Little Creek Hollow

     I've come to the little cabin in the hollow for a weekend with my daughter, son-in-law and nearly four year old granddaughter,. This is an enchanted place, tucked between two ridges of trees, backed by a national forest, fronted by a little-used gravel road which runs past their property. On the other side of the gravel road is a beautiful spring-fed creek, Little Sinking Creek. Just next to the little cabin a tiny creek runs, not much more than a brook, spilling softly over shallow rocks, sending the music of the running water through the woods. They call it Little Creek.
     I come here to breathe deeply and to walk the gravel road with my hiking poles and boots. I can imagine myself on the Camino better here than I can at the gym, walking the circular track. Even here, though, it's hard to be outdoors long on a hot Missouri summer day, in the 90's. Another part of my preparation though is using my sleeping bag here, to see how it feels to me. I'm not happy with what I've discovered. I don't like sleeping in a sleeping bag, because I feel so confined in my movement. I turn a lot in the night, and that's hard in a sleeping bag, even with one side open. And it's a light sleeping bag too, so it doesn't provide much warmth if I need it. In the middle of the night last night I thought about alternatives, some solution that would be both comfortable for me, for nearly two months, and also light-weight. And I decided to look for a light-weight fitted sheet to take with me. Then I could use my sleeping bag for a blanket, either half of it or both halves, depending on the temperature and whether or not the albergue where I'm staying has provided a blanket. It sounds as though that might be a good choice, but only time will tell. I've found a lightweight sheet online and have ordered it already. Something else to test out. And I can hope for a better night sleeping tonight, without that to worry about.