August 16, 2008

copy below...8.22 EIL This morning I went fishing. I also went for a dip. I stopped at a water source which was a teeny pond. I was getting my Mioxx Purifier out of my pack and my backpack rolled into the pond. Dag! I had to go fishing first thing in the morning to try to save everything in my pack from getting soaked. What a wake up call! I eventually filled my water bag and bottle and hiked onward into the Marble Mountains which are known to have beautiful vistas. The recent fires denied me the beauty as haze acted as a smokescreen. I met two sets of firefighters perched in the mountains. As I hiked upon the first set, I was told that I would have to hike down the mountain on either side. 30-30 and the firemen showed me my options. The drops were straight down and neither side seemed doable. I was so disappointed and scared of my ability to descend a steep mountainside after last year's broken leg nightmare. And then 30-30 said, "Can you say gullible?" Oh...real funny! 30-30 and the firemen had set me up. I was relieved to learn that I could continue my hike on the PCT. The firemen were on the ridge to watch the fire and to give notice if the weather shifted the fire in any direction. I expressed my sympathies to them for the loss of their friends and comrades and hiked on.

When I came upon the second set of firefighters miles later, I exclaimed that I would not believe anything they were going to say to me. They laughed. They actually told me that 30-30 was trying to push me. So...I set down my pack in rebellion and breaked with the firemen. They assured me that even though it was smoky, I was safe. Actually, knowing that they were out here and had seen me hiking, I did feel safer. At least the firemen knew that 30-30 and I were on the PCT if the fire changed course. I was tired today and the nickle size cyst on my back was a nagging nuisance. I also got a bee sting on my tricep which hurt like hell! This was a day of hiking that was challenging. I became edgy with myself as I hiked along and my body...back cyst, feet, tricep, and legs ached. I was hating my hike and then I saw an amazing creature on the right side of the trail. The HUGE black bear stood tall as I gained ground and my heart beat fast.
I felt no pain, just excitement, as I watched the bear run away on all fours. I HAD JUST SEEN MY FIRST BEAR EVER! I have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and now I was hiking the PCT for the third time. I should have seen many bears by now. Some hikers tease me about how my singing scares away the bears. And I have actually been on bear hunts with at least two hiking buddies. I was so pumped up and could not wait to share the news with 30-30. I got that chance 9 minutes later when 30-30 chose to stop for the day near a cabin. I jabbered away while setting up the tent and wished that the bear had given me the chance to take a picture. Today I had hiked somewhere near 18 miles and I was happy with day two. Ash blanketed my tent through the night as I slept soundly at the Guard Station in the Marble Mountains.