Trip leader Barney reported on Saturday’s activities:
“What a cheesy day. Our goal is Cheese Rock. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But then, pancakes don’t sound like much either. Yet, we had some of the world’s best pancakes roll off a Lodge griddle and a two-burner Coleman stove. Real maple syrup, and butter, on a crisp morning under a clear blue sky. Hikers just want to talk food, don’t we?
“Resilient to a fault, Charley’s two llama wranglers were called out on a search and rescue operation early in the morning. Nonetheless, Charley led us out with two llamas, still taking our nine folding chairs and our lunches. Up and down, and up, up, up, taking breaks and chatting like children. Then there was a collective intake of breath. ‘Don’t get close to the edge,’ Charley said. We’re talking at least a 500-foot sheer drop. But the views … Spectacular. Whew. A gust of wind took Robert’s hat off. I saw it go. Over the edge. It caught on a small tree.
“When we got back to the trailhead, two of us had seen a quaint little general store on the drive up. Laura uttered two magic words. ‘Ice cream.’ We sat on the store’s wood porch for at least 45 minutes consuming ice cream bars and Drumsticks.
“Probably the highlight of the day was after dinner. We sat around a ‘campfire’ consisting of one glow light and three teensy LED bulbs. As much as the light was weak, the warm conversation was strong. Everyone shared their rose, thorn, and bud: The best thing that happened on the trip, the worst thing that happened on the trip, and their hope for the future. A group once strangers were newest best friends.
“How can tomorrow be any better than this?”