During my time out in the Tahoe area, I made wonderful connections with very generous people. One couple was so kind and supportive to offer to watch Addie while I finished the hike. Knowing she was in good hands, I took them up on their gracious offer and I headed back on the trail. However, without Addie, my heart was not into it. For the first time, my mental state took me out of the game. After putting in another 66 miles, I had enough. After all, I was supposed to be sharing this experience with Addie, not a BILLION mosquitos (and 2 very curious bears who would not leave me alone). I got out of the trail what I wanted and didn’t see a point in finishing. I have learned a lot about failure and humility on this trip, and I think this spring is my last hoorah for a while. I got out of my youth some pretty awesome adventures, but I’m ready to move on to new ones. 🦟 🥾 🐻 🏔
After 3.5 days and 43 miles, Addie told me she’s had enough. She is one resilient pup, but life on the trail was a little too rough on her and that little tail of hers stopped wagging. Plus with the oppressive heat wave, the trail is no place for a dog. So we’re headed into town to clean up (she has never been this dirty before) and come up with a game plan - I’ll likely be back. It was a dream getting to share this experience (and all my snacks) with my bear sniffing babe, but as my mom so eloquently put it, “A broken heart over not finishing a hike heals much easier than a broken heart over a beloved broken dog” 😭🐾🥾
Starting tomorrow, Addie and I will be attempting to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), a 165 mile backpacking trek that loops around Lake Tahoe. I say “attempting” very purposefully. While Addie has done many multi-night hikes, this is by far her most ambitious endeavor yet. Given that she’s as close to a child as I have right now, her safety, happiness, and health are my number one priority and trumps even my pride of completing this goal. So as soon as that tail stops wagging, we’re outta there. But if the acclimation hike in CO is any indication, she’ll be just fine. She is one tough cookie! Wish us luck and hope that the drought, thunderstorms, and potential wildfires don’t throw any curveballs our way🐶 🎒 🥾 🏔
