Running Repairs — I’ve always had a plan for dealing with broken shoes on the trail. But … that plan reckoned on the toe post breaking not the side posts. I did a bit of head scratching before I came up with this solution which lasted me the ten-plus miles I needed to hike to get back to the car.
Frosty Morning in Paddy Creek Wilderness — The temperature dropped to 19°F (-7°C) overnight. The predicted low was 28°F. Once again I was glad I changed my mind and packed my bigger and heavier 10°F quilts. 4
Paddy Creek — Day Two.
Spring with pools — I camped a short distance downstream from here where the hollow widened out letting me set up my hammock well away from the water sources.
Not where I expected to be, not what I expected to find, and some minor problems along the way — Finally I found a spring with lots of water. 3 2
Don’t take a step back …
Have a go at spotting my hammock — You should just be able to make it out. Center frame on the skyline!
Hammock Camping in Paddy Creek Wilderness — As it is going to be a short day in terms of mileage, I don’t have to rush to get on the trail. I took the time to light up my Firebox Nano stove for my morning coffee, breakfast, and a follow-up cuppa tea.
Morning view from my hammock — Day Two, Camped in Paddy Creek Wilderness.
Paddy Creek — Day One
Ooh, it fits! Camped in Paddy Creek Wilderness, at a spot I’ve nicknamed Paddy Creek Trolltunga. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, December 2023.
The well was dry — I was surprised to spy a rat at the bottom of the well.
Gary on the trail (and a new hat, too) — on the South Loop at the short cut junction. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, December 2023.
Sun burst through the trees — Taken on the South Loop at the short cut to the North Loop trail junction. I’m continuing on the South Loop — into the sun. It took me just over three-and-a-half hours to get here.
Not a lot of water — This is Little Paddy Creek. I’ve never seen it this low, it was not really running. That doesn’t bode well for my trip. And all the small springs I have passed so far have been dry too. 2
Roby Lake Trailhead — The Big Piney Trail, December 2023. And my plans for a four-day, three-night trip. Three-minute read, +1
Sunday morning therapy: cleaning — It’s good to push the keyboard away, get out the cleaning materials, and smell the G96 gun oil and Hoppes #9 gun bore cleaner while taking my time cleaning and checking my guns.
Trip: Destination — The Texas Gulf Coast. We are back on the road on the second of our shakedown trips in advance of some more serious travel next year. We are headed back to Texas. Beaumont, Texas to be precise, where we plan to work for five days, and then spend some time on a Texas Gulf Coast beach before returning home. Album: 8 31
Norfork Lookout Point. Overlooking the North Fork River, Arkansas.
Norfork Lookout Point. Overlooking the North Fork River, Arkansas
Norfork Lookout Point. Overlooking the North Fork River, Arkansas.
Norfork Dam, Arkansas. Dam number two in our Double Dam Day. It is not a very photogenic dam, and rather uninspiring. To its credit there is a campground downstream, which seems to be popular with the fishing fraternity. +1
White River at Allison, Arkansas.
Bridge over Sylamore Creek, Allison, Arkansas.