August 31, 2008

I am in Snoqualamie now with 30-30. What a surprise when Troll, Anchor, and Oblivious showed up with fresh fruit and sodas. The '07 PCT through hikers were visiting this year's hikers and providing trail magic. Oblivious (the 13 year-old super hiker) was carrying a pouch containing a marsupial named Velcro. He was an itty-bitty sugar glider. I had had the priviledge of hiking with Troll and Oblivious for a time in '07, but had never met Anchor who thru-hiked the AT with her family in '05. They are a great family and I loved seeing them again and petting their fawn pugs. Tammy, also an '07 PCT hiker who knew the family came to my room to mingle, hug, and share trail stories as well. Tammy is 48 and is the first woman my age that I have met this year. She is also completing her 2007 hike. She is funny and is funnier about her independence. Tammy hikes solo and loves it that way. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of women in both Anchor and Tammy. In the lobby sat two huge boxes of Krispy Kremes. My day was now complete as I allowed the donuts to melt in my mouth one-by-one. Sadly, my pocketmail composer died. I rely on it to provide readers and Walking for Walden supporters up-to-date trail stories. When I phoned Pocketmail, they informed me that no more composers were available until December. They weren't very friendly about that either so I'm considering ridding myself of the composer and using pen and paper. Apparently, too, many emails had been rejected and sent back to the writer. For that, I am sorry. I always like getting news from home and a little bit of encouragement every now and then. The trail can be a very lonely place at times.