There were 17 people counting Eric and Adam, our leaders's son and grandson. Eric carried Adam in a baby backpack. It was cute watching our leader feed little bits of Oreo cookies to Adam to keep him happy. He was a very good 13 month old baby and got to run around at lunch. He liked when I played peek-a-boo with him, taking my mask off and on. Our leader had to cut the hike short because her toe was giving her pain. The hike was advertised as 7 miles but only turned out to be 3 miles. We got back to the East Fork TH at 12:30pm - early - just as rain began.
This hike begins at the Roland Pettit Trail but quickly goes west up the hill and over the ridge north of Las Conchas Picnic Area and then goes down to the official East Fork Trail. We took the abbreviated version of hike #74 in our leaders's book. We had to cross the East Fork twice. The leaders said the crossings would be easy because the water was low but it must have rained since they checked because I had to take my shoes and socks off for the first crossing although others said they found a log to cross on further downstream. The second crossing was easy - rock-hopped across. I see that a bridge is being built to replace the last old, rickety bridge - yippee!
I felt lonely after the hike. Maybe it was because it was so short and the group seemed to be speed-walking, except for our leader - Doris stayed back with her - and I didn't feel I connected with anyone in the short time frame. The after-hike social time was cut short because of the rain.
Afterwards, I drove up to the Ocean and hiked little beyond Paintball Road. I did some stretches back at the Ocean. I think there are ghosts on the Camp May Road Route because I felt even lonelier hanging out at the Ocean! It looked dark and I could see lightning and hear thunder but it never rained while I was there.
I would like to know the difference between White Mountain Ragweed and Wild Cosmos. I thought sure that Dorothy had called White Mountain Ragweed what Doris called Wild Cosmos today. I'll check with Dorothy. I'm sure that Doris is correct but perhaps the other name is correct too.
I'll do email tomorrow as that will be good to do when the pruners are here.
I discovered last night that our kitchen sink trap has a slow leak. I'll call Waller's one day.