We woke up at 6 am today and made a decision to try to make it to Lake Morena for front country camping and ice cream. The goal was motivating to all of us so we head out. It was a later start than I’d have liked at 830 am but we got out there in good moods and just went for it.

Toothless was pretty fun most of the day. He had some points in the day when he pushed boundaries but that’s his job. Overall we got to water when we needed to and he hiked a decent amount.

The hardest part of the day was when we climbed a few hundred meters in the hot afternoon – Natasha with Lil Flier and me with Toothless on my shoulders. I felt dead at the top but we busted out the umbrella for shade, made Gatorade and had a snack. The rest of the day was only a very moderate climb at times then we reached another crest and it was all downhill. The view of the lake was beautiful and we got to camp in time for ice cream. Then since no gluten free hot food at the store we cooked more Annie’s GF mac and cheese and I put the kids to bed.

While I was reading Toothless his stories his sister was asleep, rolled sideways since I put her to bed earlier, playing with Natasha’s backpack. I picked her up and moved her and she woke unhappy. Natasha came to the tent and we swapped duties. I finished with the food and Natasha finished with the kids.

I stayed up a bit, talking to other hikers, hoping Natasha would leave the tent so her and I could chat about our first couple days but she stayed in and didn’t respond when I whispered her name through the tent. She must have been tired. I hope we have time to talk together soon.

It was a good day overall.