It was a rainy week. The ground was wet and the air was cold. It was time to hike 29 miles in two days! This was a challenge and a joy enjoyed by Dirty Girls and other slightly strange people! Joking aside, it turned out to be a gorgeous weekend! All told, with some extra steps included, the fitbit wearing Dirty Girls agreed that our total mileage for the weekend was 32.75 miles – 18 on Saturday and 14.75 on Sunday!! WooHoo! Here are the pictures and a couple of cool stories to go along with them! Here are some pictures and highlights from our weekend! The Redy2Party Bus picked us up right on time at 8:30 Saturday morning. It was a crisp and cool morning, but bright and beautiful!
We had a great view of Perry Lake as we hiked the trail along the edge of the lake. We observed many migratory birds, including my favorite American White Pelican aka Black Wing-tipped Pelican. They are super cool! Check them out here! Their wingspan ranges from 6 to 9 feet!
Those of us at the front of the line enjoyed a few special sights. First, I fell within the first 10 minutes on the trail in an amazing and dramatic crash. WOW! The bruise is still really painful. Luckily, I’m the Dirty Mutha so I kept going! Second, we saw two foxes running and playing in the woods. When they saw us, they changed direction rapidly! They were awesome. (I had my camera in my hand and didn’t even raise it to my face!)
These are just a few of the brave and adventurous women who are members of tribe Dirty Girl! They looked a little more fresh and energetic at the beginning of the adventure that they did at the end but they seemed proud, confident and accomplished event though they were blistered and tired out! Most were covered with stick tights, poison ivy oils and some small amount of sweat along with their glory!
This is one of the gajillion interesting, weird and pretty cool fungus we saw along the trail. It is spiky and cool. It’s a puffer type fungi and when dry it will poof out spores.
This cool flat grass is Inland Sea Oats. Pretty!
The blue flashes mark the trail. If there are two stacked blue spots, they mark a turn. This trail is maintained by volunteers so while we hiked, we sprayed new signs along the path. I also have lovely blue overspray on my camera and watchband!
Dirty Girls had time for conversation and contemplation both while maintaining a steady pace over a rough and tough terrain. The diversity of our group is what makes it great. Women from all over northeast Kansas joined us for this adventure, coming together with determination and humor to enjoy the weekend together.
One of the things I have loved the most about this amazing adventure has been meeting and getting to know so many determined, adventurous, interesting, caring, motivated women. I have enjoyed quality friendships with a few women in my lifetime but this summer I have been able to add many more – more than I ever thought I would find in my lifetime. Some, I haven’t even begun to know but I can tell that they have much to offer. I am eager to continue to grow these friendships. They are enriching, energizing and inspiring to me!
This awesome dog – tribal name Dirty Dog – joined us for most of day 2. We attempted to track down her original owner and left information at the shelter and no one wanted her. This was a meant to be moment as Dirty Mama Jennifer had been wishing for a dog! Kiowa aka Dirty Dog, now has a loving home and a tribe of awesome Dirty Girls!
I kept telling them that we had 2 more miles to go … they were beginning to doubt! The official trail distance is 29 but with extras and detours we covered 32.75.
THE END! This is the group at the end of day 2 – what a great bunch!
Overall, it was a great adventure. We accomplished something difficult, challenging, enjoyable and strengthening – both physically and emotionally. We can do it! There are a million pictures to include but I have to stop somewhere so this is it! Photo credits to Dirty Girl Lorraine, Dirty Mama Jennifer and possibly a couple of other Dirty Girls!
Thanks to all of the Dirty Girls who joined us for this giant adventure! Thanks to the Dirty Mamas for all of their love and support and to the Dirty Minions for their help throughout the weekend.
See you on the trail! Love each and every one of you for your brave and adventurous determination and overall fabulosity!!
xoxoxox
Denise aka Original Dirty Girl aka The Dirty Mutha!