Given the proximity of both of us to the store on 7/23, it's entirely possible we may have seen each other, but not recognized each other. CaT
Undoubtedly. Barb and I were mostly planted at one of the picnic tables by the store windows from 9 am till 9 pm that Saturday, while Brianne helped out Doug and Earlene in the store (for 12 straight hours during their busiest day of the season so far - maybe she's actually learning a work ethic). When Laura showed up Saturday evening, she was talking about several different things at once in her usual high-octane manner - I got the David/TOF/Trailhead piece, but there was also mention of a note left under her wipers. Guess I mistakenly mixed the two up. Glad you guys got to finally meet! We must have just missed each other that next Sunday morning, as we were there between 8:00 and 10:00 having breakfast with Laura, Chris, Richard, and Rick.
We also did Kearsarge Pass while we were there. Beautiful hike with lots of snow. It was our first acclimation hike after arriving the day before, and we went with Laura and Jim (sierragator) from the OV trailhead to the pass as they started out on a multi-day trek (10 planned for Laura and 4 for Jim). Those are two exceptionally strong, high-altitude hikers that I don't relish the thought of trying to keep up with, especially my first day out of the lowlands, but between my family's light daypacks and their heavy loads (Laura's pack was 65 pounds and Jim's @ 50), we managed to keep pace. Two years ago I did Cottonwood Lakes and Cottonwood Pass on consecutive acclimation days, and enjoyed those as well.
Glad CaT got to walk some native Cali trails!
