Powerless

Wednesday was a low solar index, I couldn't keep my hot spot charged, I used my tablets power up waiting to charge my hot spot. So you have not heared as much from me.
The veiw was lovely, and while it rained on and off it wasn't too cold. The first night the rain seeped in a little but not bad Wednesday I rested, played with my dog who also rested, talked to people listened to an audio book (using up my batteries) and tried to keep stuff dry. My poncho is translucent clear so it was covering me the picnic tabletop my dog and stuff. And it worked a little on letting light to the panel.
The next night was a little wetter still not too cold but alot more got damp. Fortunately l had a dry pair of socks, my clothes dried on my body as I broke camp slowly having my usual 2 cups of coffee, I heated the water with bark from the dry side of a cottenwood and used solid fuel tablets to start it. It was pleasing I should talk more about food, later.
I started out and walked the final 7 miles taking my time and stopping to rest periodically. I should note the ped trails in cb are in exelent condition and senic and seem fairly safe, not once did I have to use the pepper spray or the machete. I have two deep blisters one on the inside of each heel that don't want to pop, a minor discomfort.
I'm kicked back at home now clean, dry and fed, feet up, shoes pass, backpack fails, I need an external frame because I have wide shoulders and the narrow set straps dig into my shoulders.
22 miles this week, feels like more, 32 for may so I think a goal of 40 for june is reasonable. So there it is, goal for June 40 miles with pack and dog, if I succeed July can be 50. Stay tuned.

At Manawa

This is such a peaceful place and I am so sore, right now I feel like staying 2 days.
I traveled 6.3 miles today, I used almost all my water getting here, it was rather warm today

Change of plans

I think I will take the trail to lake manawa. It will be more hiker friendly, and senic too and has actual camping. After that I can follow the river back to the car. 10 miles seems my limit for  a day at this time.

10 miles and ready to play

Started at Joslyn rd near cresent, someone found my wallet back in cresent so I had to walk an extra mile or so, followed monument road up to Lewis and Clark monument, and straight back down to big lake park.
We then proceeded to Baylis park rested a while then went to my Freinds who are at Grove Massage. Great massage and reasonable price, my shoulders feel better. I do need a different backpack, an external frame I think. Tom's email is MassageGrove@cloud.com

130$ shoes 16$ socks 50$ long johns

Just like in fashion the wrong outfit will ruin your day, Merrell wide width so my pinky toe isn't squished waterproof and good support. Smart Wool socks keep cool and dry and Onyx XSystem base layer to keep me dry and unfunky. If I can make it 10 miles wet feet, pinky toe squished, sweaty undies chafing, I know I can make it 20 whithout these issues. I also followed the advice of a fellow hiker, and got a camel back pouch, it fits in my back pack also I shaved 5 more pounds off and balanced my load better.

Turning around

I need better shoes

Yeah... I got 5 miles out enjoyed the view and went back home, feet sore from a number of factors, wet from wet grass, cheap shoes squishing pinky toe, pack is still too heavy, by 5 pounds and weight distribution can be better, pavement is hard to walk on, no trails for walking. Also, highways are dangerous places to walk. I think I will rest a while, drive there camp the night and explore tomorrow. I met an avid hiker named troy who retrieved a water bottle I dropped, he was driving, he gave me a couple of pointers that will help.

We are off

Leaving Arlington NE 6:30am eta 4:30pm

Trial trail

Dead timber state rec area and wma is my first backpacking expedition, it is 32 miles by google walking directions but that route is a little round about for me, I will be staying to the gravel and dirt just east of the elkhorn river, the roads will go north and west and northwest only no back tracking, I checked the satelite images to be sure. I'm leaving Monday and debating to return Tuesday or Wednesday since I may want to fish.

Power

I found it at Harbor Freight, it's sufficient to charge my hotspot and my tablet it's flexible, I can attach it to the top of my pack and charge as I go.

Most of my pack

Lets see tent, sleeping mat, backpack, cooler, hat, 2 colapsed canteens and 1 pink citronella bug spray bottle, citronella camp wash, mole skin bandages, ice packs, back packing stove plus about 40 solid fuel tablets, solar cell batteries charger hot spot galaxy tab 2, mess kit assorted tape water purfifier kit plastic sheet, lasso (shortenened for sinching plastic to carry water), lighter, egg carton, tripod chair, coffee press/travel mug, compass, butt pack with water bottles so Lightning can carry his own food and water. Not shown, sleeping bag (at work), various food items like rice, beans, ramen noodles, cliff bars, shelf stable meat and cheese, flat bread and tortillas.

Check it off

I'm in the process of moving and collecting items I can carry, at the seminar I learned some things travel light, mole skin bandades for blisters and a camp stove can be made from a can and fueled with alcohol. I also learned that you can spend a lot of money but don't have to, I found a solar usb recharger at menarrd's for under 20$ I decided on the self inflating mat so I dont need to buy an inflator, and a kids tent is big enough for the dog and I, a compass, a canteen cook ware and cutlery, a chopsaw machette, all I need is a light weight heavy duty chair and enough food, I will have a more precice list before I start but I'm pretty much settled on what to take. I switched to verizon they have better rural coverage.

Walk it off

This year I will be hiking and camping a great deal. to start I will be attending a relevent lecture by a couple that are already doing that, Here is their website,it will be this Wednesday at Canfields Sporting goods. my carreer arrangement allows for 5 day weekends so in May I will make four overnight sojourns followed by a 5 day hiking trip starting Memorial Day in Cresent IA and ending Back home in Elkhorn NE generally following the Loess Hills to the Wabash Trace as far as time will allow my return by Friday. My only companion so far is my dog, Lightning. He is a 7 year old tireless german shorthair pointer, who motivates everyone he meets by fetching for them. I will be posting our adventures here along with pictures you may want to subscribe so you don't miss anything, your comments are welcome.

Dan