4-14-06
Start: Lotticks Corner Rd., IN
Destination: Indian Creek Shelter (Adventure Hiking Trail), IN
Miles: 21.4
Weather: Hot! Humid!
Karen dropped us off on Lotticks Corner Rd., and we started to hike. It was about 8:30 a.m. and the breeze against our faces was already warm. I had a very tough time waking up this morning. The first thing we did when we got to New Middletown was get a cup of coffee. We laid in the grass in the shade from the building to relax before we set out again.
We were headed to Corydon, IN, where we planned to meet up with Chris from the Corydon Democrat Newspaper. We also had some grocery items to pick up. On the way I called to talk to Jamie, Pam, and Sarah - and we missed our turn while I was jabbering away. But it wasn't a big deal at all. We ended up on Hwy 62, and it brought us right into Corydon. The first business we passed was Gerdon Auto Sales. Two guys were standing outside and one hollered over, "Where ya goin?" "California!" we hollered back. "Well, come on in to cool off and get a soda!" So we turned towards the A/C and cold drink with no question.
We then met up with Chris, did an interview, and afterwards we grabbed a quick lunch. We head out of town knowing time and daylight were quickly becoming an issue. If we wanted to get to the shelter, we had to start bookin' it. We swung into a little grocery store - we got everything we needed except for sunscreen, of which I was completely out. Then we went to the gas station. We used the restroom, stuffed our groceries in every nook and cranny we could find in our backpacks, and got onto Old Forest Rd.
It was at least 87 degrees. It was humid on top of that, and we were on a paved road with a lot of hills and curves and traffic that likes to go very fast. So we just trudged on in the heat, determined to get on the Adventure Hiking Trail, and determined to get to our shelter.
We had about 4 miles to go, and were feeling desperate - then three guys on ATVs came up the road and pulled over to talk to us. They were really cool guys - get this - they offered us a ride to our trailhead, and we turned it down!! Jeff, we're officially crazy! :) (And if the ATV guys are reading this, we never saw the bar you were talking about, so we didn't see Mary, and I guess you owe us a drink!) These guys told us about a bar that was near our turn, but I think our trail turned in too early. We were going to fill up with water there, but we ended up stopping to filter water.
And if the little gray sticks sticking out of the ground with clumps of three shiny greenish-reddish leaves is poison ivy... we are doomed. The entire forest floor is absolutely covered with it. We're hoping the small dose mom got earlier will help a second round not be so bad. We'll find out soon, I suppose.
We ended up walking until almost 9:00 p.m. to get to our shelter, but we made it. What a long, hot day. It was a tough one, but we're glad we made it. Mom cooked up some mighty Ramen for dinner, and we had some Girl Scout cookies that Kinsey gave us for dessert. And we're looking forward to the sunrise tomorrow - we're up on a ridge with a very pretty and open view over the Indian Creek Valley - facing east.
Hopefully we can sleep in the heat. What a transition! Can it really be April? I really do love this weather. It's difficult to walk in, though. I can't seem to get enough water or sunscreen. But we can't really complain much - at least it's not freezing cold - like Dolly Sods!
10:22 pm - way past my bedtime... off to dream of perfect hiking weather. :)
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