Pack animals

   Tonight the pups accompanied me to Petco & Petsmart in an attempt to find doggie packs so they can each carry their own food and water when we go backpacking next weekend. This one was a great price and fit well, but was smaller than what I had hoped to find, and Mr. Taylor isn't interested in skimping on his food rations. We'll keep looking...

Backpackers will drink anything!

   Renee sent this message and photo to me today: "Here's that creepy trough I told you about.  This is why I have faith in my Katadyn filter." Renee is still alive and well, and her children are normal (no extra limbs or anything), so I guess I'd better invest in a Katadyn!

The Trail Ends in Pancakes

Group shot by the bridge as we were leaving camp

   All in all, I hiked about 3 miles to and from camp (with the heaviest packs), 6 miles on Saturday + the 3 mile bonus round (with packs loaded with water, rain gear, snacks and first aid). So that's about 12 miles. Not too shabby! It is such a cool concept to be self-sufficient in the wilderness, carrying in whatever you need to survive on your back, and following LNT ("Leave No Trace") principles, which means that everything you carry in, you carry out. We even used our empty trash bags to clean up the garbage others had left behind: beer cartons, cans and bottles, broken glass, foil and aluminum cans.

Smashing down my sleeping bag

Hanging in the cave with Brandon, Larry & kim

Drinking coffee & sketching: my favorite things to do anywhere!

Renee packs up

Our tent kept the leaves dry!

Heading out...

Brandon's view from his Stickpic!

Finally, a blue sky!

Brandon's shot of the drive home

A little town on the way to Rolla

Breakfast (and washing faces & hands!) at Shoney's in Rolla

Michael, keep your paws off my pancakes!

The closest I've ever come to finding gold at the end of the rainbow...
and to finishing 4 pancakes in one sitting! Mmm!

   And when I got home and posted my photos, Rick's comment made me LOL:

Rainy Evening

   The rain started just after 5:00, when Larry and Kim and I were returning from our 3-mile hike. (We dodged a bullet there!) Everyone huddled near the cave entrance and built a fire for warmth. "Warmth" was relative, as we were damp from the drizzle during the hike, and it was impossible to dry off. Even getting in & out of the tent without bringing water in was a huge challenge.

Gillian, Amanda, Michael & Brandon

Amanda, Michael & Brandon

Panoramic view from inside the cave

Renee & Ramona try to stay dry

Back to Camp for some R&R

Gillian & I take it easy. Packs make good pillows!

Kim and her Dad, Larry

Brandon and uber-outdoorsman, Matthew

Ramona and Bob

Jerry & Kent (aka Ditka)

Michael is very zen. Always calm & relaxed!

Amanda, presumably getting ready to light her bottles on fire

This container is supposed to be bear- and Bryan-proof, but this guy is a crafty one!

Renee sees her shadow. 6 more weeks of backpacking!!!

   We returned from our 6-miler after 2 pm. After a few minutes of rest, Larry, Kim and I headed out for a quick 3-mile out & back hike, to get as much out of the day as possible...

Lunch at Wilkins Spring

   We found a nice picnic area to stop for lunch and enjoy the scenery at Wilkins Spring, the source of the creeks we've encountered. 3 million gallons of water pass through here each day (as evidenced by how green the grass is around the spring!)

Jerry & Ramona

Amanda, Ramona & Gillian

Me, Ramona & Gillian

Amanda & Michael lower our food bags so we can make dinner.
Food must be hung high to ensure that hungry animals won't raid it at night!
(This includes the wily Jen.)

   We hiked all or part of these trails: Oak Leaf, Deer Track, Grouse, and Acorn. Click for more information about the park.

Day hiking

Brandon, Bob, Renee, Matthew & Jerry

Taking off on our 6-mile hike to Wilkins Spring and back

Checking the map...

A few artifacts of man on the trail...

Ken n Barby's missile silo?

Posing with an awesome zombie head & scripty Rick