Aug 11

2362-2391

I have essentially nothing to say about this day. I took 3 pictures and did not write myself any notes.

We hike up and down steep inclines, gaining 7,000 feet of gain and 6,800 feet of loss over the course of the day. The exertion acts as a form of brainwashing, erasing my memory, as I plod along listening to podcasts.

At one point in the morning amber doesn’t meet up at the only water source for miles. The source is a hundred yards off trail and I wait for an hour for her before heading on. Not knowing if she is in front or behind me I take long breaks during the day to allow her to catch up. I don’t see her from. 6:30am until nearly 5pm. Eventually I get cell service and send a message to her GPS unit telling her the mile marker I am at. She responds saying she is 6 miles ahead. Oy vey.

I rush a long to catch by the early evening. Along the way I see a tiny waterfall inhabited by dozens of frogs.

Back in home territory we pass by the watershed that serves as the source of water for Seattle.

We walk until dark, and camp close to I-90. We can see cars rushing by in the distance and are lulled to sleep by the roar of the trucks on the highway.