Love the idea of book on tape. I think that would help when lonely or anxious at times. Quiet and nature is nice but sometimes we need to have a nice distraction.
August 2, 2021 - Day 2 began at a stealth campsite just short of Lake Valhalla. I hiked to another, not quite too stealthy, campsite just shy of Lake Janus. It was a beautiful day of hiking. Although the air was smoky from distant forest fires, it gave the trail a luminescent glow. The haze also kept the temperature down and made it more pleasant. I do wish the air had been clear though. It is easier on the lungs and the photos on a crystal clear day, are stunning. I learned two very important lessons in the middle of the night. For the past two nights, I was putting my tent up without the rain fly on it. It has been very hot and this allows the airflow to cool me while sleeping. I got away with it the first night. Not so, on night number two! Around 2am, I felt plop, plop, plop...big raindrops on my face. It is surprising how fast you can wake up when you need to. My rain fly was easily accessible in a tent pocket above my head. I knew my headlamp was in the top pocket (bra...
August 3rd, 2021 - Day 3 Janus Lake to Grizzly Peak, I only made it halfway to Grizzly Peak. I slept in a bit and stopped hiking early. Hiking was a bit challenging over the rock screes. I didn't take a lot of pictures today. A half hour before stopping for the afternoon, I heard some thunder rumbling in the distance. There was just enough time to set my tent up and have my first warm dinner. I hadn't been very hungry while hiking. Too tired I guess. Just as I was finishing, the raindrops started. I hurried into my tent and had an evening of rain, lightening, and hail. For a little while it was scary being in an ultra lightweight tent. The lightening was close and the flimsy tent fabric and surrounded by trees was worrisome. I kept counting the seconds between the flashes and thunder. I finally stopped worrying and fell fitfully asleep. The rain and thunderstorm lasted a good eight hours, into the wee hours of the morning. I stayed completely dry. It's nice to be able to t...
August 5th, 2021 - Day 5 Lake Valhalla to Steven's Pass Last night I stayed in an established campground site next to Lake Valhalla. It was also the first time I solo tented next to anyone else. I enjoyed the camaraderie of setting up next to hikers, making new friends, and hearing their stories. As much as I enjoyed the socializing, at bedtime, I missed the quiet of a solo campsite. I'm too tired, dare I say old, from hiking to stay up and chat, lol. A funny thing about this, going a bit off topic, is I am amazed I am not scared solo camping. The first time solo camping was in May. I was on the PCT in the southern California desert 5 miles from the Mexican border. As much as I disliked the weather/terrain I wasn't scared of being alone. This is going way off topic. When Mark and I first had children, I decided I wanted to learn to camp. Mark had only "camped" on sailboats when he was in high school and college. Basically, I was on my own to learn this. I checke...
Love the idea of book on tape. I think that would help when lonely or anxious at times. Quiet and nature is nice but sometimes we need to have a nice distraction.
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