Professor and I wake up at 5:30, grab our food and head out.

I try my best to not wake True Girts, his tent is set up right next to mine under the dense pine branches.

My gear isn’t too wet from the evening’s condensation! Hooray!

The Professor and I are falling into a routine. I stay near camp to make my breakfast shake that I drink while I hike: Instant Carnation powder and two instant coffees. I’ve been making it in a designated water bottle so I can hang it at night with the rest of my food items.

The Professor hikes ahead an hour then stops to make hot coffee and breakfast. I pass him while he enjoys his coffee, he’s usually stopped in a beautiful spot enjoying the view and reading from his kindle. It’s a great hiking style! Then he catches up to me (he’s so fast!) and we break for lunch and dry out our gear.

The beginning of the day takes us through some beautiful green carpeted pine forests.

We take a break with a view of a lake.

The trail soon transitions to a burn scar.

The sun is hot and the burnt tree remnants leave us super exposed. It’s tough hiking.

I bust out Doug’s music on the SanDisc Clip for the first time on the trip and it helps a lot. I listen to the Arrietty credits song. It gives me some extra hiking strength.

I make it to a final stream crossing before camp and rest. I rinse my hair in the water it feels so nice to get the day’s sweat and salt off.

Crush and The Breeze are also there sitting in the shade. I join them. The Professor catches up and we make dinner. True Grits, Toast and Ice age also arrive. It’s a party!

After dinner The Professor and I hike one more mile to a separate campsite. The area is filled with old downed trees. It’s kinda hard to find a spot but we manage.

Phew today was a tiring day! Lots of sun exposure. I’ll have to ask Doug to send me my sun umbrella his sister got for me.