Adirondacks

So I went on this backpacking trip. You might remember I mentioned I was going in October, but those plans fell through. We rescheduled for May, and one week ago I found myself in Lake Placid with my toilet paper wrapped in a baggie and all the essentials packed into a (relatively) small pack.

I've been struggling with what to say about this trip. It was awesome and intense. The hiking was much more technical that any of us had expected. There was some bouldering, lots of mud pits, places where we were essentially bushwhacking between trail markers, places where the trail itself was indistinguishable from the surrounding forest, very steep scrambles up and down very large rocks (Indian Pass, I'm looking at you), tons of stream crossings necessitating the use of fallen logs and well-placed rocks (24 on the last day alone), and very wet feet for certain of us.

People keep saying that it doesn't sound like much fun, but it was. I mean, the kind of fun the means carrying you toilet paper in a baggie and renting bear canisters. But the views were incredible. I think the best thing to do is let the pictures speak for themselves.

This is the trail. See it? Yeah, not so much.

This is also the trail. It looks like a semi-dried up stream bed because that is what it is.

I love trillium. They have a very delicate version in the Adirondacks.

The nature, it strives to make us feel insignificant.

Cooking dinner the first night. Thai Cashew Chicken. Yes, please.

1. Day 1 - Pristine New Boots, 2. Day 1 - First Sploodge, 3. Day 1 - Dampish, but not wet, 4. Day 2 - Very Wet and Squidgy, 5. Day 3 - Soggy and Sore, 6. Day 3 - Relief

An attempt to illustrate how to turn a pair of new boots into very wet, muddy boots. With the best part of any hike, getting the boots off and the feet in very cold water at the end of the day.

I am pretty much in love with all the moss. If I was a fairy, I would live among the many moss covered logs in the forest.

We found an Ent. They really do exist.

The water has this incredible dark stillness about it. I can't get enough. I'm a Michigan girl through and through. I miss the water when I can't have any.

Handknits in the wild. Shown are Owls and a hat I made before the blog from wool I brought back from Ireland. I think it was my first attempt at winging a pattern. And, yes, I am wearing a ridiculous number of layers here. It is cold! I've got on long underwear, a Smartwool pullover, and a chunky-knit sweater in addition to a hat, pants, and mittens. And I should point out that I'm not exactly warm here.

You want another lake and mountain picture. I know you do.

Oh, hey, that's not an outdoorsy picture! I decided I need to sewas pouch for my first-aid kit. I improvised this pattern to make a double pocketed zippered pouch that would fold up.

It turned out better that I expected. I didn't use any of the first aid except the ibuprofen.

Adirondack chairs at Heart Lake. I could sit here all day.