PCT Day 128, zero, Idyllwild

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for. – Maureen Dowd

I’m amazed at how exhausted I am. Another zero seems to do the trick and I have just enough time to enjoy it in this lovely village tucked into the mountains. I should finish walking in less than two weeks. How about them apples?!

I sleep late, enjoy coffee and the New York Times on a private porch, walk to the local store to resupply, run into Pinky from way back at Walker Pass – who tells me she was stalked by a mountain lion – lunch at the Red Kettle, create another ‘Peeps of the PCT,’ dine at Ferro, get nervous about crossing a rockslide tomorrow, then cuddle into an enormous bed where I can spread out and let my legs rest up for the coming miles.

Last night I dreamt I could still play the flute but was forced to re-audition for my job, much to my dismay. In fact every night my subconscious works overtime replaying a humiliating saga of my having to prove my worth. Enough already! Just let me sleep and get on with things!

So here’s a question you might help me answer:

Is it possible – and I’m speaking metaphorically here – is it possible to continue to walk the trail after I finish walking the trail?

I realize this is a bit of a koan or riddle that I have no satisfying answer to, but I wholeheartedly welcome yours.

For now, it’s (hopefully) a dreamless sleep so I can build up the reserves of courage I’ll need to vanquish the rock slide and slay double digit miles from one water source to the next – thankfully, this time with guaranteed camping!