South of the small, unassuming town of Dubois, Wyoming, 9 miles of gravel lead to Trail Lakes Trailhead. We devoured a veggie pizza each from the local parlor by the turn-off as the sandy badlands and highway pavement bumpily receded in the rear view mirror. At the last curve in the road, the overgrazed hills …
In the morning, the pressure to move fast had dissipated with the clouds. The sky dawned clear, Knifepoint's ramparts absorbing and reflecting a blood orange alpen-glow. I watched from the tent door, curled snugly in my quilt. Apparently the original German word can be equally translated as ‘glow’ or ‘smolder’. Alpen-smolder. That fits, too. When …
The sky had offered clear views of the stars last night, but by 5:00 this morning clouds already paced and grumbled along the visible edges of sky. We had until the top of Douglas Peak Pass, I guessed, to choose to turn around and still be out within our time frame. Packed quickly, we …
“We ought to just go and see what happens. You know, put ourselves in the way of luck…” Prana had said. I had sighed. That mountaineer’s adage always got us a bit close to riding the edge of misery for my taste. So there we went. Hiking in from the Elkhart Park, stashing the keys …
3/18 Pine Den on Invercargill Estuary to the Finish!! 29 k Our pine den stayed warm enough last night, and when we emerge from it this morning, it is out into a chilly gloaming on the levee. Sun slowly sets the clouds on fire with pinks and oranges and fuchsias. The liquid colors reflect in the …
Pines on Riverton Beach to Pine Den on Invercargill Estuary 31 k The morning light illuminates our camp late, and we head for the Riverton bakery at 8:00. In almost no time we are back on the main street of town and ordering an indulgent. The bakery is cute, but with very loud music- what …
Artifacts on the Water Race to Pines on Riverton Beach 36 k Wind thrashed the trees last night, creating a maelstrom in the branches above us, but there was not a breath of disturbance down at the tent level. A magic nook. Rain beat down on and off, but by the morning it is only …
Longview Forest to The Artifacts on the Water Race 28 k I crack open an eye to a still-dark morning, the alarm beeping. Ugh, as much as I love this spot, I did not sleep well at all. Once the air mattress deflated, the ground was lumpy, and I couldn’t get the lumps to line …
Woodlaw Eucalyptus to Longview Forest 31 k Good morning, world! I open my eyes to a barely-tinged sky and the sharp invigorating smell of eucalyptus. I am so dang motivated this morning, and I have no idea why. Maybe because I slept so well? I spring out of the tent, pack up, and start stepping …
Continue reading 3/14 Merriview’s Porch and The Morepork’s Guestroom
Telford Tops to Woodlaw Eucalyptus 32 k At one point last night the sky opened up and poured big fat drops, a strangely comfortable sound in our perfectly still tent, in my almost-too-warm quilt bundle. I awoke and listened for awhile, imagining the soup the cow patties were turning into, before drifting back to sleep. …
muddy shoe memoirs 