One more post for Washington!

Washington has been beautiful!! It hasn't been as easy as the terrain in Oregon where the average mileage was 30 per day, but much more spectacular, rugged terrain. The landscape is more lush, and densely forested (at least where the PCT goes) than Oregon.

During one day of hiking, there was a 100 mile

trail-running-race. Although we had to hop off the trail every no

w and then to let a runner pass, we did get to take advantage of the aid stations set up every 7 miles. They were stocked with sweets, sandwiches, soda, and the last one just before bed had tomato soup!! A treat when that night it got down below freezing. One time when we hopped off we picked some huckleberries (taste like blueberries) and one of the racers joined us!!

Skykomish, mile 2,476

We just got into town today, soaking wet! It has been raining for the last two days. What does this mean? This means showing up to camp and trying to set up the tent in the pouring rain. Then getting into said tent without bringing any rain in with you. Tough. And hopefully your ground cloth, a moisture barrier between the tent and the ground, covers the floor underneath your tent but does not extend beyond the tent walls. If it does, rain will catch and draw underneath your tent. If it doesn't cover the floor

the wet ground will soak through, and you and your possessions (sleeping bag) will get wet. All of this happened. On top of that we had to start our day off putting on our wet clothes during the cold morning. And one last element to our blissful night of sleep: 2 mice that ransacked our food bags at 3 am.

O.K., there is my complaining rant. I have to remember I am on a beautiful trail 99% of the time, breathing fresh air, eating tons of food. Speaking of that, I was able to consume 6,000 calories a day for 3 days while hiking. Very gratifying on the trail where I am typically hungry until I get to town. Here is the list: 7 cliff bars, 2 peanut butter sandwiches, 1 bag of cool ranch Doritos, 3 cheese sandwiches, and mac-n-cheese dinner with butter. The down side is the increased bowel movements.

Anyways, 10 days to go!!!! I just hope we have good weather to see this beautiful country!