DAY 3 on the JMT

Rosalie Lake to Reds Meadow

I did not sleep great. Hamburger feet were achy all night after the 20 miles thee day before. Plus I just couldn’t get comfy on my pad and worse, my nose was crazy stuffed. It felt hard to breathe all night. It was a rough night. 

It happens. I can get over a bad night of sleep when I’m on the trail. It’s kinda part of the experience really. 

Thr bummer was when I woke up to my eyes crusty and swollen shut. As I tried to open them, I could seriously see my eyelid skin in my vision! Oh. No. No mirror to even see what’s up so busted out the iPhone to take a look. Oh. My. God. What in the actual face! I looked like I went a  round with Conor McGregor. I have no idea what caused it. Pollen in the dirt had my allergies on oh shit mode? See for yourself. 

You might saw awe to my face but inside you’d think to yourself, ewwww brother… ewwww.  And I wouldn’t disagree. This looked nasty. 

Needless to say I was off to a slow start not getting out of camp til 9. Sunglasses went on immediately and I made my way to Reds Meadow, the promise of a hiker cabin I rented with a real bed and a shower and meeting other hikers helped me get over my swollen frankenface woes.  

This part of the trail really matched my energy for the day. Not that picturesque or exciting and that was ok, I wasn’t exactly all that exciting either. And it was hot. Thank god I carry a sun umbrella. I needed a little pampering after the way day 2 ended and day 3 began. 

Devils postpone was the coolest view of the day. I was dragging ass a but and just feeling off. Probably dehydrated. Generally just meh all round. 

Arriving into Reds Meadow, a kind stranger bought me an electrolyte drink. It was so damn nice of her! After drinking it, I felt a lot better.  I got to meet a bunch of fellow thru-hikers which totally cheered me up. Emptying about being around fellow thru-hikers, some of which are doing the PCT and are way more entitled to feel meh than me. It’s just so fun to be around. 

I got to hand with Rainbows and Amazon, two solo female hikers heading nobo who meet on the trail. It was fun to hear their stories and about the other hikers they’ve met along the way. 

Like fellow thru hiker energy to bring your spirits up on a down day on the trail. And a shower, a strawberry milkshake and grilled cheese doesn’t hurt either. 

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