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Sunday, July 10, 2011

first day

Though the directions to the trailhead were exactly right, my entourage and I had a difficult time finding it.

We unloaded, and took a group photo. Danielle and Ken looked at the indistinct trail reluctantly.  Deep down their maternal and paternal instincts must have been issuing a loud warning, you can't just leave these two young girls by the side of the road. "Call us tonight," they said. 

The trail was well marked past the trailhead, but soon began to cross paths with a dirt bike path.  Together, apart, together, apart.  We diligently hunted for the trail as it snaked, trying to lose us in the crowd of cut tread.  It was like a treasure hunt.  It was fun, mysterious, and we didn't expect to get anywhere fast.

By 5 PM, we found a flat spot by a stream and small road and set up camp. Day one had turned out to be a meagre five mile day.  On our second day, I hoped for ten miles to set us into a rhythm that would keep us on schedule. 

Unlike longer trails, where you have months to make up for unforseen days off or low mileage days, on a two-weeker, every day has more weight.  It was time to put my foot on the gas.  If I didn't, we were likely to run out of time.

Exhausted, Dawn and I did the only thing we could to prepare for the marrow.  We ate a sound dinner, and tucked ourselves in before sunset.

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