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Richland Creek Wilderness AreaHike with summer bluff action in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area
7/27/19
The alarm woke me, as programmed, at 1:06 a.m. I rose promptly and prepared to bite the road. Just before 3:00 I pulled into Waffle House #2 in Russellville, did two donuts and skidded into the most convenient parking space near me. Upon entry, no one greeted me. This is sad, for employees there are required, according to the national rule sheet displayed on every Waffle House wall, to greet all that enter there. Strike one! My weasley looking server arrived at my table within about five minutes. I said "good morning", she responded with "What will you have?". Strike two! I ordered coffee and told her I'd make my selection upon her return. She was annoyed by that response. Strike three! My usual three dollar tip just dropped to two dolla. Cold air swirling around my mini-table had my food cold as the plate hit the Formica surface. Yay. As I exited the parking lot, Susie the server came out to suck down her once hourly cig. I returned to leave one last donut track just at her feet. She grinned toothlessly as I looked back in my rear view mirror. Onward north now.
The border of the wilderness was breached at 5:00 and the shrubbery embraced me with its full thickness. I hugged back. Before sunrise my favorite cliff fell off into the valley before me. The temp was 63° with mostly clear sky action. No breeze was perceived. The sun came up...I watched it do that. It was quite enjoyable. Then...it was back into the shrubbery. Some wandering ensued and before my brain was aware...I was back at the vehicular unit. The temp was still mild at 75°. Hell yeah.
