Promises of Happiness and Burgers

Miles 13.3

Camped at mm 232.4

The sunrise caught in my throat and turned my heart to gold. It was pink and ribbony and smelled of secrets and Promises of Happiness. The trail was forgiving. Just what my foot needed. The Universe was in Love With Me.

We started the road walk and my body didn’t mind as much as I expected it would. In fact, it didn’t really mind at all. It reminded me of bicycle tours, and it made me reminisce, and it made me comfortable, and I felt at home.

The mountains were enormous in the morning light, looming over us, begging us not to go.

The streams all clear and shiny. It was hot.

I pulled my sun hood over my hat.

Then we were at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort. After a disappointing experience at the market, Rooster and Oats came by and told us we should go to another building to eat.

Anji was fading.

I made an executive decision, and we found ourselves seated at a table with a white linen tablecloth, and the waiter brought a pitcher of water right away. He understood the hiker community, and when he told us they had gluten free buns for Burgers, I had to wipe the tears of joy from my eyes.

We ate the most delicious, juicy burgers and I had to keep my eyes closed while I ate because it just felt so good and by the time we finally left, wonderful Denise was there again. She took our food bags and my stove and we slackpacked with the rest down the remaining roadwalk to the campground where she joined us for a lovely evening of laughter and camaraderie. We all camped under the brilliant sky and I thought…

How lucky am I?