Day 4

Miles: 14
Total: 50

Today I have a number of blisters that are plaguing me, and slowing me down even more. I'm beginning to think that I made the common rookie mistake of not getting big enough shoes--though I did get slightly bigger shoes, it is just not enough for my swelling feet. I might have to order a pair at my next resuplly, as my feet will only swell bigger.
I had spotty service for about 5 ft on the side of a mountain, so I was able to call my mom for the first time since starting. It's so easy to become lonely and homesick at times, so hearing her voice gave me a pep in my step.

There was more snow, and my scariest snowy mountain pass crossing yet. I had to climb down some crumbling rock (with my trekking poles in one hand) and traverse a 100 ft section of slippy, slushy snow, that extended down the mountain for at least a few hundred feet. I almost freaked out. But I made it across, legs shaking, heart racing, and felt like nothing else could ever be as scary in my life. But we'll see what tomorrow brings. :)

I finally made it to the lower lands, and when I decided to take my shoes off and soak them in a cold stream, THAT was precisely when the Mosquitos decided to show up. I looked ridiculous, hobbling across the trail, carrying my shoes and socks. When I sat down to quickly put them on, I was swarmed by more Mosquitos than I have ever seen. And I live in Minnesota. So I didn't even really bother getting my feet super cleaned off, and just got everything good enough so that I could tear out of there without too many bites. I think I only got 10 or 12 in the 30 seconds I was down. Blegh.

I have been looking forward to Stampede's cabin all day, and hoping I will be able to find it. About a half mile away from the road that I know leads to the cabin (but no idea which direction), I see a woman sitting under a tree. She looks up and says "are you Bree?" She introduces herself as "mrs. Stampede", and asks if I want to come to the cabin. Yay!
At this point I just hit 13 miles for the day, and my feet and legs are killing me. She says once we get to the road it's only another mile to the cabin. I am excited and pained thinking about it. We talk a bit, but she's walking much faster than I am, so we soon lapse into silence. When we finally get there, I am introduced to two of their friends who are up for the weekend, and am instantly aware of how badly I smell and how disheveled I look. They offer me a shower, and it is amazing. I scrape the dirt and grime and sunscreen from my skin, and when I get out, I smell slightly better. I washed some of my clothes in the bathroom sink, and try to find something that doesn't smell too bad to wear around the cabin.
They are all friendly, and they insist that I eat as much as I want! There is cake and chips and pie and a delicious dinner and more dessert and fruit and tea...it was like heaven. They are all from the Bay Area--one person works at Yahoo! Another at Intell...they talk about hanging out at the Google campus...and I'm like "errr...I'm basically a country bumpkin". We stayed up late talking and eating, and it was wonderful. My calves and thighs have become swollen and really tender and tight. I can feel lumps under the skin and I try to rub them out, but I'm still hobbling like I'm 80. I might try to hitch a ride to Echo Lake tomorrow--to give my legs more rest and to avoid anymore treacherous snow passes.
Tonight I sleep in a bed. Like a queen!