Ch. 114 – Pick-Up Trucks & Poor Visibility

Since we took an unexpected extra zero yesterday, we all agreed to take the 8am shuttle back to trail today. Well, Boostie and I agreed – but reluctantly. Neither of us are early risers, especially while in town, in a bed.

8am shuttle.

So many people signed up for the 8am shuttle that the two trucks taking us to the trailhead both had to put some passengers in the truck beds. I fit into the cab, luckily, but Boostie got stuck in the back. The weather seemed chilly, but at least it was dry!

Unfortunately, the morning was the only dry part of our day. As soon as we began hiking, not only did the fog roll in and engulf us in its never-ending wet, but the rain came as well. I put off getting into my rain gear as long as possible, which was a mistake. By the time I came to terms with needing my rain gear, my backpack was soaked. My dress was soaked. I still put my rain jacket on to keep myself as warm as possible.

The rain kept coming the rest of the day, and we kept walking despite it. At one point, a couple on horseback came up from behind us. We all wished we were on the horses, at least that would get us to camp much quicker than our own two feet! I heard her say, “Cheese, cheese!” and thought she meant to get our picture until I turned back and saw her handing out cheese sticks. Hooray for horseback trail magic!

Frodo, Boostie, and I paused in the rain to eat our cheese sticks before continuing on to camp. We ending up camping with new friends we made in Trout Lake, and it was so fun to spend the last bit of the evening goofing around and cracking jokes with one another. One of them cold soaks, so we joked that mice hate cold soakers and would target her… but hopefully they leave us all alone tonight!

I still feel cold in my quilt tonight, which is my only concern. Hopefully I warm up quickly. Boostie and I decided to share a tent tonight, so using him as my personal space heater should help a bit at least!