ET's Info-Stew

9:45: Last night after some Tylenol PM and a chapter in my book I konked out. I slept rather well, only waking up a dozen or so times to change positions. I almost got up at 5 to watch the sunrise, but I just turned over and went to sleep. I didn't get out of the tent until 9:15, so everyone else is way ahead of the game. I'd like to try for the ridge today.

14:16: I haven't gone to the ridge yet, but the others may have gone without me. After breakfast everyone just went off and didn their own thing, so I had a nice leisurly two hour walk around our little canyon. Afterwards I had a refreshing bath and now I'm eating lunch. I'd still like to go to the ridge, but not today. I just heard the guys, so they must have been doing something else.

18:38: Plans have changed and I'm not going to make it to the ridge. Part of the reason for coming here was to get Mike and Carl a view that they wouldn't forget. Unfortunately they are too physically drained to make it. Instead tomorrow we are heading out to Powell Lake for the last night so that the trip out is very easy. I don't mind, really, but this has implications on the limitations of future trips. There's not too many good places to go that are only a few miles in.

Carl, Mike and I were shooting rocks into the lake with the slingshot, but it broke where the plastic hooks on to the metal. In the last two trips the slingshot was of limited value, so I don't think I'm going to replace it.

Since tonight is our last night at this lake I want to get up early to catch the sunrise, which if I remember, is better here than at Powell. The early rise will also mean I'm not too far behind in the packing.

22:48: The mosquitoes were bad tonight. Even with fleece on they seemed to be attacking my hands. Fortunately I had a secret weapon - my fleece gloves. They were perfect for the job. I've decided it is best to err on the side of comfort when it comes to mosquitoes. I'm going to take reall DEET and use that stuff for clothing from now on.

Once again the night was gorgeous tonight. With the binoculars I picked out a few star clusters. It would be so much better with a binocular mount. For sure I've gotten good use out of the binoculars this trip.