Day 38: redo

July 12
25 miles

I haven't been sleeping very well over the last couple of weeks, and last night I toss and turn trying to get my mind to settle down and my body to relax. I wake up more tired than when I went to bed.
I hear everyone around me getting ready, and I force myself to let the air out of my sleeping pad, the first and hardest start to my day. I shout from my tent that I'll probably be the last one to leave, and true to form, I head out 15 min after Shredder and another couple leave camp.

I decide today is a do-over day. Yesterday I felt really negative about going so slow, and found myself complaining about most of the terrain.  Today, I put on my hiking sandals (which means I'll go slower), and decide to take more pictures and enjoy the crazy amazing beauty around me. I take long breaks about every five miles. I yell a from the top of a mountain. I marvel at the scenery around me and how lucky I am to be here, right now.

The day goes on, and I realize I'm going quite slow. Every few minutes or so I have to stop and adjust my sandals to let rocks and twigs out. At 5pm I come to a stream and realize I still have 8 miles to go.  I take my time soaking my feet, drinking cold water and relaxing in the shade. Finally I put on my tennis shoes and start to book it. My goal is to get into camp by 8pm. I'm sweating hard, my right calf popping oddly on each uphill. I'm worried I really injured it a couple of weeks ago, but there's nothing I can do about it now.

The last three miles take forever. I read that there is a great swimming hole near the spot we're camping tonight, and all I can think about is jumping in the river as soon as I get there. I push harder; I'm making good time, but by the last mile I'm toast. I make it to the campground a little before 8, and come across two weekend campers. I ask them if they've seen any other hikers come through, and they tell me all the hikers walked into town. Another 6 miles from here. No way am I walking another 6 miles tonight. I'm sad that the group walked on without me, and am not thrilled to be camping in this giant campground alone, but I suck it up. I walk around for a bit, thinking maybe there are some other hikers around, but come up empty handed.

I'm making the last loop of the empty campground when I hear a guitar. HALLO! I shout, and am treated with "yay, pip! You made it!" They didn't hike on without me! I run into their little camp and ask if anyone wants to go swimming. MG and Shredder say they'll walk down with me, and I basically run to the swimming hole. I strip down to my underwear and slowly make my way in the water. It's a little after 8 and the water is fairly cool. I force myself to go under, and then stand there walking around. I wash my clothes off in the water, while MG and shredder sit on the rocks of the shore, drinking hot tea. When I come out I feel clean and refreshed. I wish I would have taken my phone, because it was the most beautiful swimming hole I've ever seen. Four feet of crystal clear water with a nice sandy bottom. One day I'll get to a nice swimming hole in the middle of the day, and it will be the best day ever.

I get out, and we walk back to camp (with a picnic table!!), and sit and make dinner. I play some of my music, and we talk about bands. I realize this is the first time in over a month that I've talked about music. I forget how consumed by it I can be. They listen and tell me they like my music choices, and suddenly I'm transported to my old life. What a trip.

I pitch my tent close to Shredder's, and listen to him play music into the night. Tomorrow we only have 6 more miles to town, and then we get to watch the World Cup final! I can't wait.