Today's trip went a whole lot smoother than yesterday. After a quick jaunt from the campground back to the main road. I followed the main road until a sign told me to go right for North Star Lake. The road I followed was not technically the TCT, But it was a much clearer route. I traveled about 18 km.
This recreational campground is one of the nicest I've visited so far. It's clean and well organized I'm sitting right beside the lake. After hiking far too long in the hot summer sun, it was great to go for my first swim of the trip. The water was quite warm, but cool enough to relieve myself from the heat.
Tomorrow I plan to reach Wapiti Lake. Hopefully it's as nice as this place.
See you on the trail.
Joshua Ganes
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Greetings from Creston
Greetings from the trail,
I'm in Creston today, and managed to find an internet kiosk to use. I'm doing well and am sending my next set of journal entries home today. Let's see how long it takes Canada Post to get them to Camrose and for my parents to get them up.
Glad to hear some of you are thinking of me anyway. I hope you're all having a good summer and look forward to seeing some of you come August for Leah's wedding.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
I'm in Creston today, and managed to find an internet kiosk to use. I'm doing well and am sending my next set of journal entries home today. Let's see how long it takes Canada Post to get them to Camrose and for my parents to get them up.
Glad to hear some of you are thinking of me anyway. I hope you're all having a good summer and look forward to seeing some of you come August for Leah's wedding.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Friday, July 13, 2007
Wednesday July 4, 2007 Day 12
Greetings from the trail.
Today my book attempted to defy reality several times. My guide to the trail has been pretty decent so far, but today it turned against me.
It began by sending me south from Elko on a trail eventually destined to intersect highway 93. This would be fine if the trail existed, a fact the book neglects to mention on the map page, but instead comments in passing about it in the description. I then tried a convenient looking road near by that would by-pass the gap in the trail, only to find that the road is highly restricted. Once again, no comment about this can be found on the map.
I then decided to back track and walk highway 3 to 93 and rejoin the trail there. Once again, the book lied to me about the access route's location. The book had it clearly beyond a major curve in the highway. Luckily, I noticed the TCT signs as the road crossed the highway.
From there the trail continues to a small, marshy lake. The map said the trail passes to the west of the lake, while in reality it is really to the east. This was simply another point for confusion.
I continued on to the small town of Baynes Lake. It would appear this town is at the nexus of the universe, as when the map lied to me yet again about the location of a near by campsite I asked a few passing vehicles. The first 2 I asked were both lost too. Excellent!!!
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Today my book attempted to defy reality several times. My guide to the trail has been pretty decent so far, but today it turned against me.
It began by sending me south from Elko on a trail eventually destined to intersect highway 93. This would be fine if the trail existed, a fact the book neglects to mention on the map page, but instead comments in passing about it in the description. I then tried a convenient looking road near by that would by-pass the gap in the trail, only to find that the road is highly restricted. Once again, no comment about this can be found on the map.
I then decided to back track and walk highway 3 to 93 and rejoin the trail there. Once again, the book lied to me about the access route's location. The book had it clearly beyond a major curve in the highway. Luckily, I noticed the TCT signs as the road crossed the highway.
From there the trail continues to a small, marshy lake. The map said the trail passes to the west of the lake, while in reality it is really to the east. This was simply another point for confusion.
I continued on to the small town of Baynes Lake. It would appear this town is at the nexus of the universe, as when the map lied to me yet again about the location of a near by campsite I asked a few passing vehicles. The first 2 I asked were both lost too. Excellent!!!
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Tuesday July 3, 2007 Day 11
Greetings from the trail,
This morning I saw some breath taking views. I had a bit of a climb yo start my day, and made it a reasonable distance up the side of the eastern mountains on the side of the valley. From there I had some great views of the mountains to the west and the Elk river below.
After the path came back down the mountain later in the day, I became a victim of a mosquito ambush. I hadn't seen many bugs all day, when I was suddenly stormed by several dozen at once. I was taking down 2 with one swat, but they simply out numbered me and many of them got away. I've never seen anything quite like it, and hope to avoid it in the future.
After that, I made my way to Elko where I was incredibly hot, so I visited the convenience store for one of the best lemonades ever! That was not enough though, so I bought a large slush and drank it on a bench in the shade.
I went back down by the Elk river and set up camp in a space by the old wooden bridge that crosses the river there. I went down to the river to cool my feet, and a young woman showed up with a pair of black labs to play fetch. I soaked my feet and chatted casually while watching the dogs chase the stick into the river repeatedly. It was a nice way to spend a hot afternoon.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
This morning I saw some breath taking views. I had a bit of a climb yo start my day, and made it a reasonable distance up the side of the eastern mountains on the side of the valley. From there I had some great views of the mountains to the west and the Elk river below.
After the path came back down the mountain later in the day, I became a victim of a mosquito ambush. I hadn't seen many bugs all day, when I was suddenly stormed by several dozen at once. I was taking down 2 with one swat, but they simply out numbered me and many of them got away. I've never seen anything quite like it, and hope to avoid it in the future.
After that, I made my way to Elko where I was incredibly hot, so I visited the convenience store for one of the best lemonades ever! That was not enough though, so I bought a large slush and drank it on a bench in the shade.
I went back down by the Elk river and set up camp in a space by the old wooden bridge that crosses the river there. I went down to the river to cool my feet, and a young woman showed up with a pair of black labs to play fetch. I soaked my feet and chatted casually while watching the dogs chase the stick into the river repeatedly. It was a nice way to spend a hot afternoon.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Monday July 2, 2007 Day 10
Greetings from the trail,
Last night was not too bad. I still wasn't a hundred percent healthy, but felt well enough to go watch the fireworks in the park. I was sitting near an intoxicated woman who sounded exactly like a close family friend I call "Auntie" Wendy. This was particularly amusing as every time she said something( and she did at most fireworks) I could swear she was Wendy. So I spent the Canada day fireworks with a completely smashed Auntie Wendy who kept yelling out more and more ridiculous things.
This morning I woke up feeling alright with only a couple late - night bathroom visits for the evening. I only walked approximately 10 kms today, but it is good to be on the move again. It's also nice to be off the highway and on a quieter dirt road.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Last night was not too bad. I still wasn't a hundred percent healthy, but felt well enough to go watch the fireworks in the park. I was sitting near an intoxicated woman who sounded exactly like a close family friend I call "Auntie" Wendy. This was particularly amusing as every time she said something( and she did at most fireworks) I could swear she was Wendy. So I spent the Canada day fireworks with a completely smashed Auntie Wendy who kept yelling out more and more ridiculous things.
This morning I woke up feeling alright with only a couple late - night bathroom visits for the evening. I only walked approximately 10 kms today, but it is good to be on the move again. It's also nice to be off the highway and on a quieter dirt road.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Sunday July 1, 2007 Day 9 Canada Day
Greetings from the trail,
It's been a pretty lousy couple of days. On Friday evening, what had been a hot afternoon suddenly collided with a massive cold front to create a massive wind and rain storm. The rain didn't bother me, but the wind whipped my tent around like it was tissue paper. Other than the pegs and myself inside to hold down the fort (so to speak), the tent is virtually all surface area. Needless to say, I had myself an exciting time.
After that passed I tried to shower, but the showers were small and tricky to control. Not quite the same effect as the previous night.
The next morning I woke up again feeling less well. I set out for Fernie, about 10 kms away and made it there without too much trouble. I checked in at a very nice and reasonably priced hostel.. I stayed in a 8 bed dorm room, but was the only one there. That was probably a good thing as i grew sicker and sicker as the day progressed. Last night I woke up nearly every hour to visit the washroom. It was not a pleasant ordeal. This morning I paid to stay an extra day and slept until around noon. This unfortunately , involved several more undesirable side trips down the hall. When I woke up I was starting to feel a bit better, so I went to the store near by and got some things to take care of myself. I'm now waiting around here 'till dusk when I'll hopefully go check out the fireworks.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
It's been a pretty lousy couple of days. On Friday evening, what had been a hot afternoon suddenly collided with a massive cold front to create a massive wind and rain storm. The rain didn't bother me, but the wind whipped my tent around like it was tissue paper. Other than the pegs and myself inside to hold down the fort (so to speak), the tent is virtually all surface area. Needless to say, I had myself an exciting time.
After that passed I tried to shower, but the showers were small and tricky to control. Not quite the same effect as the previous night.
The next morning I woke up again feeling less well. I set out for Fernie, about 10 kms away and made it there without too much trouble. I checked in at a very nice and reasonably priced hostel.. I stayed in a 8 bed dorm room, but was the only one there. That was probably a good thing as i grew sicker and sicker as the day progressed. Last night I woke up nearly every hour to visit the washroom. It was not a pleasant ordeal. This morning I paid to stay an extra day and slept until around noon. This unfortunately , involved several more undesirable side trips down the hall. When I woke up I was starting to feel a bit better, so I went to the store near by and got some things to take care of myself. I'm now waiting around here 'till dusk when I'll hopefully go check out the fireworks.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Friday June 29, 2007 Day 7
Greetings from the trail,
Yesterday evening was great, but this morning effectively killed it.
Yesterday I took what I declare, without reservation, "the best shower of my life." After almost a full week on the hot and dusty trail, it was so nice to feel clean again. The showers at the camp were very spacious, and the temperature and pressure were easy to adjust. Each sore muscle seemed to relax instantly at the feel of the flowing, warm water. I washed every part of my body twice over because I didn't want it to end. .... Magic!!
This morning the trouble stated, I woke up with a headache and felt a little off. Everything I did seemed to take twice as long as usual. I got on the road and noticed the highway sign said 9 kms longer than my estimate. I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it.
Water had been common along the way, so I never carried more than 2 L 'cause I could always fill up later. When I realized that i was quickly running through my supply despite the light rain(fun times) I was hopeful to find more. When I reached a rest stop/picnic area at the side of the highway, I was hopeful I might find a clean source there. I spotted a hand pump well which looked clean and well maintained but after a minute of pumping, I figured it was broken or just for show. Instead, I wound up hiking 3/4 of a km in and out to the Elk river to get more.
By the time I reached Hosmer I was hurting with every step. When I saw a sign for an RV campground I dragged myself over to register. For my money I got a flat spot between some RVs, none too far from the highway. The one nice thing was a small mobile unit with a bathroom and showers.
Now I'm hiding in my tent from the sudden heat of the afternoon. Unfortunately, my tent is more like a green house with nice flow through. I'll probably go to the bathroom soon and use the cold water faucets to cool down.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Yesterday evening was great, but this morning effectively killed it.
Yesterday I took what I declare, without reservation, "the best shower of my life." After almost a full week on the hot and dusty trail, it was so nice to feel clean again. The showers at the camp were very spacious, and the temperature and pressure were easy to adjust. Each sore muscle seemed to relax instantly at the feel of the flowing, warm water. I washed every part of my body twice over because I didn't want it to end. .... Magic!!
This morning the trouble stated, I woke up with a headache and felt a little off. Everything I did seemed to take twice as long as usual. I got on the road and noticed the highway sign said 9 kms longer than my estimate. I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it.
Water had been common along the way, so I never carried more than 2 L 'cause I could always fill up later. When I realized that i was quickly running through my supply despite the light rain(fun times) I was hopeful to find more. When I reached a rest stop/picnic area at the side of the highway, I was hopeful I might find a clean source there. I spotted a hand pump well which looked clean and well maintained but after a minute of pumping, I figured it was broken or just for show. Instead, I wound up hiking 3/4 of a km in and out to the Elk river to get more.
By the time I reached Hosmer I was hurting with every step. When I saw a sign for an RV campground I dragged myself over to register. For my money I got a flat spot between some RVs, none too far from the highway. The one nice thing was a small mobile unit with a bathroom and showers.
Now I'm hiding in my tent from the sudden heat of the afternoon. Unfortunately, my tent is more like a green house with nice flow through. I'll probably go to the bathroom soon and use the cold water faucets to cool down.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
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