2016-10-29 42 -78

Location

In the woods by Crab Hollow State Forest

Participants

Pedalpusher
Simon the dog
Myka the dog

Plans

Going to try for an Official Saturday Meetup but since the hash appears to be just off the State Forest lands, it could be posted. Either way the dogs will get a good run. I just hope we can avoid ticks as I'm sick of dealing with those monsters over the past week.

This is an attempt to continue the current consecutive streak, yesterday's hash can be found here, and if successful, another attempt to keep it going tomorrow can be found here.

Expedition

On the drive out, we experienced a bit of rain now and again, but it was very spotty and I wasn't too worried about it. Getting close to the State Forest, I ended up taking a wrong turn and went around the very large country blocks and entered the forest from the South. I ended up very close to the hash, and there weren't any other cars around for the moment. However, it's hunting season and as I was getting ready to get the dogs out, a van passed by and pulled into a parking area ahead of where I was. Then another 3 vehicles passed by. This area was getting busy.

There was a path where I parked, but I could see water a little further into the woods and I decided to first walk down the road and see the area where the van went. Getting over there, they were just getting out of the van and they had hunting gear on and were carrying rifles. I waved, they returned it and I walked on not wanting to disturb them as they had gotten there first. We walked a bit further on the road before turning around and walking back to the car. Between the car and the van, there was a swampy area and a stream and I knew it would be futile to try by the car, but that would be the closest we would get to the hash today. By the water, I could see it was a small lake and there was no way to cross here. Figuring we weren't going to get to the hash, I at least wanted to hike around so we stuck to the roads of the State Forest. We passed a few more parked cars and at one intersection, looking down saw more. Erring on the side of safety(even though we were all wearing bright colors) I decided not to try to get to the hash from the Eastern side of the woods either. I guess this might qualify for the Prize Poultry and after reading the description and the note about this also being called the "Sober Second Thought" achievement, I think this definitely qualifies.

Another note on the bloodsucking monstrosities, even sticking to the road, the dogs still brought a few ticks home from this trip. Looks like I'm going to have to invest in some tick shampoo and other preventative measures.

Photos

After we parked, we walked down the road to see if we could get around the water. This is a view from the road where the creek crossed.
If only I had parked there, I think I would have had a chance to get to the hash.
Down the road, we came across the sign indicating we were actually in Hanging Bog
Back by the car, this was now the closest we would get to the hash.
Accuracy.
A view of the lake.
A view toward the hash with the lake between.