Picture
Caption: backyard bikepacking an adventure in
Henry Coe State Park
Caption: We're pretty spoiled in California. It rarely rains, and when it does, it usually only lasts for a spell - and then it's back to virtually endless sunshine. When the forecast calls for a rainy weekend, all you have to do is postpone plans for a week to avoid fussing with inclement weather... But where's the fun in that?
Whatever the forecast, a true adventure must go on.
Picture
Caption: So, despite the imminent storm,
I loaded up my rig with the essentials: shelter, sleeping bag, snacks and water, tools to handle potential mechanicals.
And a rain jacket.
Let the adventure begin.
Picture
Caption: The cows tried to warn me to
take a different route...
Picture
Caption: But of course
I didn't listen.
Picture
Caption: Word of caution: never put a foot down in peanut-butter-mud.
Picture
Caption: There were good times.
Picture
Caption: And there were obstacles.
Picture
Picture
Caption: The weather was rolling in as I was topping off my water supply, when I heard someone call out "Rita Jett!". Eric and Rachel were out hiking, hustling back toward their vehicle, hoping to beat the rain.
Picture
Picture
Caption: I put up my shelter in the rain.
I fell asleep to the sound of rain. When I woke up in the morning... More rain.
Picture
Caption: I did my best to dodge the
dozens of California newts that were out celebrating the rain, and had a moment of silence for the few that I must have hit.
Picture
Caption: Nearing the bottom of a long, steep descent from the ridgeline, I rounded a bend to the sound of a raging river. The trail ahead, my way out, curved up the hillside on the opposite side.
Picture
Caption: I searched upstream and downstream for a way
across, to no avail.
Caption: Time to consult the map.
I settled on an alternate route, fingers crossed that the water crossings along the way would be manageable.
I was fortunate.
Picture
Caption: All day long.
Picture
Caption: Eventually, providentially, I made it out. This photo sums up the latter half of the adventure.
It's not always pretty, but it's always worth it.
Picture
Caption: Adventure is out there. Get out there and find it.