Date: 2003-06-25
From: .3 mi past High Point Shelter

To: County Road 565
Miles today: 14.0

Left early again. Hiked at a pretty fast pace - going through farmlands and through jungle looking areas - neat variety of trail today. Heat was a big problem. Got hot before 9:00. Cire, Sandals, and I went to the "Secret Shelter." The land/property was really nice. The shelter had a shower inside and outside (warm water), a dryer, and nice shady areas we gladly rested under until our socks dried. We met up with the other 2 guys. Speck and Slick Rock left us for the week-end to go on a family vacation. So, it's just me and the 4 guys - yipee! (just kidding) It's gonna be weird not having them here.As I mentioned earlier, it was HOT!! The temperature got up to at least 92 degrees. We had to walk a mile down a road, then over 2 miles around this wildlife refuge thing which had no shade. The sun drained us of what energy we had left. Then we had a 1000 ft climb. We loaded up on water, then climbed. After reaching the shelter, I began to get lightheaded, and my legs shook like crazy. I was very hot. I'd hike some, then have to stop. Felt very weird.We had ups, then downs, then we'd get attacked by mosquitoes. If you stopped, they would swarm all over your arms and legs. So, during the more swampy parts, I would literally run through because at this point they were driving me insane. Cire's mom met us at Co Rd 565 - about 3 miles short of our original plan. We all 5 loaded up in the car with packs strapped to the top of the car and headed to Beaver Hill Campground. Not really sure where it's exactly located - somewhere close to Vernon. Very nice campgrounds. We set up, then had delicious potato salad, chicken, cherries, rolls, blue chips, and salsa. Yum Yum! We swam in the swimming pool, then headed into the nearest town to get snack foods. We have 40 miles to do by Sunday night, so we are planning on taking a zero day tomorrow - heat index is supposed to reach 114 degrees. How crazy is that? We finished our day with Dairy Queen and laundry. Good day. Now, I'm very tired and glad to be here.I wrote this poem after realizing that every day out here is a miracle. Sometimes we take even the day itself for granted.MIRACLETo wake up in the morningwhether to sun or in rain.To breathe in the breath of lifeTo feel rested and feel the previous day's pain.To watch the morning's first lightTo see the mist rising from the groundTo be a part of the stillnessTo inhale the smell and to listen to the sounds.To pack up your home and all that you haveAll your belongings counted on one handFeeling a part of natureYour body covered in salt, mud, and sand.To put on your uniformYour book, gaiters, and hiking polesGetting prepared to take on the path aheadThat's full of rocks, roots, and hidden holes.To climb the highest mountainTo sweat, to hurt, to cry.To reach the top and yell for joyTo close your eyes, to soar, to fly.To start a ripple in a pondTo watch it grow from a drip that spreads forever moreTo walk through a summer stormFeeling the rain and listening to the thunder roar.To see God through it allThrough a smile, a friend, a familiar faceTo hear His music, His angels in songTo walk in His rhythm, His pace.To catch a glimpse of a running deeror a bear that slowly crosses the trailTo witness a hawk soaring aboveTo hold a turtle as it gets the courage to come out of its shell.To hike in a new stateTo see change, to see varietyTo take on the day as it comesWishing the moment would last for eternity.The people you meet, the stories that are madeThe memories stored in your mindTo continue on each daywith only your footprints left behind.To feel an accomplishmentas you reach the day's endKnowing that tomorrow is another dayAnd the miracle starts all over again.