Writing about books, hiking, the Battle of Tarawa and more
Day Five: Jungle, meadow, lake, mountain August 23: Whispering Pines Campground to campsite south of Sheridan Lake Miles: 21.5 Elevation gain: 4,100 It was cloudy, humid and warm when I woke before dawn at Whispering Pines. I was back … [Continue reading]
Day Six: Close Encounters August 24: Campsite south of Sheridan Lake to Grace Coolidge Creek, Custer State Park Miles: 17.5 Elevation gain: 2,000 feet I woke to cool, cloudy weather and, unusually for me, spent much of the day … [Continue reading]
Day Seven: Three Bulls August 25: Grace Coolidge Creek, Custer State Park, to Hot Springs, S.D., via Wind Cave National Park; end of Centennial Trail Miles: 31 miles Elevation gain: 4,000 feet I woke with a big smile on my face, … [Continue reading]
Day Eight: Shortcuts ... Aren't August 26: The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, S.D. to Cottonwood Lake Campground Miles: 6 miles Elevation gain: 1,500 feet I woke before 6 a.m. and saw that it had rained overnight. After a first quick … [Continue reading]
Day Nine: Open Country August 27: Cottonwood Springs Lake Campground to municipal campground, Edgewood, S.D. Miles: 24 miles Elevation gain: 400 feet It was surprisingly chilly when I woke the next morning. I donned a Merino-wool … [Continue reading]