Travel
In re-reading my post from yesterday I realize many of you have read a similar post from me for several years. Every now and then I get backpacking fever so badly I just can hardly bear it. And as every year goes by the likelihood that I could even try it again is reduced.
I went back last night and read the blog for my Appalachian Trail (AT) attempted thru-hike in 1997, and it all came back to me - the joys, the pain, the people, the rain, etc. When I came to the last section I wrote years later about my wonderful companion, black lab Smoky, I just cried.
I still intend to have a go at it again, but at this point with my health issues on this side of the horizon, I don't know how I'll manage it. Maybe when I get back from NY I could try some overnighters here in CA, and I'd definitely like to be in decent enough shape to day-hike a couple of trails in the Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge on my way back in the fall.
I drove back to REI today to pick up the book I had ordered and have already picked out a couple of campgrounds along the route I'll be traveling across NY state. Whether there are any available campsites in late August is another story, but if I hit them during the week I might find someplace to overnight.
In the meantime I'd like to find a suitable hiking partner or two here in my area - someone not too much younger than I am.
I thought I was so smart and the compass I bought would be a piece of cake! It is slightly different than most I've seen, in the area of the pointer. Most pointers are red on one end, and that's the end that points north. My new one has a pointer with a circle on one end and a "fork" on the other. I figured the forked end would be the pointing end and indicate north. I knew something wasn't right, but as I've explained, the streets here are on the diagonal, and the houses are on the diagonal on their respective lots. Finding north accurately isn't easy but I have a good general idea. I got frustrated when I could't get it to work, and even found websites telling how to work with a compass.
Finally in total desperation I pulled out the instructions that came with the compass and found a list of and explanations of features. Turns out the circle end of the pointer goes to North. Well duh, Marty. When all else fails, read the instructions. Once I had it properly aligned and everything was where I knew it to be, I'm confident I will get a lot of use out of this little device. It doesn't require batteries or recharging, doesn't send you messages, doesn't beep or flash or have apps, but is just a plain and simple survival tool. If I'm hiking a mountain trail and wonder what is the name of a mountain I'm looking at, I just orient the compass to the map and get my answer. (And I wouldn't think of being out on a mountain trail without a map that doesn't require batteries, need recharging, etc.) I think I take a perverse pleasure in knowing how to do things the old fashioned way, although I certainly appreciate technology at times. When I'm driving I can use my GPS to determine direction.
I feel so good in the morning, but now that it's up in the mid 90's I'm all washed out. I took a nap which is probably a mistake because I don't feel revived at all. I am continuing to walk and did the entire circle around the park last night, which is +/- 2 miles. I need to get out of this park to a place where I can vary the route as well as the mileage, but I'll have to overcome my laziness first.
- Reconnecting
I've been reading some journals of backpackers who hiked long distance trails that I'm interested in, including the North Country Trail, 4600 miles from the NY/VT border to well into North Dakota. Some parts of it are well maintained and...
- Back To My Old Haunts
Yesterday evening was my first trip back to the gym, and it was like going the first time ever. I didn't realize I'd have to start all over from scratch, but I believe it shouldn't take me quite as long as it did the first time to get...
- Hangin' In There
I walked again this afternoon, about twice as far as yesterday which still isn't very much, but it's a start. I can't say I feel all that great for doing it, but I know it's necessary while I'm getting enough strength back to...
- Cooking, Reading, And Dvd's
The meatloaf I made yesterday turned out very well. I had a large helping of it for dinner, and a huge meatloaf sandwich for lunch today. Next I'm going to try the Egg Muffins, but am too full from the sandwich to do it now. I went to...
- My Eyes Are Ok
I saw Dr. G this morning to find out if the irritation I had in one eye could have been related to the jaundice. He said my eyes were fine and gave me a couple of samples of eyedrops, one will require a prescription if I need it filled, and the...
Travel
Some thouhts on yesterday's post
In re-reading my post from yesterday I realize many of you have read a similar post from me for several years. Every now and then I get backpacking fever so badly I just can hardly bear it. And as every year goes by the likelihood that I could even try it again is reduced.
I went back last night and read the blog for my Appalachian Trail (AT) attempted thru-hike in 1997, and it all came back to me - the joys, the pain, the people, the rain, etc. When I came to the last section I wrote years later about my wonderful companion, black lab Smoky, I just cried.
I still intend to have a go at it again, but at this point with my health issues on this side of the horizon, I don't know how I'll manage it. Maybe when I get back from NY I could try some overnighters here in CA, and I'd definitely like to be in decent enough shape to day-hike a couple of trails in the Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge on my way back in the fall.
I drove back to REI today to pick up the book I had ordered and have already picked out a couple of campgrounds along the route I'll be traveling across NY state. Whether there are any available campsites in late August is another story, but if I hit them during the week I might find someplace to overnight.
In the meantime I'd like to find a suitable hiking partner or two here in my area - someone not too much younger than I am.
I thought I was so smart and the compass I bought would be a piece of cake! It is slightly different than most I've seen, in the area of the pointer. Most pointers are red on one end, and that's the end that points north. My new one has a pointer with a circle on one end and a "fork" on the other. I figured the forked end would be the pointing end and indicate north. I knew something wasn't right, but as I've explained, the streets here are on the diagonal, and the houses are on the diagonal on their respective lots. Finding north accurately isn't easy but I have a good general idea. I got frustrated when I could't get it to work, and even found websites telling how to work with a compass.
Finally in total desperation I pulled out the instructions that came with the compass and found a list of and explanations of features. Turns out the circle end of the pointer goes to North. Well duh, Marty. When all else fails, read the instructions. Once I had it properly aligned and everything was where I knew it to be, I'm confident I will get a lot of use out of this little device. It doesn't require batteries or recharging, doesn't send you messages, doesn't beep or flash or have apps, but is just a plain and simple survival tool. If I'm hiking a mountain trail and wonder what is the name of a mountain I'm looking at, I just orient the compass to the map and get my answer. (And I wouldn't think of being out on a mountain trail without a map that doesn't require batteries, need recharging, etc.) I think I take a perverse pleasure in knowing how to do things the old fashioned way, although I certainly appreciate technology at times. When I'm driving I can use my GPS to determine direction.
I feel so good in the morning, but now that it's up in the mid 90's I'm all washed out. I took a nap which is probably a mistake because I don't feel revived at all. I am continuing to walk and did the entire circle around the park last night, which is +/- 2 miles. I need to get out of this park to a place where I can vary the route as well as the mileage, but I'll have to overcome my laziness first.
- Reconnecting
I've been reading some journals of backpackers who hiked long distance trails that I'm interested in, including the North Country Trail, 4600 miles from the NY/VT border to well into North Dakota. Some parts of it are well maintained and...
- Back To My Old Haunts
Yesterday evening was my first trip back to the gym, and it was like going the first time ever. I didn't realize I'd have to start all over from scratch, but I believe it shouldn't take me quite as long as it did the first time to get...
- Hangin' In There
I walked again this afternoon, about twice as far as yesterday which still isn't very much, but it's a start. I can't say I feel all that great for doing it, but I know it's necessary while I'm getting enough strength back to...
- Cooking, Reading, And Dvd's
The meatloaf I made yesterday turned out very well. I had a large helping of it for dinner, and a huge meatloaf sandwich for lunch today. Next I'm going to try the Egg Muffins, but am too full from the sandwich to do it now. I went to...
- My Eyes Are Ok
I saw Dr. G this morning to find out if the irritation I had in one eye could have been related to the jaundice. He said my eyes were fine and gave me a couple of samples of eyedrops, one will require a prescription if I need it filled, and the...