June 21, 2007

Today is my favorite day ever.  That's because it's my birthday.  I would say my wedding day or the birth of my three children are my favorite days ever, except I needed to be born in order to get married and have children. Thanks mom and pops and happy anniversary!  I was born on my parent's fourth wedding anniversary.

Today is Naked Hiker's Day.  I'm not sure whether Naked Hiker's Day has made it on the Hallmark Calendar.  It should be added.  I actually did hike in my birthday suit.  Weird.  Very weird.  Luckily for me (and everyone else) I saw no one.  So I began my day a little chilly.  Frost formed on the inside of my tent at Virginia Canyon Trail (an elevation of 8,540 feet).  I didn't brave the elements until after 8:00 a.m.  I took a dip...a skinny dip...at Wilson Creek.  I phoned my husband, but a hundred mosquitoes attacked me so our conversation was cut short.

I hiked over Benson Pass (10,140 feet above sea level) naked!  There were patches of snow too. Would anyone expect anything less from a summer solstice baby?  I took another dip four tenths of a mile off the trail at Benson Lake.  Ahhhh....freedom.  Well, sort of.  I was still lugging my heavy backpack.  I climbed another 1,400 feet before calling it a day at a beautifully serene pond.  I put on my bug suit and made another call home.  I was lucky to speak to my husband and son before I lost my call via satellite.

I had instant mashed potatoes for my birthday dinner and fig Newton's for dessert.  At this writing, I have a tissue stuffed in my nose.  I have a bloody nose!  Go figure.  Must be my punishment for hiking naked.  I hiked 18.5 miles at elevation on my 51st birthday.  I miss my family terribly.  I also miss my pug puppies, Beaumont, Bruin, Bandit, Buster, and Kiah.  Today was a great day and I thank God for providing the beauty.  Total miles to date: 975.2