You just need to know when to stay and when to go. Staying at JZ’s home for the past two nights was exactly what my knee required. I took an Epson Salt bath and I was singing songs of joy. First of all, I am a bath kind of gal. Every night at home, I talk a bath with bath bombs, that sweet George finds online for me and sometimes, bubbles too. Last night was the first bath I’ve had since I’ve been on trail and my body really appreciated it. Afterwards, I attempted to watch Hockey with JZ, but I went to bed at my normal 8:30pm. I’m quite the party pooper.

I left my window open so I could hear the bear return but I guess he got all he could handle the night before. JZ was up at 6am feeding the birds and I was packing to leave. He made me another delightful meal, scrambled eggs, avocado toast and blueberry-banana pancakes. And I think he put the entire carton of blueberries in those flap jacks! They were so good.

After checking my FarOut App, I decided to jump close to 20 miles. Why you may ask? It’s all about the terrain. I was looking for something that didn’t have a crazy descent for my return to the trail. Starting at Road 645 allowed me very little ups and downs today. It truly was the best route to walk, now that I’m sitting in my tent writing about it.

I had a gradual uphill which doesn’t bother my knee much at all, and then it leveled out. The first big clearing was Fisher Overlook. It is a place, where if you’re crazy enough, you can run and jump off with your parasail. Hmm, I think I’ll admire the view and call it good.

As I was checking it out, a hiker FEMA Dawg chatted for a bit. I’ve seen him off and on the trail but never talked much. Ends up he’s retired FD in Aspen, and worked for FEMA Search & Rescue, typically called out during wild land fires and floods. He’s been all over for the past ten years and also trains dogs, hence his Trail Name. But he’s getting off the trail at the next road crossing. He was a Medic and says every 4-5 days he can’t catch his breath. His heart starts skipping and he has self-diagnosed himself with a Second Degree Heart Block. It’s pretty serious stuff and is quite prudent for getting checked out. This trail takes it out of you, one way or another.

We nodded farewell and I’m was grateful that all I have is a bum knee. Honestly, my knee is feeling much more alive today. My only really complaint is the lack of movement. It doesn’t want to bend much so I’m working on that in my tent. Ouch!

The day went well. I talked to quite of few of the locals. A gal named FireMoth which she swears there is such a thing. She was backpacking for the weekend, with her husband and two huge dogs. I met quite a few couples heading up to the overlooks and viewing areas. There were tons of people on the trail today. With Memorial Day Weekend, everyone wants to get out.

Just before I stopped for lunch, I met Mr. And Mrs. Chem from Korea. I don’t know how old they were but I was trying to do the math in my head. He fled from North Korea during WWII in 1938. He said if he hadn’t left, he would’ve been killed. So I’m thinking his family must’ve snuck out one way or another. He lived in South Korea and eventually came to America. He has a daughter in SF and they love visiting and hiking in Lake Tahoe. Both him and his wife are retired so they hike twice a week. And plan to do a few day overnighter this summer in Vermont. So I never asked them, but if he fled, let’s just say when he was a baby, he’s close to 85yo. Another conformation that Pennsylvania people are the healthiest! I love talking with other hikers. It amazes me the story’s we can share in such a short period of time.

The watering hole was shallow, but what helped is when someone place a broadleaf that allow the water to pour a steady steam of water. And that’s what someone concocted. I filled my bladders up, took a little lunch break and planned my afternoon. There was a slight climb out and then I would be walking on the Ridgeline. These ridges are nice and pretty level but they are scattered with rocks and boulders. There is no speed that I can make walking up and over these constant rocks. So I just take it slow and easy, not to knock my knee on anything!

I eventually made it to camp. This nice couple were having dinner near the fire ring and I asked if I could join them? By all means. Pitch your tent wherever you’d like. I found a flat piece of ground and within a few minutes, I was in my tent. We talked a bit, and I shared my iPhone charging cable. Somehow she left hers at home and everyone she’s asked, only have androids, including her husband. She was in luck cuz I have an extra. One is super short so I can charge while I’m hiking and the long one is when I’m in town. It has a longer reach because sometimes you need that. So she was a happy camper and I’m glad to be in my little house for the night. No bath tonight but I do have “Wet Wipes” and they do the trick in a pinch. These happen to be cucumber scented. I’m sure the bears will love that.