May 10, 2007

I had a restful night's sleep thanks, in part, to the Benadryl which did relieve my itchy rash.  I guzzled water and filled up seven liters which is an additional 14 pounds.  I ate through my food bag last night knowing my pack would be heavy carrying all that extra water today.  At 8:45 a.m. I heaved it onto my shoulders and away I went.  Bison Ed and I planned a 17.5 mile day. 

During my hike today, I saw two deer bounding up the mountain and two coyotes.  The insects are beginning to pester me as I find myself swatting at them in regular intervals.  It goes step, pole, swat, step, pole, swat.  I climbed up to Mt. Gleason's north ridge (an elevation of 6,410 feet) before Bison Ed and I broke for lunch at Messenger Flats.  It was here, Bison Ed pointed out my underarm rash.  Uh-oh, the rash had spread and yes, it still itches.  We ate on the trail because neither of us wanted to walk the extra 100 yards or so to a picnic table (Any thru-hiker will understand).

When I hiked on, the Sonoran Zone became even more evident.  The Mojave desert is not far away.  The views were spectacular today as I descended to the North Fork Ranger Station.  I met Todd and he offered me the opportunity for a warm shower which I appreciatively accepted.  I embarrassed myself with the amount of dirt that came off of my body. 

Unfortunately, the rash remained so my theory about it being a dirt rash went down the drain with the dirt.

Bison Ed and I are camping under a huge power line which is buzzing. Tonight, we shouted food fantasies from our tents.  Bison Ed called out..."steak, milk, fajitas, and cantaloupe."

I responded with..."lobster, Bing cherries, bananas, spinach salad."

This continued for at least ten more minutes.  Any thru-hiker will understand.  The sky is clear and the stars are out.  An owl is hooting.  The power line is crackling and Bison Ed is snoring.  He's probably dreaming about tomorrow's feast.