Campground to Dutch meadow and spring - 15.1 miles

Total - 744.1 miles

Boy was the military getting on my fucking nerves last night. We are not in war why are we flying the most noise deafening fighter jets across the pristine wilderness. I can only imagine what the birds and the other animals are thinking. This would continue throughout the day as well. It’s cool to see them fly so close to you but goddamn at dusk?! Go to bed. Anyway we started strong with an easy 3 miles before the climb. The climb was graded really well and it didn’t hurt too much to go up. We hit around 11,000 today. Dad was feeling it for sure but I just ride his coat tails pretty much the entire day. I have to hold back sometimes because I’ve almost gotten struck by his walking poles. Once we got to the first false summit we saw Ella and reggae which was a pleasant surprise as I was not expecting to see them at all today as they were pushing 22 while we were going 15. Talked to them for a little bit before they headed off. Our goal was to get lots of breaks in to acclimate and also to make sure dad felt good. I have to remember I’m 700 miles in while he’s about 40 miles in so of course I’m going to feel better than him. The pack was feeling pretty good as well. Still hurting but I can tell my pack is under 40 pounds now with a 1 liter carry. Makes a huge difference. We stopped for lunch after going to a lovely water source. Probably one of the prettiest I’ve seen just with the contrast of the Rocky ground to the green grass and little stream. Felt magical like a fairy should pop out and cast a spell on you while a deer munches on grass clueless. There were little buttercups along the stream as well that added to the magic. We then pushed on. I was getting so eepy while walking that honestly if we stopped I could’ve fallen asleep. The only thing that kept me up was the thunder rolling in behind us. About 0.3 miles from our potential camp it started to lightly sprinkle on us. I was worried as my tent was on the outside of my pack and I didn’t want it to get wet. We were thinking maybe we would push on a max of 4 miles but we weren’t sure until the rain kept coming and that made up our minds that this campground will be our home. We landed there around 2 and around 2:30 we started to set up our tents as it didn’t look like the rain would stop anytime soon. Right as we are setting our tents up it’s starts to rain harder so I’m panicking trying to fit the stupid tent pole into its slot while things are getting wet. I think I figured out how to put up the rain fly before the tent so the inside won’t get wet. I did it ungracefully this time so I plan to redeem myself the next thunderstorm which will most likely be tomorrow around 2-3pm. It was pure pan ick though. Then the wind was blasting the rain onto the one side where it could soak through so I put my stolen aka found 3/8th inch pad to allievate the soak. It worked and I felt like a genius. I then had to maneuver the last cross bar onto the top of the tent while in the tent which was a struggle but we made it happen. It then rained for the next 3 hours on and off with thunder here and there. I enjoyed it as I just sat and munched on whatever snacks I could get my grubby little hands on. I did have to fight for it as the bear can is human proof just as much as bear proof. I listened to my audio book while the sun warmed up my face and tent as well as it rained down on us. Practically fell asleep. After around 5 it stopped and we went to go get water from the creek which had had some cow attention in the past making it difficult to reach without getting my flip flops and feet soaked. They had put in beaver analogs which was cool to see although the water needed to be higher for it to fully spread out. Maybe I will see a beaver up here. WHICH I have never seen as the ones at the preserve I worked for last year all fucking died from a tick bite right before I started working there. Pissed. We then made dinner of very water downed knorr pasta sides which was kinda even more gross after I added lemon pepper pouch meat. In bed and cuddled up by 6:20. Saving my pee until 8 so I don’t have to get up in the middle of the night. It’s cold out so there’s no need to be outside. I’m outside enough already.

I was texting Marc on the garmin all morning practically and last night trying to figure out the plans. Again, it’s the first day on trail I haven’t seen or been near them which is really strange. I knew it would happen eventually but I will say I do miss the group. Very happy to be here with my dad though don’t get me wrong, I love him with my whole heart and even more. Just wish I could have both though at the same time. That’s life tho, what can ya do.

Peep the new free goodr sunglasses. I feel like a woman with an opinion and will say it. So the usual basically but add more pizazz.