The more miles you hike today, are less miles you need to walk tomorrow. I believe there is more to that than just what’s underfoot. Many times in life we have to endure, so we can grow. Others can float through life and it all seems like a blur, a frenzy of meaningless activity. Then, before you know it, life here on earth is over. I prefer to work for my enjoyment. Yes, it’s hard, it’s painful, but in the end, oh the rewards! And the sheer joy.

Today, Blue and I are finishing the Big Bad Bob! We have paid our dues with blood, sweat and tears, but have been rewarded with memories of a lifetime. There is nothing more satisfying than selecting a goal, preparing for it and seeing it through to fruition. Blue and I have done that.

The sky was deep blue, the air was crisp and the ground was wet with dew. Now all we need to do is find water. We dry camped last night so in search we went. Less than a mile down trail was a small stream and we filled up.

The rest of our day was focused on deciding what final leg of the trail are we going to take. Either the High Route or crossing the low water Sun River Route. The closer we came to the river, and after our terrifying river crossing yesterday, it was apparently clear that we would take the High Route. It added a couple of miles but it was, indeed, the much safer route to follow.

My left foot started giving me issues and I sat down. When I took my sock off, I found the culprit. A huge hole in my sock near my heel. Natalya just so happened to come across a single toe sock on the trail that was for a left foot. Perfect, I’ll use that. Poor guy who lost his sock will be bummed. Hikers like me only carry two, maybe three pairs total.

We had lunch, admired the many packers that were coming in on Mule Trains for weekly excursions. Oh, what I would do for a horse right now. We finished lunch by the river and headed to Benchmark, another four miles to go.

Once we arrived, there was another Mule Train headed out with 15 plus packers, clients and gear. The parking lot was full of empty cars. All we needed was just one car heading to Augusta to give us a ride back to civilization. Natalya noticed a gal in the camping area packing up her car. She went over and asked if there was any chance she was headed out and if we could hitch a ride with her? Before I knew it, Pam and Jim and all their friends invited us to their campsite, unloaded every form of homemade cookies under the sun and presented us with icy cold beer. What else could a hiker want but Cold Beer and Cookies?

We talked with the gang as Pam reconfigured her car, accommodating two stinky hikers with a ride to Augusta. We talked with the friends of Pam and Jim who arrived this week to celebrate the life of a dear friend. There were close to 35 people who drove to Benchmark and spread Judy’s ashes. Such a great tribute to a woman who evidently loved the outdoors and this wondrous place.

After sometime passed, we drove to Augusta with Pam down a dusty thirty mile gravel road. Benchmark is such a remote place, it amazes me that so many people find it. But if you take time to get off the beaten track, oh the beauty you can turn up. Pam drove us to the country store so I could pick up my resupply box and then to our hotel. What a dear lady and Godly Woman she is.

Once at the hotel, it’s all about showering, laundry and shoving in as many calories as humanly possible. I did all three. Homemade Chicken Alfredo, Garlic Bread and Caesar Salad with Margaritas. Why not?

So the saga of the missing sock. The sock that Blue found on the trail was outside our door. When we arrived, I took off my nasty shoes and unmatched socks and left them to stink outside. Spokes, whom we met on trail a couple of days ago, knocked at my door. Any chance that might be my sock? You’ve got to be kidding me! Spokes had lost his sock the day before yesterday. Today, Blue finds it, I wear it and Spokes happens to have a room two doors down from us. Now if that’s not God, I don’t know what or whom else could’ve ordained a perfect connection.

As I’m headed over to do laundry, Natalya has a conversation with Spokes about Karma verses Divine Intervention. When it was all said and done, God smiled. Time after time on the trail this week, we had these beautiful and precious moments that were orchestrated by our Heavenly Father. Praying over hikers that we met on trail, sharing our love of Jesus with others, and complete strangers who became friends like Pam. Our family has greatly increased and we will be blessed when we all meet in heaven. Thank you Lord for putting me right where you wanted me to be. Preordained, predestined and honored to be here.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭21‬ ‭