May 22, 2007

Bruce drove me to the trailhead by the Cameron Road Exit sign.  We kissed goodbye before I climbed over the locked fence with my backpack, which weighed over 50 pounds.  As I was ascending to an elevation of 6,010 feet the winds were brutal.  When I crossed a knife's edge, I was literally blown off my feet.  I dug deep with my poles to steady my balance. I took very small steps to cross the exposed ridge.  Then I became homesick.

"What in the world am I doing?" I said to myself.

This sucks.  I continued on.  I wondered where Bison Ed had camped and found a smiley face made out of rocks under a shade tree.  I credited the smiley face to Clara.

As I was hiking toward Golden Oaks Spring, I was stopped in my tracks by what appeared to be a 70 pound bobcat.  Now, I really wondered where Ed was!  I dropped my pack and got my Bear Mace.  I kept an eye on the predator and took two pictures.  I put my pack back on and hiked with my Bear Mace in my hand.  When I arrived at Golden Oak Spring, I was so happy to see Clara and Patrick.  I shared my story and pictures with them. They informed me Bison Ed was an hour ahead.  Clara's trail name is now Hot Pocket which was given to her by her husband of six months.  At day's end I had hiked 25.4 miles.  I wanted to camp at an open field.  It was there I met Bison Ed, again.