Pictures of people, friends, and family.
Hike almost over — it’s just a short way from here, at the edge of the wilderness, to the registration point and parking lot. All in all, I hiked a tad under 19 miles and climbed 1,500 feet of elevation. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, February 2026.
Coffee and an (out of shot) Pop-Tart in my hammock. Eight o’clock and it’s warming up just a tad.
It got chilly last night – Day Three — not quite as bad as the forecast at 26°F. My plan worked, and I was too warm at times. 1 2
Gary at the Big Paddy Creek Scenic Overlook, Paddy Creek Wilderness — It was very windy up on the ridge, and the wind was quite chilly, which was nice as it was 82°F in the sun. This is another Ozarks view I never tire of. 3
Gary on the Big Piney Trail, Paddy Creek Wilderness, February 2026 — Time for another quick selfie. It’s after four pm, and I have a couple of miles left to go.
Start of trip selfie, Paddy Creek Wilderness — I’ve not taken one of these in ages, so why not? The only issue right now is that it is just after two pm, my campsite is seven miles away, and it gets dark between five and six. I’d better get moving!
Gary on the Cascade Creek Trail — Chalk Creek Canyon, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. Day 6 – Road Trip October 2025.
When did I grow old? It feels like I blinked, and suddenly I’ve aged — I was writing in my journal when I noticed how old my hands looked. I don’t feel older, but I now have my grandparents’ hands: the loose flesh, thin skin, age spots, and prominent veins.
Back at the trail junction — After three days spent exploring south of the Whites Creek Trail South Loop. 1
Gary at the Camp Five Pond Trailhead — It’s time for another visit to Irish Wilderness. This trip I’m going to abandon the main, Whites Creek Trail, and see if I can find some of the older trails, south of the Whites Creek Trail South Loop.
Ready for Day Three’s hike — Today’s hike should be a lot shorter than yesterday’s ten-plus miles. All the running I do and I’m still looking flabby.
Camped above Little Brazil Creek — Even two to three hundred yards from the creek, it is still scrubby. It took me far too long to find somewhere to hang my hammock yesterday.
Ooh! There was blood! A little bit of trailside First Aid was required. The cut was so small that it was hard to find where the blood was leaking from. 2
Berryman Trail — twenty-six miles to go. My plan is to spend a leisurely four days hiking those twenty-six miles.
End of Day Two’s hike — I’m stopping at ‘Paddy Creek Trolltunga’ tonight. +1
Gary at the end of Day Two’s hike.
Redistribution — After over a year of working out, I haven’t lost any weight, but it has moved around. My body fat percentage has dropped, and my muscle mass has increased slightly.
Another Pole (Pete) Hollow Trail junction cairn selfie — Well, it had to be done with some snow in the background.
First Breakfast (in the hammock). Yes, I am taking a page from the Hobbits’ playbook and having a first and second breakfast! One-minute read, +2
Keeping my nose and ears warm. I’m just out of bed, and I didn’t bother to remove the buff I use to keep my nose and ears warm while I sleep.
Waiting for ‘Snowmageddon’ — there’s five to seven inches in the forecast. Should be fun! (Plus, Day One stats.) +1
Hike over back at the Berryman Campground Trailhead.
Gary ready to start out on the last leg of the trip. Another three hours or so and I should be in my nice warm car heading home!
Breakfast treat, a Pop-Tart.