Monday, April 18, 2016

April 15, 2016 - Day 28

Our trio, now a duo, set off for the long hike to Hot Springs and Trailfest.

Jill's nephew, Zack, was due to meet them at Lemon Gap at 10:00 so they hiked quickly to get there.  Ken got there at 9:30 and Jill arrived at 10:30.  When they got to the Gap, they didn't find Zack, but they did find trail magic and breakfast.  Looks good to me!

 
Also at Lemon Gap was a little girl with her pet.  He/she was quite the curiosity.  Some wondered if he would become 'trail food' if they ran out down the trail!
 


Zack arrived at 11:00 and Jill was glad to see him.

 
With the long distance to go to reach Hot Springs, Ken took off.  Zack hiked with his Aunt IWOX and the plan was to meet up at Deer Park Mountain Shelter.  However, Ken was worried about getting to their destination and waited for them until he felt he needed to move on.  He kept going and reached Hot Springs around 6pm.  Unfortunately, he was once again in 'Verizon World' with no AT&T signal and no way to let Jill (or me) know he had 'reached.'
 
Not only was Ken not there, NO ONE was there...they had ALL gone on to Hot Springs to join the Trailfest celebration.
 
Here is an example of what our hikers see along the way...sometimes the blaze is on a post, sometimes it is painted on a rock (when posts can not be placed).
 
 
 
Jill called me from the Deer Park Mountain Shelter and could go no further.  She was not able to let Ken know and wondered if I had heard from him.  I hadn't and we both agreed to let the other know.  Jill was worried he took a wrong turn (easy to do in that area) and might be lost.  I know how 'woods smart' he is and was only a little (yea, right) worried.
 
Ken, meanwhile, was having a great time in Hot Springs and enjoyed all the evening festivities.  When Jill and Zack didn't show up, he assumed (correctly) that they were spending the night at the Deer Park shelter.
 
Mile 273.7
Elevation 1,326
Miles Hiked Today 19.7
 

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