The creaky trees kept me up all night. Milk Man said he had seen 2 trees fall on trail from the wind yesterday. I had triple checked around my tent for any dead branches. I’m pretty sure I was in the all clear? But still. I didn’t get the best sleep. I managed to wake up at 5:30 all the same. I pack up and head out down the trail.

I’ve decided to go to town. Charging, talking to Doug, shower, laundry, hot food, it’s all too good to pass up. Plus today is the 4th of July! I bet there are some fun town things happening.

The Professor and I agree to hitch hike together. Hitch hiking makes me a bit nervous and is something I try very hard to not do alone.

He pauses to make his morning coffee and I charge on down the trail.

The air is cool and refreshing. I have to put on gloves to keep my hands warm.

The trail travels next to a river along the belly of a large grassy valley filled with wild flowers.

It’s like walking through my childhood horse girl dreams. How fun would it be to trail ride around this area.

I make good time and eventually reach the turn off for the Benchmark Wilderness Ranch.

I sent my resupply box there in advance. It’s a 3 mile road walk.

Yay my first road walk on the CDT. I’m told there will be many.

I have a hard time finding the ranch and start to get a little worried. Professor catches up and points it out on his maps. Phew! As we walk, a car pulls up and asks if we need a ride to town.

The driver was just dropping off another hiker, Wild Card! I hadn’t seen him since Many Glacier!

The driver’s name is Dan, he gives us a ride to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch and I’m able to pick up my box.

Then he drives us into town.

Thank you Dan! I gift him one of my paintings. He offers to give us a ride back to the trail tomorrow so we’re all set!

It’s the 4th of July and all the small businesses are taking the day off to play baseball. It’s awesome!

We check into the Wagons West Motel and do our town chores, shower, laundry, resupply, emails and blog. I’m able to call Doug! Yay!

I’m pretty anti social this town stop as I attempt to catch up on blog posts, I have so much to catch you up on! Haha

The towns people invite us to a picnic in the park. It’s so cozy and fun to watch all the locals.

The food is really good. Like a giant potluck. There’s a live band playing great music. We can tell this is a super tight knit community. How special to be included! Thank you town!

Someone is passing around a firefighter’s boot to take donations. Professor and I both donate.

We meet another pocket of thru hikers. All new faces I haven’t met yet!

There’s so many of us! We’re all heading out tomorrow morning too.

I spend the rest of the day catching up on blogs.

At 10 we get a special 4th of July fire works show.

What a cool town!

I’m so looking forward to coffee in the morning.