Low Gap Loop Trail

Come take a journey with me

deep in the forest of trees.

Where green ferns grow

and northern breezes blow

the sassafras leaves

lining the Low Gap Trail.

.

Packs heavy for overnight stay

God-son nephew and I

reconnecting for a day.

Thankful for starting the hike

after a cold northern rains quieted

the Brood X buzz-saw-like calls

of cicadas symphonic squalls.

.

After five miles in

these two grown men

settle in a trail side site.

Feed the dog, make a fire,

share tea and a smoke

before it’s tent time to retire

.

Broke camp at day beak

MRE eggs not tasting so great.

Had I known now what I didn’t know then

should have blended in

The Orange Sulphur Shelf stemless mushrooms

seen in-passing along the trail

.

Looping down to the creek shore

spotted a Gold-backed Snipe Fly

sunning stream side

with its five shiny, metallic bands of golden hairs

contrasting nicely on the geode rock it resides.

With backpacks nearly devoid of water

after ten miles overnight trekking

time to refill canteens

in this crystal clear stream.

Dosing with iodine

just to be safe.

It was on my nephews bucket list to backpack in for an overnight trek in southern Indiana. It’s on my bucket list to hike some of the Appalachian Trail. This was a warm up for both of us.

Hope you felt some of the experience, minus the fridge nights attempted sleep. Note to self; next time pack warmer sleeping bags.