This dull photo helps explain a special event from my hike. The mud flat was “flaky,” seen best at the top of the photo. The thin, dry layer of salt was fragile and broke at the slightest disturbance. As I walked, my footsteps created flakes. As the cart’s wheels turned, the tires created flakes. The flakes were light as a feather, maybe lighter. But wait---there’s more!

During much of the return hike, I had a tailwind (“tailbreeze” would be more accurate). The breeze was blowing at the same speed I walked. So as I walked, my feet and the tires of the handcart were producing lots of small flakes of salt and the breeze blew them across the surface at my walking pace. When I looked down, it looked as if I were being accompanied by a horde of gentle flaky creatures, happy to join me in my travel---something surreal and endearing. It was the high point of the two-day hike. I will never forget it.