Bridge to Nowhere 3-15-14

Did the Bridge to Nowhere Hike, for the 3rd time!

This is the technical name of the trail- East Fork Trail, located in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness, above Azusa, CA.

Trail info: http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/bridge-to-nowhere-hike-los-angeles/

Creative crossings.... five one way, five back, this time... it changes it seems.  

Your shoes will get wet though, that is a definite. 

About 2~2.5 miles in.

These damn things are everywhere and they hurt!  Make sure to wear long pants.  

This time I took 25-30 pounds on my back.  30 to start, carrying extra water and food, but it went down as the day went on.  I have to figure out how not to get so bruised on my shoulders....  Or maybe that is just something you have to suck up and deal with.

Owwww....

This time also, I balanced well on all of the rocks.  Amazing!  I jumped from rock to rock on the stream, barely getting my feet wet.  Slacklining and practice really does help with balance... so does confidence.  

Columbia, SC: Family Night

Today was family night, where the families got to visit on base, but had to stay on base.

It was awesome being able to see the change in Ashley, as in many of the new soldiers.  What really got me, though, was how young so many of these soldiers were.  Many were 18/19 years old, and I pray that they never see war.  I am 25 years old, not much older, and it was strange how I felt sort of protective over them...  I felt that others there felt the same.  They are adults, and are being trained to fight, but they are still young, and need all sorts of support.  

Here are some photos from the night.