So today's map goes from bottom to top. Starting at the tent at the bottom and ending at the tent at the top. This morning we got better acquainted with Mark and Maria, a couple from Tulare who camped at Kern Hot Springs near us. Mark showed us some pretty nasty blisters on his feet and we compared plans as we found we were doing the exact same hike. They decided they might follow our same route and camp with us the rest of the way. You know me, I like people so I'm always happy to see a familiar face.
Today's hike was relatively easy. We walked along a mostly level trail following the Kern River. We walked a nice easy pace and before we knew it we had arrived at Junction Meadow. Upon our arrival we saw a note about a bear that had been pestering campers a bit and the ranger at the beginning of the hike told us that bears had been seen at this particular spot. Jerel's boys found some good fishing spots along the way while the rest of us stopped at Junction Meadow and laid out our mats for a nice nap. Jordan particularly loved fishing in this area and both he and Chase were fairly successful. They were nice enough to share their fish with us. Its always nice to have "real" food on the hike. The taste of fresh meat like that is just really yummy after eating freeze dried meals and granola bars.
Jordan and Jerel with their catches!
Chase, proud of his fish!
We finished hiking fairly early this day so we had lots of time to play and relax. Shad went and found a secluded place to read and nap. He looked up from his rock to find a juvenile black bear digging around in some bushes nearby. He quickly and quietly darted away and ran back to camp to tell us. Well this got the curiosity of the nephews going so they of course wanted to "go for a walk" aka hunt for the bear. I think it was Jordan who especially was into this but I can't say for sure. Who could blame him? Part of me was jealous that Shad saw the bear and I didn't.....remember...14!
Shad and Jonathan suddenly got the brilliant idea to climb up the mountain next to us. For some reason, on a day where we didn't have to hike much and had the opportunity to relax, they wanted to climb straight up a mountain. Me, well I can be talked into just about anything so since Shad was on board, I went too (I know...peer pressure). We climbed up a ways making noise as we went just in case that young bear happened to be hanging around. We never saw the bear but we saw some great views. Shad and Jonathan wanted to go clear to the top but I finally got them to see what nonsense that was since we were probably climbing that same mountain the next day.
At the top of our hike!!!
When we arrived back at camp, Jerel told us the young bear had dropped into the camp for a visit but quickly was scared away. By this time, our friends Mark and Maria had arrived and camped right next to us. It was just a nice day to relax and enjoy each other's company with the Kern river lazily flowing by. I remember enjoying the campfire that night and the hot chocolate was especially yummy!
Today's hike was relatively easy. We walked along a mostly level trail following the Kern River. We walked a nice easy pace and before we knew it we had arrived at Junction Meadow. Upon our arrival we saw a note about a bear that had been pestering campers a bit and the ranger at the beginning of the hike told us that bears had been seen at this particular spot. Jerel's boys found some good fishing spots along the way while the rest of us stopped at Junction Meadow and laid out our mats for a nice nap. Jordan particularly loved fishing in this area and both he and Chase were fairly successful. They were nice enough to share their fish with us. Its always nice to have "real" food on the hike. The taste of fresh meat like that is just really yummy after eating freeze dried meals and granola bars.
Jordan and Jerel with their catches!
Chase, proud of his fish!
A deer that was hangin around the meadow...can u see her?
Shad and Jonathan suddenly got the brilliant idea to climb up the mountain next to us. For some reason, on a day where we didn't have to hike much and had the opportunity to relax, they wanted to climb straight up a mountain. Me, well I can be talked into just about anything so since Shad was on board, I went too (I know...peer pressure). We climbed up a ways making noise as we went just in case that young bear happened to be hanging around. We never saw the bear but we saw some great views. Shad and Jonathan wanted to go clear to the top but I finally got them to see what nonsense that was since we were probably climbing that same mountain the next day.
At the top of our hike!!!
When we arrived back at camp, Jerel told us the young bear had dropped into the camp for a visit but quickly was scared away. By this time, our friends Mark and Maria had arrived and camped right next to us. It was just a nice day to relax and enjoy each other's company with the Kern river lazily flowing by. I remember enjoying the campfire that night and the hot chocolate was especially yummy!
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