Wednesday, March 28th - Thursday, March 29th (McKenna)

Lemme tell ya a few secrets about backpacking. It ain't pretty. I mean, the scenery is, but you should see our feet. Our hair has a mind of its own, and our skin, despite sunscreen, is weathered, burned, dirty, and has scratches and rashes.

My lips are chapped regardless of the gallons of water I drink each day and the chapstick I wear. I smell. I ache. I'm either cold or hot, and I am pretty sure I've done some permanent damage to some nerves in my feet.

EVERYTHING is exhausting. You have to expend so much energy to eat, to drink, to go potty, even more for poop, and it's incredibly exhausting setting up your house each night, unpacking your belongings, and packing it all back up in the morning when you can barely walk. Those first few morning steps feel like you're walking on feet with shattered bones. And in the evenings, there's a lot of blank stares that occur even though you know you're supposed to be doing something. 

YET...

I love this torture. I'm not sure I could ever explain fully why. You either get it or you don't, and it's entirely okay if you don't! I love being out here with my mom, and laughing our delirious heads off. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to do this. I'm grateful for my daughters' support, their caretakers, my understanding employers, my loved ones' encouragement, and all the other AZT lovers, whether angels or hikers.

It's a desirable experience, and even though I feel beaten and bruised, I am happy.

Yesterday, Day 14, we had a very hard decline day. Hard on the knees, made more difficult by the fact that our packs are dang heavy. We have to go 137 miles before our next resupply. Camped  at the High Jinks Ranch, and we're made eggs and a smoothie for breakfast by the awesome caretaker!

Today was lower miles and easier elevation, but it was hot and we both dealt with blisters. I also have had dizziness all day. Not sure if it's a bit of vertigo, or low blood pressure, but it's manageable. 

And this happened:

We are very excited to have my brother, Cody, and his wife, Ciji, join us for some hiking over the next two days! It may be kind of a dry, unappealing passage, but that's when they were available.

That's about it for now. I gotta eat something, though my appetite is pretty low with the dizziness. 😝