Monday, June 28, 2004
I Got What I Wanted--Part I
06/28/04
I had great energy today. We spent the morning getting back to the CDT. As we hiked along, I developed a vision: A sunny swimming hole with easy in/out water access near lunch time.
I realized my vision.
As lunch time approached, the trail dropped down, down, down, and I could see the river. One spot was close to the vision, but I held out for better, hiking through the hunger that lured me to take lunch.
Then I saw it. It was perfect. A sandy beach led into a blue pool of water fed by a healthy flow, and it had easy trail access. And full sun. I quickly made my way to the beach, dropped pack, and stripped off my shirt.
I washed all my clothes plus an extra pair of socks, then jumped in twice. It felt great to cool down, clean up, and feel the sun warming my wet skin. The wind stayed away as the sun dried me.
Hiker 816 came along, but I couldn't convince him to get in. He and I continued to a shady spot for lunch, which was one of those places that if we'd only walked another 100 feet, we would have had a great place to have lunch: a backwoods NFS cabin with a porch.
Apple Pie and Spur quickly joined us, noting the unspecial nature of our chosen lunch spot. Spur had already taken a short lunch because I had pushed the hour so late.
I was the first to reach the CDT sign. I celebrated alone in an internal sort of way and then took the turn back on to the home path. We soon had a lovely river crossing and on the far bank I found elephant's head blooming. I got a few shots.
I walked on, mostly alone. I stopped at Grizzly Park, a lovely meadowy area, figuring it would be a great place for dinner. It was, but everyone opted for a shady spot over my full-sun choice.
We saw no grizzlies in Grizzly Park.
Our walk took us further up the valley and over a lame pass. Now we are camped in some trees.
This entry is Part I because I know that a Part II is coming, I just don't know how or when.
'night
