This past weekend, we backpacked 21 miles on the Foothills Trail and made a loop using the Chattooga trail to make a loop. This area is COVERED in Lone Star ticks. We pilled over 50 ticks off of us and Ghost. After washing our shirts, there was still one alive and kicking, too. You have to use boiling water to kill them and/or the dryer. We don’t treat out clothes with permethrin due to its toxicity. While it has low to moderate acute toxicity to humans and dogs, we prefer to use nontoxic measures. It can cause issues to humans and animals.
I wear light colored pants so that ticks can easily be seen. We do tick checks daily, as well. We also burn them so that we do not spread the bacteria and diseases they can carry. If you crush a tick, you risk exposure. Ticks are horrible creatures and I admit that I was questioning God’s plan for creating ticks. <laughter> Of all creatures, I think ticks are the creatures that scare me the most!
The Foothills trail is a very well maintained trail. The Chattooga trail was rough to navigate and had many obstacles we needed to work around. Its was slow going for many sections of this trail. Overall, it was a great weekend and I am glad we got out to conquer 21 miles of backpacking. Our gear shakedown is almost complete. The chair is a definite keeper for me! This chair was one that Marty bought for his cycling adventures across the country. I loved the chair so much that he ended up ordering another one for himself. He has a Helinox chair, but it is very bulky and is not suitable for backpacking. The REI chair is the cheapest lightweight chair there is and they are currently on sale for $69, I believe.
We backpacked just over 11 miles the first day. As we went to set up camp and start supper, Marty realized he forgot the tent poles. We did not panic, though I was prepared to hike out the 10 miles that evening if we couldn’t figure something out with the tent. There was no way I was going to cowboy camp in this tick infested land. LOL As we thought about it, we both came up with using our trekking poles at the same time. Then I remembered that we had two belts for Ghost’s lead and I started digging through the first aid kit as Marty deconstructed his backpack for straps and rope/string. We were able to get the tent up. We opted not to use the rain fly, as there was no rain in the forecast AND it would drastically cut down on ventilation.
We were not sure how Ghost would settle in for the night, but he did really well. He settled quickly and seemed to enjoy the view! He sometimes isn’t ready to get into the tent at night, but we think maybe it’s because the rainfly blocks the view. <laughter> He always settles, of course. We watched fireflies all through the night — something we would not see if we had the rainfly on. God’s creation is amazing. The fireflies were EVERYWHERE. I just love how their cute little butts light up. We also heard a barred owl off in the distance through the night.
I was definitely glad to have this chair! I am SURE it saved me from a thousand ticks. Ha ha. It really does give us older folks a great rest on our breaks. As you know, as you age, hips and joints creak when you sit on the ground too long. <giggle> Thankfully I am very healthy for 57! The chair is a game changer. Marty opted to carry the bear canister this weekend (it is HEAVY) and he uses it for a chair, although it is not as comfortable. The canister will not be making the Maine trek with us.
Through the night we ended up killing at least 16 ticks. Many were somewhat disabled due to biting Ghost who is on tick meds. It was crazy. I woke up at one point and two were crawling around. Marty had a “tick rock” to burn them on just outside the tent. We don’t like to burn them on bare ground or something that could create a fire hazard in the forest.
We got up the next morning, fed Ghost, ate breakfast and drank our fru fru freeze dried coffee and headed out to complete the final 10 miles. We heard a few woodpeckers as we hiked. The flora was amazing all weekend. Mountain laurels were in full bloom while rhododendron blooms were just appearing. I managed to take pictures of a few really cool mushrooms, too. Chicken of the woods looks very different in the “young” stage. I think the red mushroom is a variety of Reishi mushroom. To be clear, I do not eat any mushrooms for fear that I do not have the proper identity. I am not a forager, though I do know what Chicken of the woods is…… still won’t eat it. LOL As Chicken of the Woods grows, it flattens out into the typical version we most commonly see.
I feel confident that we can make it the 118 miles over 10 days in July. It will be a challenge and we will be sore, but I know that we can do this! I am a bit nervous about my ability to summit Katahdin, but once we get there, I’ll just take it one step at a time until I reach the top.
Only 46 days until we get on trail in Monson! We will get some backpacking done in June, too. We are currently making our way to the Indy 500! Friday is carb day and the second annual Wiener 500! I’m excited to see the Wienermobiles race around the track this year. It’s going to be fun!!
My Little Red Bike 