September 9 - Bemis Mountain Lean-to (Day 174 – milepoint 1921.7)

We wished Redwood a happy 22nd birthday this morning and got to hiking around 9 a.m.

Not an easy day for The Safety Inspector. 13 tough miles and his dogs are really barking. I don’t know if I would have done so well on my third day. In fact, I didn’t. I’ve snuck a few extra things out of his pack and into mine to help lighten his load for the next couple of days.

We saw three Moose today. A Bull, Cow, and Calf standing together right in the middle of the Trail. Wow, those are large animals.

My new boots feel great. No hot spots or anything. I think you get to the point where your feet become so tough that the breaking-in process is no longer a problem. Now my feet are beating the boots up instead of the boots beating my feet up.

We made it to the shelter just before dark…and just before the rain. Also here are Easy Walker, Achilles, Cosmo, Trailvis (heading South after flip-flopping), and two southbounders who have been asleep since we arrived. Paka, Chickenman, Bear, and Redwood are tenting up behind the shelter. Will try to make the next couple of days a little more pleasant for The Safety Inspector. It’s great to have him here.

Aquaholic