Frozen creek to Fort Davis

Overnight, it was quite a bit uncomfortable where Karma, covered in her coat and a coat of mine kept nudging me, stating she was cold. She ultimately ended up in my sleeping bag with me, though it was not comfortable, it was warm.

In the morning, the frozen condensation of our exhalations crusted the ceiling of the tent began to melt and drip on us in the warmth of the sun hit the tent. I crawled out of the tent to leave Karma snuggled in the sleeping bag. Within just a few minutes outside, my fingers were numb and in pain. I fired up my pot to make oatmeal. I looked around to see a nice bit of sun in the treetops above a ridge and photographed and gawked at the morning beauty.

I wandered down to the frozen creek and saw a buck. For some unknown reason, this buck allowed me to walk back to F.G. Superman and grab my camera and photograph him.

View from our campsite

We took off after warming up a bit and having breakfast and wound our way up and down several switchbacks. Karma and I now have a system - I ride the downhills with Karma in the trailer and she runs the uphills - oh, and I ride the flats. It's just faster that way.

McDonald Observatory from afar

At a break I dried my clothing on rocks. If you look carefully, you can see a clandestine dog.

Closeup of clandestine dog.

Sitting dog

Laying dog

McDonald Observatory from the south side

Entrance to Prude Ranch

When I pulled into Fort Davis, I stopped by a grocery store, Porter's. I wandered through picking up some groceries and dog food. I crossed paths with a woman named Kelsey Bates in the aisles multiple times. After the third meeting we chatted briefly and determined we both knew someone in common in Baltimore. We went outside to get a "team" photo to send to our friend Amy. (Boy was that a shocker to Amy!)

Karma and I then made our way down the road to a hotel - the nicest one on my journey. Karma claimed her bed immediately and fell asleep. She is a great sleeper. And soon enough so will I be.

To everyone that has provided me support and love along the journey, thank you. You are wonderful. To my children, I love you and forever will.