Entering New Jersey at the Delaware water gap, I was welcomed by my good friend Joel with a LaCroix in hand. He knows me so well, I’m always missing my bubbles. I was able to regroup at his house, do some laundry, eat a delicious burger with a Jersey tomato on top, go for a swim, and take a nice long shower.

He dropped me back at the border the next morning and I had a really awesome day. I saw so many animals, including a huge bear, a copperhead snake, and some beavers. I am getting less terrified of snakes and more interested, still keeping my distance, but I am proud of how far I’ve come!! Haha. The beavers were super funny… they’re just like cartoons.. the dam was built and fully functioning and they just kept adding the smallest sticks to it. The bear was SO exciting. It was huge and I was ‘child at the zoo for the first time’ excited. Mr. Bear was not phased by me at all and just walked away… (I have since seen a little baby bear, but I kept my distance with that one). Joel met me again at camp that night with a sour beer and another LaCroix, he is pretty much the best. Shout out to Miss Allie Tish, you found a good one. It’s been muggy, rainy, sunny, and buggy, but my feet are back and I’m really enjoying being able to hike with my head up. 

I don’t hike with music, so I’m entertained by my thoughts all day long. I think about all the things, all the time. I have had more conversations about race in the last couple weeks than every before- lots were uncomfortable and I’m often challenged finding the right words to articulating my views. So, I am continuing my research and learning to voice my thoughts better, especially since I am no longer in my liberal bubble of the Bay Area.

In other news, I have an idea for a video game, or maybe a comic book… based on the daily activities on trail, and the many characters I am meeting.

I think it’s safe to say the trail is really starting to feel like home.