Self Portrait

Pictures of me, taken by myself. I tend to go with the official (365 Days) definition of a self portrait: “A self portrait is a photo of yourself taken by you” … “The main thing is that you are both the photographer and the subject.”

Keeping my feet warm at 26°F — A change of plan, I decided to hike the five or six miles back to the trailhead and go home. I ought to be able to finish the trip before it gets dark.

Wrapped up warm for a cold hike — I’m going off in search of a trail that I’m sure runs from where I’m camped near Little Paddy Creek to the North Loop. Then I plan to look for a better campsite at ‘Spring Hollow’.

Gary at the Big Paddy Creek Scenic Overlook.

Atlantic View.

A change of plan — Here I am enjoying the sunset and beer on the deck at the cottage.

Gary at Piney Creek Wilderness — I spent most of my time sitting and watching the lake and trees, with the occasional swim to cool down, which was exactly what I wanted to do.

Back at my Lakeside Retreat — Time for five days R&R by Table Rock Lake. +2

Another Hat — I bought myself something with a large brim that was also lightweight and airy for the summer.

It’s that trail cairn again — By one-thirty I had camp squared away, and I started an uneventful hike back to the trailhead. +2

Jus’ Chilling — The six-mile hike back to the trailhead should only take three to four hours (depending on if I stop for lunch), so I can sit back, take it easy, and enjoy the forest for a while. +1

End of hike selfie — I Hiked over twenty-two miles in two-and-a-half days. I’m happy with that. Three-minute read, +1

Morning Coffee, camped off of the Big Piney Trail.

Uh oh! — Pills out on the trail can only mean one thing. Yup, the dreaded AFIB has struck again. Going as slow as I could and taking a rest at what seemed like every few yards, it was still a struggle to bring and keep my heart rate down, and impossible to get it to settle into a regular rhythm.

Long way down.

New hiking Sandals — I’m not sure when they stopped calling shoes like these huaraches, but sandals seems to be the current nomenclature. These are Bedrock Cairn Evo PRO Sandals. So far, I am much preferring these to my Luna sandals.

Abandoned Homestead Ruins, Paddy Creek Wilderness — Taking advantage of some cell phone reception I sent Ginger this picture taken by the old chimney breast at the junction of the South Loop and the shortcut to the North Loop.

Checked in and ready to go — I got away without any major delays, and here I am at eleven-thirty all ready to hit the trail.

Finally seeing results — I’ve been regularly exercising for around and hour a day, five days a week for three months now. I read that it takes a lot longer to get results when you get to a ‘certain age,’ and so it has. This week, for the first time the body fat percentage has dropped into the green.

Heading Home — I remembered to take an end of hike selfie just before I left the trailhead parking lot. Two-minute read.

Back at my home from home — Taking a selfie when I get to the lake has become another Piney Creek Tradition.

Stopped for Lunch by Piney Creek — I thought this was the spot we stopped for lunch on 11-11-2011, but it was probably the next creek crossing. +1

Loop Finished — And I’ll admit the trail kicked my butt. I wasn’t as fit as I thought I was, and my heart deciding to throw a wobbly at the end of day three didn’t help.

Breakfast in my hammock. Irish Wilderness, Missouri

All this bushwhacking is scratching up my feet and legs.

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