July 29th, 2024
Mile Marker: 941.3
Miles Hiked: 20
This morning Journey and I both woke up refreshed from a great nights sleep. We got to camp early last night and were next to a raging creek which was a perfect sound machine.
I felt myself stirring around at 5:45 AM and by 6:15 we were both ready to get up. It was town day!
We packed up, had breakfast on the bridge with some delicious hot coffee, then set out.
The day started with a massive 6 mile, 3000 ft climb. I was glad this was the first thing we had to do today. To our delight, this climb ended up being nicely graded like the PCT so we cruised upward easily. It felt so good to feel like we had strong legs with the gentle grade.
I kept admiring all the wildflowers present, this one is called paintbrush and I just love it!
We arrived up on Targhee Pass at 10,000 feet around 10 AM and sat for a quick bit with Whatever and Aster.
When we showed up, Whatever pointed out Aster way up high on another climb. Which you can hardly even notice in this picture. I am constantly impressed by Aster and how this is her first thru hike. Tough gal.
A cute mountain goat also appeared. Whatever claimed he has been circling around them, seemingly curious. If only he would let me pet him.
We started a short descent down and I ran across this wild looking plant. I’m not sure what it is called but it looks like something from a cartoon.
The rest of the day had us go through smaller climbs and one more mediocre one, but nothing like the first one.
We kept a good pace, ran across a few shallow lakes, and stopped for lunch around noon.
It was nice to not feel rushed to get into town and to take our time completing the 20 miles. Once I got service again, I reached out to USPS about my shoes as the tracking looked bizarre, bouncing back and forth from city to city.
They let me know that they were not sure what was going on with my package but would put a service ticket in and that they would not arrive at Island Park by tomorrow.
I was filled with frustration, I had ordered the shoes weeks ago. I decided to call REI and see if they could help out at all and we decided to send a new pair to Tia for her to bring and they would recall my shoes on the current order so I wouldn’t get charged twice.
Sigh, I just felt so tired of all the planning ahead and things not working out.
But like always, I just keep walking. You never know how things will shake out.
We had under 10 more miles to get to the end of our hike for today and the trail led us out on some open ridges and even though it was smoky, it was beautiful.
I reached out to a number provided on the FarOut app of someone who provides shuttles or anything we need help with. This persons name was Nate and I texted him when we were a mile out and he was at the trailhead when we arrived. So nice to not have to wait for a ride. Plus hitchhiking is illegal in Idaho so he was our best bet. Also, since we were right at the border, this was our last time in Montana as the trail goes through Idaho then Wyoming.
We hopped in Nate’s truck and immediately his dog pops his head up and I patted my legs for him to come sit with me in the front seat.
He immediately sat on my lap, just like Nuke used to do. Although this dog was a touch smaller, he was similar… unique looking and cuddly. My heart was filled with warmth and sadness. I squeezed the dog hard and almost immediately fell in love with him. It was a good moment; to remember and to love.
Nate dropped us off at the Sawtelle Resort where we could either camp out back or get a room. We decided us four would get a room and split it since the prices were steep.
This is by far the nicest hotel we have stayed in since starting the trip. It felt so worth it.
We arrived around 5 PM and were quick to get our town chores done of laundry, showers, and resupply on food. Journey and I will get a resupply package in Yellowstone so we only needed a couple days worth. We are so close to Yellowstone EEEEEEEE!!! I’m so excited!
Around 7:30 we headed to the only restaurant in town that was open, Connie’s and I ordered a chicken and noodle type of dish. It was comfort food and I ate it within a flash.
I also realized I need to get better at taking pictures of the people we are hiking with so got a group shot finally!
We finished up our meals with apple and wild berry pie and headed back to the hotel. Journey and I decided to go check out the hot tub but were surprised to see the pool and hot tub packed with people… even at 9 PM!
We decided to put our legs in still and ended up chatting with 3 bike packers who are riding the divide route. I was shocked to hear they came from Lima in one day while it took us 4! Such a different speed and culture. Maybe someday Journey and I will do something like that. One of the members had thru hiked the PCT a couple years ago and claimed that after bike packing he doesn’t think he could ever go back to thru hiking. I think Journey and I like walking too much.
It has been quite a full day and now after the hot tub sit, I am so tired I can hardly write this blog!
Night night,
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 