Here comes the Safari

It seems like a long time coming. After missing last year's Safari, we'll get to attend this one. We are down to the last few days before time to go. There are a few preparations left. It looks like the weather will be cooperative. With the shift lever failing on the tandem like it did, I'll have the chance to get it repaired. Perhaps I should have even replaced the front derailleur hanger so I could put the original one back on. Didn't think of it. I think Bev is ready for it. We did a 24 mile ride this morning on the single bikes. She did fine but I doubt it would be fun beyond 2 days for her. Some family members are mad at us right now. That's something we didn't need. I expect taking this trip won't do much to improve that either. Perhaps I shouldn't worry about it anymore.

Hiking in the Smokeys

After a 10 year hiatus, we got the same group back together to hike in the Smokeys. Gary would not arrive until Wednesday night but Kirk, Alan, and I did two other days of hiking loops back into Elkmont campground. There was a surprising number of people there considering the recent rain and cold temperatures. I think it would have been nice to have had the camper along for the cold nights. But right now I'm glad I didn't take it. On the short trip up to Logan's Landing where we camped the weekend with the boys, the brake calipers failed and I would have certainly been in trouble for driving so far then depending on failed brakes in those mountains there.

We arrived to snow on Tuesday. After a short process of tent setting, we launched out on a 6 mile hike. That put us back in camp in time for a supper of Mountain House foods. It took some effort to get a fire made. We didn't exactly have the kind of wood you like for camp fires. Despite the chill, my North Face Cat's Meow bag and Thermarest mattress really did the job. Next morning we were up for breakfast and then a 10 mile hike back into Elkmont. With our other car half way to Cade's Cove, it took a while to retrieve it that evening. Alan's brother Gary joined us about supper time. We ate hot dogs and baked potatoes. Next morning we packed up our camp and headed up to Newfoundland Gap to hike over to Mount LeConte lodge.