August 18th
Segment 11
I got to watch the sun rise change the colors of the sky this morning with a really good view towards the east as we left Twin Lakes behind us and entered deeper into the Collegiate East.
We hiked for a few miles and stopped just the other side of a beautiful crystal clear stream where we could get water and have breakfast. As I looked above us I noticed we were lying right at the border where the trees changed from Aspen to pine. It’s so amazing to walk through so many variations in the forest.
Jodie hiked on ahead while I had a leisrly breakfast. I left my pack by the trail and hiked up the hill to find the little girls room. Just as I was heading back down the hill I heard a crack in the bushes and saw a bear running away. It’s amazing how fast and silent they are for their size! I have the sneaking suspicion that he was honing in on my pack for a snack lured in by the delicious smells of my breakfast while it was left unattended and I surprised him coming down the hill because he was between me and the pack. I bravely yelled get away bear as he was running away. Thankfully they want nothing to do with us and just a free meal. What are the waking and feeding hours of bears I wonder?
It’s hot in the sun! I’m really enjoying the cooler weather at the higher elevations for all of this hard work. I’m having Jay send priority mail my old lady hat and my ugly sunshirt. I switched out my hoodie for one with cotton because the other one with the synthetic fibers smelled so bad! The cotton is still too hot and I’m afraid to get it wet in the afternoon with the unpredictable storm clouds.
Loving the sunbrella! It hooks to my shoulder strap and I’m getting better at connecting it while I’m hiking.
We hiked over a ridge and out of the forest. The terrain became like the california desert on the steep hill we came down. There was sage brush, yucca plants, little baby cactus and tiny barrel cactus. The variety is so unexpected. We entered the valley as a storm was rolling in and found an early afternoon campsite by the creek.
Jodie is having some tummy troubles and I was also extra tired. We both had long afternoon naps in our tents. We got up and ate and were up for a short time and went right back to bed. Tomorrow we climb.
Jodie’s blog: bikehikereoeat.com