Start: 0800 - near Blowout Mountain
End: 1845 - near a spring at PCT mile 2374
Miles (today): 22.5
Miles (cumulative): 2411 (2187.5 PCT, 149.5 alternate, 74 off)

There is no need to be shy, Washington- stop hiding your beauty behind rain and fog and let me enjoy your scenery!

It rained most of the day, although there were a few fleeting moments of reprieve.  I passed a southbound section hiker who told me it was supposed to clear up in the afternoon, which gave me hope.  I saw Roswell and passed on the info - we both tried our best to be positive about the weather and talking to him made me smile (we were both obviously falsely positive but it still helped).

I walked and walked and walked - there wasn't much else to do since it was too cold to stop for too long.  Music helped pass the time, though.  

By 1600 I still hadn't seen Nick.  Not wanting a repeat of the other night, I slowed down as much as I could without getting cold. What I really wanted to do was stop to eat lunch, but it seemed like every time the rain ceased falling for a bit there was never a good place to stop.  Then, when a decent place to stop did come along, the rain would start again.  At least the trail was lined with huckleberry bushes (or are they blueberry bushes?) most of the day - I periodically stopped to pick some (they tasted so good!).   

By 1700 the sun started to peek out just a little - once it actually broke through the clouds and I ran ahead to where it was shining on the trail.  It only lasted a few seconds, but standing in the sunlight felt heavenly.  I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the light and the warmth. 

I stopped to wait for Nick 4 miles before our planned meeting spot at a spring because I was nervous about where he was (I really didn't want a repeat of the other night!).  He was only about 15 minutes behind me, so we pushed on.  

When I got to the spring (the actual meeting spot) I told Nick I needed to be done for the day even though we had enough daylight for a few more miles.  Even though my heart wanted to go further than 22.5 miles, my feet did not - I guess I shouldn't have stopped to wait for Nick because they just weren't the same after that.   I feel good about the call - it started raining again just as soon as Nick got the tent up and it feels good to be out of the rain.

I love this tent.  I love my sleeping bag.  I love being warm.  

I miss the desert.

:)

Along the trail: