I miss Cathleen Cowie. I think it was Carolyn (her beautiful sister) who told me once that grief comes in waves. Originally, they are tidal waves that you feel you’ll drown in. They batter you one after another, relentlessly, as you gasp and try to gulp in air with water raging all around. Eventually, there … Continue reading Day Eighty Two: 1558.7 – 1576.7km
Yesterday was the first time I’ve fallen down on trail. It was a solid one too: I was as good as a turtle, splayed out in the dirt. Only a few scrapes and bruises that have made themselves known today to show for it, but it happened. So I just wanted to admit that I … Continue reading Day Seventy Four: 1459.1 – 1466.1km
My alarm went off at 6AM. I deflated my mattress like a good hiker girl, and replied to a few messages I’d received overnight. No one stirred, but I figured it was only a matter of time before the camp started moving, so I went all out and cooked up a dehydrated egg and bacon … Continue reading Day Seventy Two: 1416.2 – 1431.1km
The unthinkable has happened. We’re zeroing again. At this point, I don’t even know how it keeps happening. The Sierras are a vortex of their own! Maybe this is why people quit in Northern California... because it’s going to be so hard to start pushing out those 25-30mile days after averaging nine miles a day. … Continue reading Day Seventy: ZERO
You can now call us the River Bandits, as well as Hiker Biker Gang. Today we looted, and came up with a lot of treasure. We hadn’t thought it would end up a zero, but it was. And it was a productive day for our gang. I made a pot of communal coffee at 7AM … Continue reading Day Sixty Eight: ZERO
I don’t think I’m exactly taking this hiking thing seriously anymore... I mean, we didn’t start until 11:30AM this morning. I skipped up some of the trail. A couple of hikers heading the opposite direction remarked with a laugh, “You’re way too happy to really be hiking this!” But honestly, how can I not skip, … Continue reading Day Sixty Three: 1269.9 – 1287.2km
Cansado: the Spanish adjective for tired, weary, worn out, fatigued. Also the definition of Day Thirteen of my Camino pilgrimage. We had a solid three hours of sleep last night. Totally worth it. The boys were pretty slow in getting themselves together, so by the time we got out of the hotel and had breakfast, it … Continue reading Día Trece / Day Thirteen
Where to start... Maybe with: the timely touch of a friend is good for the soul. The morning was misty and quiet as I left the albergue with my Italian posse. As per usual, we stopped at the first cafe we came across for an espresso and excuse for a rest. Jess and Janey walked … Continue reading Día Doce / Day Twelve
I don't like grief. I don't like death, or break ups, or the loss of a loved one in any capacity. It's a pretty shitty thing, but I think I'm slowly getting better at it. I read a story once about how grief comes in waves - at first, they just about drown you and … Continue reading Día Once / Day Eleven
