We had a quick in and out of Dubois. Curt drove us to town, I was able to score us a room, Well, truth be told, I booked the room for the wrong date and Curt sweet talked Tina and she updated the reservation by one day! Hogged Up did our laundry, and Fearless got caught up on her much needed rest. I am amazed by this woman. She has M.S. and hikes like anyone else on the trail. But there are things that most people don’t see or understand. Her body needs rest and when she gets the opportunity to take a cat nap or close those yellow-green eyes of hers, she does!

We were up, hit the post office and grocery store, then Curt and Atsuko shuttled us back to the trail. It was a long forest service road that was supposed to be maintained but we know how that goes. Washboards and all, Curt got us to the trailhead and back to the CDT we went.

The game plan was to hike ten to twelve miles, but the weather has a way of interfering with my plans. The clouds started developing as soon as we went over the ridge and into the sage brush and willowed meadow. The mountain scape was terrific with Grand Tetons in the background and local mountains not too distant. The terrain was cushy, rolling up and over low lying hills.

We passed a few lakes and rivers and met up with Hogged Up after our rock jumping adventure over South Fork Fish Creek. She had her tent pitched and was ready to ride out the incoming storm. We hunkered down, had some lunch and it appeared the storm was stalling. After much discussion of should we stay or should we go, the majority agreed to head out and attempt to make it to the next logical place, 9200’ Creek.

As we were walking, the thunder started to speak. There was no lightning but the clouds were dark and ominous. I felt as if we were outrunning the storm, but those are just crazy thoughts. No one can outrun a storm while they are hiking at 9000’! Hogged Up made it to a tree enclosure and pitched her tent for the second time. It was just after 2pm. We hunkered down and once again, the clouds broke up and the sun came out. What’s with this shifting of the weather?

We decided to head down to the stream, grab some water and debate our next move. After some thoughtful consideration, we agreed this was fine place to stay. Fearless and I have talked about having a Zero Day on the trail, and this was just about as close to it as you get.

We had a sweet spot overlooking the trail and about an hour later, Hogged Up spotted a Sobo Hiker. It was Sunshine from Israel. We hadn’t seen him since Lincoln. So there are others still on trail behind us? After catching up, he continued up and over the pass. His plan is to get to Pinedale in a couple of days.

Just as we were beginning to think, once again, that we are the Last Mohicans. The last Sobo hikers on trail, we see Free Flow. She had been hiking with Blondie, Dimps and Side Quest but ventured out on her own. Wow, so maybe we are not the end of the bubble? We are just part of the late bloomers!

Free Flow also wanted to catchup with her friends and scooted over the pass, looking for more miles today. So here we are, Fearless, Hogged Up and I just taking it in and realizing that we might not be the back of the pack after all. Well, wherever we are, we are here and loving the fact that we are still on trail with many more miles to come. And taking a Nero, because after all, we can!

There are times when I question the Lord. Is this where you want me? Am I doing enough or do I need to do more? But in the end, He makes it abundantly clear that, yes, this is the place that I have carved out for you and your people. If you listen, then all the storms will pass over you and I will protect you!

“If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬