July 7: Sometimes we overthink things- going over and over past decisions in our heads and second guessing the decisions we've already made. This is true even on the trail, where we supposedly get away from it all. The rain never came the night before. And I had wanted to do bigger miles. As I walked the trail, early the next morning, I also noted that there were far more places to camp than the topo suggested. I actually COULD HAVE pushed on to the spot I was thinking of- the chair lift at Squaw Valley.
Sometimes, we overthink things and miss the greatness of what is going on around us- I was so busy second guessing my decision to stop the night before, that I forgot about our fun potluck dinner and socializing before bed.
Fortunately, my ever spinning monkey-mind did not cause me to miss this:
Today the trail took us along a funny route- through ski resorts. It was weird to observe this place- where I had been so many times before when it was covered in snow- in a completely different context. Some of my hiker friends had dropped their packs and limbed up the chair lift towers. (I have a friend, Zoe, who does this; if hiking or mountain biking on a ski run, climbs the tower and maybe has a little snack up there. Has lots of cool pictures of this) I, on th other hand, am perfectly content to have my snack on the ground and take pictures with my camera pointed up.
There were also lots of day hikers and Rim Trail hikers out today, so snack breaks were social events. And Two Tone caught up, as well.
Like yesterday, there was that mid afternoon threat of rain. Unlike yesterday, the threat actually came to fruition. We got hit with a late afternoon thunderstorm right when we had reached a completely exposed ridge line. (Of course)
Two Tone had to go into Truckee to pick up a package, but I was feeling good and had plenty of light left, so I decided to push on a little bit.
It's a weird sight to walk along a ridge and see thunderstorms on both sides UNDERNEATH you!
A few miles past the road into Truckee, the trail goes under Route 5, and passes by a rest area. I had no need to go into Truckee, but I wasn't going to pass up a sink, bathroom, and outlet to charge my phone! I ended up camping in a spot behind the rest area and go to use the sink again the next morning. Ah, the luxurious accommodations of the PCT!
Peace, love, and trail magic!
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