May 17th, 2016
Miles Hiked: 17
Total Miles: 351
Start Location: 413
End Location: 430
End Location GPS: 34.37956, -118.18905
We battled with the stupid Poodle Dog Bush all day. It was everywhere near the trail and hiding in secret places within other, less venomous plants. It required full attention to avoid each single one of these poisonous intruders. There could be no day dreaming or dilly-dallying. This was war.
As a result, this was probably the worst day on trail. We walked through a huge burn area and the trail was vastly overgrown with all manner of shrubs and plants. It was not easy or enjoyable to walk through this section. I think there are still several miles left of this burn area and poddle dog bush tommorrow. After that we will be out of the woods (well, not really, but you know what I mean).
Oh, and the wind is back. It took a short vacation but it is certainly back in the office, well rested and fed and viscous. It was a windy night last night and it will be windy again tonight. We are camped somewhere called Messenger Flats. It is a flat place in a saddle of sorts and acts as a wind tunnel. We found a somewhat sheltered area but are not out of the wind entirely. At this point I think I dislike the wind more than rain. Rain you can avoid, but wind is relentless. It just blows and blows and blows, and doesn’t give two shits about you. It is evil and a bully.
From Carolyn’s Journal:
