The Hike

So then, we went into the Gila Wilderness. We saw the cliff dwellings, which you are allowed to walk through which is pretty cool. Of course the real fun was packing into the Gila. We hiked in through the middle fork route. It was 6 miles from the trail head to the mouth of little bear canyon, which is where we made camp for the night. It was really cool, at points the trail was over grown. There were about 36 river crossings for those 6 miles. The river was cool, not overly cold and the crossings ranged from a few inches to about knee deep. So we ended up hiking with wet soggy boots. It wasn't too bad, it was warm so the cold water didn't feel too bad.

At the mouth of Little Bear Canyon we set up our camp, it started to sprinkle and there was some thunder. After a short break the weather let up a bit and we set out to the hot springs. It was 2 miles out and it took a bit and 14 more river crossings but we got to Jordan Hot Springs. It was more like warm bath water than a hot spring, but it was still nice to relax a bit. But you can't dunk your head, cause there are ameobas that will cause menegitis. So after a bit of a soak we headed home and made it back to the camp. Since we had a bit of a fire ring we had a bit of a fire and had dinner.

The next morning we got up had breakfast and set out through the canyon. It was 4 miles back to the road and then 3/4 of a mile back to were we parked. We got back to the car and visited a few more people that were camping in the area. Then we headed home and just made it in time for mass.

So then for starters we were testing out the new water filter. We got an MSR Miniworks and it is great. It takes a bit of effort to pump and I think that about a gallon is all that I want to pump at one given time. But the water tastes really great. So I would definetly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a filter. Also I was trying out backpacking in a kilt. It really worked out well. It was nice, so again, if you haven't tried it out, give it a shot. Lastly Stella tryed out her new therma-rest. She really enjoyed it, said it was comfy, so all around things were good.

Back

ok, i survived the Gila. the route we took in had 50 river crossings. I'll see about putting up some pics. And since i'm tired i'll post more on it later.

Tomorrow

So then...tomorrow my next packing trip is tomorrow. I will be trying out the new water filter. Also....wait for it...wait for it...will try out backpacking in a kilt! prepare to be amazed! More to come.

Tada!

So then... I was up in the mountians camping this past weekend. And last weekend, and the weekend before. Also I will be camping next weekend. I must say it was nice and cool up there. It is odd to live in a place where you can be in the mountains and it can be hailing. Then you drive 20 minutes and you are in the basin and it is atleast 80 degrees and sunny.

But I have completed my woodbadge course and in between hit up an ordeal weekend. Next weekend will be backpacking with Stella in the Gila wilderness. We are going to see about finding one of the hotsprings out there. Now, i've seen some stuffs about backpacking in kilts, so I might attempt to try that out. Seeing as how i own one.

Also it would seem that REI is having a sale, so I am looking at getting a water purifer. Seeing as how i have not one of those. And we need to see about a new pad for Stella.

Lastly I think it is time to post some pictures!

A post

Yes, I have not posted for a while, but i'm not dead yet. I've been down to Florida a few times, then out to WV and then home for a bit. Spent a weekend in Wisconsin, and now home again. I'll probably post more later, but for now I'm gonna rest.

Eat Your Way Through Disney Tour

Well then, I am now back to the Friendliest Place on Earth (From the Happiest Place on Earth).  And I must say that the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan can be a grand thing.  The only problem is it seems that all we did was eat.  But we ate amazingly well.

Day 1: Flew in so only 1 meal, Grand Gathering for Illuminations

They had a buffet from stuff all over the world, so there was much sampling.  The Canadian cheese soup was really good.  Then we got to go and watch Illuminations, was a very good time.

Day 2: Breakfast: Character Breakfast at Tony's (Magic Kingdom)  We got to get into the park a bit early to make this reservation.  Got to see Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy and Goofy (who it seems I am as tall as).  They had breakfast pastries, eggs, sauage, bacon, hash browns, and waffles.  

Lunch: Another character meal, this one at the Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)  This time we saw Pooh and Tigger and Piglet and Eeyore, they gave us an anniversary card.  Another buffet, I had some chicken nuggets and pizza some veggies and pork tenderloin.  Then Max got a cake and we had that for desert.

Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom) [No Characters]  This one they brought out bread and green beans, mashed potatos, ham, turkey, gravy and mac and cheese.  Then apple cobbler and ice cream for desert.  We sat in the Jefferson Room

Day 3: No Breakfast, saving meal points

Lunch: Rose and Crown (Pub in the England Pavilion of EPCOT)  I had the cheese platter appetizer, shepards pie and I forget the desert (i think it was some form of a cake).  Oh yes, and the Imperial Sampler - 6 different British Beers.  It was good stuff.

Dinner: Teppan Edo (Japanese Pavilion of EPCOT)  I had the seaweed salad with ginger dressing, the steak and chicken and green tea pudding for desert.  It was all very good, but we were soaking wet cause of the rain.

Day 4: Breakfast at the Tusker House (Animal Kingdom) Another character meal, we saw Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Mickey.  Another buffet, had some more eggs, biscuit and gravy and some ham.  Plus they had Pineapple Orange Guava juice which was really good.

Lunch: Yak and Yeti (Animal Kingdom)  I had pork egg rolls, the Mahi Mahi and fried wontons.  It was a really neat restaruent and the food was really good.

Dinner: Safari Grand Gathering (Animal Kingdom)  Went on the Safari ride and the then to the tusker house for another buffet.  I don't really remember what all they had, but it was good.  The also brought out a spider and owl for everyone to see and Timon and Raffiki stopped by.

Day 5:Breakfast at Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) More of the juice from the previous breakfast and a buffet.  Mostly had a crossiant and some fruit.

Lunch: Mama Melrose (Hollywood Studios) A little Italian style place.  I had a Caesar Salad and a pepperoni pizza with Gelato for desert.  

Dinner: Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Polynesian Resort).  We had pineapple and salad with sweet bread, followed by barbeque ribs and chicken with rice and a cake thingie for desert.  Plus we had Pelea Fire Punch in a coconut monkey.  And the traditional dances were really cool to watch as well.

Day 6: Breakfast at the Kona Cafe (Polynesian Resort).  Another character meal, this time we saw Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch.  They brought out more of the juice and a big skillet with eggs, bacon, sauage and potato wedges.  And I got a picture with Stitch.

Lunch: Marrakesh (Morroco Pavilion at EPCOT)  I had roast lamb and Marrakesh delight.  And they had really good mint tea.  

Dinner: Le Cellier (Canada Pavillion at EPCOT) I had a spicy chicken sauage and then veal for my dinner.  Had a nice Chardonnay with it.  Also my little brother proposed and she said Yes.

Day 7: No breakfast, went to Mass instead.

Lunch: Chefs de France (French Pavillion at EPCOT)  I had another cheese plate, sampled the escargo (nick ordered it) and then had the ham and cheese sandwhich.  It was good stuffs.

Dinner:  Went to Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge) [As a point of order I think the Wilderness Lodge looks amazing and would love to stay there, perhaps in a december setting]  We had a gewuritanmer then I had venison pot stickers (with a chardonney)  wild boar tenderloin (with a merlot) and berries in a muscat (with an ice wine chardonney).  Since it was our anniversary they gave us copies of the menu with an anniversary message printed on them, plus a certificate.  It was really nice.

Then finally we returned home, very very full.

Disney

So then.. I went to disney with the family and we ate our way through Disney World.  The deluxe dining plan was wonderful, but we ate so very much.  Currently in the airport waiting to go home, kinda tired.  I'm sure that I'll post more later.

Happy Memorial Day to All.

Happy Towel Day!!