HERE BE DRAGONS

I just had the worst hike of my life!

I decided to do the Bird Mountain trail at Frozen Head state park, but I went the back way on Lookout Tower trail. Bird Mountain trail from the back was completely overgrown with knee high grass; I was afraid I was going to step on a snake. The sections of trail free from the grass were overhung by thorny bushes. And where the blazes were the blazes!?! The white blaze only appeared when it was absolutely obvious where the trail was...which wasn't often on the back side of the mountain.

The topo map also described the Bird Mtn trail as "very scenic," which in Frozen Head terms means: Trees. Trees, trees and trees. I climbed all the way to the peak and beyond and never once saw the mountain for the trees. *Grumble grumble*

On a different note: I got my passport from home yesterday and purchased my extremely $$$ ticket to New Zealand today so that I can send in the final step of my work visa application. I'm leaving September 24 (and arriving in NZ on the 26th!).