Start: 0700 - West Trough Creek
End: 1615 - Castella State Campground
Miles (today): 22.5 (19 PCT, 3.5 off)
Miles (cumulative): 1544.5 (1384 PCT, 94 alternate, 66.5 off)

Shortly after filling up with water at Squaw Valley Creek this morning, I SAW A BEAR! It was awesome!  I heard some loud rustling on the side of the trail that was so close I thought it was a hiker or maybe a deer.  I didn't have time to feel fear; By the time I realized it was a bear, he had already looked at me, deemed me to be another boring, inconsequential human, and went back to doing his thing (clawing a tree).  Since he didn't seem to care about my presence, I didn't feel the need to hike the hell out of there.  Instead, I tried to video him.  Really, he was a pretty chill, non-threatening bear.  :)

After the bear sighting, the rest of the hike seemed a little less exciting than usual, although it wasn't bad.  A few times I even got a glimpse of Shasta, which makes me happy for some reason.  I love how it looks almost fake, as if someone painted it in the sky.  

By the time I made it to the frontage road to Castella, my clothes were soaked through with sweat.  Thank goodness most of the hike was shaded, I don't know what I would have done otherwise!  The first thing I did when I got to Ammirati market in Castella (where we were picking up our resupply) was make a beeline to the restroom, where I peeled off my dirty, sweaty shirt and did my best to clean up.  

Coming out of the restroom I met Guac and Whitney Shoeston.  Guac offered me some homemade chocolate chip cookie/brownie/Oreo things her mother made - they were fantastic, but needed to be paired with milk.... So I bought some milk.  Ice cold milk with homemade sweets seemed like a great idea at the time, but I don't think my body is all that happy about the decision now. 

In addition to our resupply, I finally have new shoes!!!!!  OMG, 800 trail miles was far too many for those Altras - putting on the new pair felt amazing.  Let's hope most (or all) of my issues disappear now.  Nick also got new shoes as well as a smaller hip belt for his pack - he's lost so much weight that his old hip belt wasn't doing its job.  

Just as I was about to hiker box my old shoes (which made me sad for some reason - I had those shoes since the Sierras!), Whitney Shoeston said he wanted them, which made me feel so much better. Now, instead of sadly sitting in a hiker box, the shoes will get to see more of the trail. 

Mary, our amazing resupply expert, has now started making us dinners (the ones Nick made are finally gone).  I can't wait to eat this!!!

Mary also sent another quote, which I found to be very fitting for where my mind has been lately:

Along the trail: