July 17 - Shelter Cove to Charlton Lake

July 17 -  Shelter Cove to Charlton Lake

Today had a little change in routine. Since I didn't sleep really well due to the bruised ribs and the freight trains that came every hour or so I decided to get up early and hit the trail at daybreak. I didn't quite make daybreak, but I was on the trail before the rest of the group at 6:30. Some of them caught up to me 7 miles into the hike. Others caught up at 13 miles. Mostly I took my time, making sure each footstep was secure.  No holes, no catching toes on logs, etc. I needed to go slow as my chest didn't like it when I was breathing hard or swatting mosquitoes. Sometime after starting out I took two Advil and some of the pain receded. I took two more after lunch and the afternoon went well. I rolled into camp with Timda in town. She had flown out from New York to hike with Joshua and Tim, so today was a big day for her. She dragged into camp after 21 miles and immediately fell asleep! I walked the last four with her to make sure she was okay and to take it easy too. That was a good decision as I felt better at the end of the day.

A quick dip in the lake followed by dinner and conversation around the campfire has led me to and early bed. Betsy brought back some of those tiny bottles of booze from the duty free store in the Paris airport, mostly Scotch. She suggested  I put them in my resupply box. Great suggestion. Tonight I'll be going to bed with Johnnie Walker Red and probably sleep really well. Tomorrow I'll be up early to repeat today's effort. 

First bridge of the day. 

Second bridge. Yea! My feet aren't wet. 

First bear grass. 

Third bridge. Obligatory selfie for the day. 

Rosary Lake(s).

Hikingsolo (aka Allen)