Kili in 2007

Well, its really the day after my Birthday, but this was the gift to myself. I have been sick most of last weekend and couldn’t get out so this is the first time I had gone out hiking in a couple of weeks. The training hasn’t been as frequent as I’d like. I have had a terrible virus most of last weekend and early this week. I didn’t eat for 3 days and puked my guts out, needless to say I’ve been a little weak. The baby has been ill with the same thing I have also. Anyway, I went out with the intentions of going 10 miles today. Walk the yellow trail, then climb the mountain up to the white trail and walk the ridge back to the car. I had just this morning told my wife I couldn’t get lost out there, it was impossible. Then it happened. Somehow I took a wrong trail or just plain screwed it up and got way off course. I never made it to the white trail and ended up coming out near some old abandoned cabins. I could see the lake, so knew I was near the yellow trail still. I walked down the hill and found the trail and walked it back in (Thank god). Other than that it was a good day. I did however see three of the kids from my school (not to be mean, but i just asume not see them away from school). Kind of freaked them out also. One other thing, I took the pack weight up to fourty pounds on this hike, didn’t feel to bad. I only lifted weights once last week and ran 1 mile. Got to get on the ball and kick it in gear. Kilimanjaro is laughing at me right now from accross the ocean and telling me not to even bother coming.

I only hiked about 5 or 6 miles today, but chose a route that would take my up two very large hills (really both double Oak Mountains, each a little over 1000 ft in elevation). I went on a couple of connectors to do this that I had not been on before. I think I’ve explored every trail out there now. I took Kaylee (Black Lab) with me today , she has been recovering from a dew claw that we had to have removed. After taking her to the vet she had lost some weight (down to 73 pounds from 83). I’m pretty sure I have as well , people at work have been telling my I’ve lost weight. This isn’t to good because I’m tall and it makes me look skinny. I guess a left over stigma from being a skinny kid in Junior High (LOL!). There were lots of people out on the trails and the creeks were very full. I slipped and fell right on my butt trying to jump one of them, this happened in front of a man and his wife. P-r-e-t-t-y embarresed! I got up and said thats how not to cross the creek. We all laughed and I hiked on leaving my pride near the muddy bank. Got to get some new hiking poles soon. I’ve been using some ski poles my buddy Tim gave me. They work pretty well though. My boots have not given me any trouble and the pack is breaking in nicely.

 It being the first of the year, I headed out for a few hours to hike as it is one of my resolutions to get in shape. I went about ten miles on the white and yellow trails. Met a nice lady who’s brother had been to Kilimanjaro and ended up talking to her for a while . Was a little disappointed when I went up the steapest part of the trip (Cades Cove on the White trail)  and I had to rest. I sat on a rock catching my breath and noticed a large hawk fly by and check me out thinking I might be a dead animal (kind of felt like it at the time).  Looked very pretty as he flew by turning his head to look at me. I also scared a Doe up on the ridge that must have been beded down, again very pretty as it ran off. I took the White and yellow trail connector. I had never done that before. Very steep going down, but well worth it. Lots of streams and walked the edge of a lake for about 5 miles back to my car. All in all  it was a good day and a good start to the new year.  Hiked about ten miles in around 3 1/2 hours .

It was a nice day today and I decided to take April and the baby out on my hike today. Did a short little 3 mile hike. Had the baby in a bjorn carrier on my chest and about ten pounds in a back pack. So it was pretty close to my pack weight (30 pounds verses 40 pounds). We did a flat part of the white trail and then stopped at Maggies Glenn for a rest. We then headed back up the yellow trail to the car. Some where around 1/4  of a mile to the car April rolled her ankle and fell. She had some cuts on her arm , but had a huge knot develop on her Ankle (like where a musle rolls up). She said she felt a tear and she may have really torn a muscle. We iced it tonight and she is taking it easy. Later on I went for a light jog and lifted some weight when we got home. I need to burn off some of the fat and lazieness of the x-mas holidays. 6 months 1 week till Kilimanjaro.

Hiked the white trail and Blue trail today. Did around 13 miles total. Had fun exploring the parts of the trail I’d never been on (mostly white trail). I also found my hat that I lost two days ago. Lots of people out. Kaylee and I had a good time overall. Will sleep pretty good tonight I think. 14 years ago today I came home from bootcamp, what better way to celebrate than go out and carry a heavy pack several miles. Life has gone by fast since that day, strange to think of it that long ago.

I went out to Oak Mountain today for the fourth weekend in a row. I’ve begun learning the trails and taking the more difficult ones to get in better shape. Walked the White trail today and climbed a large hill called Cades Cove. Kaylee, my black lab, has been with me on each of the hikes and loves it much more than I do right now . Not very many people as it was raining somewhat and making it less crowded.