JULY 12 TH

It was a great sunset last night and a great sunrise. I really  didn’t want to get up as I  was so comfy  in my bag. I eventually pulled the stopper on my mattress. 

And started the task  of getting up . It was a beautiful morning.  I made tea and ate 2 instant oats
Okay lets go. I quickly found the trail  and pushed on heading down and straight into a bog. Really!!
I tried to keep my feet dry as long as I could but then gave up.
I was in bog land for at least  40 minutes, although not the same bog different ones. Arrrrrhhhh. 
On the AT there would be duck boards, I moaned .
I was in the forest for a good  90 minutes  before emerging into day light and a big dead area. I pushed on as it was beginning to warm up.. But I was still heading down . But it was time to do the blow downs  dance and there were quite a few.

Eventually I climbed up and out of bog city and pushed on down the trail and through the next forest, but I was still heading down….I don’t like heading down for too long as it only means one thing… yes  UP.
Then I met a group of people coming  up the trail, i had to do a double take to realise that they were a trail crew with their saws and gear.

I chatted to them for 5 minutes before thanking them. These men & woman are the invisible hero’s who keep the trail clear, some are volunteers and they have walked several miles up trail carrying their gear.  No chainsaws . Just manual.
I eventually came to water so filled up and took a break, It was about another’s  20  minutes to the trail head where their cars were parked.
The trail followed the service road and as I walked along there were dozens of butterflies taking a drink from the damp road.
I pushed on as it was good to walk on passing a couple with their dog and then walked straight past the  trail junction. Doh .
But luckily not far, so turned around and I followed up the side of the hill . Bloody hell its getting hot  my watch said 89 and it was still early.
The trail meandered  through the woods before  dropping down to the road. I had to follow this hot and dusty road. for several miles. It crossed the river by a large bridge and below was a man fishing
Any luck I called. 
He shrugged his shoulders.
I crossed over the bridge then walked down to get water

I poured a bottle over my head as I was  roasting , before filtering 2 bottles. 
I pushed on through the park following the  badges on the trees passing several large campsites until the trail took a sharp right  and climbed up and over several hills.
I met several day hikers on their way  back.