Start: 0715 - Gold Creek
End: 1855 - West Trough Creek
Miles (today): 24
Miles (cumulative): 1522 (1365 PCT, 94 alternate, 63 off)

Some days I make it to the planned campsite and wonder how I made it - today was definitely one of those days.  My calf is pretty mad (please please please let it just be a worn out shoe issue) so walking is slow and a bit painful.  Ibuprofen didn't even help.  Sigh.  

On a positive note, the trail was mostly shaded, which was a good thing because it was really hot. By the time I made it to McCloud river I was drenched in sweat and fantasizing about jumping in.  

Dilly Dally, DW, Sunny, and Memento were already enjoying the river when I got there.  (yes, Memento was there! He said he took 9 days off, which is the only reason he's not weeks ahead.  He will be weeks ahead soon, though - he's doing 40 mile days). I ate a quick lunch and then dipped my legs in the cold water - it felt fantastic!  I also rinsed my shirt and putting it on wet felt so so so wonderful!  Too bad the feeling didn't last long- after a mere 5 minutes of hiking it was dry and I was once again sweating like mad. 

It's mentally tough going slow - the miles seem to take forever to get through.  That being said, I really am trying to focus on the now and not worry about how much further I have to go.  Dilly Dally helped with this, too - she takes a lot of breaks throughout the day and it was nice to bump into her.  In fact, once I even sat with her because my calf was screaming and I figured some rest would be nice.  Usually I just walk walk walk until I get to camp... But today I took breaks AND a long lunch and did my best to enjoy them and not worry about how I'd be getting to camp later as a result. 

We're cowboy camping tonight because the campsite we are stuck with doesn't have enough room for the tent.   It is so hot that I'm not even using my sleeping bag, I'm just going to sleep on the ground, exposed to all nature has to offer. I hope the bugs stay away, although I know they won't - I've already brushed off two spiders and the mosquitos are singing in my ear.  :)

Along the trail: