Tuesday, September 4th.

Tuesday, September 4th: Todays miles = 25.6. Total PCT miles = 1,949.9.

I made it through the night last night despite the animal stalking my tent all night. It took me a while to let my mind shut off and fall asleep but once I did I actually got one of the better nights of sleep I've gotten in a while.

I got up around 6:30, packed my things, and started a morning fire to make my tea and oatmeal (I'm out of coffee and really didn't feel like a Poptart this morning). It was close to 8 by the time I started hiking. All day today I passed by beautiful lakes, some more beautiful than others. I stopped at a lake 15 miles in for lunch and got to dip my feet and legs in the water to clean them off. It was a wonderful lunch spot. I watched the ducks with their ducklings swim by while the sun shined just right on the big beautiful lake. I didn't want to get up and start hiking again but I knew I had at least 10 more miles in me for the day. Those ten miles went by more quickly than I could have asked for and before I knew it I was again at another lake but this time at my home for the evening. I set up my tent, started a fire, and began cooking my dinner. Dinner tonight started as a cheddar and broccoli rice side but quickly became a cheesy, broccoli, rice mixture with chili lentils, fresh green beans, fresh hot green pepper, black pepper, red pepper, parmesan cheese, crumbs from various snack bags, and tortilla pieces. It was kind of like a 'whatevers in your fridge soup' the day before grocery shopping but substitute fridge for food bag. I enjoyed my dinner slop and curled in my sleeping bag for what I hope is a large-animal free night!