We'll be out on the trail for 4 days. We've had great help from some new trail angels. Catch up with our last four entries.
8-25-06
Start: .6 mi. from UT 211
Destination: Elephant Hill Trailhead, UT
Elevation: 5046 ft.
Miles: 12.1
Weather: Breezy, sunny
First things first. Grandpa, Grandma and Mary have nicknames - trail names. Grandpa has received the name "Ba-ha Grandpa" for his excellent driving skills along rough gravel, dirt and rocky jeep roads - with his Chevy Malibu (!). Grandma and the Motor Home have been named "Granny's Diner" for her really yummy meals - we are getting fed! We had dumplings and sauerkraut tonight for dinner - and these aren't no wimpy dumplings! They're heavy, and thick, and filling. They are the best, and I've never tasted any dumplings like these! And Mary has been dubbed as "Gopher" because she is everyone's go-fer. She helps out with everything - even spotting the daring jackrabbits as they dart out in front of Ba-ha Grandpa's car (not all have made it).
We hiked a quick day, visited the Canyonlands Visitor Center, and stayed busy all day. At about 4:00 we met with Troy. Troy is another trail angel that was helpful to us beyond comprehension. Talk about going above and beyond! Troy is the MAN! He works with Wilderness Quest. It's an alcohol/drug progaram - ever see "Brat Camp?" It's kind of like that. They work with younger kids and adults, bringing them into the desert wilderness and teaching them survival skills mixed with counseling. What a very cool job! It was fun talking to him.
In addition to that, he spent almost three hours with us. After our tough 2-day stretch running out of water, we were looking for any help we could get. The Ogema Bunch (Grandpa, Grandma, and Mary) found this guy - we have a great team working with us. Mom and I were nervous about our next stretch, and Troy offered to drop water for us. He got us great, super-detailed maps, highlighted springs along our route for emergency situations (they're a little off trail) picked out good water drop/camp locations, and worked through our route with us up until Hite. We're set with maps and water. In addition, he said after our four days, we have to call him - if we don't call by Wednesday, he's sending some guys in to look for us. And... he has some guys driving some of these roads, and is telling them to keep an eye out for us. AND... he gave us another water treatment option, electrolyte mix, and enough camp food for about a week! Now that is above and beyond! The kindness is overwhelming!
We are well taken care of here in Utah so far. I tell ya' - when we need it most, family shows up, Wisconsinite jeepers give us water, and guys like Troy step in and make sure we're not feeling alone out there. Cool!
It's made for some late nights, though. We're getting a little tired - this section is a lot of work. If we didn't have family here to fill in the gaps, we'd need to take days off. Once again, "thank you’s" just don't cut it.
10:15 pm - way past our bedtime! Our next stretch is four days in the wilderness, so hang tight, you'll hear from us soon! :) Wish us luck, and think about us!
P.S. An early congrats to Jamie and Eric - gettin' married tomorrow - wish I could be there! I will think about you all day tomorrow! Love ya' both and miss ya', too!
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