It was very windy and very cold last night, but Nick did a great job setting up the tent so she held strong and we stayed very warm in our CGQ quilts.  I was so cozy that it was difficult to get moving.  Very soon we’ll need the discipline to get moving early despite the cold, so I did my best not to linger too long under the quilt.  Even so, we were a little later than usual in getting packed up. 

Just as we were about to leave camp, Sith (CDT name Rocks) and her friend Machelle walked up!!! I was so very happy to see them because I had been a little worried when they didn’t show up to the water yesterday.  We had a nice chat while they refilled their water bottles.  It’s Machelle’s first time doing a long trail like this and she’s in the “what am I even putting myself through this for” stage.  I’m impressed that she’s out here and told her so.  After she admitted that she just wants to be happy again, like she was before the trail, I told her it’s ok to be having a not-so-good time - it means she’s a normal human.  I promised her it will be worth it in the end. 

It was still very windy when we started hiking for the day.  And, because we were at 6000 ft elevation, it was pretty chilly, too.  In fact, it was like hiking on a cool, crisp, fall morning.  In other words, it was perfect.  My Body in Balance ohana will be happy to know that I warmed up before starting, focusing on my hip flexors - I’m 90% sure their tightness is contributing my back issues because after I stretch them properly my back feels a lot better.  Sigh. Where are the Abe Galans when you need them? (Abe Galan is a phenomenal sports chiropractor in Maui - he specializes in active release techniques (ART) and he has never yet failed to fix my issues.)

Most of the day was uphill - we got up to 8,000 ft - and I. LOVED. EVERY. SECOND.  I might regret saying this when we’re in Colorado, but uphill is the best.  I’m not sure what it is about the muscles I use while going up, but my back was happy.  My feet, although still blistery, didn’t seem to mind, either.  I love being high in the mountains- it makes me feel free and light and content.  I couldn’t stop taking pictures so here a few:

It smelled SO GOOD up there, too - I love the smell of pine and wood and rock.

Before I knew it, I was waiting for Nick at the junction for Burro Mountain Homestead.  And once he got there, he raced ahead of me because “Ice cream!”.  And now we are here, in the Roosevelt Room, which is an unexpected bonus - we didn’t think they’d have rooms available so we were planning on simply camping.  Our main objective for stopping here was to shower and do laundry (because you NEVER pass up an opportunity to shower or do laundry), so getting a legit bed to sleep on is like a cherry on top of Nick’s ice cream.  The sign outside the room says it’s very likely that Roosevelt stayed in this very room.  Neat.

The people here at Burro Mountain are so kind and friendly!  I’m glad we stopped, even though the competitive part of me wanted to keep going.  Nick is a little sad, though - even though he got his ice cream, he had read that Saturday nights were movie nights here.  Unfortunately, the woman at the desk told us they aren’t doing those at the moment.  He’s taking it well but I know he’s disappointed.

We ended up getting microwave pizza for lunch (yum?). I also had the opportunity to try a new drink called Rhythm and it’s pretty tasty - the founder of the company is related to one of the managers here.  In addition to the recovery formula with turmeric, Rhythm also has a formula for sleep and one with caffeine in it (which I will drink this evening and tomorrow morning, respectively - I’m all for trying new things)

Along the trail: