6 August 2015

The scones are great! We are packed up, out of camp and at the trailhead by
noon. We set off, getting more and more damp in the gently falling
“partly cloudy” that was predicted for the day. It’s not worth
putting on rain gear. We would have gotten more wet from sweat with
jackets on.

The only people we see all day are two young architects in the area to see
the work of the master. We leave them behind (or rather, they leave
us behind and return to Falling Water) as we hike into the further
reaches of the reserve. We are startled by a wheezy huffing sound and
catch a glimpse of whitetails streaking through the forest. It is a
deer bugle. I’ve only heard that sound twice in the past while canoeing in the Adirondacks.

By the time we reach our first campsite, both of us are very glad that we chose an easy introductory hike. We are not yet used to 30 lb packs. We have a lot of work to do to get ready for the Olympics and our Grand Canyon adventure!

As I set up the tent for the night, I suddenly realize that I do not recall
packing my sleeping pad!  I frantically empty my pack – no pad.  I
am quite annoyed with myself for the omission. Where could I have
left it? I’ll have to improvise tonight with a pad consisting of two
sit upons, my backpack and one puffy jacket. If I lie very still, it
might work. O offers to share his pad, but it’s hard to share a 25
inch wide sleeping pad. I lie awake for awhile envisioning unpacking
Jazz completely, looking for the missing Thermarest.