Grouphike is just a nine-letter word.

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That bulge in your pocket makes all the difference!

Yes, I know “grouphike” isn’t one word, but I used it that way so it would fit better with those other nine-letter words: adventure and nightmare. That’s the most accurate description for this week’s trek of the Wednesday (hey, nine letters!) Walkers. I had suggested to the group that we head out to Subic Hills and take the back way from there to Castillejos. It’s a hike I’d done three or four times, but it had been a year or so since the last occasion. Things change, and we found ourselves in a sticky situation early on, but fought our way through. And then our trail was blocked, so we blazed a new one, only to discover our way ahead was impeded by a fence. The fence was too weak to climb over, so we crawled under. In doing so, I took some flesh off of my knee, but on we trudged, wading the river and finding our way back to the highway. There, we got a Jeepney home to Barretto. Exciting shit, eh? Here are some pictures to help with the visualization:

This week’s iteration of the Wednesday Walkers traveled to the far side of Subic-town to begin our adventure.
A short stroll through the streets of the Subic Hills subdivision to start things off.
Leaving the pavement behind, it seemed nothing had changed since the last time I was here.
Peaceful and pretty out this way.

Until this happened:

What had once been a well-groomed trail was now completely overgrown with thick plants and vines, making forward progress extremely difficult.
And painful. The vegetation included sticker bushes that seemed drawn to bare skin. They also had a Velcro-like effect when they touched clothing.

We eventually fought our way through, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

This old abandoned shack was a familiar landmark once we had escaped the thorns.
Down in the valley, this road was more like a canal. Still, compared to what we had just gone through, it seemed good enough.
Enjoying the valley views.
One of several friendly locals we encountered during our journey.
The next crap we had to go through. Well, as I am wont to say, there is freedom to be found in wet feet.
Sloshing through the fields.
And then I left a little piece of me behind.
Through the river we go.
Safely on the other side.
Onward to Castillejos.
An unfriendly 6.5 kilometers.
My wound after twenty-four hours of healing.

The rest of the day went fine: Drinks at Red Bar, dinner at Sit-n-Bull, and a nightcap at Wet Spot. Then home again. That’s just how this old-timer rolls.

It is now October 2014 in the LTG archives. And damn, even eleven years ago, the emptiness of my life was something to blog about. It didn’t help that the woman I loved wasn’t with me. Little did I know that she wouldn’t be joining me in the USA ever again.

Today’s YouTube video is also from the October 2014 LTG archives. But this video is a news clip about my son’s decision to donate a kidney. I raised a good one. He’d probably say no thanks to you. And so it goes.

I could use a little humor right about now:

Taco Bell was the place I’d go when I had the marijuana munchies.
Oops!
Yeah, it is for the best that I’ve retired from driving.

Alright, time for a quick nap before I head to the hospital for my appointment with the pulmonary doctor. Here’s hoping I have good news to share tomorrow.

2 thoughts on “Grouphike is just a nine-letter word.”

  1. Leaving the pavement behind, it seemed nothing had changed since the last time I was here.

    Ahem.

    Nice bleeder! Take care not to let it get infected.

    Good luck at the doc’s.

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