The Professor and I am taking a zero day, where you hike zero trail miles for a full day.

I sleep in. It’s so luxurious.

I get out of bed around 7am and Jim makes us camp omelets!

It’s a cool technique using freezer bags to Sous Vide the egg with very little mess. We added the left over veggies from last night, some garlic and cheese into the bag. Then you boil the bags for about 11 min. Super simple!

He then grills up some of the best bacon I have ever had. The combination with the omelettes is to die for.

So delicious! Wow! I’m definitely making these camp omelets again some day.

I can feel my body rebuilding its strength, thankful for the rest. My shoulder is feeling much better.

The morning is spent chilling in the living room. Pam and Jim go about their morning routine, reading with their cuddly dogs near by. I work on my blog posts and The Professor researches alternates around a trail closure coming up around Helena. There’s some trail maintenance going on and it’s good to not get in the way.

Jim and Pam’s dogs are soooo cute. At one point I have one as a lap warmer and the other as a foot rest. So comfy!

Around noon they take us to visit their cabin.

The drive up is gorgeous and Jim gives us a history tour of the area. It’s incredible to see the remnants of old mining projects, to imagine native tribes traveling through the mountain passes and migrants living in caves while they work the mines. It must have been a tough life back then.

The Gosink cabin is nestled in some trees lining a gorgeous green field with a small creak babbling by. It is so pleasant and cozy! What a dream!

It even has the original stove in the kitchen! What a beautiful space!

Thank you Jim and Pam for sharing this gem! It makes me want a cabin so bad haha

They drive us to the post office and I’m able to pick up my next resupply box from Doug. Thank you Doug!

The Professor has a different resupply strategy. We head to the grocery store and he shops for his meals to get him through to the next town.

A sudden storm blasts through the area. I am so glad we’re not stuck in this up on some ridge line! What a great day to zero!

Thankfully it doesn’t last long and calms down to a light drizzle.

Back at Jim and Pam’s house we have delicious sausages and potatoes. So so good!

And of course, more peanut butter pie. This time with a chocolate drizzle 🤩

After dinner we do a slide show and share all the photos from the trip so far. It’s incredible seeing The Professor’s photos from the southern terminus of the trail! New Mexico looks like some tough but beautiful hiking. I’m really impressed with his hike!

We make plans to head back to the trail early in the morning. I’m a little sad to go!

Thank you so much Jim and Pam for hosting us! And thank you Professor for including me! I had the best time hanging out. I feel like I’ve made some new family 💖

The Gosink’s are really good people 🥰