We made copies of the adjusted roster at 11 am on Friday and a short time late we got a call from Amanda. Her step daughter had a seizure at school and she had to go to the hospital. Of course! She was terrified and so upset. We moved her group to hike with us because we also found out that morning that one of the hikers is on eleven medications! We had to be certain she took all of those meds.
In the last hour on Saturday, Mike's group was hit by a double whammy. One boy who had been struggling terribly because of a too-big pack experienced an asthma attack. Fortunately, Sean was right there and the boy was prepared with his inhaler. No doubt it was induced by the exertion from the long eight mile journey. He has a big tummy and his hip belt will not stay on his hips, so all the weight of his pack pulls on his shoulders. It was safer for Mike to send him out with Rick for the last mile.
The most unusual report came to us at the very end. It seems that one of the 8th grade girls was wearing a naval ring and it got torn out by her hip belt. Why on earth would any parent let a 13 year old girl get a naval piercing? And why wear it on a backpacking trip? Sean couldn't do anything but put a piece of gauze over the laceration.
Slippery, thick mud plagued the entire trip. We skipped the descent into the gorge for the first time because of the dangerous conditions. It's a shame because it's such a valuable experience for the kids, one they are unlikely to have opportunity to do again. On the other hand, we had time to walk about eight miles so they got a sense of what the four day hike will be like. All four groups reached the power line right of way off Glasgow Rd. for the first time in many years.
By 4:20, we were driving out of the park! Usually, we have to wait around for parents to arrive. In another hour, we were nearly unconscious with exhaustion. Steve's knees and shoulders were killing him. For me, it was a pounding headache and throbbing feet. I don't think we've ever been so tired after a two day hike. Of course, we started out tired and then didn't sleep over Friday night. Usually, we are able to bounce back for the four day, and I hope that's the case this year, too.
Today was a whirl of laundry, cleaning and vacuuming. Three loads of cook bags, one of gloves and one of stuff sacks for pots and pans. Then I ran a cleaning solution through the machine to clean out all the mud before we did another five loads of our laundry. While we were gone, Paddy spent the day and maybe the night, outside under the shed. He came home filthy, just like us. So of course, I had to wash the kitchen floor, too.
Evan called this morning to tell us about his week. He is so happy! It is so gratifying to hear the joy and excitement in his voice and to know that now he has security. Then, Colin called this evening to wish me a happy mother's day! Although a little early, it was wonderful to talk to two of our sons today.
Boot-sucking mud!
Brie and Chris
Couldn't do this without these folks!
Brigitte and Tyler
Find the boat on the spillway!
This devoted momma is still on her nest. I'll bet that by the time we return on May 17, the eggs will have hatched and the babies will have fledged.
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