4-27-06
Start: Garden of the Gods, IN (R2R)
Destination: Lusk Creek, IN (R2R)
Miles: 15.2
Weather: Low 70s-ish, great!
We got off to a late start today, but got so much done. After we were finally done putzing around, John first brought us for a sandwich then drove us to our drop spot at Garden of the Gods.
It was truly a heartfelt farewell. There seems to be something about John that really stuck with me. The way he talked about nature and his found love for hiking really hit home. John really rejuvenated our spirits. Before we left, he asked us to walk into the forest just a little ways where there was a really pretty green canopy of trees over us. We stood in a circle and joined hands as he said a little prayer for us. There just seemed to be something about that moment that pushed us on.
So as we hiked, we giggled, talked about things that didn't make sense, and stopped every so often to really enjoy things. There were some really pretty rock formations, and mom and I were on a roll looking for faces and animal shapes. John showed us some very cool photos of some he's seen in the area - some carved into the rock, and some painted with lichens. So we were revved up on that - it was a lot of fun.
We walked by a very strange sculpture in someone's yard and began some theories of its uses. We decided it was a signal to tell miniature aliens where to land so they could enjoy the huge underground community we were walking over. And the reason we were walking up a huge hill was because the aliens needed headroom for roller coasters and waterslides. We sure had that one figured out!
We also discussed where the word "toe" was derived from. We couldn't figure that out, but we decided that "foot" must have started because someone's foot was 12" long, so they called it a foot. Then we wondered why toes weren't a form of measurement - and we agreed they should be. "Hey, Bob! I caught a 10-toe carp yesterday!" We laughed until our guts hurt. Say the word "toe" about 12 times then see if it seems like a weird word. We did that with tongue, too. Now that's a strange word.
So back to our giddy, silly selves, we hiked to a cute little spot by a stream (Lusk Creek), and set up camp. Mom started a little fire and we ate dinner. Tonight's gourmet dish was broccoli and cheese pasta with tuna and BBQ potato chips crumbled up on top. It was delightful! Mom first added the chips as I looked at her like she was crazy - then I tried it - Mmmm! Oooh, and really good chocolate from Aunt Lee and Aunt Karen for dessert.
We're now off to sleep to the sound of a whippoorwill.
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