For breakfast, I filtered more water (aka "Green Tea") and made outmeal and coffee. I took down camp, and hit the trail at about 9:30AM.
I tried hiking along the New River for a bit longer, but the shore was not easy to follow, plus, there was a bit of quicksand! Yes, quicksand. I had been warned about this, and it is true. I stepped into it a couple of times before I learned to spot it. There is a quite of bit of it along the New River. So be warned.
Anyhow, I headed back to the beach, where all the sand was soft, even the wet stuff. Weather was foggy, and the wind was in my face. Yuk! Temperature was low 60's. No river crossing required today.
Worn-out soft-sand hiker
On the positive side, I found a few entirely intact sand dollars. Even a full, dried out sea star. Too bad I didn't have any way to carry all the finds.
I started to develop a blister on my right heel. A little moleskin helped that problem.
On this stretch, I didn't see any other people all the way from the New River camp till just before the Floras Lake turn-off. There, I saw a lone person, and inquired whether the trail just ahead was leading to Floras lake. It was.
I was glad to have finally made it. This was a hard day. The trail from the beach to the Floras Lake campground was about .5 mile. At the campground, I found the sign prohibiting tent camping! I went over to the camp host, and asked about it.
Turns out they have sewage problems/limitations, so only campers that are self-contained are allowed. Grrr. Curry County is in the process of getting grants to fix this problem. So, hopefully in 2002, tent camping will be allowed again.
After talking with the camp host, I was tired, and depressed, since I would probably have to camp by the beach. Then, I got out our list of Bed and Breakfasts, and lo and behold, a B&B right next to the lake. I called them on my cell phone, and a room was available.
The B&B is Floras Lake Bed and Breakfast. Their web site is here. I stayed in the South Room, which has a fireplace. I lucked out on this one.
Crossing the bridge into Floras Lake