Ashes and new friends.

    We left out this morning and the trek soon became very eerie.  We went through a nice wooded section and soon found ourselves in the remnants of a fire from previous years.  Nature is slowly reclaiming the land but the remains of the Forrest are still present and weighed heavily on our minds.  Zero especially felt the carnage left behind by the fire.
 
    Fire Marshal and Zero met two new friends from Israel, who at a beautiful water source invited us to have tea.  Graciously we accepted and were fast friends.  We trekked on further with them and came to a tricky water crossing.  We had hoped that all would come across dry but that was not the case.  Fire Marshall made it across with no effort but the last 6 feet for Zero was a leap of faith...he made it across unscathed and was totally elated as was the rest of the group.  Next was the Israelis, Roy was the first in line to make the leap.  I am sure that the only thought going through his mind was I have to make this because the blind guy did. He took a valiant attempt, but the river gods were not on his side, one slick footing and he was down, all the way up to his waist, camera included.  Zero felt very triumphant.  Both the Israelis very very complimentary with Zero's prowess.

    After hiking more than 20 miles the team met Girl Friday at one of the more beautiful spots on the PCT, Splinter's Cabin. Girl Friday had needed a day to rest and was practicing her hand at being a trail angel for the day.  We all camped along the river in a spot deemed off limits to most, it was a wonderful night.