Tripping Through Life

We thought we might never make it to the trailhead!  It’s not very far from Vail as the crow flies, but on the winding, mountainous, dirt forest service road that you have to take to get to the trail, it seems like forever, and in fact, takes about 50 minutes to go 10 or 15 miles. I was worried that our car might loose something important as we bumped over the rocks and roughness of the road! But we finally made it to the parking area near the Piney Lake Ranch. We headed out through the meadow with beautiful views of Piney Lake and the meandering river that feeds it. As we gained elevation on the trail, we had to stop several times for our pounding hearts and labored breathing to slow.  Walking through the Aspen trees was a wonderland, and then up a little higher into the fir and spruce.  As we went on, we crossed some creeks flowing down the hill over rocks and downed trees, then we were hiking beside the river as it came down the mountain crashing over the rocks–what a wonderful sound.  As we crossed a good-sized stream that fed into the river, the trail became harder to see and follow.  It was pretty obvious that not too many people hike up that far.  We went up a steep hill with loose dirt and then up over some rocks.  I was worried about getting down that area on the way back!  At the top of that area, we had a good view of the river below us and we stopped to eat lunch. We decided to check the map to see how far we had to go to reach Upper Piney Lake.  We thought it was 2 miles to the lake, but we had already gone 4 miles, and still no lake.  Looking at the map, we had only gone about half way to the lake, and it was another 1,000 feet higher than we were!  We decided to turn around and head back as it was almost 3 p.m. and I didn’t want to be out late and encounter any wild animals!  On the way back, Dean decided to take a different path, and wow, was it exciting–lots of water and muddy areas to get through, downed trees to climb over, and weeds to wade through!  It gave us a better work out than just walking, and turned out to be shorter than the original trail. We went almost 8 miles in all, and saw some beautiful sights.  Coming back to the ranch and Piney Lake, we saw 3 large moose at the far end of the lake, eating the plants in the water.  It was an awesome sight, and I am so glad that we were able to see it. The ranch had cabins right on the lake that you can rent.  It looked like a great place to really get away from it all–and no cell phone reception either.  I decided I really like hiking poles after using them on this hike.  They were a lot of help especially on the steep hill with loose dirt. I think that without the poles, I’d have been sliding down that hill on my derriere!

We had to change our plans due to car worries, and drove straight from Missouri through Kansas to Avon, CO, and so not having a few days to work our way to the higher elevations and let our bodies adapt to it gradually.  I could really feel the effects of the altitude change while driving over the Continental Divide on I-70.  I guess the effects are enhanced because you are traveling so fast on the freeway.  Our poor 9-year-old car did very well going up the mountains!  When we arrived at the condo in Avon, we could still feel the effects of the high altitude:  dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle aches, joint pain, and tiredness; although all of these were only slightly felt. We were worried about being able to go hiking very soon, but the next day we felt quite a bit better, and took a walk around Avon and down along the Eagle River. After 2 nights of good sleep, we decided we could tackle some hiking and headed out to the Upper Piney Lake Trail, north of Vail, CO.

Home from our long vacation, and it’s back to the grind of cleaning the house (even more so after being gone for so long!), and working in the yard that has gotten slightly wild with no one to tend it.  Nothing has appeared of great interest for me to write about, but I thought that I should put in a last post before June ends.  Wow, July starts tomorrow, and with it, the last half of the year.  Time goes by much too fast!  So long, farewell to our lovely June! (It was a June to remember, though.)

I could not help but comment on this article I read in Friday’s USA Today newspaper. It was about fishing tournaments and one of them really caught my attention; not because I would want to participate, but just the opposite, it is something I can’t imagine ever participating in!

It seems that “noodling” is what they call catching catfish with your hands. You walk along the lake shore, and look for catfish holes. If and when you find one, you reach your bare hand in the hole and try to pull out the catfish! Ewww! Getting your hand scratched up is the least that will happen if you run into a giant catfish–or worse: a snapping turtle–in the hole!

This contest is in Pauls Valley, OK on July 11th for any of you that might think it would be a fun thing to do!

We ate the other day at Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ near the intersection I-35 and Loop 1604. When you pull in at first all you notice are the gas pumps in the front. Then you get out of your car and smell the wood smoke from the cooker–that always smells good. They have a small store inside with drinks and ice cream, and lots of tables for the hungry people who frequent this “restaurant” probably very frequently.
We got their baby back ribs, which had a dry rub on them and it was pretty spicy. I’d have to say (in my opinion) that these ribs weren’t nearly as good as Corky’s in Gatlinburg. However, they had great creamed corn (yum!) and potato salad and they gave us a sample of their sausage, which was very good also. I may have to try the brisket next time . . . They love the military there and came around to thank everyone in our group for their service to our country. And, they offer a nice military discount. A definite thumbs-up to Rudy’s!

I forgot to mention the great baby back ribs we had while eating at Corky’s in Gatlinburg. They were really friendly there, and I guess they are known for their ribs. They were yummy, and that’s saying something as I am pretty picky about ribs. I definitely recommend them. The pork sandwich on the other hand, was only so-so. Go with the ribs!

We are having a nice time in Texas. Everyone we have come in contact with has been so nice. I’m starting to like it here! Well, I should amend that to say that we have been in the San Antonio area this whole time. We’ll check out the big city of Arlington/Dallas next week and see how they measure up!

We went to the Alamo yesterday. We haven’t been there in, I don’t know, maybe 23 years or more. I remember it being a very small place and thinking, “is this all there is?” But they have a gift shop with some displays, a museum built into one wall, and a very nice garden area behind the church, the only building left of the original mission and fort. It was a very nice visit (and very cool inside the building!).

We are back in San Antonio. It will soon be our home away from home! We had a bit of rain while driving in from Texarkana, but it was really nice here in S.A. yesterday. I am afraid it will be hot and humid the rest of the stay. But that would be the “normal” San Antonio for me, not that we have spent that much time here . . . :o)

This is our second time in Gatlinburg; however, the first time was mostly driving through it to get to the park.  We are spending a couple of days here this time.  After our second day of hiking, we finished fairly early in the day and so we decided to walk into the heart of G-burg to see the sights and grab some dinner.  We figured the walk on flat ground would be a good way to stretch our muscles which were, by now, complaining of all the hills to which we had subjected them in the past two days.  G-burg is quite the little tourist trap.  I don’t know why but I really cannot stand all those people who want to take “just a minute of your time.”  I’m sorry, but my time is more valuable than that.  I guess they are timeshare sellers, and I guess I won’t say anymore about them since everyone has to make a living somehow.  (Just don’t make me feel bad because I don’t want to stop and listen to your spiel while I am walking down the sidewalk.)  I imagine we’ll be back in this area again, but it won’t be for the stores, it will be for the hiking!