Bennett Lake Hike

Randy and I decided to do a short hike this morning. I thought, this is a good time to test hike my new gear. So last night I tried a couple different ways of packing the new pack and settled on a configuration that seemed most stable. It has the full bear canister on the outside top of the pack which seemed a little top heavy but I went ahead with that configuration for the hike. I was needlessly worried. The pack carried well. We hiked the Murphy Lake trail but only went as far as Bennett Lake. Round trip, only 2.6 miles. With the full bear canister and a full load of water, I'm guessing the pack is at 45 pounds. I still need to figure out how to carry the fuel for my cooking stove. I need to carry liquid denatured alcohol and the pack is already full. I'll just have to figure it out I guess.

My feet did OK. At this point in the afternoon, my left foot is pain free and the right heel hurts. I did work pretty hard at making sure I was stretching it so I think it just needs some time to heal. At any rate, I thing my newly revised orthotic inserts will do the trick. I am still considering a hiking boot that has more cushioning. My backpacking boots are great but they have no cushioning in them. I'll see how my feet react over the next week or so.

Gossamer Gear Tent Set Up

I had time this afternoon and the weather, for a change, was cooperating, so I set up my new Gossamer Gear Shelter. First, I had to cut the really cool light-weight cord they sent with the tent, to lengths indicated in the instructions. Then, I had to tie loops in each end of the cut cords. Not very noteworthy, you may be saying. It is to me cause I had to learn to tie a Bowline Knot to do it. Big pat on the back to me cause Randy taught me to do it on two tries! Anyway, I got all the lines attached to the tarp and took it outside with my new titanium tent pegs and my new carbon filament hiking poles and began to set the thing up. Well, it wasn't hard at all! It went up very quickly and I can see where it will do the trick pretty darn well. I still need to seal the seam that runs along the top of the shelter but there are few other seams and it won't take long at all.

Randy and I have decided to take a short hike tomorrow. Since I now have my bear canister and the majority of my gear, I decided to take my full pack. (I'm still short the stove fuel and a few other oddiments but no matter). Anyway, now I neede to pack the backpack. This is tough as the pack is narrow and I've given up durability for lightness. I tried putting the bear canister (full of food) in the bottom of the pack to keep the weight low to my hips. That doesn't really work cause I can't get all my stuff in the pack that way. So, I've settled on putting the sleeping bag in the bottom and all the rest fits inside. The sleeping mat is bundled into ties on the back of the pack length-wise and the bear canister is strapped to the top of the pack. I put the thing on and it feels like it's pulling backward from the top. I'll try it tomorrow and make adjustments after some experience.

Oh! And I went to the Orthotic guy today. He modified my inserts for me and I could immediately tell they were better. The 1/8 inch padding under the ball of my foot was indeed causing a problem. He has removed the padding and left the nahgahyde part which raised my foot only 1/16 or less. I can feel the insert cuddling up into my arch now. I suspect this will do the trick. I sure hope so anyway.

2006 Tour de Cure - Stillwater

I rode in yesterday's American Diabetes Association, Tour de Cure in Stillwater NY. I rode in the 25 mile ride. It was only the 3rd time this year I was on the bike but my efforts in the gym, despite a lack of miles on the bike, paid off. I had cramps in my thighs and calves but this morning, no pain at all. the weather was cool and overcast. Really, a good day for riding cause it wasn't blazing hot.

Today, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon, getting the rest of my garden planted. It's sunny and in the low 70's. It would be perfect except for the infestation of flies. For some reason this year, there are giant flies everywhere, making the whole of the outdoors, at least here, a horror show. At any rate, now everything is planted. I just hope it isn't too late. My tomatos are doing well. Small tomatos and lots of blossoms already on the plants. The eggplant and peppers are still recovering from transplant shock and the cold weather.

I need to get out and practice set up my new lightweight tent. First I may want to seal the seams. Since We have had nothing but poor weather, I should have had that done already. Oh well. I can start today as I won't get to setting it up for another couple of days. I go to the orthotic guy tomorrow and see if we can't get some relief for my right heel. It may be something I just have to suck up.