Noelle here for a change: Yesterday we arrived at Mt Laguna. It’s a sleepy tiny town with two inns, two restaurants, a post office and one store. We ate dinner last night with two groups that we’ve really gotten close to in a very short time. Oddly enough it’s two father/ daughter groups. Unfortunately one of the dads has made the agonizing decision to leave the trail. I completely understand and respect his decision but wish it weren’t so. Plus they’re the only two in our group that actually have trail names already! 😁 Snickers and VF we will definitely miss the heck out of you both!!

I’m glad for a down day today but also am strangely ready to hike. It’s been more difficult for me than I expected, especially those treacherous uphills. They’ve certainly taken a toll. Sometimes I’m hiking from shade to shade and gasping to catch my breath! 😳 my mantra has been, “with each uphill my legs are growing stronger”. Then I take some more steps till I meet back up with Steve at the next water source. I do feel stronger. His long legs stretch over the terrain, my shorter legs sprint over the slightest plateaus and downhills. We make a pretty good team 💕