Start: 0730 - Peavine Creak
End: 1900 - Gold Creek
Miles (today): 26 (25.5 PCT, 0.5 off)
Miles (cumulative): 1498 (1341 PCT, 94 alternate, 63 off)
While listening to a podcast this morning (TED radio hour), I heard the following piece of advice: "Don't be in the story of how it should have been but live in deep acceptance with how it is." The speaker went on to say that unhappiness often results when the way you think it should be and the way it is are different, so it's important to find the good and the joy in the way it is right now. He also said to be where you are and allow action to arise out of that being. It was all just a different way of saying to be present in the moment, but the way it was presented really struck a chord with me. I was hiking but not really enjoying the moment - I was upset about all the things that caused us to get behind our original schedule and I was wishing I was at our planned campsite already. I realized that I was missing out on so much by doing that, so I made a huge effort to be content with what I was doing at the present time (hiking uphill) and it really did make a difference. Even when I had to go off trail for water - I hate walking any further with the pack on than I have to - I didn't get upset that the Halfmile app led me astray (it said the water source was on-trail, which is why I planned my day around stopping there). In fact, I actually had fun with DW trying to find the water (I'm glad she came along, though, I very well might have given up - the water was really far off trail! - and gone thirsty for the next 5 miles).
The hike was beautiful- I really like this section, probably because every time I see Shasta I think "oh, how beautiful ".
Shasta in the distance
It would have been a stellar day except my calf is giving me problems now. It's always something, I don't know why my body can't just let me hike pain-free. Hopefully it's just these old shoes - only two more days until I get new ones, I really hope I can make it.
Despite my calf giving me grief, I made it to the campsite before dark. Since there was a significant total elevation gain, I carried the cooking stuff today - that way I could make the meals, purify water, and have everything ready for when Nick got to camp. The arrangement worked well. :)
The campsite isn't the best - it's basically on a road - but at least we are camping near water. Slim, Dilly Dally and Smiles, 4 Cheese and Sangria, and DW are here, too.
