Hiking is getting easier every day. I am getting stronger and faster. My pace is still at a steady snail's speed, but I am enjoying myself and spending the time to take in my surroundings. When I want to rest, I rest. The freedom to hike how I want is amazing.
I have great hiking partners and we work well as a team. We did 11.5 miles and arrived at Rock Spring Hut. There was a Boy Scout troop setting up camp all around the shelter. I’m talking tents and hammock galore.
Getting ready to make dinner |
After we got our packs situated I sat down at the picnic table to filter water and make dinner. Ten hungry Boy Scouts slowly swarmed me. They all began cooking their dinners. I always take the opportunity to talk to new people and these kids were no exception. I asked them about their earned badges and the Boy Scouts in general.
The first Boy Scout to join me... many more followed! |
After dinner we got the fire blazing and sat down to enjoy. A little bit later the kids surrounded me again. I decided it was time for me to hit the sleeping bag.
Robby starting the fire at Rock Spring Hut |
Robby and I woke up a few hours later to hot coals flying everywhere. There was a huge storm and the Boy Scouts didn't put out the fire! Robby got up multiple times to make sure the fire was out. It was a long night for me. The wind was raging and it looked as if the trees in front of the hut were going to snap in half!
In the morning we learned that two of the Boy Scout tents blew away in the wind and all of the hammock sleepers had bunkered in with their fellow comrades. They said they had five scouts in a two-person tent!! Hahaha!
The morning was super-super cold and pretty miserable. We decided we needed some cowboy coffee and I started making it. I noticed a small Scout over in the corner of the shelter quietly crying. I asked him what was wrong, even though I could already tell he was cold. He had on a thin hoodie and a pair of jeans. I asked him if he needed a hug. He said, “no.” I hugged him anyway.
He probably thought I was nuts. I made him wear my rain jacket. I knew that still wasn't warm enough when he continued to shiver. I huffed as I handed him my warm puffy jacket. I told him to jump up and down to get warm and put his hands under his armpits to get warmer.
Slowly, other Boy Scouts started to enter the shelter. I asked them to all stand around their cold friend to shield the wind. After a while someone came over and said the only person they were waiting on to leave was the cold kid. I asked them to try to go get his stuff ready for him so they could all leave and warm up. They went (most looking unhappy). One of the parents said I was a mother hen.
It's probably true.
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