Mayfield to Staveley (12.45 miles/20.0 kms)

Woke up to a cold 48 degrees and everything in the tent was moist, no wet. I guess I can’t have it prefect but getting up when it’s cold is always a little harder for me, especially if I’ve had a good sleep like last night.

Today is my 68th birthday here, and tomorrow there. Thank you! Little could I have imagined that fifty years ago when my lifetime friend, Dave Carlson, took me backpacking in the Angeles National Forest above Los Angeles, that I would still be trekking fifty years later. I am thankful for that. I can’t say that I’ve always continued to hike and trek, because six or seven years ago when I wasn’t backpacking because of my back, I found myself wishing I didn’t have a bad back, or wishing I was younger, or wishing I could do all those things I saw younger people do. It took an awakening in me, along with several events in my life, and support, that made me realize that the only thing that was stopping me from doing those things that I loved was me. I had to change the way I was thinking, and instead of thinking of reasons why I could not something, I had to think of of ways how and why I could do something. One of those of course was finding the Wheelie. Sorry to go on with that but that was my birthday speech. Ha ha!

My attempt to get an early start didn’t happen because I spent some much time wiping everything dry, or at least trying. There was a speaker on a pole on the other side of the fence and starting at 7:00 they were already announcing the shown contests. That was my accompanying entertainment for the morning.

I had planned to eat what I had for breakfast and decided I might need the food for the next two days, so stopped at the little cafe in town. That added time to my start, but I was also able to have the owner make me a fresh sandwich for lunch. I left at about 9:00, which is late.

Just as I was leaving I ran into a young American couple in the cafe that were taking three months to tour both islands on their bikes. About an hour later I stopped and talk to another young German couple that were doing the thing but for a shorter time. It is the bicycle riders that I have the most in common with and unfortunately I don’t see them again.

Sometimes I think how much nicer it would be to ride a bike as it makes finding food, water, and accommodations so much easier. Need water, oh I’ll ride another 10-15 miles. Walking, a whole day! Maybe when I am eighty I’ll ride a bike, if walking is harder for me them?

It was cold in the morning and stayed in the low sixties all day, which was great weather for trekking. There was a little traffic but it all appeared to be going to Mayfield for the fair because once I got out of town traffic almost disappeared.

I had a good rhythm going because the cool weather, little traffic, and level road. On days like this, when I feel a natural rhythm and stride, I could easily walk 20 or more miles, but I have to listen to my voice of reason and stop when I find a good place to stay.

The scenery started to change as the road followed the valley along edge of the mountains. In the distance I could see some snow on the higher peaks that must have fallen the last two days. I passed Mount Somers which has a snow ski area. The road also crossed several small streams and the scenery was changing to a more mountainous look.

As I passed the little community of Mount Somers, a cute little cottage style house caught my eve and then I noticed a sign on the property. It was noted as the old school house built in 1876, and is now a residence with accommodations. Being that we live in an old school house built in 1895, I of course was interested in seeing it. So I knocked on the front door and introduced myself to an older couple. They told me the original school had been moved to town in the 1900s, and then burned down. But, the house that the school master lived in was part of their existing house, and some of the original features of the school were still there, like the brick well near the front door.

During our conversation they mentioned that it was going to rain again, and it was going to get colder! Oh, and by the way, what accommodations do you have? One that would make this trekker happy? Yes, one cute little cabin, but it’s rented for the night. Darn!

That’s something I didn’t want to hear after spending two days drying out my tent and stuff. I walked many, many days in the pouring rain in Spain but I knew there was always a dry place to stay at the end of the day. It takes me about two hours to get ready and pack up, and when it’s wet it adds at least another hour, which I’d rather use trekking.

My original plan was to possibly stay at the only lodge in Staveley, the next community. I had called last night and was told they were no longer in business. However, the couple told me to ask at the Staveley Store as there might be other places to stay. So off I went to Staveley.

Just about a mile from Staveley I came across a large rest area. Most here are very small, with no picnic tables, and even with signs asking you not to leave trash. This one was right on the Bowyers Stream and looked like a large campground. I walked past it and crossed the bridge, then I stopped and thought about it? If there was no lodging in Staveley where would I go? Maybe miles further before I might find a camp spot? So my voice of reason said, go back! I turned around and found a nice spot overlooking the river.

Looking at the Google map now it shows it as a camp ground, yet the sign notes it as a rest stop, but either way it’s nice. It is several acres and has a gravel road that goes down to the river.

I spread out my sleeping bag, and then turned my tent inside out to dry throughly. I set it up so I had a view of the river out of my window and I can clearly hear the water below.

It’s been three days since I had a bath and I was dying for one. I gathered all my toiletries and went down to the river, stripped myself down to my underpants and had my bath. It was a little cool but it felt great to stand there and shampoo my hair and soap myself up with a bar of peppermint soap. I felt and smelled like a new man. Those baby wipes are good for an occasion but there is nothing like a cool river bath. Ahhhhh!

When I got back to my site I was shocked by the little motorhomes, at least six, all circled around on the grass like an old western wagon train. Not more than twenty minutes later about thirty Harley Davidson motorcycles showed up. They were there for some kind of gathering and left after a few hours. If these motorhomes had been here originally I might not have stopped. So I guess my karma was with me because I like this spot and really enjoyed my river bath!

Oh yes, my bursa sack swelling seems to have gone down a bit. I actually got a call back from our family doctor, Thomas McBreen, yesterday. I told him what I had and he recommended taking ibuprofen to reduce the swelling, not to use my arm (ain’t happening doc, I use trekking poles), and wrap it with an ace type athletic bandage. He said if it got bigger to find a doctor and possible have it drained. Well, ibuprofen I had, but there is no big town for a doctor, or pharmacy for the wrap, within days of walking. I tried using my compression sock but it was too tight that I would have lost my arm due to the lack of circulation. However, I remembered, how stupid of me to forget, that I had used two neoprene elbow braces as extra padding on the Wheelie hip strap. I have had those for a few years and used them because the waist straps were iterating my hips. Wow, you ask for something and it’s there! I started using it right after I talked to Dr. McBreen.

So my tent and sleeping bag are all dry and I am cozy and comfortable in my cocoon tonight. I hear the birds outside the tent, along with the soothing sound of the running river. I will be cozy read my book after finishing my blog. I’ll hope and pray that I don’t wake to the sound of rain in the morning. But if I do, I’ll just settle in and read my book. One day at a time.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Please excuse the typos, spelling, grammar, etc., as I am typing this on my phone, and I am probably pretty tired.