Project Eveningland

5/16/2023 Tuesday

I had a rough night at the campground. The tent-only walk-in sites are away from the loud generators, but not away from all noise. A thick fog rolled in by 1AM. It turned what few lights there were into glowing orbs.

5/15/2023 Monday

I’m writing this from the classic dining room of Big Meadows Lodge. It’s like a drug trip where the theme is early-20th-century-Americana-lodgecore-National-Park kitsch. People theme drug trips, yeah? Is that not a common practice?

5/14/2023 Sunday

The deluge never came. Just gentle overnight showers. The fir needles beneath my tent were wonderful and kept things nice and dry. No underbrush. Today was filled with natural wonders.

5/13/2023 Saturday

Just as I left my campsite to rejoin the trail, a group of about five older guys came into view. Most appeared to be late 60s and at least one was in his 80s.

5/12/2023 Friday

The long water carry loomed, but I had a plan to stay hydrated for the dry 12-mile stretch between a weak creek .6 down the trail, and the spring at Blackrock Hut a dozen miles away.

5/11/2023 Thursday

A last minute change and some transportation snafus led to me not getting back to the trail until just before 11. I more or less fell out of the shuttle van, and wanted to kiss the ground. I wish I had a dollar for every time the following thing has happened to me:

5/9/2023 Tuesday

I had one of those magical days when things just come together. It was synchronicity—like drinking the felix felicis potion from Harry Potter.

5/8/2023 Monday

During the night a mouse chewed all the way through the hand strap of my trekking pole. And then ran off with the strap! It probably had a nice cheese scent because I’ve been eating and walking.

5/7/2023 Sunday

The privy at The Priest shelter area is closed. It’s too full, they said. People kept using it. They bolted it shut. No idea what has to be done to restore it to working order, but I’m eager to get down in there and get my hands dirty, Shawshank Redemption style. Honey dipping is in my blood.

5/6/2023 Saturday

I climbed up out of Cow Camp Gap shelter area this morning and exchanged some texts with Mom about her trip to REI to help me with my air mattress.

5/5/2023 Friday

Things looked slightly brighter in the morning. I was shocked that the patch held! Astounded really.

5/4/2023 Thursday

As Spotter drove the old hostel van to the bridge to drop me off, I felt glad to be getting back to the trail—a sign that the rest was sufficient. Today was a day of highs and lows.

5/3/2023 Wednesday

I got 6.5 hours. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a trophy-level amount of sleep in a packed hostel. There were some violently blue blueberry pancakes in the morning. Folks were eager to head out.

5/2/2023 Tuesday

Last night was a cold one! The temps were within the comfort range of my summer bag, but the winds made it a little dicey. I don’t think a warmer bag would have helped much because that wasn’t the root cause of my chill.