June 29

6/29

7 miles (6.5 miles from vvr to the pct, 878 to 879)

Clay and I spent a week off the trail. We spent the week mostly with clays family. It wasn't a relaxing time in the least but it was necessary and in the end, very worth spending the time off the trail.  It wasn't all bad, highlights include: eating at a buffet, visiting with family, seeing friends during a whirlwind trip to Tahoe, sleeping in a bed, and dahlia!

It's hard for us to get away, even though it probably seems like we have oodles of free time, it never feels that way. There is always an underlying stress, the pressure to get to canada. While I try not to worry about it, it's there telling us we need to walk further, faster. So taking time off is hard because it might cause us to not reach our goal but also I realized today, it turns me lazy and uncoordinated.

Today did not go exactly as planned. After our week off we had finally made it back to Sanger and scheduled a shuttle back to vermilion valley resort where we left the trail. It picked us up at 9, by ten we were on the side of the road smoke pouring out of the hood. After some time on the side of the road, we hopped into a tow truck, then into 3 different cars of employees piecing our ride together and arriving at vvr mid afternoon. About 10 minutes after we got there a thunderstorm moved through. We sorted through our resupply box hiding under a tin roof listening to the loud rain.  Thankfully it passed quickly and at 4 we were finally able to head out. 

We were glad to be back in the woods but felt sluggish and unstable. My new shoes which I was so excited to receive, felt stiff and uncomfortable. I expect tomorrow I will feel at home again out here.