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Lake Vista Loop - Deam Lake

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

It has been over a month since I have hiked.  I have been inside like the rest of the world and doing quite well, but I did need to get out in nature.  I went to Deam Lake to meet Mark.

The route to Deam Lake is over paved but country roads.  It is about 30 or so minutes from my house.  I headed out at a few minutes before 7 am with hopes to be on the trail by 7:30 am.  My drive was peaceful.  I passed old barns, run-down houses (and nice ones too), and county stores.  As I am driving the clouds are being kissed by the rising sun, and their orange glow makes me wish I could stop somewhere and shoot them, but alas I do not.

Soon I am reaching the entrance to Deam Lake and proceed down the road until eventually, I reach the parking lot where Mark and two other guys are standing.  I pull in and begin to unload, then walk over to see Mark.  I have missed my friend and it is good to be back with him.

We performed our normal routine of grabbing our backpacks, cameras, locking the vehicle doors, and headed across the gravel parking lot towards the locked gate.  We walked around the gate and proceeded up the steep paved park road.  My recent attempts at 10,000 steps per day on the treadmill are paying off.  Though winded I am not as bad as I was in North Carolina, though my lungs, legs, and endurance will be tested later in the hike.

Eventually, we reached the intersection of the horse trail and the Lake Vista Loop.  We moved down the trail, me in the lead to take care of all the spider webs, and soon were met with some hills.  Mark and I, as usual, spoke of YouTube videos, photography, our possible upcoming trip, and really whatever random thoughts flowed in and out of our brains.  It was good to hear his voice and spend time with Mark.  The trail below is was narrow, yet visible beneath my feet.  I soon found myself facing a monster hill climb.  We twisted and turned up 919 feet in the span of ½ mile, reaching the summit of a large set of rocks Mark had mentioned to me previously.   After catching my breath I began looking around and noticing the carvings within the rack face.  Some were quite detailed, others were just simply names.  I climbed up on top of the rocks, got a geocache, and then Mark and I just hung out for a time.  We drank water, I ate a banana, snapped some shots then we proceeded on back down the hill.  The steepness on the other side was just as precarious as coming up, but this time my knees felt it.

We continued to talk and followed the trail over a few streams and through the now more open woods.  We began planning our trip as I mentioned in my last post and enjoyed each other’s company.  Soon we were back at our vehicles and said our goodbyes.  As I drove home I notice a new lever of calm (my brain) that I have not had for some time.  I took my time, looked around, and long for our next hike, which may come as soon as next weekend.  Thank you, Mark, for bringing me here.  I am not sure I would have gone here on my own.

Until next time,

Tim

 

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