August 30, 2022 Tuesday
8.30.22 Tuesday
Mouse Trapline Tally: 5
(Total to-date for this year!)
Yesterday was quite the adventure! Bernie and I road out the trail at 8:00am. It was 39 degrees and sunny. The trail was a little puddly but not bad. Let's talk a little bit about the trail....
The first seven miles out are pretty technical. Lots of hills, curves, mud holes, a couple of small bridges, you get the idea. Then you add the different sections that have been nicknamed appropriately over the years: Roots section, mud flats, etc. By the time you get to the gravel pit, you've been worked over pretty good. Shortly after the gravel pit, you cross the railroad tracks and then you're on what they call the "super highway". I'm told it used to be pretty smooth, but the gentleman with the four-wheeler business din town who brings clients out that way no longer wants to "groom" it so it now beats you to death! Five miles later you hit Talkeetna.
We made it and went our respective ways. After doing our mining business in Anchorage, I headed back to Wasilla to make several stops, then back to Talkeetna for several more. DeAnn had called to say she would be able to ride back in with me but wouldn't be there until around 7:00pm. I'd left the animals home alone all day so decided to venture it alone, knowing she wouldn't be far behind me. I pulled out of the parking lot at 6:00p and it was thundering a little way up in the mountains.
I got to the gravel pit and decided to put on my rain jacket. It was still thundering so rain was probably coming. Onward and upward....
Less than 10 minutes later came the rain. Hard. The thunder continued then decided to add a little lightening. Could it reach me all the way down under these tall trees?? Then came the BIG surprise.....1/4" HAIL. I couldn't believe it. Really, Lord? But what could I do?? I couldn't turn around. I was more than 1/2-way home and the animals needed me. I had to keep pushing forward because, obviously, the mud puddles were just going to get worse! So I started singing the "Sanctuary" song that I learned at church and kept driving through it.... (that song is my trail mantra, by the way...)
I pulled into the cabin at 6:50p. 10 minutes faster than I'd ever done it before--in OR out! I was hyped up on adrenaline and SO GLAD to be home. Messaged the kids that I could now knock driving in the rain, thunder, lightening and HAIL off my "trail virgin" saga! 😅
This was my rig when I got home. Leather backpack was soaked and I even had water in my boots! What a day!
P.S.
DeAnn called shortly after I arrived. I told her "Girl, you don't want any part of that trail tonight!" She's coming up this weekend.... 😝
P.S.S.
10 minutes after I got home, the sun was shining! It was beautiful!
