Got up about 4 this morning to start the 19 (or so) mile walk to the next water source. A beautiful morning walking mainly at elevation and therefore with lots of trees and shade. These sections of the trail are nothing like I expected them to be. I actually expected to be walking in sage brush and see skulls of dead animals along the way with vultures circling overhead.

Have not been taking pictures of wild flowers lately. They are around and here are a couple shots.

You sick of wind turbines yet. Well the location of them is pretty…

And I finally reach the water source. A long day and some serious climbs. At one point about 8 am a hiker past me and there were 12 miles left to get to the water source. He indicated he would be there by noon. 3 miles an hour with serious climbs. I just laughed. I believe I got there about 5 pm. So it took me 5 more hours than him!! So… I am slow… I know this but I am loving it. I like to think I have more time to see things, more time to admire the work of God, at least when my head is not down while I am trying to suck up as much air as possible into my lungs. So I arrived at the water source just in time. There was a thunder storm brewing and there was rumbling and very dark clouds overhead. I got my tent put together and everything into it and literally 30 seconds later it started raining. I was safe in the tent for the night and the rain on the tent put me right to sleep.