Day whichever

Hola!

I have spent the last couple of nights in South Lake Tahoe, after deciding to hitchhike over here from the trail and take a couple days off. It has been pretty great to let my feet heal up a bit, and see the swelling go down in my legs. Not to mention getting to eat pizza and salad, drink a honey-basil beer, and sleep in a bed after taking a hot shower. :)
I'm hoping that by the time I get back on the trail tomorrow, some more of the snow will be gone, and the going will be a little easier (and faster). I couldn't get a lot of my pictures to upload for some reason, so it's hard to give an accurate idea of what I'm making such a big deal about, I assume. Perhaps I need to take more/better pictures. Trial and error.

Kacie is meeting me on the trail in 12 days, and I'm expecting it will take me at least a solid 8 days of hiking to get to our meeting spot--so this gives me a little flexibility if I have to cut down my miles or take another zero or two. I'm getting new shoes sent to me in about 64 miles, so I'm just hoping all goes well until then. No black toenails for me--hopefully!
I've also swapped out some of my gear--sending things home that I don't actually need, and getting some new stuff (like a canister stove) at this nice backpacking store that caters to PCT hikers (of which I am currently using their "backpacker computer" to post). I've learned a lot from other hikers I've encountered about items that I thought were essential, but have since sent home--including my bear spray and camelbak, among other things). Apparently, all the ultralight hikers use gatorade bottles for their water, because you can see exactly how much you have left, instead of sipping away until you unexpectedly have none. I keep wishing I could get rid of more gear--I anticipate pairing down at every stop until I figure out what I can get away with not having. It will be nice to be able to share the gear weight with other person for a little while, at least!

Oh, and I got a haircut! After months of growing my hair out so that I didn't have to worry about it on the trail, I realized that it wasn't any easier. So, yesterday I walked into a salon and told them to chop it! At some point I'll post a picture, once it's all gross again :)

Well, I'm going to rest a bit more, and wait for my Trail Angel to come and pick me up. Getting back on the trail tomorrow, and hoping for no more snow--send good vibes!

-Seattle