4/17/22 Day 2 16.1 Miles Temp: 83

Woke up w/ the tent sagging after night 1.
On my way outta camp I met Louisa and hiked 5 miles w/ her.
After Louisa and I separated I thought we’d never meet again.

Hit a side trail to a cool waterfall w/ Ravioli, he went to Southridge! (2017, real name Dante)
-The side trail led to w small cascading waterfall under some trees. We washed our feet, legs and talked about Beaverton.

Another side trail to a river pool w/ Rav, Luoisa, Shang & Jessica.
-I wrote down most of everyone’s names. Notice how as I go the names switch from government names (govy’s) to trail names.

As I’m sitting here resting in the shade a dude named Ty rolls by “Oh wow you have really white teeth. Like the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen!”
-If I had to guess I’d say Ty was 19. He seemed real nervous to be out there. I talked to him a little the next day. He had only been on one backpacking trip before. His grandparents visited him at the park on Mt. Laguna. They gave me bananas. When Ty first saw them in front of the post office, tears came to his eyes.

End of day 2:
It was much hotter today in the afternoon, and no wind. Pack felt heavy. There was a long uphill push to reach my campsite. I got here and I was dehydrated, hungry, alone. I was down mentally. I lost my rope I needed to tie my tent.
-I was not anticipating being this down only 2 days into the trek that was going to take months.

Then the 4 Europeans (Dutch, 2 Denmark, German) stopped to say hello. They are doing lunch @ Mt. Laguna as well and said “see you there, then we can all take a group nap!” they laughed and walked off. My spirits were lifted!
-I didn’t end up having lunch or a nap with them. But looking forward to the idea made me happier.

Had a great 30 min meditation and think overlooking the sunset glow. Felt Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Wally with me the second I looked up at the sky. I saw the sky like this when I was with them as a kid in the summers.
-I’d feel the presence of loved ones regularly when on trail. I’d feel the presence of people I’ve lost. The smell of the air, The View, the random memory that would pop in to my head. With little distraction I’d be able to feel these memories. I’d often become emotional.

I realize all day I walk. This is not the funnest and makes me hurt. I need to make walking enjoyable. How to do that:
-Play the Harmonica
-Talk to People
-Hydrated
-24/7 Pocket Snacks
-Fix that problem now
-Get the pack lighter
-Stretch
-Meditate
-Enjoy where you are
-Figuring out my hiking style was a major thing I thought about.

I have done 36
I only have 2614 left