlBfjjBMwZEEUf345rlpttYBlQX_a_hWXQKYhJPxFXY65eZtR56ta99x-E8UKsyGQCRC1YgojLZ1qiNAIngQpOy1WyvyOUPr02jjph/s4032/IMG_7378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-xyRKEbqLBw138tZ5Un8yX777uEJ83RbYjci8kRS2JX5W8Ba-RBnCZfs1kDwF5kIfzC66hbGE_PdzS1k_FhlBfjjBMwZEEUf345rlpttYBlQX_a_hWXQKYhJPxFXY65eZtR56ta99x-E8UKsyGQCRC1YgojLZ1qiNAIngQpOy1WyvyOUPr02jjph/w480-h640/IMG_7378.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSnIqLRnLJDdsXGB7_s2qubsq6IJ_xjXGwiWVqFfl3dllMM6lu3NCVs4zORaWPfcn_fu-KFnN9u9php-ilNJUrDbda8RpYEWQKUAw0N46_Qh7vLM19yQU5xDfiAGpiw7_KMzvN1_Ws2Jardu_xqPH-rxtCTO-_ln1UoaamlRcqmbccuWs7G4KZehY/s4032/IMG_7325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSnIqLRnLJDdsXGB7_s2qubsq6IJ_xjXGwiWVqFfl3dllMM6lu3NCVs4zORaWPfcn_fu-KFnN9u9php-ilNJUrDbda8RpYEWQKUAw0N46_Qh7vLM19yQU5xDfiAGpiw7_KMzvN1_Ws2Jardu_xqPH-rxtCTO-_ln1UoaamlRcqmbccuWs7G4KZehY/w480-h640/IMG_7325.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjy09C05pwPRfwNmQr-Na1nzDyvujGTCMuu5LrczzjhloVau7Zg6MtKr8HfgOM5DjCV5TaYlhdG9qhyM-orAwjVx3QL5BnKMp87kWGWzECowtds6AebeVTTJFVxFTzxIKiBj-TR7pXFP3qn1J0kYj3i0zrjCL3jaZlo5oLNmE-0qebJ0XoLrlDpn5/s4032/IMG_7321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjy09C05pwPRfwNmQr-Na1nzDyvujGTCMuu5LrczzjhloVau7Zg6MtKr8HfgOM5DjCV5TaYlhdG9qhyM-orAwjVx3QL5BnKMp87kWGWzECowtds6AebeVTTJFVxFTzxIKiBj-TR7pXFP3qn1J0kYj3i0zrjCL3jaZlo5oLNmE-0qebJ0XoLrlDpn5/w480-h640/IMG_7321.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wQwxGJ9Njjvw_328lh1tHF_z9UmO9CzGAr-JGRVAcfetf5P2KYwplSNK4C17L7Z-wALI5D4taEq8fjz-bOQbE6OiWqA59w40N67uGH46vTXq6tIyhQc0VNHMUnATnp9Kua4ZHgH2rO-0DRNJvA3FI7_IIzJJOi9JBMl-zi6veUkZK03BXDpIYyxA/s4032/IMG_7316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wQwxGJ9Njjvw_328lh1tHF_z9UmO9CzGAr-JGRVAcfetf5P2KYwplSNK4C17L7Z-wALI5D4taEq8fjz-bOQbE6OiWqA59w40N67uGH46vTXq6tIyhQc0VNHMUnATnp9Kua4ZHgH2rO-0DRNJvA3FI7_IIzJJOi9JBMl-zi6veUkZK03BXDpIYyxA/w400-h300/IMG_7316.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB57ymfRgmlDLFYFtxy850vsLygY6zQzGPBthN39nnZy6jGMlvNoqedF8jO4qwq3sohYBU4UBC0bP1tmru1OA7CpZwv3izEvIoxsd7JXzDwcW39GKXWg7-R4TqlXSAmemkg9IDBAF0wWS2J98Vw4cUcULEj5XQ1LQqWvNo2YOi2FqlqlLSf9q8WBj/s4032/IMG_7290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB57ymfRgmlDLFYFtxy850vsLygY6zQzGPBthN39nnZy6jGMlvNoqedF8jO4qwq3sohYBU4UBC0bP1tmru1OA7CpZwv3izEvIoxsd7JXzDwcW39GKXWg7-R4TqlXSAmemkg9IDBAF0wWS2J98Vw4cUcULEj5XQ1LQqWvNo2YOi2FqlqlLSf9q8WBj/w480-h640/IMG_7290.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Man, it's been too long since I posted last. Truth of the matter is, I haven't been out and about hiking and exploring much at all this year. The hiking I have been doing has been very localized and usually a weekend morning just to get a little exercise. I'm definitely in a lull at the moment, but also realize that it's just a different chapter, and things can change.<p></p><p>Speaking of change, it's been a wonderful fall this year. Colors were dampened at first and then suddenly took off. We had a couple days the last two weeks that were among the finest I have ever experienced in Maryland. One occurred when leaves were at their peak. A weather system brought in the cleanest, crystal blue skies I have ever seen around here, and it happened on a weekend. It was God's gift to outdoor lovers in Maryland and I think most of us took advantage of it. I took a forest walk that was among the nicest I have taken in some time. </p><p>At the moment, trees are shedding leaves fast. Day light savings time is over, and early dark nights will once again be upon us. Cold air will return and we will retreat to our warm, cozy places. </p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-51506582614206351582022-06-20T14:43:00.002-07:002022-06-20T14:45:21.526-07:00Linden Oak Has Died ~ 1722-2022?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLDZuphVDJ6DBNIeATrb-Qj0QqBkHIgoKBsXrFuY1_4SifYMCqmN_EEOLFgXMSug-hFhUHjvyacKBR2wOVu2JIBs5wcRc0ERrIVy6knuPibupcaGzHYGOK9BvTafEThu5NR9cjKpEy4j3CwhS_MH0ClfebvYqMbbpvFVJeFML-psC-tk14s44u3Vm/s4032/IMG_6572.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLDZuphVDJ6DBNIeATrb-Qj0QqBkHIgoKBsXrFuY1_4SifYMCqmN_EEOLFgXMSug-hFhUHjvyacKBR2wOVu2JIBs5wcRc0ERrIVy6knuPibupcaGzHYGOK9BvTafEThu5NR9cjKpEy4j3CwhS_MH0ClfebvYqMbbpvFVJeFML-psC-tk14s44u3Vm/w480-h640/IMG_6572.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Today I was on my way to the local REI to pick up some fuel for a 10-day, bike/camp trip I hope to begin tomorrow. I glanced to my right to catch a glimpse of the Linden Oak, while driving up Wisconsin Avenue. I was saddened to see the Linden Oak has died. It was thought to be 300 years old and Maryland's second oldest tree. It must have died over the winter. <a href="https://marks-talesfromthetrails.blogspot.com/search?q=linden+oak"><span style="color: #01ffff;">I wrote a post about it in 2016</span></a>, when I revisited it to get some tree measurements.<br /><p></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-16265670337628400532022-06-04T18:25:00.001-07:002022-06-04T18:25:30.424-07:00Bike/Camping Along Part of the C&O Towpath: Part 3 of 3 <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji20d4M6icXF30C4igvCf8cZcuqmCszayeaNBy41IZdtOW0iw8jGdJE3D0A7FXRouO9f4D81dGQn_Ve5f3ZS1jvAQtwbZY3aYdC4SPvwNYhXKnh7Dd4abIFYAOpBU7PlJZOwEn0i_xn-H_jdiiYwbj22B31zhhx5ojGjMOUtn1qu3NdTutw2OVFgfO/s4608/IMG_8603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji20d4M6icXF30C4igvCf8cZcuqmCszayeaNBy41IZdtOW0iw8jGdJE3D0A7FXRouO9f4D81dGQn_Ve5f3ZS1jvAQtwbZY3aYdC4SPvwNYhXKnh7Dd4abIFYAOpBU7PlJZOwEn0i_xn-H_jdiiYwbj22B31zhhx5ojGjMOUtn1qu3NdTutw2OVFgfO/w400-h300/IMG_8603.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Brunswick Family Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcDk1dCT0whr4TE0YgV5tX_o8ONum-dMvjQw6aEj7anafGyDCcO5E7JgsuqOi6m0ohpVs5ki42tt4SdtEW21aIDyFA8N_QddyD8bKFso9Vl3hrE-3Ch1Zc1E4A5Rd6asjtCF8xQq2g-n6-EGnxAFwOf5Z-SeQsIlV8Q8b6Uf47I4tlmhpF188GhL9/s4608/IMG_8606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcDk1dCT0whr4TE0YgV5tX_o8ONum-dMvjQw6aEj7anafGyDCcO5E7JgsuqOi6m0ohpVs5ki42tt4SdtEW21aIDyFA8N_QddyD8bKFso9Vl3hrE-3Ch1Zc1E4A5Rd6asjtCF8xQq2g-n6-EGnxAFwOf5Z-SeQsIlV8Q8b6Uf47I4tlmhpF188GhL9/w400-h300/IMG_8606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point of Rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRsV5D2CYE1W5AJtP_0zsrqg7xOzjnl__4D3pJ8j-tp6GVvJy3kJ87kgPEQxBjwVvhitQU1q2M4Ri_Q2xtFQSB6kPbX6os-PXocB_FPb6L7y7nx_NCPBq9i2lxFAAAgf9sJ8uGKPwDFjn5yPZ9rASZyyrH0yS-JVVlcCmLNmvEwM-QFNBczLnA4EW/s4608/IMG_8610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRsV5D2CYE1W5AJtP_0zsrqg7xOzjnl__4D3pJ8j-tp6GVvJy3kJ87kgPEQxBjwVvhitQU1q2M4Ri_Q2xtFQSB6kPbX6os-PXocB_FPb6L7y7nx_NCPBq9i2lxFAAAgf9sJ8uGKPwDFjn5yPZ9rASZyyrH0yS-JVVlcCmLNmvEwM-QFNBczLnA4EW/w400-h300/IMG_8610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peak Bluebells</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lA40xqBOPbEBQudnH0K9KtngquTNDDk0QPsoMF9mFw7mcOpgie4hmSrMEQtWlAlcSVsN7KbXnnYz_uG63KBhFQO0FpnuHSfclgKJw7XEkL90DCZw-lTcjyNaEBC0p3-NyBgvTDjHgSq5htEJvWpvCJYur46QZZrsbp3kOLtCeGKO8mPa7TWowqB/s4608/IMG_8611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lA40xqBOPbEBQudnH0K9KtngquTNDDk0QPsoMF9mFw7mcOpgie4hmSrMEQtWlAlcSVsN7KbXnnYz_uG63KBhFQO0FpnuHSfclgKJw7XEkL90DCZw-lTcjyNaEBC0p3-NyBgvTDjHgSq5htEJvWpvCJYur46QZZrsbp3kOLtCeGKO8mPa7TWowqB/w400-h300/IMG_8611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monacacy Aqueduct</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh3MQaSgw06_bGGx5BcbvgK6shVI23usS74pwnm7W7vU1bOzTt_p8l5ijVVysNmLYSYciljiI442Fp20USi71LPPWXGQIDGdUHwt1_hz0FRoDtHqvo2pwG-U0_FgDrbi8-Pj2w2oo8SyAN5IpUA3mohn7t4ZmSoNTR70wXJo8jY-sJS8cxajb5bHX/s4608/IMG_8614.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh3MQaSgw06_bGGx5BcbvgK6shVI23usS74pwnm7W7vU1bOzTt_p8l5ijVVysNmLYSYciljiI442Fp20USi71LPPWXGQIDGdUHwt1_hz0FRoDtHqvo2pwG-U0_FgDrbi8-Pj2w2oo8SyAN5IpUA3mohn7t4ZmSoNTR70wXJo8jY-sJS8cxajb5bHX/w400-h300/IMG_8614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2y8Rsum3MSLuyvmQoWdXAy3eAMugxjyoaRFt1q0Qwo0YrgJDJ_ueZPDLvDVbVtE8zC5puDEClHMxInJ2APAGp6Y2WfmUe7xdxZdfoWznc3R_Gt41af3vEQwPrplE7acA60YqOohEPUi6Wv2hNd9d1BbMa2ZXyOLv-tQRcOvoKihBL8aFeMTcdNdf1/s4608/IMG_8618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2y8Rsum3MSLuyvmQoWdXAy3eAMugxjyoaRFt1q0Qwo0YrgJDJ_ueZPDLvDVbVtE8zC5puDEClHMxInJ2APAGp6Y2WfmUe7xdxZdfoWznc3R_Gt41af3vEQwPrplE7acA60YqOohEPUi6Wv2hNd9d1BbMa2ZXyOLv-tQRcOvoKihBL8aFeMTcdNdf1/w400-h300/IMG_8618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxm4sKNrVl91IxZnB4R3i8oYqtc30z-N8optpsFFYdN4avtJX3bIfHkOMomzAH6lXYiwspQ8WX7Ok6mcx_zHOzPLt-0fMWEr0uSaT8nOEFsL5RAOud11hsLzQH0M72IcYwV1cA4bwOxIGkgiGdlK6Fz5BqUTJYLItTE4zAOOV64dO6zrv7YN_NPgM/s2048/IMG_8620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCChPSQ7VhJr5awFTTwe9jkr7xj383vvAEhx0lI2uZYWzlsDBV3EdTBNSuf_3wbGrasQ8IntcNPTfQH1K_P9WUCxb3ElgdIk-cTf_1HyAHWoCXbAjNz6zNMjQEuPy_5TU2fY5LegXWWPVz2lj3vbduWF9g9lwMnBvTAHY21oCrzSjCb6jCidxyYzF_/s3264/IMG_8634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCChPSQ7VhJr5awFTTwe9jkr7xj383vvAEhx0lI2uZYWzlsDBV3EdTBNSuf_3wbGrasQ8IntcNPTfQH1K_P9WUCxb3ElgdIk-cTf_1HyAHWoCXbAjNz6zNMjQEuPy_5TU2fY5LegXWWPVz2lj3vbduWF9g9lwMnBvTAHY21oCrzSjCb6jCidxyYzF_/w640-h480/IMG_8634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryland's Largest Tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkPkl1h5LGBRf10Uc92d_wKatAh6GQRb4njnny8ld1c-6Z6j3MkHO81NO4dqCqWBRTK6AcoNCEFEN-hmeCLHIq-5qKNFHnBg0xyYv7hY-MEcN3D_h95-2RqGspu879OWROaqSN5jUJzspjsLjO9hDd1avLxvVchsikzKkCYo4a5vacIT5fgpqg3kM/s4608/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1STxO_-ChzbN6Wtt0Xyn4K8beCMUq8KU01sdifhpWpSGjPevF-t-13_VC8k4OyxCLyioVnhlIaOZDo7nv_YZclGgSndPv_eGElZi81rQOwGf1l8lkF1LL7ERh6VOiO6fBE_Gwn68jnl61Hqz86dclU-oFBCcQRQV8k_eJ78cAMUkanBOpX63l8zt/w640-h480/IMG_8665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjITGUMOTX_H7kBbMEb9OkQYWXlqg7aDslfzIdrFVLbO3JqYteDAlaru7HyCYtare8ebxvyrmVVf6TJR3PeztZGZxJz6dpUCrM92uV0W6CsHKYk-pUBTfkTPSpelgmkBqS9P5FYJSY_x2SN_jP5IXl8R5lvfpPT_KORUaKXJtWq1MfVUEinWzm3ic/s4608/IMG_8674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjITGUMOTX_H7kBbMEb9OkQYWXlqg7aDslfzIdrFVLbO3JqYteDAlaru7HyCYtare8ebxvyrmVVf6TJR3PeztZGZxJz6dpUCrM92uV0W6CsHKYk-pUBTfkTPSpelgmkBqS9P5FYJSY_x2SN_jP5IXl8R5lvfpPT_KORUaKXJtWq1MfVUEinWzm3ic/w640-h480/IMG_8674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW4WEkwMHEtvGb67RhAaILsuM4W5Kbsf1HdaEtJfliiY9ZtFhmD2aYaJ8maD7PR1SgdmzSw2CK6vqC3yLU09QXpZ9YrQrjSY0a0vYk9oUTg_4MrI6LcdKMETTc8hRLWzUOw_syJdJwPIhzq0pdmyVgOClL8gcZt7EVQbcTNvGtjdNrK94beXczWPS/s4608/IMG_8677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW4WEkwMHEtvGb67RhAaILsuM4W5Kbsf1HdaEtJfliiY9ZtFhmD2aYaJ8maD7PR1SgdmzSw2CK6vqC3yLU09QXpZ9YrQrjSY0a0vYk9oUTg_4MrI6LcdKMETTc8hRLWzUOw_syJdJwPIhzq0pdmyVgOClL8gcZt7EVQbcTNvGtjdNrK94beXczWPS/w640-h480/IMG_8677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> April 15, 2022<p></p><p>I slept pretty well all things considered. It became chilly and a little frosty overnight with a lot of condensation on my tent. I took my time waking and getting up. I slowly packed up my gear and took some time to dry out my tent. It was a cool, crisp, but crystal clear sunny morning. I made some coffee, recharged my batteries in the campground pavilion. I was still feeling high from the first warm days of spring and waking up from the winter slumber. Colors were vivid, wildflowers everywhere, leaves just budding on trees. The Potomac River looked cold and refreshing. Trains moved down the tracks. My bike was in good working order. After packing up and hitting the canal, I found myself saying to no one in particular "I love this!" </p><p>I had 35 miles to ride back to my car. From Brunswick to around mile 20. I noticed some discomfort in my left knee again after a few miles which I wasn't thrilled about. I stopped for lunch at the Monacacy Aqueduct and scored a picnic table all to myself nearby. I drank in the cool shade and the vivid greens and blues all around me. Downed an Ibuprofen for my knee. After lunch, I stopped by and paid a visit to Maryland's Largest Tree, about a mile detour. I hid my bike in the forest and hiked to the tree. A stiff headwind picked up in the afternoon, but the miles were ticking off easily enough. My knee felt no worse than before. I bought another Gatorade and chips at White's Ferry. Later met a guy with a backpack hiking north on the towpath. I asked him how far he was heading. He said he was walking all the way to San Francisco and had been on the trail for two weeks! As I approached mile 20 and the end of my trip, I slowed down considerably and just soaked in the perfect weather and ease of the bike. Before long, I was back to my car and had successfully completed my first bike/camping trip. </p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-55473530028444429052022-05-02T09:42:00.001-07:002022-05-02T09:42:19.007-07:00Bike/Camping Along Part of the C&O Towpath ~ Day 2 of 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3TMc1TsbzRjw135iyzd86RI577gwDLJNfKkCYKsaUxugnSjthJkURZpxv6gKpEW5Ki9DWR0mmsPUj5XyDPy5a2BiSpIGpgUnNuAenA0dV30qFsnTkWOU1GpKNMOvFpbSG42TwAPN0xVpaZI-XJ57IpYq9JyCz7lIPo2954Tovfg5CExhCAsWFlhm/s4608/IMG_8476%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3TMc1TsbzRjw135iyzd86RI577gwDLJNfKkCYKsaUxugnSjthJkURZpxv6gKpEW5Ki9DWR0mmsPUj5XyDPy5a2BiSpIGpgUnNuAenA0dV30qFsnTkWOU1GpKNMOvFpbSG42TwAPN0xVpaZI-XJ57IpYq9JyCz7lIPo2954Tovfg5CExhCAsWFlhm/w400-h300/IMG_8476%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqNQ0okUqGmEIA_7HZoji93Pw6BK6gULy4IruSCXlKrZizP8xVKAJWvETpsXszUQ6j_Dqrq3nVXWEebIEID6n1typeo28YIPQ7yI8uo5jlOXz_dPXIYTmOJgRurprikk--u65U4atWmEbxIrSXuHKiQrScVrTo04tj8fFPXpgI3CM9ZXgacpNkdYq/s4608/IMG_8479%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqNQ0okUqGmEIA_7HZoji93Pw6BK6gULy4IruSCXlKrZizP8xVKAJWvETpsXszUQ6j_Dqrq3nVXWEebIEID6n1typeo28YIPQ7yI8uo5jlOXz_dPXIYTmOJgRurprikk--u65U4atWmEbxIrSXuHKiQrScVrTo04tj8fFPXpgI3CM9ZXgacpNkdYq/w400-h300/IMG_8479%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to stop and fix my front pannier rack which kept slipping when I'd hit a bump</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66xW96VE8v2_A2k80SdmsS7L3Wcgp7vB2gUlGYfa1Tr78RPfSlMgMVekx9_ueZT0tz_lqSFhx2cXRYhkY8gHCI48fBvAXuLdJHPfdqbms_L5V41j1U-OEgHnsRzwTe5Xvt7WolIs90Lw58T7PDdC-Lagzn-cWh9hEJHlEEEeY40TnghGnmEYjyXvv/s4608/IMG_8481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66xW96VE8v2_A2k80SdmsS7L3Wcgp7vB2gUlGYfa1Tr78RPfSlMgMVekx9_ueZT0tz_lqSFhx2cXRYhkY8gHCI48fBvAXuLdJHPfdqbms_L5V41j1U-OEgHnsRzwTe5Xvt7WolIs90Lw58T7PDdC-Lagzn-cWh9hEJHlEEEeY40TnghGnmEYjyXvv/w400-h300/IMG_8481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although I didn't need to use them, I was relieved to discover that the water pump handles at the hiker/biker campsites had been installed for the season just a few days prior.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEU5XnzE5oY_kySr47iwdKB1lqh_zEfGJDd8o146eGCrWuWusQL55rOz1iYsO7_o0qmGmvQ1gF7NBHz7Ah7brEfz3eHJ3hlcPaEkmGlfPC23pxKiG8aLaMNxZXHIPxPJwIieSxLZM1iRqlLsmItIEwjciSPZqpbnbngsULj0CBkLxtWJ8sJFhPynIi/s4608/IMG_8485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEU5XnzE5oY_kySr47iwdKB1lqh_zEfGJDd8o146eGCrWuWusQL55rOz1iYsO7_o0qmGmvQ1gF7NBHz7Ah7brEfz3eHJ3hlcPaEkmGlfPC23pxKiG8aLaMNxZXHIPxPJwIieSxLZM1iRqlLsmItIEwjciSPZqpbnbngsULj0CBkLxtWJ8sJFhPynIi/w400-h300/IMG_8485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia bluebells were in peak bloom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJHFPjqqZhPLQ1CiHOVuZxx2iABPVpL2eCfhTc47IpDioiv-p18TetCcM-ZMdbtwG20BbnHIT_6zTwpiPtQf7d2-k1mIv9BJALfPN7-Jrf2apdJ8AQemL8nsI4f7etN5rB50wycolst2pTlnpvN_pUo1-M7JhfXuWpeDaGrJMQZm9_Sizobd7ZIHv/s4608/IMG_8487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJHFPjqqZhPLQ1CiHOVuZxx2iABPVpL2eCfhTc47IpDioiv-p18TetCcM-ZMdbtwG20BbnHIT_6zTwpiPtQf7d2-k1mIv9BJALfPN7-Jrf2apdJ8AQemL8nsI4f7etN5rB50wycolst2pTlnpvN_pUo1-M7JhfXuWpeDaGrJMQZm9_Sizobd7ZIHv/w480-h640/IMG_8487.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking into White's Ferry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlazilqhn1ntuE8j7gZTf0KQ_s5h2WgN2JsREWO35ghTN3KosqbLFKMILf6kZlcE_eI4tGS5n8V0RcJQgFqx0oJXAZLHCV2LrrQvwar_lNdGHx5bZIMCMhshei-ftoBex7yEqHwsVlsX1VTcKOSa1kFnMPuL5Z2Z3cuCzDkmPzrCntcasOP1Pp_Kz/s4608/IMG_8489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlazilqhn1ntuE8j7gZTf0KQ_s5h2WgN2JsREWO35ghTN3KosqbLFKMILf6kZlcE_eI4tGS5n8V0RcJQgFqx0oJXAZLHCV2LrrQvwar_lNdGHx5bZIMCMhshei-ftoBex7yEqHwsVlsX1VTcKOSa1kFnMPuL5Z2Z3cuCzDkmPzrCntcasOP1Pp_Kz/w400-h300/IMG_8489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrpLlW1ASqry_FuWjgfMzTqhvIM65TwIr0E50Vr6_BIAfRZWdDS4B8IGwI_lWQ74lZxer_cUkfS0pxjtUuFFywtM7sQZf_RkhZwY1W4WusRujLI8CvvxmCs7PqNoiU2nBsZ2GWngErCR8ryec12j2f7f8uiWJ91amCOKxkd9-VWJriBGMfjQxe0Bx/s4608/IMG_8490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrpLlW1ASqry_FuWjgfMzTqhvIM65TwIr0E50Vr6_BIAfRZWdDS4B8IGwI_lWQ74lZxer_cUkfS0pxjtUuFFywtM7sQZf_RkhZwY1W4WusRujLI8CvvxmCs7PqNoiU2nBsZ2GWngErCR8ryec12j2f7f8uiWJ91amCOKxkd9-VWJriBGMfjQxe0Bx/w400-h300/IMG_8490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stopped by the store for a morning Gatorade and snack.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiq84baOYxcFZQJ5isLnhYUg8KieVBPveZNl0lpuY0bjC2Vth6-XTVAVNLXg4an8d8yYbKxVqDcKNgUwJCBwooUrgMPTLNE8bQsVSlnCAxAHR6yFOq7NaVHkZ2ASTOR_v8RZJ6p4QDCUzgIk66vYBDTv2MBOITQJmWHJx5NxLaLRlBF3-OtfHAO0E/s4608/IMG_8491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiq84baOYxcFZQJ5isLnhYUg8KieVBPveZNl0lpuY0bjC2Vth6-XTVAVNLXg4an8d8yYbKxVqDcKNgUwJCBwooUrgMPTLNE8bQsVSlnCAxAHR6yFOq7NaVHkZ2ASTOR_v8RZJ6p4QDCUzgIk66vYBDTv2MBOITQJmWHJx5NxLaLRlBF3-OtfHAO0E/w400-h300/IMG_8491.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry still not in service due to a land dispute</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3vBuZ2fP9_4LrAL53m3QtWnHHmHlNUEvsYrldT_H6C70FN5Ep9yPTXRznwxxI-q_Km_oWtYjfP8R_wbqXNBlzisJqBnL-HQ50z9N2k58hij1fRrdtc_oWJNbSVi1f1UsfYit3jfwa3-W-F3WrWXn6jy4INAJJWgok4b1K5l1Q2WOCJoiGDCl8Mf-/s4608/IMG_8493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3vBuZ2fP9_4LrAL53m3QtWnHHmHlNUEvsYrldT_H6C70FN5Ep9yPTXRznwxxI-q_Km_oWtYjfP8R_wbqXNBlzisJqBnL-HQ50z9N2k58hij1fRrdtc_oWJNbSVi1f1UsfYit3jfwa3-W-F3WrWXn6jy4INAJJWgok4b1K5l1Q2WOCJoiGDCl8Mf-/w400-h300/IMG_8493.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN3CwNCZ1yj7OukUBTvgxGiIw6PQ0wYij-bbeek3nLd0SSLyHqOMl1R_zNs4CJCs3JwsVENBvyyoKrSaTIjvWMYNZA5c5xZi55ofBCfSaZOb7iXzmPtE3QJg0aNv8Fm_QZc62hyZ_dLB3U_hknDE1fEnd-BifApc15ehJe1ncGVJJWuD7bslQr1Hv/s4608/IMG_8495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN3CwNCZ1yj7OukUBTvgxGiIw6PQ0wYij-bbeek3nLd0SSLyHqOMl1R_zNs4CJCs3JwsVENBvyyoKrSaTIjvWMYNZA5c5xZi55ofBCfSaZOb7iXzmPtE3QJg0aNv8Fm_QZc62hyZ_dLB3U_hknDE1fEnd-BifApc15ehJe1ncGVJJWuD7bslQr1Hv/w640-h480/IMG_8495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNicZvzwxyFbkNARXKsO12Rd7BtMyOJGCa__qxVMQADkTMgx-HJJ0onrUvPO9os-pkjxSUU3COZJmC2C6mY5zDaUanEpYC-VkLT2lktVbpNkSjMpDkdunKIWX5Hkx2K0cPK8zYR9A9q_UMFWFKE9NzkbxacpJq-QgRWI1NoFbbVjexL3AB8So-akGH/s4608/IMG_8504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNicZvzwxyFbkNARXKsO12Rd7BtMyOJGCa__qxVMQADkTMgx-HJJ0onrUvPO9os-pkjxSUU3COZJmC2C6mY5zDaUanEpYC-VkLT2lktVbpNkSjMpDkdunKIWX5Hkx2K0cPK8zYR9A9q_UMFWFKE9NzkbxacpJq-QgRWI1NoFbbVjexL3AB8So-akGH/w640-h480/IMG_8504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big snapping turtle waking up from a winter's nap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftIKkxpT8EzPWLGIcMr0Pr-nCW5YVPsxFImXl37M7KsGRta-ofBkrwKA4aYL9JPH2S77pjmB2wuamkyyUGs4Q23eIA_xHfkWyO_6v_gP_Zfs8E6-pDFrR20g_ifyfvSCAkJoXRi0qrmamz1I9hnZliaKt4w0JkC-_hxWsFPefOjCTuUpeqTsP7nCj/s4608/IMG_8518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftIKkxpT8EzPWLGIcMr0Pr-nCW5YVPsxFImXl37M7KsGRta-ofBkrwKA4aYL9JPH2S77pjmB2wuamkyyUGs4Q23eIA_xHfkWyO_6v_gP_Zfs8E6-pDFrR20g_ifyfvSCAkJoXRi0qrmamz1I9hnZliaKt4w0JkC-_hxWsFPefOjCTuUpeqTsP7nCj/w640-h480/IMG_8518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big maple tree near Dickerson Conservation Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEUU40oMs-6Abj7sX9_N76rFbwzJw0sJyBlLiJNjobaPeP0STIINjt8R2rtfw2Uolw8RjvO4TeUyojAOh0YKqlb0Czpmm-FwXDs2pxZOxjZfpmd9ZToUYV0bUO4qGzTpfYbt0GPxsA9bN3TTOzF89WjEvNr4_vOHr1H-PX1-t6Ou7zsixQxRhWiCr/s4608/IMG_8522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEUU40oMs-6Abj7sX9_N76rFbwzJw0sJyBlLiJNjobaPeP0STIINjt8R2rtfw2Uolw8RjvO4TeUyojAOh0YKqlb0Czpmm-FwXDs2pxZOxjZfpmd9ZToUYV0bUO4qGzTpfYbt0GPxsA9bN3TTOzF89WjEvNr4_vOHr1H-PX1-t6Ou7zsixQxRhWiCr/w640-h480/IMG_8522.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jMLdClp4fEhOys8DuchUlmMztEBXO2dV4ZJ_P2vqZiIv03m2y10M1vpbx_-rOzY9GxN6oIN1m2XPSSQz0OngeFu2qDpd8xpMyGrpwBijbQg9oWLBv6aQD8OSL7fSDHGM0F_DJd7dT7N_YghUNveTIvO_MGX8EoApNqta-6JQaXN6fQeR1_AI0Bxc/s4608/IMG_8523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jMLdClp4fEhOys8DuchUlmMztEBXO2dV4ZJ_P2vqZiIv03m2y10M1vpbx_-rOzY9GxN6oIN1m2XPSSQz0OngeFu2qDpd8xpMyGrpwBijbQg9oWLBv6aQD8OSL7fSDHGM0F_DJd7dT7N_YghUNveTIvO_MGX8EoApNqta-6JQaXN6fQeR1_AI0Bxc/w640-h480/IMG_8523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby snapper on the towpath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgqbjLbjyooOsDyMcHwQX_jacSzvIjLIRoYY26r27Kad2q5-7M-ZIa-Ys_B3JosjswmxBnhqxXD0o2bmJvY1YErDucbUikh80sJQxNhxfNqkYbeHfgx3CtjmJ3NKUNZ6SmUkKVL1_DIk7feX3zpFzdDx23DNsiGzLt1HtbbudARjjHvAi_4RAkgro/s4608/IMG_8526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgqbjLbjyooOsDyMcHwQX_jacSzvIjLIRoYY26r27Kad2q5-7M-ZIa-Ys_B3JosjswmxBnhqxXD0o2bmJvY1YErDucbUikh80sJQxNhxfNqkYbeHfgx3CtjmJ3NKUNZ6SmUkKVL1_DIk7feX3zpFzdDx23DNsiGzLt1HtbbudARjjHvAi_4RAkgro/w400-h300/IMG_8526.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dickerson power plant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwz68Ufbs_2IsuDUILV6Jagmo3Vme-2_Czzjzg10mlDw8Nomape8EFPqiDQ-LJr4O6zVj6SZ67lCrdnj_BJBkqVjnuq4QnCB7ARYtc4qPUt2K3oOsZ0zd4qpZSJtYURkKkqcHt3RjTvMEUJzdjNelprn6W0YaNsENcCK8J6g_47-ANLJkSmwLTD-k/s4608/IMG_8528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwz68Ufbs_2IsuDUILV6Jagmo3Vme-2_Czzjzg10mlDw8Nomape8EFPqiDQ-LJr4O6zVj6SZ67lCrdnj_BJBkqVjnuq4QnCB7ARYtc4qPUt2K3oOsZ0zd4qpZSJtYURkKkqcHt3RjTvMEUJzdjNelprn6W0YaNsENcCK8J6g_47-ANLJkSmwLTD-k/w640-h480/IMG_8528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite landmarks along the towpath: The Monacacy Aqueduct.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG2GBUHCS_TsXTyGuDVt3xTq1fAZ9Tx0_49fkrp8OwYQXN8d5JdRtMJThYu1x3tyvL5i6baN1-spUYt7W-nGQFXD2EFDbngQuWcegTQaf47q7toGG9ciXusYYYNGoI3eSmLMrIRaLizotmpzR0Q43jYniNGJ2e0D9C8A03BI6Yyr0q4PNDcIcEfy3/s4608/IMG_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG2GBUHCS_TsXTyGuDVt3xTq1fAZ9Tx0_49fkrp8OwYQXN8d5JdRtMJThYu1x3tyvL5i6baN1-spUYt7W-nGQFXD2EFDbngQuWcegTQaf47q7toGG9ciXusYYYNGoI3eSmLMrIRaLizotmpzR0Q43jYniNGJ2e0D9C8A03BI6Yyr0q4PNDcIcEfy3/w640-h480/IMG_8531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmjlmPjSdA8CTpZdjuw3STYW4nX-iGKvDAWrdMawdEVDVnZGjeuUmhqJT0jRJqko6Vt7mI7vXH98ca-qObijDNhuev8j6F9pd3cuv6ll4MOoy3z_knqABMobg5oMWcH6FIEFqil6Lq6zsoKgg2gUSWURD88VNE9dsGGFJBKhoSfIqKOlwlHuvE8TL/s4608/IMG_8536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmjlmPjSdA8CTpZdjuw3STYW4nX-iGKvDAWrdMawdEVDVnZGjeuUmhqJT0jRJqko6Vt7mI7vXH98ca-qObijDNhuev8j6F9pd3cuv6ll4MOoy3z_knqABMobg5oMWcH6FIEFqil6Lq6zsoKgg2gUSWURD88VNE9dsGGFJBKhoSfIqKOlwlHuvE8TL/w640-h480/IMG_8536.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYY39tG0i4FIwr6RXQhxWW5FxO1svBbW8aj1boIKMtbBa8ER2l-wO9Ihnu0AeIOvNMXQR66Z3OD7_2NYvrTQ_v0N9s4EKQq3V1RQz4Hli11G3rkvKex6KeHFc6G9M0cbWy16YVDfxdz0mrlvP9g8MvOgBy727rYTBVlTaR-5YOi3kSmlv0CEjwZSs/s4608/IMG_8540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYY39tG0i4FIwr6RXQhxWW5FxO1svBbW8aj1boIKMtbBa8ER2l-wO9Ihnu0AeIOvNMXQR66Z3OD7_2NYvrTQ_v0N9s4EKQq3V1RQz4Hli11G3rkvKex6KeHFc6G9M0cbWy16YVDfxdz0mrlvP9g8MvOgBy727rYTBVlTaR-5YOi3kSmlv0CEjwZSs/w640-h480/IMG_8540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEGZdQEdPbXHRxY9T1sYsttpSOrvrkmHDbxWdqeh084SkdtV5ZvE3suXZ4lwEhvyRfUGiNTtlnrXLldVm5GSh1veYFrBx-AL2kI3gi0J9YFuCLeiG362ZS_oKCpYN0BzZOwbZ7DVaIeNjVWQCTh-6mA8PZQMCp5rCcI7HBrhZSkm4trHcZDq87E1c/s4608/IMG_8548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEGZdQEdPbXHRxY9T1sYsttpSOrvrkmHDbxWdqeh084SkdtV5ZvE3suXZ4lwEhvyRfUGiNTtlnrXLldVm5GSh1veYFrBx-AL2kI3gi0J9YFuCLeiG362ZS_oKCpYN0BzZOwbZ7DVaIeNjVWQCTh-6mA8PZQMCp5rCcI7HBrhZSkm4trHcZDq87E1c/w640-h480/IMG_8548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRd6w1xskOQf2s83CV32uVRGOFBsxOQfd0pkoJ0-UwkdWhHLPqHKvd8rTcee65k1iZubkVbl8Ka41QeoCggcdIB-OsX2ZbrTU28JIc2HbIp0Dr6tO1MED7vKcHZkxOCvfZYJXE8flFzfWDEa6IWgZc9w84arhWW4fzJm_BhHzjATywAy4Z2MDiEWG/s4608/IMG_8549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRd6w1xskOQf2s83CV32uVRGOFBsxOQfd0pkoJ0-UwkdWhHLPqHKvd8rTcee65k1iZubkVbl8Ka41QeoCggcdIB-OsX2ZbrTU28JIc2HbIp0Dr6tO1MED7vKcHZkxOCvfZYJXE8flFzfWDEa6IWgZc9w84arhWW4fzJm_BhHzjATywAy4Z2MDiEWG/w640-h480/IMG_8549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIfXifsC3-ocLWVG1a2cO4hw4iSQSfnAvOIJ49WCXV_d7BQmFzgTwQyaN4gnMCwkmZ_HfUyLq9Pz4bjoBVksZ2R91pQwkM7Qvz4hG2bkL4QNpvR3m4C82In3nM2B7aYxApnwjvylLZrEKhVmWUOEyQRsfOpPm49ZoVgAhsNZzCc8ucvAuZwO5WEa/s4608/IMG_8551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIfXifsC3-ocLWVG1a2cO4hw4iSQSfnAvOIJ49WCXV_d7BQmFzgTwQyaN4gnMCwkmZ_HfUyLq9Pz4bjoBVksZ2R91pQwkM7Qvz4hG2bkL4QNpvR3m4C82In3nM2B7aYxApnwjvylLZrEKhVmWUOEyQRsfOpPm49ZoVgAhsNZzCc8ucvAuZwO5WEa/w640-h480/IMG_8551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvctQIHwzZV9g6Ug50QEHXbmzc9P94P1eS_jAmj_HRzB7WvmBRhcD5prF95DFcEbEnyfHpYMuu-MZPSRnwJQ77r2aEzZTcmpr8v6B9pj4DW_zp0f-CbtiLT3irgChCyTXudBJ4pzUcifH3I5KzHCw2b7hJQSh2zC54NvxuW7nIIimOWrB_kUPNhzvA/s4608/IMG_8552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvctQIHwzZV9g6Ug50QEHXbmzc9P94P1eS_jAmj_HRzB7WvmBRhcD5prF95DFcEbEnyfHpYMuu-MZPSRnwJQ77r2aEzZTcmpr8v6B9pj4DW_zp0f-CbtiLT3irgChCyTXudBJ4pzUcifH3I5KzHCw2b7hJQSh2zC54NvxuW7nIIimOWrB_kUPNhzvA/w640-h480/IMG_8552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkZSo4spIirGWWpBhN_lVztswOKZgBzcVysfHraPiILroqf9XYbIINHW37AYcGMI6lR2jmq5d2bR-DxMuYVEm-keccfZfcUtcKiCmVtu-7nkZMmWvLsZFg-aywEoCZNK2IkVFyfM4GYQl9giXFMLvEBq93fAX9XaXY_RGUBwG59J_IJwuBYlgs3Rh/s4608/IMG_8553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkZSo4spIirGWWpBhN_lVztswOKZgBzcVysfHraPiILroqf9XYbIINHW37AYcGMI6lR2jmq5d2bR-DxMuYVEm-keccfZfcUtcKiCmVtu-7nkZMmWvLsZFg-aywEoCZNK2IkVFyfM4GYQl9giXFMLvEBq93fAX9XaXY_RGUBwG59J_IJwuBYlgs3Rh/w640-h480/IMG_8553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point of Rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl2JdNudVcVldEhNNGItPJV0qAjLPo46tm4kk8pccOgk2jHxTUd1h4OPcAEC7Gt5PMB8fWceXbI8BcyuzsB0EP_mhDmZ-8UrGDNlcTk7MQ76pvdMlm0omFKyZjE840-EiooZ7YLA7p9C3wIOPeWKiNYRUTn9TePNbARgn-vzuF4HiYxz-iMCTSTAi/s4608/IMG_8555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl2JdNudVcVldEhNNGItPJV0qAjLPo46tm4kk8pccOgk2jHxTUd1h4OPcAEC7Gt5PMB8fWceXbI8BcyuzsB0EP_mhDmZ-8UrGDNlcTk7MQ76pvdMlm0omFKyZjE840-EiooZ7YLA7p9C3wIOPeWKiNYRUTn9TePNbARgn-vzuF4HiYxz-iMCTSTAi/w640-h480/IMG_8555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkOtMjMQjVdaw_sKepCC6QkbxLohLqH2JNoYXJ1JU7MPjjR2KLFLoI2Mdchu6k50WoDdGscVUAsdEeDuRnMaBAQt3WASTx8UG8URkDr7t9tWJXFnrIUBBFIaNCglj_0pFp3yJ9W0S3aBAKtYY7QFUB8byIPvqhN16n9ovgPJKhU7Dd_TVP8mslTg5/s4608/IMG_8557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkOtMjMQjVdaw_sKepCC6QkbxLohLqH2JNoYXJ1JU7MPjjR2KLFLoI2Mdchu6k50WoDdGscVUAsdEeDuRnMaBAQt3WASTx8UG8URkDr7t9tWJXFnrIUBBFIaNCglj_0pFp3yJ9W0S3aBAKtYY7QFUB8byIPvqhN16n9ovgPJKhU7Dd_TVP8mslTg5/w640-h480/IMG_8557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihetlQ7TnZ61QrCJEnUxB-Yp0Hwg8jviintWV3VaI2hnDhWIsu1AOBP1VxYH89pi9qedp-vKB9iU7NzmR9zdlI3JgxyieYZo977xV0rmkqY21QcbMBoUUgdIg8gWNN1Xjtgvx8e_5JxY79IMOgSYag4mkaIeX3qOpWNeTc0-Hfb4VapsYdYEraaww5/s4608/IMG_8560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihetlQ7TnZ61QrCJEnUxB-Yp0Hwg8jviintWV3VaI2hnDhWIsu1AOBP1VxYH89pi9qedp-vKB9iU7NzmR9zdlI3JgxyieYZo977xV0rmkqY21QcbMBoUUgdIg8gWNN1Xjtgvx8e_5JxY79IMOgSYag4mkaIeX3qOpWNeTc0-Hfb4VapsYdYEraaww5/w640-h480/IMG_8560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtkUQxdws_pAwK4uaCh72sHmOK0yDs7PdR_Hm1eEILugTBTEgFOahCNM7RXDfwmv-whzUb4YjIDQT96TxWM6AE2x3BdDdO0tHGHldGgU08qGvFtVLvud_RK0vf9UwZBnH9jAKPWlQFMMSk_yuBLMlgLD04zc2zHp9jcKLZp57bpZKOi-KgnPM5aCs/s4608/IMG_8575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtkUQxdws_pAwK4uaCh72sHmOK0yDs7PdR_Hm1eEILugTBTEgFOahCNM7RXDfwmv-whzUb4YjIDQT96TxWM6AE2x3BdDdO0tHGHldGgU08qGvFtVLvud_RK0vf9UwZBnH9jAKPWlQFMMSk_yuBLMlgLD04zc2zHp9jcKLZp57bpZKOi-KgnPM5aCs/w640-h480/IMG_8575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night: Brunswick Family Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSl59VVglajj4rkVt_LajXnXjLf9DMlST7lkgmuUBH1mistrrrGZAeXT7L6v-SPqjLxa8XJYqI8iPZshnI_TuBEAYSV7jtWF1hgZs42ymIVEzNrVRNhJDN5gCRzgU4107emOxw_n3sQszexTaGN10ZZOgw5SunImlHS1vGY2G3J1yN98KT12wUm9O/s4608/IMG_8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSl59VVglajj4rkVt_LajXnXjLf9DMlST7lkgmuUBH1mistrrrGZAeXT7L6v-SPqjLxa8XJYqI8iPZshnI_TuBEAYSV7jtWF1hgZs42ymIVEzNrVRNhJDN5gCRzgU4107emOxw_n3sQszexTaGN10ZZOgw5SunImlHS1vGY2G3J1yN98KT12wUm9O/w640-h480/IMG_8588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpUCv_eyWZjbtHG6Cxi7Wx8GO7G8WNevGz3S6YhaBBTHPTkgwYbIctumRXX94Q6AGhZU1ZOvUesibrYpX8JNXcjJdzcYmIDS2BNh8iFfo5fCGeFrH_vMQyu2IEYooMpJlujX1giFfIL6eVdex_-kcA1BHk_lqKwJbvpwmBRVUP4WYQ2KmE-HH8N11/s4608/IMG_8598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpUCv_eyWZjbtHG6Cxi7Wx8GO7G8WNevGz3S6YhaBBTHPTkgwYbIctumRXX94Q6AGhZU1ZOvUesibrYpX8JNXcjJdzcYmIDS2BNh8iFfo5fCGeFrH_vMQyu2IEYooMpJlujX1giFfIL6eVdex_-kcA1BHk_lqKwJbvpwmBRVUP4WYQ2KmE-HH8N11/w640-h480/IMG_8598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MyQPG0ONM2iQ5A2RJhoslBoC2H1h3YOwH4X2C5tf-pxgUlE5HziS5SSAFmN2WzFFCHQ0zKkkvqPYTmrCOf1T7nZUinL8Nag6MLetFMXiJ1f1LYlu6jdbr7BGARxoCd_BbxvmR5pGkkpc_pzfKGRgC3yhDbBVyFMTM82E5h5RDdQaqWVjs_CD2AZ2/s4608/IMG_8599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MyQPG0ONM2iQ5A2RJhoslBoC2H1h3YOwH4X2C5tf-pxgUlE5HziS5SSAFmN2WzFFCHQ0zKkkvqPYTmrCOf1T7nZUinL8Nag6MLetFMXiJ1f1LYlu6jdbr7BGARxoCd_BbxvmR5pGkkpc_pzfKGRgC3yhDbBVyFMTM82E5h5RDdQaqWVjs_CD2AZ2/w640-h480/IMG_8599.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> My allergies were out of control the night before. So stuffed up, then my nose would run like a faucet, headache. Somehow, I managed to sleep through the night despite those issues. Woke up groggy, but ready for another day. Coffee would do me good. My allergies were probably due to the fact that the tree leaves were just starting to bud and I was camped in grass. Usually I have a couple bad days of allergies in the spring, and then I'm good to go for the rest of the spring/summer. In hindsight, this was the case once again.<p></p><p>The morning temperatures were perfect for riding, and once again, found myself really, really enjoying the morning bike ride. Before long, I was in White's Ferry and stopped for a short break and snack. Several other bikers were coming and going, as well as a few other visitors. North of White's Ferry felt like a dreamland, as Virginia Bluebells, in peak bloom, lined both sides of the towpath. It was a feast for the eyes, colors everywhere. I was fascinated how different it looked compared to the usual green tunnel in the summer. An older woman, a C&O towpath volunteer asked me where I camped the night before. She said it was the perfect time to see the bluebells along the river. I had to agree. Later, I saw a red tailed hawk swoop down and pick a snake out of the canal.</p><p>By the time I reached the Monocacy Aqueduct, it began to cloud up a bit, although temps were still warm. Eventually I arrived in Point of Rocks where I was hoping to buy a sub sandwich from the deli. I was sad to see that it was closed when I arrived. I'm not sure if it was closed for the day or permanently. Hard to tell these days. Instead, I ate a snack under a pavilion in town. My left knee started to hurt a little, which concerned me a bit. I've had two knee surgeries on it a long time ago. My knee never really gave me any issue on all of the hikes I have done. But it was definitely hurting and feeling tender from riding the bike. I had to push on 5 more miles to get to the Brunswick Family Campground for the night, and just tried not to put too much pressure on it.</p><p>Just as it began to rain a little, I reached the campground in Brunswick and scored a campsite in the field. There were only a few other campers there for the night, so it made for a really peaceful evening. I've always liked the campground, despite the train noises. It adds to the experience in my opinion. I was treated to a really nice sunset in the evening. Another great day overall... </p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-4947100345457440602022-04-18T09:36:00.000-07:002022-04-18T09:36:16.568-07:00Bike/Camping Along Part of the C&O towpath ~ Day 1 of 3<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE0FZgtyz0cxBejIipZO9qbF51MFqwxzgKd63tHWN2ZybCKRKACDUgx4s29KLLIG0rBP_mTVLZ6luJsr8inDOWt_684EHEYhreixmYOvG7w4bX6LOQY371g1b1rAM6uSCuLUbZbbmDDK4WhTB6m26EacsjsMgxFC7khHFgByulMYIVMBRDxf3gWYd/s4608/IMG_8397%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE0FZgtyz0cxBejIipZO9qbF51MFqwxzgKd63tHWN2ZybCKRKACDUgx4s29KLLIG0rBP_mTVLZ6luJsr8inDOWt_684EHEYhreixmYOvG7w4bX6LOQY371g1b1rAM6uSCuLUbZbbmDDK4WhTB6m26EacsjsMgxFC7khHFgByulMYIVMBRDxf3gWYd/w400-h300/IMG_8397%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started at lock 22</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYGf2FNzy6CLHyDy4HWk0CGsB8w8E_mjUkOqLQ0_gNAunCPvrG1-VBri3Rfv0YldJvmaWXpxSFXtGzEWtKJMhKvShT1R4FQbhGZJfRkWNubJ09FGbq8PeWf-8x8UboIPFwhcAX_io6hjnipNr4g5JwfBIvdy03Fy51M-dwucdjS5mcycSmdW7GJ2P/s4608/IMG_8404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYGf2FNzy6CLHyDy4HWk0CGsB8w8E_mjUkOqLQ0_gNAunCPvrG1-VBri3Rfv0YldJvmaWXpxSFXtGzEWtKJMhKvShT1R4FQbhGZJfRkWNubJ09FGbq8PeWf-8x8UboIPFwhcAX_io6hjnipNr4g5JwfBIvdy03Fy51M-dwucdjS5mcycSmdW7GJ2P/w400-h300/IMG_8404.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers everywhere</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9-2OYF5u0pyuSTK9ARrOHdOPKxAVvvap-Fz9gl3OcGG1EpZD6vicUHxt07t3ZA3r5FGY60HonGtGOQBdPQNAWSN_t2uRDkMyKUht1SXBwTkpxJLf3Jwcf2QWb4GbX_Wim_qKFJNVdhiu6GU1-kqauNsDp_jeU9qw4bZvtki0QmJMEsOapFcSkLF/s4608/IMG_8408%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9-2OYF5u0pyuSTK9ARrOHdOPKxAVvvap-Fz9gl3OcGG1EpZD6vicUHxt07t3ZA3r5FGY60HonGtGOQBdPQNAWSN_t2uRDkMyKUht1SXBwTkpxJLf3Jwcf2QWb4GbX_Wim_qKFJNVdhiu6GU1-kqauNsDp_jeU9qw4bZvtki0QmJMEsOapFcSkLF/w400-h300/IMG_8408%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnVUWGxv9Xyj6L9_nZbx9C8Aec60vT5CsB99cia4dmKFBUoLAuEaGmGm0jrxzrmlyxBDM7ehp0wTBraN2QfZWOjBDSQBNyhys93Nkh4rZo_jfWrNss6n1slvVtIvxg9fZDm_x5VBv1mu2r-YzjymjbwpSAiiC0KJG-AiiSkRXuUXuBY6V6cKIJlar/s4608/IMG_8409%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnVUWGxv9Xyj6L9_nZbx9C8Aec60vT5CsB99cia4dmKFBUoLAuEaGmGm0jrxzrmlyxBDM7ehp0wTBraN2QfZWOjBDSQBNyhys93Nkh4rZo_jfWrNss6n1slvVtIvxg9fZDm_x5VBv1mu2r-YzjymjbwpSAiiC0KJG-AiiSkRXuUXuBY6V6cKIJlar/w400-h300/IMG_8409%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqueduct</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrB33x2PCJpBxkphaXDNCLWb4v8QLBnBosZCUDgqswV7gnbX9YonuN61SkFM4u-R-QILlwpXCIYZAzGJqY4uviDxIRk972Tbn9FTO5uCOKMsRrQb2eTckzFC-4K_S-ZsURfFHh-GKzSa3ABF2F7iw0I_YMumm0IsUFKMueNu69BVovtuAMBH6PPvJ/s4608/IMG_8410%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrB33x2PCJpBxkphaXDNCLWb4v8QLBnBosZCUDgqswV7gnbX9YonuN61SkFM4u-R-QILlwpXCIYZAzGJqY4uviDxIRk972Tbn9FTO5uCOKMsRrQb2eTckzFC-4K_S-ZsURfFHh-GKzSa3ABF2F7iw0I_YMumm0IsUFKMueNu69BVovtuAMBH6PPvJ/w400-h300/IMG_8410%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potomac River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSRWwTrvxp_HsXesmmEbe1h0lke1zHvhdtWK5B_2I5LGCWVYSx6iqgTWgOwzsSER3ZDLZlfpqNlGHrbVf6BD2aPua6h7YYo6LZnUBnybgxBX-1jbRqg-8Epby4wRE1eteXiPmWNLrqRp1ngRExBn_W08JM7RTEchnQifMMzXSdN0WlCDG5kAfLcgu/s4608/IMG_8415%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSRWwTrvxp_HsXesmmEbe1h0lke1zHvhdtWK5B_2I5LGCWVYSx6iqgTWgOwzsSER3ZDLZlfpqNlGHrbVf6BD2aPua6h7YYo6LZnUBnybgxBX-1jbRqg-8Epby4wRE1eteXiPmWNLrqRp1ngRExBn_W08JM7RTEchnQifMMzXSdN0WlCDG5kAfLcgu/w640-h480/IMG_8415%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phlox lined C&O towpath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nicyr3JjHBrMYc563RdDhZVePl4y3RRB9tMmA2rIFZetgLwzoxNCcDrfHD_zINlUGWwx9gDS55OJiiBzuN6X-gpoN6W7-047-ZsKVnXTIHOkUJi1U1Sb0C_eDd7INZOei8zTtLx9gNedshiBA-xBuT8YMuhQe79wWXs6snUVOVZ9lGy-Wfqd6hkT/s4608/IMG_8420%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nicyr3JjHBrMYc563RdDhZVePl4y3RRB9tMmA2rIFZetgLwzoxNCcDrfHD_zINlUGWwx9gDS55OJiiBzuN6X-gpoN6W7-047-ZsKVnXTIHOkUJi1U1Sb0C_eDd7INZOei8zTtLx9gNedshiBA-xBuT8YMuhQe79wWXs6snUVOVZ9lGy-Wfqd6hkT/w640-h480/IMG_8420%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mzNFsU8Y5wJkxnBBeP8OhR9vYqR6gd0dQLXqytqb3d7IhGpasPIDI1whvmUKk9OeeuEAeIKASccChjI3f90cCWj8K27VD8T_h556mMatAOV6Ru5CPt8CqoLuU3gBb4sj000iolKTPiKHOapR42Qv760P2TypKSfYCchsKnqC7b5osiAzbgCgRwZp/s4608/IMG_8422%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mzNFsU8Y5wJkxnBBeP8OhR9vYqR6gd0dQLXqytqb3d7IhGpasPIDI1whvmUKk9OeeuEAeIKASccChjI3f90cCWj8K27VD8T_h556mMatAOV6Ru5CPt8CqoLuU3gBb4sj000iolKTPiKHOapR42Qv760P2TypKSfYCchsKnqC7b5osiAzbgCgRwZp/w640-h480/IMG_8422%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31JEFxUvsqnCP6kzYNWA5HrdcngiMs3rdG6R6FLJx1aFQKqt491hNvXbb1gUFVZRnco8BeO-wpZRu6StikP2asSOiCrf1Hny183_NvijPAbcMNWmD_rabK6jMFCvIkVyYymqLOCCSZ0nP5I2cvRNDOvUUIaSu5T7v1RLTuw_FayreDcz2Yn9i4Geg/s4608/IMG_8425%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31JEFxUvsqnCP6kzYNWA5HrdcngiMs3rdG6R6FLJx1aFQKqt491hNvXbb1gUFVZRnco8BeO-wpZRu6StikP2asSOiCrf1Hny183_NvijPAbcMNWmD_rabK6jMFCvIkVyYymqLOCCSZ0nP5I2cvRNDOvUUIaSu5T7v1RLTuw_FayreDcz2Yn9i4Geg/w640-h480/IMG_8425%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVna67OmUOnJR59zp2O-phqzoUkme9MAp9GnlFSE9eA_RZkgVakOUKh3QTFiKTADe-9tmvQ_EFmvxvvJS_3tZeAUhaAFkNcqPg7j5h1DFrYGuzw1YIIUyKNw5lVKmCeR--zh9v8ZHgR2YoMwsjD_1Ch9ey5QDwFgs2xAJ0K552S_xb5qDWJbBi903-/s4608/IMG_8431%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVna67OmUOnJR59zp2O-phqzoUkme9MAp9GnlFSE9eA_RZkgVakOUKh3QTFiKTADe-9tmvQ_EFmvxvvJS_3tZeAUhaAFkNcqPg7j5h1DFrYGuzw1YIIUyKNw5lVKmCeR--zh9v8ZHgR2YoMwsjD_1Ch9ey5QDwFgs2xAJ0K552S_xb5qDWJbBi903-/w640-h480/IMG_8431%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night: Chisel Branch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5me4pRlRll7j8ooxDnNpEyYt_205gOp_kAk4R9zZBjAiCvnJBa9pJC0x6yne0A-kn-wG5BXmeVhmdPMK6fChIwyiGAYZW0jLryhg1FMvkxUUnyYTuhpKXA3YqHIYev5_22HbLC6IAXUy_KQwEebA9Bx2sTfKl6XSCdj2Pe4czWBsJMISGX5S1y5OR/s4608/IMG_8449%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5me4pRlRll7j8ooxDnNpEyYt_205gOp_kAk4R9zZBjAiCvnJBa9pJC0x6yne0A-kn-wG5BXmeVhmdPMK6fChIwyiGAYZW0jLryhg1FMvkxUUnyYTuhpKXA3YqHIYev5_22HbLC6IAXUy_KQwEebA9Bx2sTfKl6XSCdj2Pe4czWBsJMISGX5S1y5OR/w640-h480/IMG_8449%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI-30wmD8bzzZrVguRb8bk39fzx29K_WMmxbh9n-cQj785_76L0l_hfNBPgxn3cGjzAZ9Z34hjOvvowGPommmOHYKyyOVaTMmBE077Dt2dYCuwSCzmkPPMK1rWFP1Q3okCDfZ8JJSiSpYkuYTd8X5UMD8GgHHtKvJi0kh6BKZWSQST3zenHyFw5TI/s4608/IMG_8459%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI-30wmD8bzzZrVguRb8bk39fzx29K_WMmxbh9n-cQj785_76L0l_hfNBPgxn3cGjzAZ9Z34hjOvvowGPommmOHYKyyOVaTMmBE077Dt2dYCuwSCzmkPPMK1rWFP1Q3okCDfZ8JJSiSpYkuYTd8X5UMD8GgHHtKvJi0kh6BKZWSQST3zenHyFw5TI/w640-h480/IMG_8459%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq05rhCOQWrWnpavEv_lOJnLd0NZ45WssqEaS3KS80tBdvwe1-Mq7DFHtLJ5_JiphDzzoQsAEY7xzMcMODcd_1ONXipFr7yirxC0U3KU9NQCT2gUnmorEm7GzQu5opr7LkQoufqfNhL9MvjP_gLUq1vrz0OmOnTe4qbRwjJqRcVI8DlWA3VS3fkIe/s4608/IMG_8467%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq05rhCOQWrWnpavEv_lOJnLd0NZ45WssqEaS3KS80tBdvwe1-Mq7DFHtLJ5_JiphDzzoQsAEY7xzMcMODcd_1ONXipFr7yirxC0U3KU9NQCT2gUnmorEm7GzQu5opr7LkQoufqfNhL9MvjP_gLUq1vrz0OmOnTe4qbRwjJqRcVI8DlWA3VS3fkIe/w640-h480/IMG_8467%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hbM15OKS4RxmQ49UqNYpMQlifPaFGY7hP8hhJtZ2jOAD8BjsSKG1HNUT3OFsXaOLaCX9yjc1-7nsOQKiyfoD94gxNGLUr2V3p6VkWktVzdaXThFO9-eWqKMCSKaE970Nwy9or26DsU76a3UYbDbmlECy7sPiRBwTMvtW2jrzfp1UiIQbm1m4jOcq/s4608/IMG_8470%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hbM15OKS4RxmQ49UqNYpMQlifPaFGY7hP8hhJtZ2jOAD8BjsSKG1HNUT3OFsXaOLaCX9yjc1-7nsOQKiyfoD94gxNGLUr2V3p6VkWktVzdaXThFO9-eWqKMCSKaE970Nwy9or26DsU76a3UYbDbmlECy7sPiRBwTMvtW2jrzfp1UiIQbm1m4jOcq/w640-h480/IMG_8470%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaceful, warm evening</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Last summer, while hiking the C&O towpath, I met a young couple on one of my last nights on the trail. They were fellow "trail family" and had hiked several long distance trails around the country and world. When I met them, they were bike touring down the towpath. The guy had mentioned that they threw the trip together on a whim. In fact, there was nothing fancy about their set up. The guy had a beat up little wooden trailer hitched to his beat up mountain bike, with his minimal gear packed into the trailer. It was a "eureka" moment for me. I'd always wanted to attempt some bike touring, but always overthought it, and then eventually gave up on the idea. This couple was proving that you didn't need to overthink it. Just pack up your camping gear onto a bike and go!<p></p><p>Fast for forward to about three weeks ago. Just after daylight savings, I happened to dust off my bike and throw it into my car and took a 30 minute ride down the C&O towpath after work. It was my first time on a bike in a couple years, and my legs could feel it. The following day, I did it again, and then the day after as well. While out there, I remembered the couple, and thought, "I'd like to try some bike/camping." I had a spring break coming up with nothing planned. I had about a week and a half to get ready. In the sprit of the couple that I met last year, I decided not to overthink it. I had a bike. I have camping gear, I just needed some bags to hold it. I bought some panniers from Amazon, and a back rack. I didn't realize I needed a front rack for the front panniers, so I bought one from a local bike shop a day before leaving. After installing the racks, I attached the panniers, threw in my camping gear and was just about ready to go! I was amazed how much space the panniers had. My backpacking gear fit inside the panniers easily with extra space. I bought a couple extra inner tubes and a hand pump in case I got a flat. Threw in a few tools. Bought some food for a few days. I wasn't sure about the water situation along the canal, so I packed about a gallon and a half. My bike was heavy, but ready.</p><p>I didn't even test ride before hitting the towpath. The path would be my test. On Wednesday, April 13, I drove to lock 22 on the warmest day of the year so far. Temps were already hitting 80 degrees, and the first buds and leaves were starting to pop on trees. I was nervous. The same way I felt on my first backpacking trip over 20 years ago. Back then I was scared that my back or knees would give out with the weight of the backpack. This time, I was scared that my bike would break or tip over and be completely out of balance from all the weight I was carrying. My back and knees obviously did not give out on the trail 20 years ago, and within 5 minutes I was saying "I love this!" This time, the same thing happened. I pushed off on my bike, took a second to get my balance, and before long, was comfortably cruising down the towpath in the warm breeze, surrounded by wildflowers, looking out over the Potomac River, exclaiming "I love this!"</p><p>On day one, I took lots of breaks and didn't go far at all. In fact, I only rode for an hour and a half or so, going 10 miles until I saw an inviting, peaceful camp site, called Chisel Branch. My bike worked wonderfully during that stretch, and I was satisfied with the systems doing their job. I set up camp around 4:30. I explored some of the area around the camp. looking at different plants, and turtles in the canal. Eventually, another bike rider arrived. He had been biking since Cleveland Ohio. After dinner, the sun began to set. It was still warm and comfortable. The forest filled with the sounds of cicadas and frogs, and crickets. It was a great first day.</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-58410073035696626852022-03-12T10:22:00.003-08:002022-03-12T10:25:45.339-08:00Winter's Last Hurrah<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT7zy07n2mkrtEtN8-T1BHzH3LGRk--Ne1Ig-5iEK-TC2VlgEIvBo7fkQqNTNYEe5Cx0mgiKetzanl-CTEOnN9MNQ2cB9P-0Z_NvFjXj7LGOjbJ5j0fMVQraUVSRnJ0j-n_EfWh6sH0nz2W50equyCHifEdxYINqmStSiHRnzS8zc4iE2uDjpZAFIE=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT7zy07n2mkrtEtN8-T1BHzH3LGRk--Ne1Ig-5iEK-TC2VlgEIvBo7fkQqNTNYEe5Cx0mgiKetzanl-CTEOnN9MNQ2cB9P-0Z_NvFjXj7LGOjbJ5j0fMVQraUVSRnJ0j-n_EfWh6sH0nz2W50equyCHifEdxYINqmStSiHRnzS8zc4iE2uDjpZAFIE=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4gcSi6G2J4lY03GuI1pdrljSmnisfER0M7ZK73dbht15X9slIJHhDKqml0AG7yuCp6FObAbJzBpTOcBDFG6i_vgpCHYoCrywlYrUKuqdDBblp9E_fADnjmITiQYmTZ2HAxwvJOKpTRaOGX0DlOtPoT6wFZMKDfwGnTr-zQ88IL5YcVb-Jg3wu976Q=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4gcSi6G2J4lY03GuI1pdrljSmnisfER0M7ZK73dbht15X9slIJHhDKqml0AG7yuCp6FObAbJzBpTOcBDFG6i_vgpCHYoCrywlYrUKuqdDBblp9E_fADnjmITiQYmTZ2HAxwvJOKpTRaOGX0DlOtPoT6wFZMKDfwGnTr-zQ88IL5YcVb-Jg3wu976Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potomac River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCTYoe7qersTSQ1S3f1YivPZQfrOcjkai71gHGi_tF3dxNvFlxsW7YcqxkXZtQEL0Xsosj93b2WJSnBbEkY3MQN0djiw4PpG9Y1pdUj9Fdl6AF8Fg_ZhMKNTb2t0m4MYUCe3Ycldam1U9SP2qSw9-93qDIQZ-nEkE_UU1ZnuollrGSlBMnJZzATYMq=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCTYoe7qersTSQ1S3f1YivPZQfrOcjkai71gHGi_tF3dxNvFlxsW7YcqxkXZtQEL0Xsosj93b2WJSnBbEkY3MQN0djiw4PpG9Y1pdUj9Fdl6AF8Fg_ZhMKNTb2t0m4MYUCe3Ycldam1U9SP2qSw9-93qDIQZ-nEkE_UU1ZnuollrGSlBMnJZzATYMq=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihDugDHRJdcohxC-RaBT9_4RCILkceNqbmH_B2wr8CHLEEtm80eG1v0rBssk-Ol9kByYpCWdaO3K5YPHRufYVK_s9fipZ2GySUMuyBzoNyNbz3-5E6ZhbE-JJPryUoPcEcc5J7HLJKmckQj2CS1nStSCgvwMh3XYRWoLxQdBckHsk-XZ15igLxgduf=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihDugDHRJdcohxC-RaBT9_4RCILkceNqbmH_B2wr8CHLEEtm80eG1v0rBssk-Ol9kByYpCWdaO3K5YPHRufYVK_s9fipZ2GySUMuyBzoNyNbz3-5E6ZhbE-JJPryUoPcEcc5J7HLJKmckQj2CS1nStSCgvwMh3XYRWoLxQdBckHsk-XZ15igLxgduf=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQgus5oVA76me1VMmOwoDbVbFFFQ9yHzCiHJQQu_eJWaSRp0oR6DN2b63uqMrETGTKNBhZWJDG3lOlOHJ1kcGVj2VlQE-Vjhj5dNPtkQw23hfs2MNENmRqPz0ADA-oOYy99onVleZYm1QjV46MAzIaKELsGulfAB9ECsvT0Bxt6HI1S5efAVl2C3Dv=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQgus5oVA76me1VMmOwoDbVbFFFQ9yHzCiHJQQu_eJWaSRp0oR6DN2b63uqMrETGTKNBhZWJDG3lOlOHJ1kcGVj2VlQE-Vjhj5dNPtkQw23hfs2MNENmRqPz0ADA-oOYy99onVleZYm1QjV46MAzIaKELsGulfAB9ECsvT0Bxt6HI1S5efAVl2C3Dv=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiJ_P-Mqzsis4GsndxLOiZRzWm6aIO87qOrzcu-umClV0AsJiHP3jFm12uCy-H9pKPRUeckQSKQe5z_SU65YS4fr4-UOp7TIhe9k64XDous9fuTWskX_RybIfhxDeptI-XAqKwCAblrgh0ffkAiLAVTbyMKunbEK-eIBuGjW7VxkBh9Jvgul1K1wwF=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiJ_P-Mqzsis4GsndxLOiZRzWm6aIO87qOrzcu-umClV0AsJiHP3jFm12uCy-H9pKPRUeckQSKQe5z_SU65YS4fr4-UOp7TIhe9k64XDous9fuTWskX_RybIfhxDeptI-XAqKwCAblrgh0ffkAiLAVTbyMKunbEK-eIBuGjW7VxkBh9Jvgul1K1wwF=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyuc2NdiGn89jg0Ppua-5A2r9eDT_476GKAHeIkMfWDbbPE4CJRIsBMB90YmywVxok7HeVeaKkHI3kctj_731fVAGhM35ii8WZYNK_3exd5bo4zP8f5axIqrLdjEzzUSSjz7X40YdE_z7BndWGhr1Ec8gLedLrvTIYzm5NxLeqFUz42V8yOuQY_DkG=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyuc2NdiGn89jg0Ppua-5A2r9eDT_476GKAHeIkMfWDbbPE4CJRIsBMB90YmywVxok7HeVeaKkHI3kctj_731fVAGhM35ii8WZYNK_3exd5bo4zP8f5axIqrLdjEzzUSSjz7X40YdE_z7BndWGhr1Ec8gLedLrvTIYzm5NxLeqFUz42V8yOuQY_DkG=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw this fox hunting frogs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRV2IgVyzXcqMnsQjoiURbS3E1H3vKEiZ6y2zp-uZw6ItTnvQnaAdK1IQNNwYgJ7E8HXWDJyHpmeGblJ431D1v7HH9WihDADYJS5uE2Edph0PufTTQEK5KtO2hvg8GhDSVSsJXoHomDaWqRjG16Q9Cz2g6vdj-taRyQYFf967CYDBiGFeIxP1Ip-hP=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRV2IgVyzXcqMnsQjoiURbS3E1H3vKEiZ6y2zp-uZw6ItTnvQnaAdK1IQNNwYgJ7E8HXWDJyHpmeGblJ431D1v7HH9WihDADYJS5uE2Edph0PufTTQEK5KtO2hvg8GhDSVSsJXoHomDaWqRjG16Q9Cz2g6vdj-taRyQYFf967CYDBiGFeIxP1Ip-hP=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_-GMFDvINm4nihUZXKDOK1GhgknYtSpMskq2eeXWW_Xdh1mVztyt9wAbTkDwwyQAlxScsEZfwaTD1M29smMGi7_BY2K4_ph0uCxX4JPDJYRFNCL3gmXPe6TP8v-r9dm2SvU8b7Moua_017J8MaSJzvycBiISkE5kqeQLM6OMGxe3pmDoc0-a12GlY=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_-GMFDvINm4nihUZXKDOK1GhgknYtSpMskq2eeXWW_Xdh1mVztyt9wAbTkDwwyQAlxScsEZfwaTD1M29smMGi7_BY2K4_ph0uCxX4JPDJYRFNCL3gmXPe6TP8v-r9dm2SvU8b7Moua_017J8MaSJzvycBiISkE5kqeQLM6OMGxe3pmDoc0-a12GlY=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of the Virginia Bluebells</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhol0kMXfa35bkWU5cC8pfbSEtY9nT2maLwTrj3EgGBxONuAms7K8ohXLItqOCpKe7ONdh2RUHOthlv33Wd3k8qURC0fG7dvYabk5JvKMMXFEkDONvfxA6rEmMBbW-m3kMq2NE1Rapux5ZOmDEUvrlgYHq0fko9hunD16cwc794ji4UkMnDgG7fKr6B=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhol0kMXfa35bkWU5cC8pfbSEtY9nT2maLwTrj3EgGBxONuAms7K8ohXLItqOCpKe7ONdh2RUHOthlv33Wd3k8qURC0fG7dvYabk5JvKMMXFEkDONvfxA6rEmMBbW-m3kMq2NE1Rapux5ZOmDEUvrlgYHq0fko9hunD16cwc794ji4UkMnDgG7fKr6B=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjko-zs7tAc9sDaIddQPR7RkRhQOyUNHG_Ingy5GMcayCd4mScg6r9_oCtTS1bT3q5NpHvFc7Xo-G0VzCOLLVPYZIfJZFSNDoi1xc4LprBgQdWoizMDPnCW3SFa30DyqYdBQ8S-dU0qPGeoKvdqh-SDU-qFYI8hz1n5i7reJ4giOqpGSEGn07tjzBaU=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjko-zs7tAc9sDaIddQPR7RkRhQOyUNHG_Ingy5GMcayCd4mScg6r9_oCtTS1bT3q5NpHvFc7Xo-G0VzCOLLVPYZIfJZFSNDoi1xc4LprBgQdWoizMDPnCW3SFa30DyqYdBQ8S-dU0qPGeoKvdqh-SDU-qFYI8hz1n5i7reJ4giOqpGSEGn07tjzBaU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1xCCrVGCSc5_t0kDWmoZiZ56UsEy1HhB2AlqVg0wVMtTtcPan_wtsu9Vzz6lWelW9BZelA-IJQYNqPIZUoALPNoegBVP_qVtTdo6t51mbZP_nApF8SJUgkh-wKueH7IG2ICBQ_BxcqBd2_wTz8vB3UtrA1JH9PEnuDC4NwTnaeUnynnWN_eL67e0p=s4463" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="4463" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1xCCrVGCSc5_t0kDWmoZiZ56UsEy1HhB2AlqVg0wVMtTtcPan_wtsu9Vzz6lWelW9BZelA-IJQYNqPIZUoALPNoegBVP_qVtTdo6t51mbZP_nApF8SJUgkh-wKueH7IG2ICBQ_BxcqBd2_wTz8vB3UtrA1JH9PEnuDC4NwTnaeUnynnWN_eL67e0p=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmY9TJl5UONIbGgdTyuC7YCwhKPOyxeHea_SuCVO_7Fib5P1SzvNnoaR30Jp7ibHjGprEg_LPIZ4pn6XnNj4cQoHcPTw7MQwzXPfoRISMlOIdP6HaRiWX7xa7PPhn6UxiGRDfqpba3QWJ0lUP5_8dGQAvNXWrzqVzhyUdHQ1EzhY0Lh78y6c2dcMxA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmY9TJl5UONIbGgdTyuC7YCwhKPOyxeHea_SuCVO_7Fib5P1SzvNnoaR30Jp7ibHjGprEg_LPIZ4pn6XnNj4cQoHcPTw7MQwzXPfoRISMlOIdP6HaRiWX7xa7PPhn6UxiGRDfqpba3QWJ0lUP5_8dGQAvNXWrzqVzhyUdHQ1EzhY0Lh78y6c2dcMxA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYFZ-qoKw05ez9zFudwBeFdDhDXLFRhTIA7ul5QzSk4zOG0R5dCeD8Ka23MhaJxReAY-s7Fj7s5l2pPjVsg6iGb2zWNb1MxyyED_AssYCyUd-7GUKTZkBQnDFv2FdMCdU4fk7s5wCV5dwv-RmRxY4F1preXTx-_lEKDNtcR9z3CGaZ7cQ4uwza1ULz=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNsnLx9wsZTv1CFhfMLGeRcq-9csgA9kn0cN_2CZFdrjqOCN0bi5fmGDoHDZa4671sLnUL9nliuKx5EeJJNRPJVpHpjbNEo4fWUBz2JvqYTAnlIB0bRUUfy4FkXK3RGoPYJhs5BCntfr0gQ9F-eFCPW9cZ0WDlwKqCkHRSqIrAOa2toa_Q17-24W9Q=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNsnLx9wsZTv1CFhfMLGeRcq-9csgA9kn0cN_2CZFdrjqOCN0bi5fmGDoHDZa4671sLnUL9nliuKx5EeJJNRPJVpHpjbNEo4fWUBz2JvqYTAnlIB0bRUUfy4FkXK3RGoPYJhs5BCntfr0gQ9F-eFCPW9cZ0WDlwKqCkHRSqIrAOa2toa_Q17-24W9Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter's Last Hurrah today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Today, hopefully, is winter's last hurrah. Its currently snowing as I type this and the wind is howling outside my window. Yesterday was in the 60's. Monday will return to the 60's and warmer weather appears to be staying all next week. Masks have become optional and are coming off in local schools for the first time in two years. Spring will be here, and the woods will be coming back to life. Early wildflowers are already on the scene although covered with snow, at least for today. The light is becoming brighter by the day. Birds are getting louder in the mornings when I wake up for work. I hope to get more hikes in after work as daylight savings time returns tomorrow. <p></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-84494752443759075912022-02-27T12:35:00.004-08:002022-02-27T12:39:45.930-08:00February<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCcUdDQyETPsEpiyKRJfWI7IuGwrd2pISu5VkqAi-NGMFjBGCUmodjJyKD7GxkZxJOUOquzfn7XeBBMsGCOz72sFttcsva0uxktbruqF-I76UCN5Mmc2v-We1snvqQ0loWU5ofM0TdT2oEJGBAqHeJAPbc16JbjVyIwpn5GZc65oz2upnUfea0Uq5U=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCcUdDQyETPsEpiyKRJfWI7IuGwrd2pISu5VkqAi-NGMFjBGCUmodjJyKD7GxkZxJOUOquzfn7XeBBMsGCOz72sFttcsva0uxktbruqF-I76UCN5Mmc2v-We1snvqQ0loWU5ofM0TdT2oEJGBAqHeJAPbc16JbjVyIwpn5GZc65oz2upnUfea0Uq5U=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwFxSgdnhtxahlzK2ySgFEWx1eZ5B9ag0ZEFONkVBHih18qSMZAqzTmF4QurbSEfJnf-6hanrMoOC3YQtooHxHUnMWWFGbcWL9CpxoeGB9os2ZRLVfaD86JASk98OGKU4nr4hFUPWnbfNBYoL6EjANPRegYKbyEVyijwkDTBTOAiNBEYZeXDGz3AWA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwFxSgdnhtxahlzK2ySgFEWx1eZ5B9ag0ZEFONkVBHih18qSMZAqzTmF4QurbSEfJnf-6hanrMoOC3YQtooHxHUnMWWFGbcWL9CpxoeGB9os2ZRLVfaD86JASk98OGKU4nr4hFUPWnbfNBYoL6EjANPRegYKbyEVyijwkDTBTOAiNBEYZeXDGz3AWA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Hard to believe February is already wrapping up. The pandemic appears to be winding down again, as restrictions and mandates are slowly being lifted around the area. Around Maryland, the month has shown us winter, then spring, then winter again, back to spring again. The first wildflowers began popping out of the earth early in the month when we had a string of sunny days in the mid 50's. Then we had a little more snow, followed by the first 70-degree day of 2022. As we approach the end of the month, the spring peepers (frogs) have already come out of the earth to begin their mating rituals in the vernal pools, after our first warmish night of rain a few days ago. The sunlight is beginning to brighten as the sun slowing increases its trajectory through the sky. Looking forward to the next few weeks as my favorite time of year begins...<p></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-79916548195519507392022-01-24T08:23:00.010-08:002022-01-24T08:30:23.841-08:00January<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjwyOs5oboQLKTim9KQH4tnGzb8nKlQYIzd5DOs4ZU_-PXqdxE_62bNlbAc7WUc1a0aLMQCo21tCQz66YynNB9Q1tED2zLNrrcNtgBM2bY-ZqI_FyyYQKfqEe0kADv3K5e_MAAMkITVBP1pL4Uwr-8-XkjyATAACBUs5jWYM7axOdKCGCxydNhr1I=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjwyOs5oboQLKTim9KQH4tnGzb8nKlQYIzd5DOs4ZU_-PXqdxE_62bNlbAc7WUc1a0aLMQCo21tCQz66YynNB9Q1tED2zLNrrcNtgBM2bY-ZqI_FyyYQKfqEe0kADv3K5e_MAAMkITVBP1pL4Uwr-8-XkjyATAACBUs5jWYM7axOdKCGCxydNhr1I=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7jkxGDVO8PK0g_PWBzmKr7oBzahQbRUbUS4kIdUn0k7AhZsOkggKlqNPMYDVJ5YDEIyoI2RMuDBL65o98GVvjV8E37_b4XA-fICQGG1TRyX4oV6E7iwfC3NKvFEzoMUIco3WUQYiUqZ1g_UCqr1ks52ZFv1LSrd2T_oLDCO5QkAJtNet7EQpt0NWY=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjABe86qhvbIpadZxk_8Ea3o30yNlofWu8gk9IpQdDgKnvqhos2quAbgAMzE59eSdMMMd39IUb92IVMswLHtQ_amzZFkOYQ8_2A7bivMnoDKWjd54b9od4UCPAX5Z6JExPWcXJU-PEll48KypU8LJQFCYYN0pqZBC038qJyHJ1Q9Vy1Gg8XxDrUA21-=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjABe86qhvbIpadZxk_8Ea3o30yNlofWu8gk9IpQdDgKnvqhos2quAbgAMzE59eSdMMMd39IUb92IVMswLHtQ_amzZFkOYQ8_2A7bivMnoDKWjd54b9od4UCPAX5Z6JExPWcXJU-PEll48KypU8LJQFCYYN0pqZBC038qJyHJ1Q9Vy1Gg8XxDrUA21-=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEaqH2C5dssWk_TYFRcyl0Kyz1Lyn_4wLELwloXNHyZFhCtE_pvMv7PE0Bczubk1kbhG7r-DVI_CiKTD86u9D8mTnR7HUowIWwvaUQZuyFtDfy8I-9HzWDV6ta4c7fqUqPlIUGEr207sCh4IfTQIg0p6JhjnNoewXXbmF14efPdB52cyf46EmB32fA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEaqH2C5dssWk_TYFRcyl0Kyz1Lyn_4wLELwloXNHyZFhCtE_pvMv7PE0Bczubk1kbhG7r-DVI_CiKTD86u9D8mTnR7HUowIWwvaUQZuyFtDfy8I-9HzWDV6ta4c7fqUqPlIUGEr207sCh4IfTQIg0p6JhjnNoewXXbmF14efPdB52cyf46EmB32fA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjygXOJgb3mpBjC4NByeIE9EXwtTWIezVX9AEz-Wpk5uSPhqwCvApbzj7tVdC_B_XC4TwqNo3U7qVnSaNosANJW9JIiGUdPHmmyAuk6jZ5UcfNrXcTkF9b26kZD6DAVmx2k9DyBo-ocZ4WmXiRR3c2BQxeb0IAMi9pAHeJbh1t7hr-EXmX_bUeIzX9F=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjygXOJgb3mpBjC4NByeIE9EXwtTWIezVX9AEz-Wpk5uSPhqwCvApbzj7tVdC_B_XC4TwqNo3U7qVnSaNosANJW9JIiGUdPHmmyAuk6jZ5UcfNrXcTkF9b26kZD6DAVmx2k9DyBo-ocZ4WmXiRR3c2BQxeb0IAMi9pAHeJbh1t7hr-EXmX_bUeIzX9F=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy Potomac River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT7qaGFPLhzdPPah4leQbWDmFkPecpzgM-ZEcoGuSalxnf3SY-dptUg4lq0p3Qo-IWfbHhUZeVRuQFFnOdkU91X9j058lTCjflDeukfoCnAK5REDQHFUXInYUjrr7wPaFzNms5_MWe5bnCqTcIfW851L_I6kmw4K4X_TG1Gxns47HDOxH5I0j3NYAz=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT7qaGFPLhzdPPah4leQbWDmFkPecpzgM-ZEcoGuSalxnf3SY-dptUg4lq0p3Qo-IWfbHhUZeVRuQFFnOdkU91X9j058lTCjflDeukfoCnAK5REDQHFUXInYUjrr7wPaFzNms5_MWe5bnCqTcIfW851L_I6kmw4K4X_TG1Gxns47HDOxH5I0j3NYAz=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGn1aUeqbqc0HRUdlVd_GLT3i_nt_b7vXy93yIEZBFtmnvK59z9rMUBqINmp6WRGEyIjn0WGSP4zdS9Lz806bQ1LlFoo2OLYRFomygdage7-BqChXu-YnxNffi69CUHyB8cQ-7iDYOVfkuztxul77ZerXVPJWhG0Ql3Ee-FDGm76tRrSHMtkKbzUrR=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGn1aUeqbqc0HRUdlVd_GLT3i_nt_b7vXy93yIEZBFtmnvK59z9rMUBqINmp6WRGEyIjn0WGSP4zdS9Lz806bQ1LlFoo2OLYRFomygdage7-BqChXu-YnxNffi69CUHyB8cQ-7iDYOVfkuztxul77ZerXVPJWhG0Ql3Ee-FDGm76tRrSHMtkKbzUrR=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potomac River Treasures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIb_HPuSA8GAAZnNtxucQX7lqTCoOYUCF5q8wZkrBCJdcHKJ3o0Fg-6g3VVN2rhZ-wRY8nyWsqZhZGmfEYt7M8y0tkBcwxUfrMedk2-OwSHfA3L1dJYIGPUqCtDa4oU5b1IjBkORGxBT-5BZr8hJ1EFfMBpv5uH-puGACBDnwV12ZcQH2DxHQ7owEM=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIb_HPuSA8GAAZnNtxucQX7lqTCoOYUCF5q8wZkrBCJdcHKJ3o0Fg-6g3VVN2rhZ-wRY8nyWsqZhZGmfEYt7M8y0tkBcwxUfrMedk2-OwSHfA3L1dJYIGPUqCtDa4oU5b1IjBkORGxBT-5BZr8hJ1EFfMBpv5uH-puGACBDnwV12ZcQH2DxHQ7owEM=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6737vbc2j6jj_Ty96mpPragQiPdinXagh1Bu3hL1UgCuACxUVBGldVqAu_vpFKylF61KhKn85qT3S39RqxgYoW6P3is1SWh1X1M1bYfZ7ppU7R8sg6ZQ_KUeZnsmdd18b5foBKDKb8sm9Q4O55ygImvRbU5JjjC6X0On9HPwjdNNCL-yuOmKBdOco=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6737vbc2j6jj_Ty96mpPragQiPdinXagh1Bu3hL1UgCuACxUVBGldVqAu_vpFKylF61KhKn85qT3S39RqxgYoW6P3is1SWh1X1M1bYfZ7ppU7R8sg6ZQ_KUeZnsmdd18b5foBKDKb8sm9Q4O55ygImvRbU5JjjC6X0On9HPwjdNNCL-yuOmKBdOco=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plummers Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyp2A20n6BQl6fOE2YNGeQ_Rgff2_HOAg6cQbLBQTr7L3W5wbdqQghe5zkQWWDqHbMmeo9ne6X5gXprQBVGBL_4XyhDWhzMJeDc8oM46HznfWdCF--DM9d2aATXkuUHbUrpYg1xh4WqdA4LThLXCU3d4rbXS1qYXs8PWdJa6RjdSJN9DubxkOHE7KP=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyp2A20n6BQl6fOE2YNGeQ_Rgff2_HOAg6cQbLBQTr7L3W5wbdqQghe5zkQWWDqHbMmeo9ne6X5gXprQBVGBL_4XyhDWhzMJeDc8oM46HznfWdCF--DM9d2aATXkuUHbUrpYg1xh4WqdA4LThLXCU3d4rbXS1qYXs8PWdJa6RjdSJN9DubxkOHE7KP=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhxzFNjPb77IKi0_Au4MgMcjPKfHzQcK92riEVxnfBqeypcYwMBCv0sbvWRyckr4qhnEz-CIGTXvIeBKxzcaFNcNnaZn_WrOh53gz3OxAwo6HqR21osIRJfacb69lTM7rBLKBLO9B04o1MMaYwUR5-wFUr9Jn4NITVRdIPLC4sXGcaCRgSFghGhQs=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhxzFNjPb77IKi0_Au4MgMcjPKfHzQcK92riEVxnfBqeypcYwMBCv0sbvWRyckr4qhnEz-CIGTXvIeBKxzcaFNcNnaZn_WrOh53gz3OxAwo6HqR21osIRJfacb69lTM7rBLKBLO9B04o1MMaYwUR5-wFUr9Jn4NITVRdIPLC4sXGcaCRgSFghGhQs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plummers Island Cabin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ8L1PKOkP30r_35CNVru2IGhvbQdd1mNMGLVKLg3qj9x0Wy_N7o42sYC4iDtfa6IGxbaBqqKFVFvQGpA_fFUyUAyzb7c1H5jbDyZt_69PgrtrRoE_kwnTluCWYYZ83_pW70lpMLx7RjltZAuAhpPN5dTXyH7GB0QpUEL3dkx84I9zoWzjaefJeEoi=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ8L1PKOkP30r_35CNVru2IGhvbQdd1mNMGLVKLg3qj9x0Wy_N7o42sYC4iDtfa6IGxbaBqqKFVFvQGpA_fFUyUAyzb7c1H5jbDyZt_69PgrtrRoE_kwnTluCWYYZ83_pW70lpMLx7RjltZAuAhpPN5dTXyH7GB0QpUEL3dkx84I9zoWzjaefJeEoi=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ94m9XzKBy777ihHqFy9o7fgSoLBHfMn9Xdalqg5jmNU2I59-WZaouT49hTU6n5ThA4PbIiytY9moYkiYfftmXrOJUoDO0iTNyhwWjpK3W2mw3P-ODBr1BANJ695AoWkqhUSk2nr3ZGyUg4fRxmqCv-1q7u0gfZpdLLC92LkCWnhYxTM-LK85pEHT=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ94m9XzKBy777ihHqFy9o7fgSoLBHfMn9Xdalqg5jmNU2I59-WZaouT49hTU6n5ThA4PbIiytY9moYkiYfftmXrOJUoDO0iTNyhwWjpK3W2mw3P-ODBr1BANJ695AoWkqhUSk2nr3ZGyUg4fRxmqCv-1q7u0gfZpdLLC92LkCWnhYxTM-LK85pEHT=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plummers Island plaques on rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2R7UvaL2WWDfvVmZUyCCoNIbKLbqkwkFoefnIpcZ9-ik5QFzF7W33neolQB4Nlm6cFmQTXSjRhbf8inmieMsm8FFW2km7sxj5mkyWg_npXHrxwW3Ml18UtSFnS5eiFaEPjNnsrvMbgX2K7EeZg0vSkdGumaJXonJfULFhH_Pdv-CAG5GqKCDTloAt=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2R7UvaL2WWDfvVmZUyCCoNIbKLbqkwkFoefnIpcZ9-ik5QFzF7W33neolQB4Nlm6cFmQTXSjRhbf8inmieMsm8FFW2km7sxj5mkyWg_npXHrxwW3Ml18UtSFnS5eiFaEPjNnsrvMbgX2K7EeZg0vSkdGumaJXonJfULFhH_Pdv-CAG5GqKCDTloAt=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old machinery on C&O Canal </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSgF1CUrG4Yw2lFT4EXMGGe9ppZNYiSQiqTRKU3dsYk56FswtUTpZq2Icskkj-ZukATOH_bGKbcW4K2VgMEgChI4pGCFkvYNsLGUjMe6ocdeKFa_-eKkJ89Lmke4Rs6nLRdfdBw9HUI0Vs2bRttFkgwy3PUL-IpYSi-VjUtESYNvMsfnP11axb-is5=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSgF1CUrG4Yw2lFT4EXMGGe9ppZNYiSQiqTRKU3dsYk56FswtUTpZq2Icskkj-ZukATOH_bGKbcW4K2VgMEgChI4pGCFkvYNsLGUjMe6ocdeKFa_-eKkJ89Lmke4Rs6nLRdfdBw9HUI0Vs2bRttFkgwy3PUL-IpYSi-VjUtESYNvMsfnP11axb-is5=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ5IqMplIqHvbUt69u2TltP2fi_NkRJEq7ZobN9O9dW1heC68xwso_rSxTuYOsBlFAnG_I54VD7qyMmUUYOl0GhlI9uH_2bJTGJDAstYvO4mV9YUFhb-UfuLCoK7AgYXHfjhHACfGUSzV5SUrdazomk0CeklAZwrd82Pv9Kh0pXZCgwDUwLt1WrmCh=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ5IqMplIqHvbUt69u2TltP2fi_NkRJEq7ZobN9O9dW1heC68xwso_rSxTuYOsBlFAnG_I54VD7qyMmUUYOl0GhlI9uH_2bJTGJDAstYvO4mV9YUFhb-UfuLCoK7AgYXHfjhHACfGUSzV5SUrdazomk0CeklAZwrd82Pv9Kh0pXZCgwDUwLt1WrmCh=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMHsy6nQUIO-FZKEi25SwURbWJOUylM8uCIytIXWc8mIK5LS0pTAm9zAbGUXWLCMvaXz3r-Vdv8AnOrsLfShbe5hwt_5ZMxHIRq4E76YXBxjznF3JQohyFfydB3ksFThlLezi5xBsxmlcz90qe_fh5pcwviK4bkffTgB_l5W0YEbqWiQcQUKL8cNBy=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMHsy6nQUIO-FZKEi25SwURbWJOUylM8uCIytIXWc8mIK5LS0pTAm9zAbGUXWLCMvaXz3r-Vdv8AnOrsLfShbe5hwt_5ZMxHIRq4E76YXBxjznF3JQohyFfydB3ksFThlLezi5xBsxmlcz90qe_fh5pcwviK4bkffTgB_l5W0YEbqWiQcQUKL8cNBy=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Pine Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_E3qbjx_tacUUd2Ed3oU5nb8gXx7gpikYB4CjKDxXgxrjHwJaAN4xMgr1lBSQ52KvGs76Tx0o-gM_sg7qh7FppoNKg_p1SJCn4mVfYl1zUCs7rfpingWQSjQAeQlW78ryOqa1scu3j9_Aje9L-BqJ8O6_bL3ZhQQ65g61vDr_kg0aycr_AQcgni2y=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_E3qbjx_tacUUd2Ed3oU5nb8gXx7gpikYB4CjKDxXgxrjHwJaAN4xMgr1lBSQ52KvGs76Tx0o-gM_sg7qh7FppoNKg_p1SJCn4mVfYl1zUCs7rfpingWQSjQAeQlW78ryOqa1scu3j9_Aje9L-BqJ8O6_bL3ZhQQ65g61vDr_kg0aycr_AQcgni2y=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Arctic air has remained in the area all month, slowly freezing local waterways and bodies of water. It's been refreshing to hike through, as long as the appropriate layers are worn. The Potomac River has large, slushy ice chunks floating down it at the moment, a sight not often seen, creating an interesting slushy sound as the ice flows past rocky areas. Occasional snow storms have come and gone, making for tricky driving conditions and a few school closures. It's supposed to remain cold for the rest of the month...<p></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-74463922245810030212022-01-03T13:44:00.003-08:002022-01-03T13:47:43.248-08:00First hike of 2022: Snow Day!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq3ShaxDPWn4WmxA9VxDoZVpmf4BRVKVdLftkjvvIn4x5I7krrFtagvNxxgTRD1BcqKZG8qEEkdjdvqmen9ypXHAjSa-W9ovaHBMcXqHQKGLi_2kedT0BuA9Zo4zXqL3gYQakhRThCqN2O3DLaMSul3MCyQs7boX_DbX25-zbK7o0c25BB42JbdToz=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq3ShaxDPWn4WmxA9VxDoZVpmf4BRVKVdLftkjvvIn4x5I7krrFtagvNxxgTRD1BcqKZG8qEEkdjdvqmen9ypXHAjSa-W9ovaHBMcXqHQKGLi_2kedT0BuA9Zo4zXqL3gYQakhRThCqN2O3DLaMSul3MCyQs7boX_DbX25-zbK7o0c25BB42JbdToz=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last hike of 2021 </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5IArTwHjNMV3zho8k30iFVp7U7F8kMmea97nzc9rBrqHTfy662SF_RO36ObVw_TGNL8VvskYGBLSJKZ7L-4BnG_Imvi_1bfKqhTu37Pm1BW87hAyl0q7wXlNag_abeIAa7FW3edgPEJDcBcSyVt1trSqBeykLRmrOJVUowzwEKnUPBNXFHecj2TKN=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5IArTwHjNMV3zho8k30iFVp7U7F8kMmea97nzc9rBrqHTfy662SF_RO36ObVw_TGNL8VvskYGBLSJKZ7L-4BnG_Imvi_1bfKqhTu37Pm1BW87hAyl0q7wXlNag_abeIAa7FW3edgPEJDcBcSyVt1trSqBeykLRmrOJVUowzwEKnUPBNXFHecj2TKN=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First hike of 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH1M-w0wxXpdwR_U0GudnRnsK5cmcIMNADC7ZI6kK8y2LiF9AiE27rf3xKLzfG6flsJ3L90ho4xQdSJ8zth4KN8HJC8qBWOMTKjEP4mavHInozdZQt1fahhSV9UBQePRTG1uoF_ktVbLm59tnAYuqd5JG_dhfUxVzzQDdyvRJENPUqIL1Ey3Cjw2Eq=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH1M-w0wxXpdwR_U0GudnRnsK5cmcIMNADC7ZI6kK8y2LiF9AiE27rf3xKLzfG6flsJ3L90ho4xQdSJ8zth4KN8HJC8qBWOMTKjEP4mavHInozdZQt1fahhSV9UBQePRTG1uoF_ktVbLm59tnAYuqd5JG_dhfUxVzzQDdyvRJENPUqIL1Ey3Cjw2Eq=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVTRXi86jXR1YtFQ20tYv5k_OlTsnXiZ1-ag2DoOxkGyIRIHiU3xn-DSWRiGUfep48CHABJ0jXUtmOzJ-KExogdkhBeV-QUWlacrUrYKL-tvh4Bra6SlmjuQPi3xjh2CGU4KmfdY-2lghy9-KbsS7CjJ9YoWDBOWj4IvRw5qlkMsyPfS14CgF2LjRQ=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2JN9cBguk9jIP0AfKykAxDCH7sKRzTK6KPOMW4eMayQeEx_KTu8XTLbwRVmcbBlPcNqm2BTHndVuQ8xwLEoxEyv9BKsH5eacQyq4E1msYAOaCUYdvL5a0bdvBVK3mFc8g7Nl5fnhk2Cw2h3ZISf5ipmh9LH0ZAbmomsfI5Ej2aSadJAGf6YzyF6w5=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2JN9cBguk9jIP0AfKykAxDCH7sKRzTK6KPOMW4eMayQeEx_KTu8XTLbwRVmcbBlPcNqm2BTHndVuQ8xwLEoxEyv9BKsH5eacQyq4E1msYAOaCUYdvL5a0bdvBVK3mFc8g7Nl5fnhk2Cw2h3ZISf5ipmh9LH0ZAbmomsfI5Ej2aSadJAGf6YzyF6w5=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHspRTDfZyuY9oWlnl76A0VKv_mdoRPnELdfA2oRh8d4cWRvjTMMC004cijtWJG5WNCujUu7HzEfX5_g1jJFDpGgnV4MQqkZ32exbLERo2yxhsn5mv7hXjRVUiKWwj9VU08ZQPNF9EaOhj4b6GXFRhuLclzPQbiNof4Hn5A2SfQxj1ToXtBxpnKD0G=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHspRTDfZyuY9oWlnl76A0VKv_mdoRPnELdfA2oRh8d4cWRvjTMMC004cijtWJG5WNCujUu7HzEfX5_g1jJFDpGgnV4MQqkZ32exbLERo2yxhsn5mv7hXjRVUiKWwj9VU08ZQPNF9EaOhj4b6GXFRhuLclzPQbiNof4Hn5A2SfQxj1ToXtBxpnKD0G=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibkKxDjcX6u38aCe2ECQ1i6ITMlxT0nwZC6OeP21p0DiGzyxNcY3I8pXBPxMfDmUivSjlh32cwNu_xydvmJJqxcPhwmM9bsv6NbEoPGFS0Z-1y7vQaOtHvPOhRUMmCvsazb76FT53Kb4LAn2mCMEVdivrv3NgMB5mj6nZcverQTuOYwyyncNw_2gvc=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibkKxDjcX6u38aCe2ECQ1i6ITMlxT0nwZC6OeP21p0DiGzyxNcY3I8pXBPxMfDmUivSjlh32cwNu_xydvmJJqxcPhwmM9bsv6NbEoPGFS0Z-1y7vQaOtHvPOhRUMmCvsazb76FT53Kb4LAn2mCMEVdivrv3NgMB5mj6nZcverQTuOYwyyncNw_2gvc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>2021 has come to a close and we are now in 2022. We just had an unbelievably mild December, Christmas and New Years Eve were in the mid 60's. In fact, many plants started to sprout in the forest, which made it look like early March. Suddenly, in what almost seems like the first cold day of winter, a snowstorm arrived today, blanketing the area in about 6 inches of snow. I managed to get out for a hike for a couple hours before the snow let up.</p><p>We were supposed to head back to school today after a 10 day winter break, but classes were canceled due to snow. Tomorrow, I'm certain we will at least have a delay. The pandemic continues to rage on at this moment in time. I wish I could say I have moved on, but that is not the case. I've managed to evade infection up to this point, and now it feels all but inevitable as we head back into the classroom as Omicron cases skyrocket. All I can do is hope cases are mild, as reported. Otherwise, here's to a hopeful and healthy 2022...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-29705387701959334482021-12-12T09:00:00.001-08:002021-12-12T09:00:50.447-08:00RIP "Rachel Carson" Northwest Branch Trail 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnHM7p1jLE9V6wyXlpSfk2NzS4SDui991WFH6_4gkB7eWnYPQCotsncxp_35057Zi0TYFF_X9uLXB5dUjqAsduwb0Sfg1YEySaaD1xJMdhKHImUSOdNPFL8ZlG_E7WDn6uAUfCtq1QnTfPHhtm_PVZTNGfiUxk423UR_hsd92UV7xt-EBYGDbmMpYO=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnHM7p1jLE9V6wyXlpSfk2NzS4SDui991WFH6_4gkB7eWnYPQCotsncxp_35057Zi0TYFF_X9uLXB5dUjqAsduwb0Sfg1YEySaaD1xJMdhKHImUSOdNPFL8ZlG_E7WDn6uAUfCtq1QnTfPHhtm_PVZTNGfiUxk423UR_hsd92UV7xt-EBYGDbmMpYO=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /> RIP Northwest Branch Trail (?-2021)<p></p><p><br /></p><p>The trail of my youth is unfortunately now unrecognizable. Such is life. It's still there thankfully. The trail went online a couple of years ago, and became official. At the beginning of the pandemic, the people began to show up. Weekend after weekend, a few more cars would fill the parking area near the trailhead. Now, on most weekends, the lot is full. The trail is heavily impacted by foot traffic, side trails abound. The place where I always sought peace and solitude throughout my adult life, is now a human highway with groups, couples, dogs, and phone chatter. Thankfully I still have a couple of ace's up my sleeve, for places where I can get away. The trail now belongs to the people. Those who need solitude will have to go elsewhere...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-33096599188208138722021-11-24T09:51:00.001-08:002021-11-24T09:51:25.920-08:00Winnemucca Lake/Pyramid Lake: Nevada<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ej0bvzx5fb0/YZ5zy4sRsMI/AAAAAAAATVY/ysbRXgLwQLIMxAE7mNjVcN1LMIPMr5SHgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7780%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ej0bvzx5fb0/YZ5zy4sRsMI/AAAAAAAATVY/ysbRXgLwQLIMxAE7mNjVcN1LMIPMr5SHgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7780%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried remains of Winnemucca Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0PtqYvb5p8/YZ5zzVpc86I/AAAAAAAATVg/5ky5Qx79fOQ9PvfAgUG_kCtVO4xXnFRxQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7781%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0PtqYvb5p8/YZ5zzVpc86I/AAAAAAAATVg/5ky5Qx79fOQ9PvfAgUG_kCtVO4xXnFRxQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7781%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ancient Tufa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia4Dc1Pl_6Q/YZ5zzHtjnRI/AAAAAAAATVc/DDTlSUP65oApkf56PoADl1Vt6Yx8XYNcwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7783%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia4Dc1Pl_6Q/YZ5zzHtjnRI/AAAAAAAATVc/DDTlSUP65oApkf56PoADl1Vt6Yx8XYNcwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7783%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK3Sd3maHyY/YZ5z0pIwFqI/AAAAAAAATVk/ogMyqUzo5V8US-BjujET5WoHK6GQf40uwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7790%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK3Sd3maHyY/YZ5z0pIwFqI/AAAAAAAATVk/ogMyqUzo5V8US-BjujET5WoHK6GQf40uwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7790%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufa dotting the dried lake bed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAT12N-i1ps/YZ5z2NmlJZI/AAAAAAAATVs/sujfqdau0U0CBtu9K4m7nEfcGVL9vJzDgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7797%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zAT12N-i1ps/YZ5z2NmlJZI/AAAAAAAATVs/sujfqdau0U0CBtu9K4m7nEfcGVL9vJzDgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7797%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7IbVk2bCjY/YZ5z1rNCq-I/AAAAAAAATVo/yrc3jxW79mEC65kQbCWqTlIGrxYkfv8LACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7798%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7IbVk2bCjY/YZ5z1rNCq-I/AAAAAAAATVo/yrc3jxW79mEC65kQbCWqTlIGrxYkfv8LACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7798%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F_bU7aKm1E/YZ5z2fqFphI/AAAAAAAATVw/PzJsAh7xBx080oteEDcyLDhJZ-I7WJWvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7799%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F_bU7aKm1E/YZ5z2fqFphI/AAAAAAAATVw/PzJsAh7xBx080oteEDcyLDhJZ-I7WJWvQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7799%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UVMch2Gprc/YZ5z31IkMsI/AAAAAAAATV4/HJVPe43Dqs0tPlMvrJIMSnxz6uXRh80tACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7804%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UVMch2Gprc/YZ5z31IkMsI/AAAAAAAATV4/HJVPe43Dqs0tPlMvrJIMSnxz6uXRh80tACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7804%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1KiCgmq0A8/YZ5z3wHljjI/AAAAAAAATV0/0ysS36UoYXEzLo3Wh3M4XQo3IRmZv-V1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7813%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1KiCgmq0A8/YZ5z3wHljjI/AAAAAAAATV0/0ysS36UoYXEzLo3Wh3M4XQo3IRmZv-V1wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7813%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sand dunes near Pyramid Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XoYWZ0NLYwg/YZ5z4EkvmZI/AAAAAAAATV8/lBOKVnh-TwgcDT_kkPTDjXES8aadZas4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XoYWZ0NLYwg/YZ5z4EkvmZI/AAAAAAAATV8/lBOKVnh-TwgcDT_kkPTDjXES8aadZas4QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyramid Lake in the distance</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Mcn4gOqwQ/YZ5z6YK0bWI/AAAAAAAATWE/9_0IA8_uCEo-r96iv1zB4tyfzmcv2ZxGACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7817%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Mcn4gOqwQ/YZ5z6YK0bWI/AAAAAAAATWE/9_0IA8_uCEo-r96iv1zB4tyfzmcv2ZxGACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7817%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufa information in the Visitor Center on the Paiute Reservation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiUr9xfzmwA/YZ5z6Sr7NKI/AAAAAAAATWA/HCRt1fXLjYsJjBWAQ3na9nktX7kSYuQJgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7818%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiUr9xfzmwA/YZ5z6Sr7NKI/AAAAAAAATWA/HCRt1fXLjYsJjBWAQ3na9nktX7kSYuQJgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7818%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyramid Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtpXlDVQNnw/YZ5z7NN6oEI/AAAAAAAATWI/q21s76-589EL0QcFuva0QYse7ZH0pyNBACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtpXlDVQNnw/YZ5z7NN6oEI/AAAAAAAATWI/q21s76-589EL0QcFuva0QYse7ZH0pyNBACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELh6y7hmbZ0/YZ5z9Eq96fI/AAAAAAAATWM/2KMnqNi6whY0720QqTqiOujNgp0RjqacACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7822%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELh6y7hmbZ0/YZ5z9Eq96fI/AAAAAAAATWM/2KMnqNi6whY0720QqTqiOujNgp0RjqacACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7822%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Tufa on Pyramid Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAP1S7NVJdg/YZ5z9RPmIjI/AAAAAAAATWQ/XXi_mYkkS18vFgguqPmfytwTALJjulJ2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7823%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAP1S7NVJdg/YZ5z9RPmIjI/AAAAAAAATWQ/XXi_mYkkS18vFgguqPmfytwTALJjulJ2wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7823%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRI5C0zWyUY/YZ5z9eaJ5NI/AAAAAAAATWU/4IhKQVvkr-sTFX04BPri5eHRYj_BvV95QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4503/IMG_7827%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRI5C0zWyUY/YZ5z9eaJ5NI/AAAAAAAATWU/4IhKQVvkr-sTFX04BPri5eHRYj_BvV95QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7827%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saDNp4EczwY/YZ5z-w8X_iI/AAAAAAAATWY/0mSlvT31WcEXX8gjawPF26kdZwuIxjbigCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7829%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saDNp4EczwY/YZ5z-w8X_iI/AAAAAAAATWY/0mSlvT31WcEXX8gjawPF26kdZwuIxjbigCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7829%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmCF_STlBN8/YZ5z_ql2YKI/AAAAAAAATWc/FJMSxPwm4CI7Y_npUOizeHvd3-45KAh5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4503/IMG_7830%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmCF_STlBN8/YZ5z_ql2YKI/AAAAAAAATWc/FJMSxPwm4CI7Y_npUOizeHvd3-45KAh5wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7830%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ucWIXcRO-E/YZ5z_0MPwsI/AAAAAAAATWg/hN-qMVTm8fo--jkOJB0aetHdX-stoMRmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7831%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ucWIXcRO-E/YZ5z_0MPwsI/AAAAAAAATWg/hN-qMVTm8fo--jkOJB0aetHdX-stoMRmQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7831%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ5_pMHEDQ8/YZ50AwjlpnI/AAAAAAAATWk/YAHduQ0PkwYyXSBIo6Q6dZazpk3cA8XJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7832%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ5_pMHEDQ8/YZ50AwjlpnI/AAAAAAAATWk/YAHduQ0PkwYyXSBIo6Q6dZazpk3cA8XJQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7832%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ni2is7ryn8/YZ50Cg8e3EI/AAAAAAAATWo/R0nFopJCVZI4OmzDKcAkoqXOth4tJ4BpACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7833%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ni2is7ryn8/YZ50Cg8e3EI/AAAAAAAATWo/R0nFopJCVZI4OmzDKcAkoqXOth4tJ4BpACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7833%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring water seeping out under the tufa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruoESiR6BQ/YZ50DBhEq1I/AAAAAAAATWs/cEO8CF8OoekIEiWoXcLkEgXK3NOytlRmACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7836%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruoESiR6BQ/YZ50DBhEq1I/AAAAAAAATWs/cEO8CF8OoekIEiWoXcLkEgXK3NOytlRmACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7836%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kny54u5ypg8/YZ50Dbpyg4I/AAAAAAAATW0/ZHFK92rjvkMeuQmQ0fU8aFpvs3MHQF3ZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7847%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kny54u5ypg8/YZ50Dbpyg4I/AAAAAAAATW0/ZHFK92rjvkMeuQmQ0fU8aFpvs3MHQF3ZwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7847%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cO4pLeniEKM/YZ50EmLX76I/AAAAAAAATW4/oQ-08umcldgofttAd3aG5kUB8_SggdCIACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7852%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cO4pLeniEKM/YZ50EmLX76I/AAAAAAAATW4/oQ-08umcldgofttAd3aG5kUB8_SggdCIACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7852%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZLz0_DTkp0/YZ50F6kbeCI/AAAAAAAATXA/dWcW3-dloXU3J0cqI9w97jdWboEyuE5RQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7856%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZLz0_DTkp0/YZ50F6kbeCI/AAAAAAAATXA/dWcW3-dloXU3J0cqI9w97jdWboEyuE5RQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7856%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">soft clay on shore of Pyramid Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Continuation and Conclusion of a trip to the Sierra Nevada back in August:<p></p><p>Moosie and I woke up on the floor of the dried ancient lakebed of Winnemucca Lake. I slept good amongst the sage and sand. After breakfast, Moosie and I decided to explore a few more of the dried tufa structures dotting the dried lakebed. Again, it was a fascinating education we received as we tried to imagine what life must have been like for the Native populations living in Nevada 10,000 years ago, when much of the state was covered with lakes. We wondered what stories the people must have heard and learned over time, especially as the lake began to slowly disappear. What was a typical day like in this dry climate, fishing along the lake shores? What, if any, was the significance of the rocks and mountains? How many generations of people lived in these areas? What was it like in Nevada when there was once so much water?</p><p>Around lunchtime, we drove to nearby Pyramid Lake, on the Paiute Reservation, the largest remnant of the ancient lake world of Nevada. Pyramid Lake once fed into Winnemucca Lake before it dried up. Pyramid Lake answered some of our questions. After purchasing permits, standing along the shores felt pretty powerful, as we could now see in person what we imagined the day before in dry Winnemucca Lake. We could see with our own eyes, living tufa structures, seeping spring water, white, surrounded by live plants and animals, inviting to sit amongst while having a meal, or sharing stories. We could feel the refreshing, cool lake breeze, birds of different sizes fishing. We could imagine the large and famous Lohanton Cutthroat Trout that makes the Pyramid Lake a prized fishing destination for anglers. The one thing that still bothered me was the desolate surrounding mountains, so dry and foreboding. What did the natives think of them?</p><p>Before long, Moosie and I had to leave. I would be flying back east the next day, and Moosie was starting a new school year teaching in a couple days. It felt great to get a small taste of the Sierra and west once again, just before summer officially ended...<br /></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-61059801842426015542021-11-13T09:17:00.001-08:002021-11-13T10:11:12.250-08:00Winnemucca Lake, Nevada<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3YaHwq257c/YY_oK7dcB8I/AAAAAAAATSo/xocEvDq845YKohBUhKC4BXNDzqma9rfqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7639%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3YaHwq257c/YY_oK7dcB8I/AAAAAAAATSo/xocEvDq845YKohBUhKC4BXNDzqma9rfqgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7639%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dried remains of Winnemucca Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOPWz4bkTDg/YY_oLDLCfQI/AAAAAAAATSw/2JJDJ1vg0v8lma03hKyPTtZDpItHTZIdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7641%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOPWz4bkTDg/YY_oLDLCfQI/AAAAAAAATSw/2JJDJ1vg0v8lma03hKyPTtZDpItHTZIdgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7641%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufa structures: Created by fresh water springs and high concentrations of dissolved calcium ions in the subsurface lake waters. The huge amounts of calcite form around the spring orifices. These are the same structures also found at Mono Lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftOY54AVQDw/YY_oLHQJEMI/AAAAAAAATSs/BwDzWdSvHzM8Kx-M3FdxvYG7mndVmbpbQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7643%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftOY54AVQDw/YY_oLHQJEMI/AAAAAAAATSs/BwDzWdSvHzM8Kx-M3FdxvYG7mndVmbpbQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7643%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Lakebed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8viQnVQlU0/YY_oM2ZNtmI/AAAAAAAATS0/TrrW4NoxHwIyL2ctbT5LUdLpMCBxicBfACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7649%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8viQnVQlU0/YY_oM2ZNtmI/AAAAAAAATS0/TrrW4NoxHwIyL2ctbT5LUdLpMCBxicBfACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7649%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tufa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXpv7iF3ERY/YY_oNTESfEI/AAAAAAAATS8/bLP8mqkii_IMA96ozkeJh5wPZi00_Gz5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7650%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXpv7iF3ERY/YY_oNTESfEI/AAAAAAAATS8/bLP8mqkii_IMA96ozkeJh5wPZi00_Gz5QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7650%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUGcATDvcE/YY_oNLdX3OI/AAAAAAAATS4/UJI8kxa2DIIVoT8RvPOctve3xGzNmJc6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s3264/IMG_7656%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUGcATDvcE/YY_oNLdX3OI/AAAAAAAATS4/UJI8kxa2DIIVoT8RvPOctve3xGzNmJc6QCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7656%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWGblc58y58/YY_oO0bXduI/AAAAAAAATTA/QU6qavpGTzgQ8Shku6-f3JPZYYPe8SJxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7657%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWGblc58y58/YY_oO0bXduI/AAAAAAAATTA/QU6qavpGTzgQ8Shku6-f3JPZYYPe8SJxgCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7657%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR9ffULS3lw/YY_oPk7-MhI/AAAAAAAATTE/hpS6CjMUT5MqSe8Y0E2nJf_x-1anoDQPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7658%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR9ffULS3lw/YY_oPk7-MhI/AAAAAAAATTE/hpS6CjMUT5MqSe8Y0E2nJf_x-1anoDQPQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7658%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjkbhh8qCL4/YY_oQKrt8WI/AAAAAAAATTI/RXECwIzVJAgvdt5oFQ7FYzF6nsa4Gwr4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7663%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjkbhh8qCL4/YY_oQKrt8WI/AAAAAAAATTI/RXECwIzVJAgvdt5oFQ7FYzF6nsa4Gwr4wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7663%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtYdXAHC_bk/YY_oR5-90sI/AAAAAAAATTM/_YnMEg6q3LYXajRmkLgk9QLM1-e8_FV6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7664%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtYdXAHC_bk/YY_oR5-90sI/AAAAAAAATTM/_YnMEg6q3LYXajRmkLgk9QLM1-e8_FV6gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7664%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv8PAHogB7g/YY_oSUfLD5I/AAAAAAAATTQ/oX45SwwSvB09Igk8ltTmD5f1DeDIK8uiACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7666%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv8PAHogB7g/YY_oSUfLD5I/AAAAAAAATTQ/oX45SwwSvB09Igk8ltTmD5f1DeDIK8uiACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7666%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sq0mnGPdJw/YY_oSezzsBI/AAAAAAAATTU/1GmDpF8ivVg_BwowfrUOtwC8LcWavVCgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7668%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sq0mnGPdJw/YY_oSezzsBI/AAAAAAAATTU/1GmDpF8ivVg_BwowfrUOtwC8LcWavVCgQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7668%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Grsar9wEk/YY_oV0RmybI/AAAAAAAATTg/PjYgOwLVSSk940o3vp_5AtfC-vciVCxfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7680%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Grsar9wEk/YY_oV0RmybI/AAAAAAAATTg/PjYgOwLVSSk940o3vp_5AtfC-vciVCxfgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7680%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where there was once water, there were also humans. Arrowhead and flint remnants, perhaps thousands of years old. Moosie and I left any artifacts where we found them. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxGJ_WZUyKU/YY_oV4i2WAI/AAAAAAAATTc/z5bFS9UCdSUhOKEDkAbGJZClZXewU5oUACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7684%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxGJ_WZUyKU/YY_oV4i2WAI/AAAAAAAATTc/z5bFS9UCdSUhOKEDkAbGJZClZXewU5oUACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7684%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old snail shell.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ezIhNcBgXo/YY_oWHqaWaI/AAAAAAAATTk/I2JKOf6TaJghwO0UGU8oFMUXKyn7UpUdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7741%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ezIhNcBgXo/YY_oWHqaWaI/AAAAAAAATTk/I2JKOf6TaJghwO0UGU8oFMUXKyn7UpUdQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7741%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoQ1n725IHs/YY_oXDksS8I/AAAAAAAATTo/AItFxsOmpugdu7FLutIGAfi6EvHabjZwwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7743%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoQ1n725IHs/YY_oXDksS8I/AAAAAAAATTo/AItFxsOmpugdu7FLutIGAfi6EvHabjZwwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7743%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9rlOo5Gs0A/YY_oYOoyX6I/AAAAAAAATTs/2Ip5ZNzSMzo4c3KDwXtrIOEHrHcIUFZhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7748%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9rlOo5Gs0A/YY_oYOoyX6I/AAAAAAAATTs/2Ip5ZNzSMzo4c3KDwXtrIOEHrHcIUFZhgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7748%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGMiV6DjmVE/YY_oYLsaRMI/AAAAAAAATTw/mtQf265NTBYDFxyFa2yf4NdHxmLznwPjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7751%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGMiV6DjmVE/YY_oYLsaRMI/AAAAAAAATTw/mtQf265NTBYDFxyFa2yf4NdHxmLznwPjgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7751%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhlzZXDbw0c/YY_oYXunfuI/AAAAAAAATT0/hK2CE8u25ZcPabmWHHAHF7R0EF_-hF-XACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhlzZXDbw0c/YY_oYXunfuI/AAAAAAAATT0/hK2CE8u25ZcPabmWHHAHF7R0EF_-hF-XACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrB-z80xMU/YY_oY1tUFUI/AAAAAAAATT4/mITD0KxDNysH5TPCyuJIBceHZIeiIQCdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrB-z80xMU/YY_oY1tUFUI/AAAAAAAATT4/mITD0KxDNysH5TPCyuJIBceHZIeiIQCdwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping on the ancient dry lakebed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_HmbKHE7IA/YY_oZOLd32I/AAAAAAAATT8/g4hqhvWTa4cKR7xB-gi4gEV0POxGRsbWACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_HmbKHE7IA/YY_oZOLd32I/AAAAAAAATT8/g4hqhvWTa4cKR7xB-gi4gEV0POxGRsbWACNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_4948.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada, and Lake Winnemucca back in August:<p></p><p>After Camo, Moosie, and I returned to Nevada after our trip to the Sierra, Camo had to fly home. Moosie and I had a couple days before I had to fly back, so Moosie suggested a trip to Winnemucca Lake in Nevada. In turned out to be a fascinating, fascinating mini trip where we learned a little about geology and ancient Native Americans. In fact, our visit to Mono Lake on the way home from the Sierra a couple days prior offered a bit of foreshadowing. It was our first exposure to a geological formation called tufus, the calcite formations that make the lake visually famous. Tufus form from little holes in the lake bottom that emit fresh spring water. The spring water mixes with high concentrations of calcium ions in the lake which then slowly forms the calcite structures. They can take hundreds, and thousands of years to form. Once the lake's water level recedes, the calcite structures reveal themselves after growing under water for so long. In a place like Winnemucca Lake, since the lake is no longer there, the tufus stick out like sore thumbs around the dry lake bottom. </p><p>To the casual observer, Nevada can look like a desert wasteland. It's hard to believe there were once many ancient lakes dotting the state. Moosie and I enjoyed the exercise of imagining what a place like Winnemucca Lake once looked like. The surrounding mountains have fading rings on them, bathtub rings. It can seem unbelievable that the place was once filled with water and people living there, but the evidence is all there. It was fun to imagine what a typical day for the people must have been like, fishing along the ancient lake. At one point, thousands of years ago, the lake was connected to a series of nearby lakes all flowing and feeding into one another. The lake was considered a shallow lake all the way until 1930, when a dam and road were constructed that restricted the remaining water flow, finally ending the lake's lifespan. </p><p>Moosie and I took a dirt road into the lakebed to camp beside an ancient tufu formation for the night. Desert camping is the best. Views as far as you can see, dry air. We simply rolled our sleeping bags and pads out onto the sand. For some reason I can't explain, I didn't like camping near the tufu, and didn't like looking at it at night. There's no rhyme or reason why some places are more inviting than others. </p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-73044801521949757592021-11-07T12:07:00.000-08:002021-11-07T12:07:05.225-08:00Big McGee Lake/Mono Lake: Sierra Nevada<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcNOpAbrQa4/YYgsB70eIfI/AAAAAAAATQQ/ObQGL3xtVFcm5dB9urlGPItWetS73EWfACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7570%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcNOpAbrQa4/YYgsB70eIfI/AAAAAAAATQQ/ObQGL3xtVFcm5dB9urlGPItWetS73EWfACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7570%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woke up to our first clear, crisp Sierra morning light, after smoke blew out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR6z7MOlzIc/YYgsBrU68bI/AAAAAAAATQM/lPNljxXEN3UrtUwNKcFQjKfOZUNJc8B0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7571%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR6z7MOlzIc/YYgsBrU68bI/AAAAAAAATQM/lPNljxXEN3UrtUwNKcFQjKfOZUNJc8B0wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7571%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xF_ol0qoSqQ/YYgsB2v7_CI/AAAAAAAATQU/DJRltyNZGWkD_4niygllwlJF6zARHHzNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7573%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xF_ol0qoSqQ/YYgsB2v7_CI/AAAAAAAATQU/DJRltyNZGWkD_4niygllwlJF6zARHHzNgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7573%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe8vTGjJ9HI/YYgsEmG-Y_I/AAAAAAAATQg/uBJw1CaqzyATMf2eWLB7a2Iinn0alciDACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7574%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe8vTGjJ9HI/YYgsEmG-Y_I/AAAAAAAATQg/uBJw1CaqzyATMf2eWLB7a2Iinn0alciDACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7574%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qLbeBj5ip0/YYgsEGn4l8I/AAAAAAAATQY/fNCzVzzX2tUHjPznyVQyKl-poPkuNZo5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7577%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qLbeBj5ip0/YYgsEGn4l8I/AAAAAAAATQY/fNCzVzzX2tUHjPznyVQyKl-poPkuNZo5wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7577%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So nice to see that clean air</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h20ufdzZOao/YYgsEjAo8yI/AAAAAAAATQc/-ab8DsAZJVkWthQjwvDDa_rqHIZnnZD7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7578%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h20ufdzZOao/YYgsEjAo8yI/AAAAAAAATQc/-ab8DsAZJVkWthQjwvDDa_rqHIZnnZD7ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7578%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to the trailhead</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PEzsiOsAeY/YYgsGSaIpWI/AAAAAAAATQk/cgNsqGfac48FPXQYZEZSE0zELxGHa4y6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7579%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PEzsiOsAeY/YYgsGSaIpWI/AAAAAAAATQk/cgNsqGfac48FPXQYZEZSE0zELxGHa4y6QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7579%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8s098YwhX4/YYgsHZlqTsI/AAAAAAAATQo/N847SNllHqw-hK6AUFwHZnZcFg6ALTvrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7581%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8s098YwhX4/YYgsHZlqTsI/AAAAAAAATQo/N847SNllHqw-hK6AUFwHZnZcFg6ALTvrgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7581%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e27AHyNi6mc/YYgsHTTh_SI/AAAAAAAATQs/owsZ3qx5P2ApKat9nmRXADKH5Hc8mwpbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7582%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e27AHyNi6mc/YYgsHTTh_SI/AAAAAAAATQs/owsZ3qx5P2ApKat9nmRXADKH5Hc8mwpbgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7582%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY14XQ1k0Xo/YYgsIYBn-qI/AAAAAAAATQw/beydITdviUYDec69TzBxWZCxfLvwYO_6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7586%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY14XQ1k0Xo/YYgsIYBn-qI/AAAAAAAATQw/beydITdviUYDec69TzBxWZCxfLvwYO_6ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7586%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuj1dtybsE/YYgsKd3ZbCI/AAAAAAAATQ4/ujX08waRDYYtT2N3JoaDLMM4LZnVdFO-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7590%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuj1dtybsE/YYgsKd3ZbCI/AAAAAAAATQ4/ujX08waRDYYtT2N3JoaDLMM4LZnVdFO-gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7590%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to parking area where Moosie picked us up</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrIwSZ7UUxM/YYgsJyXvK3I/AAAAAAAATQ0/a2PhgbVHm9ITyd8d7XCcO2qxhQMKRc72wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7598%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrIwSZ7UUxM/YYgsJyXvK3I/AAAAAAAATQ0/a2PhgbVHm9ITyd8d7XCcO2qxhQMKRc72wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7598%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOL4WRRyhs0/YYgsSmJZdJI/AAAAAAAATRk/ondBR4X3A80HOepN_Duao66cy-9fdybhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7616%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOL4WRRyhs0/YYgsSmJZdJI/AAAAAAAATRk/ondBR4X3A80HOepN_Duao66cy-9fdybhwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7616%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DzBd6A1lDc/YYgsTavPLeI/AAAAAAAATRo/yj9E6tUnfS89EK2sHXFQy3S9X-L2K8lPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DzBd6A1lDc/YYgsTavPLeI/AAAAAAAATRo/yj9E6tUnfS89EK2sHXFQy3S9X-L2K8lPQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRS1PgBLfyM/YYgsTQ4CvYI/AAAAAAAATRs/qy_d9Se81cYyNWRYNWDmGUxYkkhI0tSVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7626%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRS1PgBLfyM/YYgsTQ4CvYI/AAAAAAAATRs/qy_d9Se81cYyNWRYNWDmGUxYkkhI0tSVQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7626%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intense orange/red smoke filled sky as we made our way back to Reno</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6s14qffm5M/YYgsTwNlp8I/AAAAAAAATRw/hKRisn7fElUGV6qFtMOBEoNKzz5ImS9dwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7628%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6s14qffm5M/YYgsTwNlp8I/AAAAAAAATRw/hKRisn7fElUGV6qFtMOBEoNKzz5ImS9dwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7628%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun and smoke</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada back in August:<p></p><p>Camo and I woke up to a windy, cool, crisp morning at Big McGee Lake. Finally, at last, the smoke blew out almost completely, and we were able to experience the crystal clear Sierra light and mountain air. We broke down our tents, and after breakfast, began our hike back to the McGee Pass trailhead parking area, where Moosie had planned to pick us up after returning from San Diego. The hike back to lower elevations was enjoyable, the wind kept the air cool. Before we knew it, we were back in the parking area. Moosie arrived shortly afterwards with cold drinks. We decided to visit Mono Lake on the way back to Moosie's place in Nevada. It was my first time seeing Mono Lake. The environment felt harsh and exposed, the wind was intense, the sun hot, the water an interesting soapy texture. Birds love it here. Camo, Moosie, and I explored the coastline for 45 minutes or so and then returned to the car and made our way back to Nevada. We drove past several forest fires, the worst and most intense just before Carson City. The blue sky suddenly was covered with smoke and we drove through an apocalyptic scene, the sky transformed into a dark orange red, ashes falling from the clouds like snow...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-31579221537196630022021-11-04T10:45:00.006-07:002021-11-07T11:37:31.914-08:00Upper McGee Lake Afternoon Exploration: Sierra Nevada<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUCcoosm2yQ/YYQY-xsddtI/AAAAAAAATO8/2--mAsmS108TvcBwr0in2SfGp8o52zqAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUCcoosm2yQ/YYQY-xsddtI/AAAAAAAATO8/2--mAsmS108TvcBwr0in2SfGp8o52zqAwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2A596cyZs/YYQY_f-k62I/AAAAAAAATPE/XSoo1cY4GLE0FEV43eG6gjA43ayAQ8ZMACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7542%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2A596cyZs/YYQY_f-k62I/AAAAAAAATPE/XSoo1cY4GLE0FEV43eG6gjA43ayAQ8ZMACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7542%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0GdsyNBrNQ/YYQY_YUEkjI/AAAAAAAATPA/Q8tjAZSupuw4szFVpyOy221ooHbQO6_sQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7547%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0GdsyNBrNQ/YYQY_YUEkjI/AAAAAAAATPA/Q8tjAZSupuw4szFVpyOy221ooHbQO6_sQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7547%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1nfE_DpuBo/YYQZAbFcXfI/AAAAAAAATPI/cADihfBiZ1Y4gNBdjwlCkouiz9EzScAUwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7548%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1nfE_DpuBo/YYQZAbFcXfI/AAAAAAAATPI/cADihfBiZ1Y4gNBdjwlCkouiz9EzScAUwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7548%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaAWx-bpp_w/YYQZBr1EY7I/AAAAAAAATPM/sf2l1yzpptoJwivyIIM29QFeEhgDaaEVwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7549%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaAWx-bpp_w/YYQZBr1EY7I/AAAAAAAATPM/sf2l1yzpptoJwivyIIM29QFeEhgDaaEVwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7549%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTJdnOSfmEE/YYQZBwSLOHI/AAAAAAAATPQ/jOhdUoJmLS8zjorAlfwFepfnEg3PjvwxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7551%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTJdnOSfmEE/YYQZBwSLOHI/AAAAAAAATPQ/jOhdUoJmLS8zjorAlfwFepfnEg3PjvwxwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7551%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon Exploration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR7mt5A9Arc/YYQZCc7WGBI/AAAAAAAATPU/4PlGu-qE0uorlxSUeQ7ULkxJoEp3NVdggCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7552%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR7mt5A9Arc/YYQZCc7WGBI/AAAAAAAATPU/4PlGu-qE0uorlxSUeQ7ULkxJoEp3NVdggCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7552%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAVnDQRaQiI/YYQZECwPjzI/AAAAAAAATPc/x5m9nORmqtY5aFyNtT4CyrLg3ekgdDZvACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7554%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAVnDQRaQiI/YYQZECwPjzI/AAAAAAAATPc/x5m9nORmqtY5aFyNtT4CyrLg3ekgdDZvACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7554%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbcaojyTRp8/YYQZEBaPrHI/AAAAAAAATPY/1ZBEqcdlUl0QpZJMxGjVE_sK0YoGijGfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7556%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbcaojyTRp8/YYQZEBaPrHI/AAAAAAAATPY/1ZBEqcdlUl0QpZJMxGjVE_sK0YoGijGfgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7556%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbyHKR9H0Ow/YYQZEi5gE0I/AAAAAAAATPg/wkMbBjRF5UIUmBEXhs1AegG1LvShOLebwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7557%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbyHKR9H0Ow/YYQZEi5gE0I/AAAAAAAATPg/wkMbBjRF5UIUmBEXhs1AegG1LvShOLebwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7557%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CuslJP0lt4/YYQZGo0QjMI/AAAAAAAATPk/2Wnt43FD_OMBJPvl5DluKyOdthPsWUDsACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7559%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CuslJP0lt4/YYQZGo0QjMI/AAAAAAAATPk/2Wnt43FD_OMBJPvl5DluKyOdthPsWUDsACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7559%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night at Big McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwhNGlMdFZs/YYQZG_ni8sI/AAAAAAAATPo/nnIVQHicuPk1f7ykqfesQ3PV5VFVWU0FwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7560%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwhNGlMdFZs/YYQZG_ni8sI/AAAAAAAATPo/nnIVQHicuPk1f7ykqfesQ3PV5VFVWU0FwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7560%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_dwNxDN2Jw/YYQZHMkK3vI/AAAAAAAATPs/-KhQAUy2UiUTfSc5qQ63S3i_QejmxxZmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_dwNxDN2Jw/YYQZHMkK3vI/AAAAAAAATPs/-KhQAUy2UiUTfSc5qQ63S3i_QejmxxZmwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo soaking in views after dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtB3Y64pJxk/YYQZHu4-eAI/AAAAAAAATPw/WB14AGSiWT0V16H7qPUtrnK1D6-NM-dLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4870.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtB3Y64pJxk/YYQZHu4-eAI/AAAAAAAATPw/WB14AGSiWT0V16H7qPUtrnK1D6-NM-dLACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_4870.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Big McGee Lake from camp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada in August:<p></p><p>Camo and I reached Big McGee Lake in the mid afternoon after hiking back over McGee Pass from Izaak Walton Lake. Camo took a nap after getting to camp. I decided to explore a bit. So I had a couple hours to look around before I'd meet Camo back at camp for dinner. I really wanted to see some more plants and wildflowers since so much had been dried up due to drought. There were plants and flowers growing along stream banks if they weren't dried up already. There was one stream I wanted to explore that led up to Upper McGee lake through a canyon. Wildflowers are like songs. I get nostalgia seeing certain ones, they transport me back in time to other places on the trail where I saw them in the past. There wasn't a huge variety of flowers to look at this time around, but the afternoon exploring did the soul some good. The views were fantastic, the lake was peaceful, and the bushwhack hike was strenuous but satisfying.</p><p>After returning to camp in the evening, Camo and I enjoyed dinner and the light off the granite peaks once again. A steady breeze picked up after dinner. By late evening, some of the smoke was already blowing out of the valley once again...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-3637738614199500562021-10-31T13:00:00.001-07:002021-10-31T13:00:26.156-07:00Izaak Walton Lake to Big McGee Lake: Sierra Nevada<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eaZCBSs_PE/YX7x6Ka2QDI/AAAAAAAATM0/il7oOjxRbUszkx7Hc0KxMPlCb8P6RE8LQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7472%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eaZCBSs_PE/YX7x6Ka2QDI/AAAAAAAATM0/il7oOjxRbUszkx7Hc0KxMPlCb8P6RE8LQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7472%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo and I retracing our steps back towards McGee Pass. Smoke returned.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOy73lVVrqI/YX7x62sVYuI/AAAAAAAATM4/7cHcFarFD2w0bnsEuKhWHBo0McvrMVTvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7474%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOy73lVVrqI/YX7x62sVYuI/AAAAAAAATM4/7cHcFarFD2w0bnsEuKhWHBo0McvrMVTvgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7474%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNhsYwn5DCs/YX7x7SfagGI/AAAAAAAATM8/EQOr1k3rXQkpuT3TOKgvjXL-H_g7-O9zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7475%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNhsYwn5DCs/YX7x7SfagGI/AAAAAAAATM8/EQOr1k3rXQkpuT3TOKgvjXL-H_g7-O9zwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7475%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of the dry Sierra. Seasonal pond dried up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dGco8b7V88/YX7x8gNcXII/AAAAAAAATNA/Lk4kSb0-8cAp8WiQEoxpn5N47jFPTW1dgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7477%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dGco8b7V88/YX7x8gNcXII/AAAAAAAATNA/Lk4kSb0-8cAp8WiQEoxpn5N47jFPTW1dgCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7477%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More dry Sierra meadows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sd6t4jVrVg/YX7x9XUhtcI/AAAAAAAATNE/I4tbYGcethUBnjeXCa_m5uzAJwDnyNbTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7483%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sd6t4jVrVg/YX7x9XUhtcI/AAAAAAAATNE/I4tbYGcethUBnjeXCa_m5uzAJwDnyNbTgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7483%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers grew in small pockets where moisture remained.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Es3J8isRaGg/YX7x9nKS9bI/AAAAAAAATNI/4t68S5M2mKAclDL5OITkUp7l3ANmOy31wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7486%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Es3J8isRaGg/YX7x9nKS9bI/AAAAAAAATNI/4t68S5M2mKAclDL5OITkUp7l3ANmOy31wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7486%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJvARapugKQ/YX7x-ryihoI/AAAAAAAATNM/T8HntKXRJ5gJ2DMjiET78S5t2VyCcgTIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7492%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJvARapugKQ/YX7x-ryihoI/AAAAAAAATNM/T8HntKXRJ5gJ2DMjiET78S5t2VyCcgTIwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7492%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking back over McGee Pass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpHApce_guk/YX7x_wQE2jI/AAAAAAAATNQ/5atCQFHKaM8RVPw5cch0xx0zzmJuunQLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7493%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpHApce_guk/YX7x_wQE2jI/AAAAAAAATNQ/5atCQFHKaM8RVPw5cch0xx0zzmJuunQLQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7493%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the pass, heading towards Big McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqHTTaZGrDE/YX7yAiu2kTI/AAAAAAAATNU/ejUArwzobsIYprUgXnPmnBbFmFpmg4ZvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7494%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqHTTaZGrDE/YX7yAiu2kTI/AAAAAAAATNU/ejUArwzobsIYprUgXnPmnBbFmFpmg4ZvgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7494%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGyPIYzBXqY/YX7yBJK2BcI/AAAAAAAATNY/mn67-0OXp34u_Yh08JI4kqfhBOvErQGHACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7496%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGyPIYzBXqY/YX7yBJK2BcI/AAAAAAAATNY/mn67-0OXp34u_Yh08JI4kqfhBOvErQGHACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7496%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H17-zTimzh4/YX7yBhdZFDI/AAAAAAAATNc/KEHnYIY64s4fpAED7Q_8F9BBgwRuDPW9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7503%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H17-zTimzh4/YX7yBhdZFDI/AAAAAAAATNc/KEHnYIY64s4fpAED7Q_8F9BBgwRuDPW9QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7503%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only Columbine I saw the whole trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XT1a7wQPGc8/YX7yDTGe9vI/AAAAAAAATNk/Ll3bP15BXMQXKqDQNUUfUiBk_tsrubkHgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7504%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XT1a7wQPGc8/YX7yDTGe9vI/AAAAAAAATNk/Ll3bP15BXMQXKqDQNUUfUiBk_tsrubkHgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7504%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRVJWOpsb_M/YX7yCIDpcJI/AAAAAAAATNg/Xi266Xv7qiQhr4QkLjlL8GQbbe7lsjbYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7509%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRVJWOpsb_M/YX7yCIDpcJI/AAAAAAAATNg/Xi266Xv7qiQhr4QkLjlL8GQbbe7lsjbYQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7509%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLnjrA7c-44/YX7yEpjsf9I/AAAAAAAATNs/VkYg9CGlGo8MnF6nnz4wcItd1_sJivRQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7511%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLnjrA7c-44/YX7yEpjsf9I/AAAAAAAATNs/VkYg9CGlGo8MnF6nnz4wcItd1_sJivRQQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7511%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only glimpse of John Muir's favorite wildflower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrm1EtA1mdo/YX7yEPaAZXI/AAAAAAAATNo/_U-wABzeeKMoJ_K7fBsAdfM_SrXwo3tygCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7525%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrm1EtA1mdo/YX7yEPaAZXI/AAAAAAAATNo/_U-wABzeeKMoJ_K7fBsAdfM_SrXwo3tygCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7525%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers were there, but hard to find.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXFgcxXiwYw/YX7yFMJmuSI/AAAAAAAATNw/-y3Xi94WRaU0KftC3VVkE_BAC38i9ohOACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7532%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXFgcxXiwYw/YX7yFMJmuSI/AAAAAAAATNw/-y3Xi94WRaU0KftC3VVkE_BAC38i9ohOACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7532%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night, Big McGee Lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F93-9RIMVhk/YX7yF_cUEaI/AAAAAAAATN0/fIt8okGcy-AHc610wKxvrXKg4Y3OQIA3ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7535%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F93-9RIMVhk/YX7yF_cUEaI/AAAAAAAATN0/fIt8okGcy-AHc610wKxvrXKg4Y3OQIA3ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7535%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MICwQrb2oMs/YX7yGR-REMI/AAAAAAAATN4/FNcveSVlp7oyec9tOTynzxltr3goSTKdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7536%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MICwQrb2oMs/YX7yGR-REMI/AAAAAAAATN4/FNcveSVlp7oyec9tOTynzxltr3goSTKdQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7536%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada in August:<p></p><p>Camo and I woke up to another smoky morning in the Sierra at Izaak Walton Lake. Our time was up, so we planned on retracing our steps to hike back to Tully Lake, hike over McGee Pass, and camp at Big McGee Lake again. The next day, we would hike out of the mountains and meet Moosie at the parking area. The hike over the pass wasn't too bad. I mostly observed the dry Sierra, wishing for a good snow pack for the upcoming winter to alleviate some of the drought. Saw my first and only marmot around lunch time. Camo pointed it out. Looked for wildflowers, whose presence reminded me of my John Muir hike back in 2009. Once we reached McGee Pass, Camo was able to get cell service and contacted Moosie. She would be ready to meet us the next day around noon. The hike down to the like was nice, Camo and I found sites on the opposite side of the lake, making it feel like a brand new spot with new views... </p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-66929003954440640602021-10-16T15:09:00.005-07:002021-10-16T15:09:41.647-07:00Afternoon Exploring at Izaak Walton Lake: Sierra Nevada<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwE1KkDCyik/YWtJ04g8JFI/AAAAAAAATLo/EKDpoLtHz5QdPCiekTrmYW7Uh_yMyF0LgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7469%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwE1KkDCyik/YWtJ04g8JFI/AAAAAAAATLo/EKDpoLtHz5QdPCiekTrmYW7Uh_yMyF0LgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7469%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5haPyr1vZI/YWtJ029XAfI/AAAAAAAATLk/tz6Q_s5Am64ASnW633KGKNtRMSB157eRACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7468%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5haPyr1vZI/YWtJ029XAfI/AAAAAAAATLk/tz6Q_s5Am64ASnW633KGKNtRMSB157eRACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7468%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd5OYsD-I0/YWtJ0C_lPKI/AAAAAAAATLg/mM8UkoViMb4PAPw2wdYRJaUok_kC1xCjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7466%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd5OYsD-I0/YWtJ0C_lPKI/AAAAAAAATLg/mM8UkoViMb4PAPw2wdYRJaUok_kC1xCjwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7466%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp at Izaak Walton Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1GprVRd0dc/YWtJycU85LI/AAAAAAAATLY/brntQjNbyZMQwXdksYvxFb7FRPr4ZBW8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4503/IMG_7450%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1GprVRd0dc/YWtJycU85LI/AAAAAAAATLY/brntQjNbyZMQwXdksYvxFb7FRPr4ZBW8QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7450%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0T_lcEzRkg/YWtJyh9_CuI/AAAAAAAATLc/F3h3uiLZD6Ur662nwxrUiPO3HXlczR8uQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7443%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0T_lcEzRkg/YWtJyh9_CuI/AAAAAAAATLc/F3h3uiLZD6Ur662nwxrUiPO3HXlczR8uQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7443%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SDDhnzHxr0/YWtJvRQo6jI/AAAAAAAATLM/_6chGazna-InXewZPKkbxSabOg4ouzbggCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7437%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SDDhnzHxr0/YWtJvRQo6jI/AAAAAAAATLM/_6chGazna-InXewZPKkbxSabOg4ouzbggCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7437%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlfz2HCruqM/YWtJuMWSHOI/AAAAAAAATLI/0G7hL4aSHgAXSKW4lxj2tfz2SV0XA7DiACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7434%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlfz2HCruqM/YWtJuMWSHOI/AAAAAAAATLI/0G7hL4aSHgAXSKW4lxj2tfz2SV0XA7DiACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7434%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwARPE3fm9w/YWtJtU0QC5I/AAAAAAAATLE/IiGbR19kuzIICDE3JXTJwbi-hDvn3jgIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7433%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwARPE3fm9w/YWtJtU0QC5I/AAAAAAAATLE/IiGbR19kuzIICDE3JXTJwbi-hDvn3jgIwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7433%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz-L_lwCUxc/YWtJtLDpoHI/AAAAAAAATLA/orLqONi4MwIzya-Wuk30MPYF6-3CG99MQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7429%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz-L_lwCUxc/YWtJtLDpoHI/AAAAAAAATLA/orLqONi4MwIzya-Wuk30MPYF6-3CG99MQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7429%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twK1Ry7t6lE/YWtJsVrKByI/AAAAAAAATK8/9mflyYHnqpohW204tzy8RmWRfQAUZP6GwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7428%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twK1Ry7t6lE/YWtJsVrKByI/AAAAAAAATK8/9mflyYHnqpohW204tzy8RmWRfQAUZP6GwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7428%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found this old cache stored between some pines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rt0ulD1jeo/YWtJqYWGZRI/AAAAAAAATKw/dvNXgH0UohA3x6CRZifjSWCsEQykW0uHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7426%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rt0ulD1jeo/YWtJqYWGZRI/AAAAAAAATKw/dvNXgH0UohA3x6CRZifjSWCsEQykW0uHwCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7426%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3dVf_4pFM8/YWtJqt3tUEI/AAAAAAAATK0/s1TMBWkXZIQhH7XywnNkNR0XcmApTNJsACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7422%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3dVf_4pFM8/YWtJqt3tUEI/AAAAAAAATK0/s1TMBWkXZIQhH7XywnNkNR0XcmApTNJsACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7422%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PgGSUi7WtM/YWtJqu5VqII/AAAAAAAATK4/YXy-L8F57EQBqns9HUKKMeTQq3cSEn2tQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7420%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PgGSUi7WtM/YWtJqu5VqII/AAAAAAAATK4/YXy-L8F57EQBqns9HUKKMeTQq3cSEn2tQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7420%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fRRdEkk8U4/YWtJnjsLVtI/AAAAAAAATKs/3CTfrj_crGwB2Sg0pOExYLb7DBalv7xewCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7416%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fRRdEkk8U4/YWtJnjsLVtI/AAAAAAAATKs/3CTfrj_crGwB2Sg0pOExYLb7DBalv7xewCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7416%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view into Tully Hole</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbgYTVLwQnk/YWtJnMA9zDI/AAAAAAAATKk/6pt-FAUXZgI0URxLoFX3asw17Cnxd5o3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4503/IMG_7415%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbgYTVLwQnk/YWtJnMA9zDI/AAAAAAAATKk/6pt-FAUXZgI0URxLoFX3asw17Cnxd5o3gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7415%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izaak Walton Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c12QqOBlYxo/YWtJnufcUiI/AAAAAAAATKo/jNicFVkf7IkusDniwiFMgoM1LsjPJMELgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7410%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c12QqOBlYxo/YWtJnufcUiI/AAAAAAAATKo/jNicFVkf7IkusDniwiFMgoM1LsjPJMELgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7410%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada back in August:</p><p>After Camo and I set up camp at what we thought was Hortense Lake, we decided to do some afternoon exploring. According to the map, there should have been another big lake adjacent to the one we were camped at. After hiking to the other side, the other lake was nowhere to be seen. We had views down into Tully Hole, but couldn't figure out where the other lake was located. Camo hiked back to camp and I decided to investigate a bit. After wandering around for a half hour or so, I found a small stream whose source had to be another lake up above. Sure enough, I found another large lake, looked at the map, and concluded Hortense Lake was in another small valley about a half mile or mile from where we were camped. We were actually camped at Izaak Walton Lake, and then the map made sense. After hiking back to camp, I told Camo where we were. It didn't really matter. We were away from anything and everything, with great views, and that was all that mattered. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening lounging around camp, talking, and watching the light change off the surrounding granite peaks.</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-4190146969128864982021-10-02T09:00:00.001-07:002021-10-02T09:02:40.388-07:00Tully Lake/Izaak Walton Lake: Sierra Nevada<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCw6VB_hv6E/YVh7KNnYPyI/AAAAAAAATJQ/13_javHxQcYf5edw0DU5IuUQZvKUjZ-ngCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7366%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCw6VB_hv6E/YVh7KNnYPyI/AAAAAAAATJQ/13_javHxQcYf5edw0DU5IuUQZvKUjZ-ngCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7366%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-778TQCOBkRg/YVh7KLPP_FI/AAAAAAAATJM/LQsl_w45CU82e4RxV5IV3ecGH8TsckorACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7367%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-778TQCOBkRg/YVh7KLPP_FI/AAAAAAAATJM/LQsl_w45CU82e4RxV5IV3ecGH8TsckorACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7367%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlxcuQp6lb4/YVh7J2foVyI/AAAAAAAATJI/3G-z1pXF3ckyrM_XqWekERzNDPGhy51SQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7371%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlxcuQp6lb4/YVh7J2foVyI/AAAAAAAATJI/3G-z1pXF3ckyrM_XqWekERzNDPGhy51SQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7371%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xqIgTdFDE/YVh7MRvkDVI/AAAAAAAATJU/KmmReiTy4OAmARHNVFnT5krBGZODwZz7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7373%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xqIgTdFDE/YVh7MRvkDVI/AAAAAAAATJU/KmmReiTy4OAmARHNVFnT5krBGZODwZz7QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7373%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZXHcReyEpY/YVh7MnlO6PI/AAAAAAAATJc/qmbLLucRfmY3Uoa5pDeSS5H7THLwucyIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7376%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZXHcReyEpY/YVh7MnlO6PI/AAAAAAAATJc/qmbLLucRfmY3Uoa5pDeSS5H7THLwucyIwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7376%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from key hole opening</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrAPVUHCe84/YVh7MkwzBQI/AAAAAAAATJY/PQrfnNymPB4Oljg7QIPJOkuDPacNhB5TwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7380%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrAPVUHCe84/YVh7MkwzBQI/AAAAAAAATJY/PQrfnNymPB4Oljg7QIPJOkuDPacNhB5TwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7380%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of where we would be hiking later in the day. Cotton Lake below.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDpTrgnbT0k/YVh7N-B0hOI/AAAAAAAATJg/m2ss4QwmI2weJuGbjOWJo-BNRqRjdmmOgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7382%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDpTrgnbT0k/YVh7N-B0hOI/AAAAAAAATJg/m2ss4QwmI2weJuGbjOWJo-BNRqRjdmmOgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7382%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">key hole opening view, sunrise light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzXw0vCos7M/YVh7PVbu5NI/AAAAAAAATJo/ieVhxThqdL80WxP9d-oMxkbIa1-U56XXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7390%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzXw0vCos7M/YVh7PVbu5NI/AAAAAAAATJo/ieVhxThqdL80WxP9d-oMxkbIa1-U56XXQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7390%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hiking cross country</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KbjJ7pd3-M/YVh7PePy5qI/AAAAAAAATJk/DLSfbW0TVlcNmYF3sIKW5Dlple1DvF5GgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7391%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KbjJ7pd3-M/YVh7PePy5qI/AAAAAAAATJk/DLSfbW0TVlcNmYF3sIKW5Dlple1DvF5GgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7391%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSqy5RXSFAw/YVh7QgsC0JI/AAAAAAAATJs/GEGuWossXwYHgCH7hyGecywUBmNB4O66gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7392%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSqy5RXSFAw/YVh7QgsC0JI/AAAAAAAATJs/GEGuWossXwYHgCH7hyGecywUBmNB4O66gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7392%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Izaak Walton Lake from above</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjlWzCrWBRM/YVh7RzgmhUI/AAAAAAAATJ0/Hl6O4p6EwaUa-nLiUtgj0KIvJ6_Zdl2mACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7405%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjlWzCrWBRM/YVh7RzgmhUI/AAAAAAAATJ0/Hl6O4p6EwaUa-nLiUtgj0KIvJ6_Zdl2mACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7405%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izaak Walton Lake. Camo and I thought it was Hortense Lake but would later be proven wrong.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpgJdDNZ0c/YVh7SYxEu9I/AAAAAAAATJ4/bkkeMlh3EfoEOZ-Bq3HOIxH4--96DOx6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7407%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpgJdDNZ0c/YVh7SYxEu9I/AAAAAAAATJ4/bkkeMlh3EfoEOZ-Bq3HOIxH4--96DOx6gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7407%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the day/night at Izaak Walton Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Continuation of a trip to the Sierra Nevada in August:<p></p><p>When I woke up early on a summer morning in August in the Sierra Nevada at Tully Lake, the wind had shifted over night, and smoke had filled the valley. I could smell it in my congested nostrils and my eyes felt puffy like softballs. Light was just starting to also enter the mountains, and I realized I had an opportunity to catch some sunrise pics. The first thing I noticed after waking up other than the smoke, was that I felt simply exhausted. Even after scrambling around the granite for 15 minutes taking pictures, I noticed I could not wake up and felt so fatigued. I spotted a keyhole notch up on ridge that looked doable for good pics. It was extremely steep, but not overly dangerous, it was like a steep grassy slide that went right up to the ridge. After scrambling and climbing for half an hour, I made it to the top, once again, absolutely fatigued. The keyhole offered really cool views into the valley behind the ridge, right at sunrise. I didn't stay long. I had another goal in mind- to get back to camp and go back to sleep. An hour later, after a downhill scramble, I was back at camp and fell asleep immediately. </p><p>After waking up later in the morning, Camo and I had breakfast and our plan was to hike cross country to Hortense Lake. After scouting the area yesterday afternoon, I thought I had a good idea where it was. Once Camo and I starting hiking, I was deceived by the number of little lakes in the area and had trouble pinpointing exactly where we were on the map we had. The hiking was easy, and we reached an overlook with a beautiful large lake down below. We thought it was Hortense Lake, but found out later it was actually Izaak Walton Lake. We reached the lake around noon after a short downhill scramble. We were the only ones there at first. Camo went for a swim, I went for one a little later, felt completely re-energized, a Sierra baptism I like to call it. The water temp wasn't too cold. We set up camp on a flat, soft, grassy shoreline, ate lunch, and decided to do some afternoon exploring...</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-3740041021202950892021-09-11T08:01:00.000-07:002021-09-11T08:01:35.672-07:00Tully Lake Afternoon Exploration: Sierra Nevada<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA5Pi6E2LTI/YTzBNIL2-TI/AAAAAAAATG8/YliTyC17FQokiGZF7hrWhlPBg8zESbTYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7328%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA5Pi6E2LTI/YTzBNIL2-TI/AAAAAAAATG8/YliTyC17FQokiGZF7hrWhlPBg8zESbTYQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7328%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhcAjD0LxlY/YTzBND4EzII/AAAAAAAATG4/V2CLGmnnomk7FsbLbIdjo2CLx1XmU0GPACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7330%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSvEduIg3bI/YTzBUwcNYjI/AAAAAAAATHk/iZw167T2YRIEbj2g3x0vDfEIAy1skfdSACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7356%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPSaVe8UiDM/YTzBVG0oGhI/AAAAAAAATHo/65HqTeUz64UZFIV0FkDG60ztNIrAE2S7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7357%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPSaVe8UiDM/YTzBVG0oGhI/AAAAAAAATHo/65HqTeUz64UZFIV0FkDG60ztNIrAE2S7wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7357%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgWqZtkLKK4/YTzBWRNfnvI/AAAAAAAATHs/GkLk8oV8Wa4Pgl5fjkfVQLclU8LxRR7SgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7360%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgWqZtkLKK4/YTzBWRNfnvI/AAAAAAAATHs/GkLk8oV8Wa4Pgl5fjkfVQLclU8LxRR7SgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7360%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vosx8ZIgJEQ/YTzBWpR_8kI/AAAAAAAATHw/6lJE4CdaUDIuxMmmIkPWU5bJq3NTnF-5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7363%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vosx8ZIgJEQ/YTzBWpR_8kI/AAAAAAAATHw/6lJE4CdaUDIuxMmmIkPWU5bJq3NTnF-5wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7363%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> After setting up camp at Tully Lake, there was still several hours until dinner. I still felt a little uneasy about hiking cross country off trail (too many past screw ups) so I wanted to get familiar with the map that Moosie gave Camo and I to use. The area we were planning on hiking in the next couple days looked simple enough, the woman who suggested it also said it wasn't too difficult, but I needed a little more assurance. So I grabbed the map and my water bottle, and decided to do a little exploring around the lake area surrounding Tully Lake, and make out some landmarks on the map. I had a great time looking around for a couple hours, "witnessing" several small lakes in the area, some trees and plants, and looking at the granite. <p></p><p>Too many times, I have made the map read what I want it too, and not what it actually is. In hindsite, unfortunately, my afternoon exploring produced the same results. Some of the lakes I found during my trek were not what I thought they were. Thankfully, the terrain was gentle enough where it didn't really matter in the grand scheme, but it was another reminder to use caution in the wilderness.</p><p>I met Camo for dinner at our camp at Tully Lake. Rain showers entered the area. By evening, we noticed the wind had shifted, blowing in from the north. We saw a bright half moon become obscured by fast moving clouds. Again, a smoky smell entered the valley...</p><p><br /></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-83611744834276513542021-09-05T08:42:00.006-07:002021-10-02T09:07:48.414-07:00McGee Pass and Tully Lake: Sierra Nevada<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRKnt2fdEX8/YTTeaLVqNZI/AAAAAAAATEo/W0ZKjIhOUwUqueNu_Djgp9q6bETUWnsiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7229%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRKnt2fdEX8/YTTeaLVqNZI/AAAAAAAATEo/W0ZKjIhOUwUqueNu_Djgp9q6bETUWnsiQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7229%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big McGee Lake sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ROIxFSrku8/YTTebRIYxsI/AAAAAAAATEw/tb9_Apjx3ekXn_NDJuvfNYvgr2HeaCKwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7230%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ROIxFSrku8/YTTebRIYxsI/AAAAAAAATEw/tb9_Apjx3ekXn_NDJuvfNYvgr2HeaCKwgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7230%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo eating breakfast</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_joZDGo3fLw/YTTebDIUO0I/AAAAAAAATEs/bO0kxXmRbvgZfOy6Zn8ZCq2UfMnBnxKtwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7231%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_joZDGo3fLw/YTTebDIUO0I/AAAAAAAATEs/bO0kxXmRbvgZfOy6Zn8ZCq2UfMnBnxKtwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7231%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--56YTGw5Jt0/YTTeciUiuWI/AAAAAAAATE0/kBtF8pX6ZXgTeF_RwTI0E6doyW0AnqqTQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7232%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--56YTGw5Jt0/YTTeciUiuWI/AAAAAAAATE0/kBtF8pX6ZXgTeF_RwTI0E6doyW0AnqqTQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7232%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hiking up and out of Big McGee Lake basin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJLkidqZGHw/YTTedTxbcqI/AAAAAAAATE4/uRRWc2ybjYk8PBCneeNRTv53daxuEyI3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7243%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJLkidqZGHw/YTTedTxbcqI/AAAAAAAATE4/uRRWc2ybjYk8PBCneeNRTv53daxuEyI3QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7243%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqG1XX8BLi4/YTTedt5tFBI/AAAAAAAATE8/tw46bnBrZ3gECRfy2UR_pM5Vg81STzihQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7245%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqG1XX8BLi4/YTTedt5tFBI/AAAAAAAATE8/tw46bnBrZ3gECRfy2UR_pM5Vg81STzihQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7245%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dL1ayRLjec/YTTee92eRwI/AAAAAAAATFA/l1t5jMpo_FM4afinS3f5C6QBFOrEcmVCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7254%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dL1ayRLjec/YTTee92eRwI/AAAAAAAATFA/l1t5jMpo_FM4afinS3f5C6QBFOrEcmVCQCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7254%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1yKexrjntA/YTTegS6P6FI/AAAAAAAATFE/vY2mpJzI-q8bSYFUDXM67bV5ach_4dp3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7255%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1yKexrjntA/YTTegS6P6FI/AAAAAAAATFE/vY2mpJzI-q8bSYFUDXM67bV5ach_4dp3QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7255%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo dwarfed by rock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS5lHP2Aa_c/YTTegVHbcrI/AAAAAAAATFI/55Jk7gCh6_U93xQ1KctsmytC97QofKCHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7264%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS5lHP2Aa_c/YTTegVHbcrI/AAAAAAAATFI/55Jk7gCh6_U93xQ1KctsmytC97QofKCHwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7264%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up towards McGee Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNAbXS_jT10/YTTehUVUs4I/AAAAAAAATFM/NfxuVCrWl70-Qrw2aFn7azFEMi-Jy1y_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7266%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNAbXS_jT10/YTTehUVUs4I/AAAAAAAATFM/NfxuVCrWl70-Qrw2aFn7azFEMi-Jy1y_gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7266%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlxolZDgjPU/YTTejDeJutI/AAAAAAAATFU/CwsnGtDWwHwfYVAinktapDOEljnWfRTRACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7271%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlxolZDgjPU/YTTejDeJutI/AAAAAAAATFU/CwsnGtDWwHwfYVAinktapDOEljnWfRTRACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7271%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down towards little McGee lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ZITTdHzS8/YTTejLdj1AI/AAAAAAAATFQ/po5O5Kf41YgX79kwVDcPHAHhZcvKl63rACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7279%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ZITTdHzS8/YTTejLdj1AI/AAAAAAAATFQ/po5O5Kf41YgX79kwVDcPHAHhZcvKl63rACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7279%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small snow melt lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpTjhsMG-Eo/YTTej265eaI/AAAAAAAATFY/WhnMCx-GKqE4IHrGQx-_UsE8NVR7hrA3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7284%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpTjhsMG-Eo/YTTej265eaI/AAAAAAAATFY/WhnMCx-GKqE4IHrGQx-_UsE8NVR7hrA3QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7284%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGee Pass 11,895 feet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA2zvxPKQGU/YTTelmwRVxI/AAAAAAAATFc/NKeo5WXjvY05Cn1IqEMxFtU_gt9zgudjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7286%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA2zvxPKQGU/YTTelmwRVxI/AAAAAAAATFc/NKeo5WXjvY05Cn1IqEMxFtU_gt9zgudjQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7286%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqolK12TdXg/YTTemz_FoHI/AAAAAAAATFg/o0MwgSXx3KMjw0Jd2VF5PpN4u950kMhJACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7297%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqolK12TdXg/YTTemz_FoHI/AAAAAAAATFg/o0MwgSXx3KMjw0Jd2VF5PpN4u950kMhJACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7297%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5K7msxrwNs/YTTem7bX5MI/AAAAAAAATFk/6Mvenp4-ED8dcRURFxkHrlCzNTi0-R4JACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7298%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5K7msxrwNs/YTTem7bX5MI/AAAAAAAATFk/6Mvenp4-ED8dcRURFxkHrlCzNTi0-R4JACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7298%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf836rZbgmE/YTTen54yvbI/AAAAAAAATFo/if_NyJAgBZMEchYTwxNO4xp-U_bqFkYxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7308%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf836rZbgmE/YTTen54yvbI/AAAAAAAATFo/if_NyJAgBZMEchYTwxNO4xp-U_bqFkYxwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7308%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njIqI8QdBZs/YTTeoz9RaPI/AAAAAAAATFw/lDVaV8ClaBIoD1i5xHHCWyV8GrCUu4YOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7309%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njIqI8QdBZs/YTTeoz9RaPI/AAAAAAAATFw/lDVaV8ClaBIoD1i5xHHCWyV8GrCUu4YOQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7309%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meadows still appeared to be unusually dry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g23GWI4uXak/YTTeoCUSbSI/AAAAAAAATFs/e6unJ3Wf-HkvHTGiUPfy4nsE7jU8relbQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7312%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g23GWI4uXak/YTTeoCUSbSI/AAAAAAAATFs/e6unJ3Wf-HkvHTGiUPfy4nsE7jU8relbQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7312%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFtFvwC7JxQ/YTTeqdlbKwI/AAAAAAAATF0/xp3nE7_zCY4cI0_wTpQITwsbGnGWiI7NgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7314%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFtFvwC7JxQ/YTTeqdlbKwI/AAAAAAAATF0/xp3nE7_zCY4cI0_wTpQITwsbGnGWiI7NgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7314%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWszV-5YBC4/YTTeqjUc6AI/AAAAAAAATF4/uxQtDAx7uhEaObcpwCfkzDtAJSLlqQ2vwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7316%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWszV-5YBC4/YTTeqjUc6AI/AAAAAAAATF4/uxQtDAx7uhEaObcpwCfkzDtAJSLlqQ2vwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7316%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JibGS042nbY/YTTerGkiqWI/AAAAAAAATF8/7J7wJC9vqf4oerro0fNUTLBsPJHiB0G6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7317%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JibGS042nbY/YTTerGkiqWI/AAAAAAAATF8/7J7wJC9vqf4oerro0fNUTLBsPJHiB0G6QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7317%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLlYMW6UwW8/YTTesnoscFI/AAAAAAAATGE/VOLq7SVBZJMLMeaHmxa3X0kOQDgnjYTjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7320%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLlYMW6UwW8/YTTesnoscFI/AAAAAAAATGE/VOLq7SVBZJMLMeaHmxa3X0kOQDgnjYTjQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7320%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhPUJ_Mq0_Y/YTTespOqv3I/AAAAAAAATGA/zxk5Xd69MF8xNX3kPymXG3bRChXeVf3JQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4503/IMG_7327%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="4503" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhPUJ_Mq0_Y/YTTespOqv3I/AAAAAAAATGA/zxk5Xd69MF8xNX3kPymXG3bRChXeVf3JQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7327%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tully Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Camo and I woke up after the sun rose over the ridge and broke down our tents after breakfast. We still had a climb ahead of us to get up and over McGee Pass. We were not sure what our final destination for the day was going to be, and we began the guessing game of locating the pass from the trail below as we hiked. We made several guesses that all turned out to be wrong. Just below the pass, we met a woman who was returning from her trip. She changed our entire itinerary after talking to her. She suggested we camp near Tully Lake and do some cross country hiking off trail near the lake and do some exploring. Our current plan, according to her, was ambitious, but also would take us into crowded areas. Her suggestion would take us away from the crowds, and allow for a much more leisurely, enjoyable experience. I was a little leary of hiking cross country with an unfamiliar map and not quite feeling "in the zone" yet, but Camo and I ultimately agreed and took her advice. After saying our goodbyes, we continued our task of hiking up towards McGee pass.<p></p><p>I was definitely feeling a bit of altitude, Camo and I took it slow and reached the pass around 11:00 or so. Visibility was pretty good, although there was still a noticeable light smoky haze, distorting the usual crisp clarity one usually finds in the Sierra. After hanging out at the top for 20 minutes or so, Camo and I began our decent, our destination for the day was Tully Lake, only a couple miles away. We grabbed lunch near a waterfall, I did my best to keep my skin covered from the intense sun. </p><p>By early afternoon, some clouds rolled in again, keeping the sun's intensity at bay, before we knew it, Camo and I arrived at Tully Lake where we planned to set up camp. The views were outstanding, the day's hike strenuous, but not overly so. We had plenty of time to relax, enjoy the views, and do some exploring. It was a great day...</p><p></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-71013661613870530382021-09-04T08:58:00.003-07:002021-09-05T07:56:49.049-07:00Big McGee Lake ~ Sierra Nevada<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHS1CqFodsM/YTOLHqGU3xI/AAAAAAAATCU/OYeVPr42wiEjGOsyZlaytw5mjAk8OW8AwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7122%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHS1CqFodsM/YTOLHqGU3xI/AAAAAAAATCU/OYeVPr42wiEjGOsyZlaytw5mjAk8OW8AwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7122%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jHCxkAXMII/YTOLG_NMNII/AAAAAAAATCM/3JKXkw2Sp24LZcBTZaSRCbU5BfGsb5VWACNcBGAsYHQ/s4320/IMG_7128%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jHCxkAXMII/YTOLG_NMNII/AAAAAAAATCM/3JKXkw2Sp24LZcBTZaSRCbU5BfGsb5VWACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7128%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big fir</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S01L7vzFCTc/YTOLHfFeBfI/AAAAAAAATCQ/4nayoi3c_YMPcUX7o5oJlNou4VKNNly-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7140%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S01L7vzFCTc/YTOLHfFeBfI/AAAAAAAATCQ/4nayoi3c_YMPcUX7o5oJlNou4VKNNly-wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7140%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGee Pass Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9A3If-n37u0/YTOLJQEWndI/AAAAAAAATCc/hWA6FLPQ_fIbYI4osaUnbtrQVhW53AtGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7147%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9A3If-n37u0/YTOLJQEWndI/AAAAAAAATCc/hWA6FLPQ_fIbYI4osaUnbtrQVhW53AtGQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7147%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot, exposed climb into the high country</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEpgha2tLTM/YTOLKRzm1ZI/AAAAAAAATCk/M91jYHV9VpEmQnVQKhoZOO9KqqbzAVA2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7153%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEpgha2tLTM/YTOLKRzm1ZI/AAAAAAAATCk/M91jYHV9VpEmQnVQKhoZOO9KqqbzAVA2wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7153%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBvQZOBp_cw/YTOLKbcQPYI/AAAAAAAATCg/DzBeC5JNz3Ub7jnTrcxKheRC-zgqGl7EQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7159%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBvQZOBp_cw/YTOLKbcQPYI/AAAAAAAATCg/DzBeC5JNz3Ub7jnTrcxKheRC-zgqGl7EQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7159%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa0p19kiB0A/YTOLL3emKcI/AAAAAAAATCo/0n8P8RnCmKYOIDpaHEOzCazfjEAgwiEKACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7165%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa0p19kiB0A/YTOLL3emKcI/AAAAAAAATCo/0n8P8RnCmKYOIDpaHEOzCazfjEAgwiEKACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7165%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old gnarly trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i034bGkJekQ/YTOLNW565KI/AAAAAAAATCw/lsEdn78rStkwSfhl6tkeWan7lnniDLSDACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7167%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i034bGkJekQ/YTOLNW565KI/AAAAAAAATCw/lsEdn78rStkwSfhl6tkeWan7lnniDLSDACNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7167%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arifacts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUjGCR_zbSc/YTOLM573XtI/AAAAAAAATCs/OnXILEvLStw6y7cv0WIpODOpTRAcCCu3ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7180%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUjGCR_zbSc/YTOLM573XtI/AAAAAAAATCs/OnXILEvLStw6y7cv0WIpODOpTRAcCCu3ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7180%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granite country</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZAUJM2k8KI/YTOLOV1LPAI/AAAAAAAATC0/ys4HfdCc0xQ8JSBf9mTwQmYhzrwuS-EQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7182%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZAUJM2k8KI/YTOLOV1LPAI/AAAAAAAATC0/ys4HfdCc0xQ8JSBf9mTwQmYhzrwuS-EQwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7182%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sibm-aQww00/YTOLQIeoByI/AAAAAAAATC4/WJhMg7lyU9we93Jf5lK0UpsDpIYMV_9XACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7186%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sibm-aQww00/YTOLQIeoByI/AAAAAAAATC4/WJhMg7lyU9we93Jf5lK0UpsDpIYMV_9XACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7186%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice trailwork</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-RRC9zQ2A/YTOLQk3LXGI/AAAAAAAATC8/nG0QnmDEdXkkTc_a7qmjzAvf0hoIGUl-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7190%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8-RRC9zQ2A/YTOLQk3LXGI/AAAAAAAATC8/nG0QnmDEdXkkTc_a7qmjzAvf0hoIGUl-wCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7190%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">appreciating trailwork and stairs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i11UKCG2KY0/YTOLQ6RXwLI/AAAAAAAATDA/XdP_etZHgjsaYkSQGuyHvbxUkr7mo0EsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7195%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i11UKCG2KY0/YTOLQ6RXwLI/AAAAAAAATDA/XdP_etZHgjsaYkSQGuyHvbxUkr7mo0EsQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7195%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dry meadows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSsGV530Z_o/YTOLR5kyxQI/AAAAAAAATDE/NzXehbDfLNcQ7hZeyR9fl599YGzlryJHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7197%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSsGV530Z_o/YTOLR5kyxQI/AAAAAAAATDE/NzXehbDfLNcQ7hZeyR9fl599YGzlryJHwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7197%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qJAKruLNHw/YTOLTeSFjKI/AAAAAAAATDI/jgKsM-d-SZs6B56-Dce9KdE84HwemoBzACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7198%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qJAKruLNHw/YTOLTeSFjKI/AAAAAAAATDI/jgKsM-d-SZs6B56-Dce9KdE84HwemoBzACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7198%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qmd8_Vvkxow/YTOLUCsawTI/AAAAAAAATDQ/NNRKlG6EqE0eJTNjmHguSs8aNMDx0xx-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7201%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qmd8_Vvkxow/YTOLUCsawTI/AAAAAAAATDQ/NNRKlG6EqE0eJTNjmHguSs8aNMDx0xx-ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7201%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rtal7yf2_k/YTOLVmxQYaI/AAAAAAAATDU/Kez_w7ReJGcbH7k43HZb6xTHoQCVuGskACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7205%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rtal7yf2_k/YTOLVmxQYaI/AAAAAAAATDU/Kez_w7ReJGcbH7k43HZb6xTHoQCVuGskACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7205%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night at Big McGee Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQUSIHBLsX4/YTOLWq_frWI/AAAAAAAATDc/td4DlzX0DUsOyjSdc6jw8cdb9g09abmPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7206%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQUSIHBLsX4/YTOLWq_frWI/AAAAAAAATDc/td4DlzX0DUsOyjSdc6jw8cdb9g09abmPwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7206%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Oa9zzuc6eU/YTOLWRug7PI/AAAAAAAATDY/y_SSqi2Eh7EqHi9HjuKC3BBAqo492evKACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7208%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Oa9zzuc6eU/YTOLWRug7PI/AAAAAAAATDY/y_SSqi2Eh7EqHi9HjuKC3BBAqo492evKACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7208%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching different shades of light off the mountains</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-zhyFwGMAw/YTOLW7wFEiI/AAAAAAAATDg/JC2zmqTnssAeS6ghR3-PmtWQdnSEHnp-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4405/IMG_7212%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3305" data-original-width="4405" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-zhyFwGMAw/YTOLW7wFEiI/AAAAAAAATDg/JC2zmqTnssAeS6ghR3-PmtWQdnSEHnp-QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7212%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXSCzAN9LMU/YTOLY_DOj0I/AAAAAAAATDo/K7gTlqlEazk92fN9oQzGMtt6s3gPg6_igCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7213%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXSCzAN9LMU/YTOLY_DOj0I/AAAAAAAATDo/K7gTlqlEazk92fN9oQzGMtt6s3gPg6_igCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7213%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13WoiXOJuK8/YTOLZbmvhWI/AAAAAAAATDs/mVHjaE3biLY4hFwN3OdPOD-W4l5-1cVmACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7217%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13WoiXOJuK8/YTOLZbmvhWI/AAAAAAAATDs/mVHjaE3biLY4hFwN3OdPOD-W4l5-1cVmACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7217%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtbguLo1GJU/YTOLZToPDFI/AAAAAAAATDw/fqWTKMNX3B4ZbYgPadOpzw6PHmY8zdi5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7219%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtbguLo1GJU/YTOLZToPDFI/AAAAAAAATDw/fqWTKMNX3B4ZbYgPadOpzw6PHmY8zdi5ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7219%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JVuqJKE3C4/YTOLacOP51I/AAAAAAAATD0/yPIHzK6W4BsIt3K3WWo55yDYe1ELr7_FACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JVuqJKE3C4/YTOLacOP51I/AAAAAAAATD0/yPIHzK6W4BsIt3K3WWo55yDYe1ELr7_FACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBMjl6lSmYM/YTOLbhEJNGI/AAAAAAAATD4/eAXgRYggv9IkOKtOy7z5Ufq9lh93O7wDgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7221%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBMjl6lSmYM/YTOLbhEJNGI/AAAAAAAATD4/eAXgRYggv9IkOKtOy7z5Ufq9lh93O7wDgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7221%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOOg3jECFwM/YTOLb9FKrKI/AAAAAAAATD8/0Eno8C1RFAEn_b6R5J9NiojrpvSoTTU3ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7223%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOOg3jECFwM/YTOLb9FKrKI/AAAAAAAATD8/0Eno8C1RFAEn_b6R5J9NiojrpvSoTTU3ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7223%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSV96aOqfs0/YTOLcLZCMtI/AAAAAAAATEA/QPe2VEH1YaMqBiNlYw1G61utghDtbiZoQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7226%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSV96aOqfs0/YTOLcLZCMtI/AAAAAAAATEA/QPe2VEH1YaMqBiNlYw1G61utghDtbiZoQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7226%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine glow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Back in June, I was in contact with my old Appalachian Trail hiking friends Camo and Moosie. We decided to plan a trip into the Sierra Nevada in California as it appeared the pandemic was winding down and "normalcy" seemed within reach. Camo and I booked our flights for mid August. We would fly out to Reno Nevada, Moosie would pick us up , and the three of us would drive out to hike and camp for a week. By the end of July, the warning alarms were going off again, as the Delta variant was starting to rear its ugly head around the country. By the time our trip was set to go, I was having serious doubts and misgivings. We decided to take the gamble, and I found myself in an extremely busy airport, and later on a plane to Nevada.<p></p><p>Although extremely uncomfortable, the flight went off without a hitch, and my plane landed in an extremely smoky Reno. The surrounding mountains were obscured by a thick haze of smoke from the Dixie Fire. Moosie texted me that she had a family emergency to take care of and wouldn't be able to pick me up for a few hours. I found a bench outside the airport to sit on with my hiking pack in the shade, and people watched. When Moosie arrived, she told me what I had assumed was now a possibility: she would not be able to join Camo and I for the hike, but would drop us off at the trailhead instead, and pick us up 5 days later.</p><p>After picking up Camo from the airport the following day, the three of us drove down to a national Forest near Mammoth Lakes. The smoke was incessant the entire drive down from Reno, about three hours south. The Range of Light was transformed into the Range of Smoke. We camped one night in the national forest. The next day, Moosie drove us to the McGee Pass trailhead where she dropped Camo and I off. </p><p>We were bummed Moosie couldn't join us. She was also our Sierra guide, but there was no other option. She gave us a map, the itinerary and permits, and wished us "Good luck!"</p><p>The mountains looked intimidating, but welcoming at the same time. If there was one thing I knew about the Sierra, was that our weather was expected to be pretty good in August, despite the smoke. I didn't have the Rocky Mountain fear of severe thunderstorms after 1:00pm.</p><p>Camo and I were not in the best of shape. It was clear before we stepped on the trail that we were going to have to adjust the itinerary. Our first day had us hiking 12 miles up and over McGee Pass on the itinerary. We knew we were not hiking over the pass on our first day as it would include a 4,000 foot elevation gain and an entire day of hiking uphill up and over a 12,000 foot pass. We were not in shape nor acclimated. We decided to aim for Big McGee Lake.</p><p>The beginning of the hike was extremely hot and exposed, through sagebrush desert. We soon found ourselves hiking through aspen and a collection of old gnarly trees. We took our time, conscientious to stay hydrated. By lunch time, still hiking all uphill, we traveled through lodgepole pine forest, and gray clouds collected overhead, thankfully blocking out the sun. By afternoon, still traveling uphill, we entered granite country. Although dry, there was enough water around to refill our bottles when we needed to. By mid afternoon still hiking uphill, we made it to Big McGee lake where we decided to camp for the night. There were several other hikers camped around the lake, but it appeared they left open one of the best sites on the lake. Camo and I snagged it and set up camp. We spent the rest of the afternoon getting acclimated and watching the light change off the mountains. That crystal clear Sierra light was obstructed by a smoky haze, even in the high country. Despite this, it was still a gift to be back in the Sierra. I had a slight shortness of breath from the altitude, but overall felt pretty good. Camo and I achieved our goal of not overdoing our first day. We both agreed it might have been one of the longest climbs of our hiking "careers." </p><p>I tried to stay up after it got dark to see if I could see any meteors from the Persieds, but soon exhaustion took over, and I passed out in my tent.</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-29661316122698869452021-08-10T11:52:00.003-07:002021-08-10T11:52:35.895-07:00Hiking the C&O Towpath 2021 ~ (Day 13, end of trail) June 29th<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd_o-0I2hB4/YRLG_CH4KHI/AAAAAAAATAg/foEysXC1YoIVyh2jT5WXgRb-MkdRtB84wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7063%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cd_o-0I2hB4/YRLG_CH4KHI/AAAAAAAATAg/foEysXC1YoIVyh2jT5WXgRb-MkdRtB84wCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7063%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last 5 miles heading towards Cumberland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GC8ss324a8/YRLG_AeJEXI/AAAAAAAATAc/FWAkdKt9IygTqqzoFg2g-y37RO4Lr9wAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7064%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GC8ss324a8/YRLG_AeJEXI/AAAAAAAATAc/FWAkdKt9IygTqqzoFg2g-y37RO4Lr9wAgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7064%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoH62RQiX0c/YRLG_QRW1oI/AAAAAAAATAk/JQmzC5xaEZcpsYOHrPsMtrcma83Q-cs8gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoH62RQiX0c/YRLG_QRW1oI/AAAAAAAATAk/JQmzC5xaEZcpsYOHrPsMtrcma83Q-cs8gCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast spot while waiting for hotel room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Js08t-3QF8c/YRLHA9DE58I/AAAAAAAATAo/5C4XJTKHmTYkE0rosu_AYN8sm34Nj-DzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7067%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Js08t-3QF8c/YRLHA9DE58I/AAAAAAAATAo/5C4XJTKHmTYkE0rosu_AYN8sm34Nj-DzwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7067%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cumberland Gap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrgKztUs0aI/YRLHBp1iV7I/AAAAAAAATAs/PzTp20WuVRkfU-9iPpFb7mEvpXvD--jEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7068%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrgKztUs0aI/YRLHBp1iV7I/AAAAAAAATAs/PzTp20WuVRkfU-9iPpFb7mEvpXvD--jEQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7068%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk9qF_aI5Es/YRLHB5YUh_I/AAAAAAAATAw/NmuRkX6pJN8J2x7rBPhUf2sYYz5Dvg6qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7069%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk9qF_aI5Es/YRLHB5YUh_I/AAAAAAAATAw/NmuRkX6pJN8J2x7rBPhUf2sYYz5Dvg6qgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7069%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI5yx51bzOA/YRLHC8L4GeI/AAAAAAAATA0/Tq9d7Mn2CJgXfTD5eWEQCehOi-9zY2eWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7070%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI5yx51bzOA/YRLHC8L4GeI/AAAAAAAATA0/Tq9d7Mn2CJgXfTD5eWEQCehOi-9zY2eWQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7070%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">185 miles later</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMYI8zj0Ui8/YRLHD1LcCeI/AAAAAAAATA4/W2AqVLzJBREdngKXeQFeyF9grRPzYHzZACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7071%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMYI8zj0Ui8/YRLHD1LcCeI/AAAAAAAATA4/W2AqVLzJBREdngKXeQFeyF9grRPzYHzZACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7071%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">end (or beginning) of the C&O Canal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgFShmHRJv4/YRLHEBuZEiI/AAAAAAAATA8/NdFfsGTE3VQjuh_hG3NneCXnrjMPABrjACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7072%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgFShmHRJv4/YRLHEBuZEiI/AAAAAAAATA8/NdFfsGTE3VQjuh_hG3NneCXnrjMPABrjACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7072%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the Amtrak to go home and my hotel in the background</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Hot and muggy last night on the towpath. Woke up, broke down my tent, packed up and said goodbye to the biking/hiking couple I met the night before. Hot, groggy 5 mile hike into Cumberland. My hotel room would not be ready till noon, so I spent an hour and a half in the shade right before town eating breakfast. Reached the end of the canal, took a quick picture, and b-lined for the Ramada. Had to be at least 90 degrees. Thankfully, my room was ready when I arrived. Took a shower immediately and had sores all over my body. It was kind of alarming to be honest. East coast hiking always leaves me a bit destroyed. I don't know what kind of bug bites I had, but I had large welts with a single blister all over, very itchy. Terrible chaffing. If I was on a longer thru hike, I probably would have had to take several zero days to recover. Thankfully the hike was over, so I could keep the sores clean once I got home. <p></p><div>Bought a pizza at dominos, some deodorant and snacks for the train ride home the next day, and holed myself in the hotel room for the rest of the day. Watched a marathon of Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel and then watched the movie Cast Away in the evening. Next morning, caught the Amtrak back to DC and took the metro back home where my mom picked me up. Another hike in the books...</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919075481787202680.post-86626969133316491872021-08-06T07:56:00.002-07:002021-08-06T07:56:16.289-07:00Hiking the C&O Towpath 2021 ~ (Day 12) June 28<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fK14Kxtxiw/YQ1Ivwv_qqI/AAAAAAAAS_E/s8q2sP4BxiopWAg5Ev2m5uyAL05Ti4o1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7045%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fK14Kxtxiw/YQ1Ivwv_qqI/AAAAAAAAS_E/s8q2sP4BxiopWAg5Ev2m5uyAL05Ti4o1QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7045%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4soan4EIweE/YQ1IwHez_mI/AAAAAAAAS_M/OJiV6oL3znoZllTcDoVK2FVN7E5KEyrEACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7048%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4soan4EIweE/YQ1IwHez_mI/AAAAAAAAS_M/OJiV6oL3znoZllTcDoVK2FVN7E5KEyrEACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7048%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mskKcNDbrU/YQ1IwL4LHSI/AAAAAAAAS_I/frObNc4hGC4Yuob5BFtxjo3E-seUFa4QgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7050%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mskKcNDbrU/YQ1IwL4LHSI/AAAAAAAAS_I/frObNc4hGC4Yuob5BFtxjo3E-seUFa4QgCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_7050%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old grave right next to canal </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQG4RLlttVs/YQ1IzWuCVAI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/aLcz91znrwYEqAcicDZehC1WZIt4Jyr0QCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7053%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQG4RLlttVs/YQ1IzWuCVAI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/aLcz91znrwYEqAcicDZehC1WZIt4Jyr0QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7053%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reucS81ZKuk/YQ1IzvGWzuI/AAAAAAAAS_Y/UaZ3CubeGm0z8wrLpALJUGYLQVIkDX5_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7054%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reucS81ZKuk/YQ1IzvGWzuI/AAAAAAAAS_Y/UaZ3CubeGm0z8wrLpALJUGYLQVIkDX5_wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7054%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPXBo5s5L-U/YQ1IzSw3_rI/AAAAAAAAS_U/LzTtjngulfczlpjA4YNrwyuBmXcQz5jPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7055%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPXBo5s5L-U/YQ1IzSw3_rI/AAAAAAAAS_U/LzTtjngulfczlpjA4YNrwyuBmXcQz5jPgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7055%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j33wCInN18/YQ1I19emK3I/AAAAAAAAS_c/Vq-m2TFWTmgfqcPp217ZuR4JTO7fUEN2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7056%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j33wCInN18/YQ1I19emK3I/AAAAAAAAS_c/Vq-m2TFWTmgfqcPp217ZuR4JTO7fUEN2wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7056%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ackOS6vPTgU/YQ1I2O67PGI/AAAAAAAAS_g/Iy-KhxbDpbg0Ae5_aby7FFKpp_kL3BMxACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7058%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ackOS6vPTgU/YQ1I2O67PGI/AAAAAAAAS_g/Iy-KhxbDpbg0Ae5_aby7FFKpp_kL3BMxACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7058%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4A_wDTSPSM/YQ1I2GK7itI/AAAAAAAAS_k/6ILytXGnGvc0Magxe2yjpG30-q1nXe7XACNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7059%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4A_wDTSPSM/YQ1I2GK7itI/AAAAAAAAS_k/6ILytXGnGvc0Magxe2yjpG30-q1nXe7XACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7059%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QTQA5uLivY/YQ1I3kIdhuI/AAAAAAAAS_o/Yp89YTN0jkMDN3nf1Z-jedLS4T62oOFewCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7060%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QTQA5uLivY/YQ1I3kIdhuI/AAAAAAAAS_o/Yp89YTN0jkMDN3nf1Z-jedLS4T62oOFewCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7060%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBzgCD7nWtI/YQ1I4CYscJI/AAAAAAAAS_s/0dVhiDguzyEPSMZh9tijjpmI6qhIfna1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s4608/IMG_7062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBzgCD7nWtI/YQ1I4CYscJI/AAAAAAAAS_s/0dVhiDguzyEPSMZh9tijjpmI6qhIfna1gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_7062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big oak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Day 12 was my last full day on the towpath. My goal was to hike 12 miles to Evitts hiker/biker site at mile 180, the last campsite before the end of the C&O canal. It was hot as hell overnight. I woke up in the middle of the night to piss, and the fireflies in the field at camp were out of this world. I had never seen anything like it, just magical. When I woke up, it was obvious it was going to be another hot, hot day. I packed up and began looking for a place to eat breakfast and have coffee. The towpath veered far away from the river which didn't help my mood. The river is like a lifeline, it keeps me cool, calm, and clean. Eventually I had to give up on the idea of a river spot for breakfast and had to settle for a picnic bench near Oldtown. Around lunchtime, I began searching for a way to the river as it was always just out of reach, or no good path led to it. I found a small deer trail and had a heinous bushwhack to the river, filled with thorns, vines, and stinging nettles. Eventually, I made it to the river and it was a nice little alcove with a deep pool, perfect for a dip with little current. I stayed there for a couple of hours, as I didn't have far to go. After that, I had another frustrating bushwhack back to the towpath.<p></p><p>The closer I got to Cumberland, the closer civilization revealed itself. Eventually I was literally walking through people's backyards although still technically on the towpath. Storm clouds began to gather and thunder followed me along the way. Eventually I reached mile 180 and the last hiker/biker site. A homeless man was also camped there, but I decided to take my chances. Eventually, another couple arrived who were biking south. They were fellow long distance hikers who were trying out bike touring. It was great to share trail stories over dinner. Eventually, a full blown thunderstorm arrived and we had to retreat to our tents for the night. I fell asleep to the sounds of trains from the railyard close by. I also made reservations for a hotel room in Cumberland where I would finish my hike the following day.</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12751942555542399363noreply@blogger.com0