oday we woke up bright and early to rush to breakfast down the road at the same resturaunt as the night before. The plan was to eat breakfast, meet our two guides, take a boatride along the coast, covering the trail we were about to hike, and then begin the hike once we returned; however, due to the massive, and I mean massive, waves, the boat ride was canceled and we began the hike immediately after breakfast. Our guides, Ian and Paul (I think, I will need to double check on the names) had both grown up in the townships; however, they were etremely knowlegable about the trail and like most people from the townships, extremely courteous and hospitible. The trail was extremely easy at first, a wooden boardwalk that weaved through the trees and led to a beautiful suspention bridge that spanned over the bright blue ocean water. However, once we reached the end of the suspention bridge, we encountered the real trail. A winding dirt path, littered with large rocks and vegitation that climbed up and down the rocky coastline. Although the trail was extremely challenging at times, the views were spectacular and worth every drop of sweat. The group was extremely proud of Nolutando, Lauren and especially Nicole for their persistance and patience with the challenging trail.
Once we reached the cow pastures of Misty Mountain Reserve, all woes brought about from the trail seemed to instantly vanish. The reserve was located on the very edge of the high coastline and was surrounded by beautiful pine reserves. Once again we were seperated into roomates and branced off to explore our more luxurious cabins, or as the South Africans call them, challets. Jake and I were fortunate enough to have the honeymoon suite, outfitted with a small side den, and a larger bathroom...with a jaccusi bath. Ironically, just as I was about to take a short nap, Hurst dropped by asking if anyone wanted to go mountain biking with him. Being the bike-freak that I am, I couldnt resist. So, after our 5 hour hike allong the coast, Hurst and I sattled up allong with our host and now mountain bike guide, Dustin. Surprisingly, the 6'3"ish and easily 220lb man was an extrordinary biker. He and I had great fun exchanging bike stories and critiquing the various bikes on the market. The ride turned out to be just as beautiful as the hike itself. Once we returned to the reserve, Hurst calculated that we had rode 18 miles. 18 miles! We were astonished at how Hurst had attacked the technical and quite long trails with such power. Mr. MacAdoo was extremely happy that he had not accompanied us on the ride after hearing the distance.
After yet another delicious dinner, Dustin and I talked for about 3 hours about South African culture, converted just about everything from rands to dollars (7.8r to the dollar) and I got a whites perspective on the townships. Hurst and I also have our mountain biking pictures posted on the Misty Mountain Reserve. Upon returning to my chalet, Jake and I proceeded to make a LARGE fire in our heater, which proved to be quite an improvement from the hot water bottles. Day 1 of the Dolphin Trail was all around a beautiful day.
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