Last Day Hike

Well, today was our last day on Trails for the 2006 season. After working us like dogs this morning (just kidding), our Fearless Leader, Gary, took us on a hike up Champlain Mountain via some abandoned trails to show us some ancient rock work, and to say Thank You for all we had to put up with from him this season. What a guy!


Gary likes to give us a little pep talk/tall tale before we go out on one of these hikes. Usually it's fairly pertinent background information on where we're going, but sometimes it tends to morph into a fantastic story of some sort, complete with dramatic gesticulations. Guess where we are here.


Here we are scrambling up what used to actually be a trail. I think at this point, we're on what was called the Orange/Black Trail. It sounds like they used to blaze the trail in multiple colors, like on some of the trails I've been on in Massachussets.


Here we are taking a little breather and catching up on the spectacular view. It was an absolutely perfect day for this hike, with clear, cool air and a sharp horizon line on the ocean.


Now we're up on top and hiking the main trail past an example of a Bates Cairn. This gives you a perfect idea of the kind of awesome day we had.


And here we all are, what's left of the crew. L to R: Top row -- Dianna, Paul, Owen, Chris B, Gary (in funny hat). Middle row -- Sarah, Pete, Angela, Vincent, Brad, Ken, Jeff, Marlyse, Me. Bottom -- Chris F. Missing are all the three-month seasonals (long gone), as well as my crew leader, Keith (out for trainings), and Mike (called in sick). It was a great season, guys! So long and thanks for all the fish.