Three generations of Vicky's backpacks: my old 6 LB Lowe,my  fantastic new Gossamer Gear Mariposa,  my PCT Gossamer Gear pack.

On Saturday my new pack came in the mail, what an inspired Backpack. It's as if the designers at Gossamer Gear were listening to my every wish.  My last pack had a few things I wished could change, a tougher fabric, better tie down system and belt pockets that didn't twist the belt all  up every time I put on my pack.  

The new pack has a super clever tie down system that even has a zippered pocket.  Such Luxury! The hipbelt has integrated pockets and seems much tougher than my last Gossamer Gear pack.    I do miss being able to put my socks in my straps.

Kevin and I went on a 10 mile day hike in beautiful spring weather.  I loaded my new grey checked Mariposa up with my Marmot bag, thermarest, kitchen, an old North Face tarp shelter, tyvek ground cloth and lunch with a 1/2 gallon of water.  15 lbs with my base weight plus.  We were hiking on the Zaleski  Backpacking trail in Ohio's Zaleski State Forest.  It was lovely hiking through the  blooming red buds and dogwoods.  It was also great leaving the kids at home.

 

Spring is Here!

This Saturday we went for hike on the Rockhouse trail.  In between the area that looks down on the Athens Mall and the Blue Ash Cave the wildflowers were abundant.  There were many Dutchmans britches, both yellow and purple violets, and a riot of blue bells.

You can Join me on this trail Thursday at 5:00 PM at the OU credit Union Trailhead.

 Lets go find some flowers!

Dutchmans Britches on the Rockhouse Trail
Saturday April 14

Kevin Jay and Aunt Laurie in Boulder Cove

Blue Ash Cave

If you can get a chance to hike the trail this week it might be our flower peak!

Swing

Sick of snow pix? try these

My best friend Chris Fahl and I took our two sons to Georgia to the Okeefenokee Swamp and the Cumberland National Sea shore for Spring Break.

               We had a very rainy drive down to the Florida Georgia Border.  By the time we got to the ranger station the sky was clearing and we had beautiful weather the whole rest of the trip.

 We rented a two person kayak and a canoe.  Rowan and I started in the kayak, while Chris and Jay took the canoe.  We paddled to a chickee called Minnies Lake as Rowan and I turned into the campsite there was a 14 foot long alligator sunning on a log 3 feet from our campsite.

 This place was so full of alligators the Chris dubbed it 30 A.P.H.  alligators per hour

 our two tents fit easily on the deck.

 Jay and Rowan took the two boats out and had a naval battle with water plants.

 The second day Chris and I kayaked and the boys canoed. Chris is a fabulous companion for a trip like this.  We paddled to Mixons hammock.  A hammock down south is a patch of woods.  We camped on land that night and the kids had fun building a shelter from branches and spanish moss

 On the third day we paddled out the same dock we started from. Next stop was Cumberland Island Island National Seashore about 35 miles from the swamp.  We took a hiker ferry to the island.  a Carnegie family donation made this piece of heaven into a national Seashore.  There are still private property on the island but it has lots of designated wilderness, wild horses, armadillos and an enormous empty beach.  We camped at a semi developed campsite. 

 The live Oaks are ginormous!