Black Rock Campground to Queen Charlotte Tavern
19.5 miles
Mile 1095.4
I was on trail before 5:00 AM, getting an early start so I could knock out the 20 miles to town before the Super Bowl started.
My early start treated me to an epic sunrise over the bay as I made my way to the top of a climb.
After a good bit of climbing, the trail led back down to a picnic area in a sheltered cove where I stopped to soak in my surroundings for a bit.
From the cove it was two miles until the trail ended at a road, that I followed for five miles until reaching the Queen Charlotte Tavern.
I’d read in the trail notes that the tavern was hiker friendly, offering camping in the grass behind the building, so I figured I’d end my day there if they had a tv at the bar with the game on.
I’d arrived just past noon, and was the only patron there when I found a seat at a high top near the bar. A friendly waitress greeted me, and made my day when she flipped the channel to the Super Bowl. I’d made it just in time for kick off!
Four hours later the Patriots added another ring to their collection. It wasn’t the most exciting game, but it was a nice break from my daily hiking routine. After a dinner of fried squid and a salad, I setup camp behind the tavern and drifted off to sleep.
Yo Margo, thanks for the brewski! Hope you’re having a killer time exploring the North Island!
Cheers!