Slept OK overnight; was aware of it raining softly once, then turning over a few times. Cool start to the day. Asher and David cooked breakfast burritos (I skipped those) and by 8:45 on the brief trail to Harlan (7520') where we did shotguns. It took awhile between loading the shells to actually shooting, because of so many crews coming through. David and I each got one of our three clay pigeons; for my first time ever shooting a shotgun, I'm pleased I got even one. Late lunch.
The bad thing today was Connor coming off the trail. He found what looked like a plantar's wart last night, but by the morning it had grown bigger, maybe a bit inflamed, and he was having trouble walking. At Harlan we consulted staff, who gave him lots of painkillers, but it wasn't enough. As we were packing up to leave, he chose to stay behind and go down to base camp and the infirmary. They say it *may* be possible for him to rejoin us, and at our next staff camp we can radio down for a status check. Although having had a plantar's wart come off through surgery myself, I'm not optimistic he'll be able to rejoin us for strenuous hiking. There were tears in his eyes as we said goodbye; his heart was really broken by not being able to continue with us. Broke mine, too.
Brief shower as we left Harlan for Deer Lake, but otherwise sunny the rest of the afternoon. The hike up to Deer Lake Mesa was brutal--only 1.75mi but almost all on a 4x4 "road" that ran very steeply up the side of the mesa. All agreed, was a very difficult climb. Very rewarding, though, as Deer Lake is absolutely stunning--set in a bowl, with a ring of ponderosa against azure skies and big puffy clouds. Very peaceful--David's word was "serene," and I'd agree. Can definitely feel God at work in this place.
Vaca to Deer Lake brought us to 8,278' and took 2.38mi by the map, but by the Fitbit, 17.018 steps and 8.06mi once we walked all around Harlan for shotguns and then exploring Deer Lake. 33,926 and 16.05mi total on the trail since yesterday.
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| Morning has broken, at our campsite at Vaca |
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| Learning to reload shotgun shells (John) |
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| Prepping shotgun shells, David and Sean |
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| Playing cards to pass the time before shooting began at Harlan. |
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| Asher on the range. |
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| John shooting. |
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| Thomas shooting. |
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| Sean on the range. |
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| Zack shooting shotgun. |
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| We made shells for Ra-Ja to try her hand too. |
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| Deer Lake, near our campsite |
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| The boys agreed, this was the most beautiful campsite on the trek. Deer Lake, late afternoon. |
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| You had to hike up to the top of the ridge to use the latrine, but the view was incredible. |
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| Mr Johnson contemplating the beauty of Deer Lake the next morning. |
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