We started at the Motel today with another 4am baby party.

Thankfully Secret slept until 520 am so we were spared from both kids being up way too early.

The morning was pleasant and one of our better hotel-starts. Secret played super creatively (used balls of tin foil from the food from the taco truck as balls and made up games). While he did that we got a lot done. He went outside at around 625am when it was light out. We packed the bags one final time, made coffee (Which was amazing), made tea for Secret, ate leftover tacos and had another shower.

The motel serves breakfast. We went out at 7am and had eggs and bacon, more amazing coffee and a fruit bowl. So yes I had second breakfast.

We walked to the road by the post office for a hitch and got one within 5 minutes. A great couple of guys going out for a hike picked us up and we had an awesome conversation with them the whole way. They gave Secret a juice box and we saw them later on trail.

We met a bunch of people today on the trail and got a lot of encouragement. A few older ladies, who talked to us for quite some time and showed us the best break spot on the lake (after looking at a Grouse family with us for a while). A bunch of other hikers – PCT and otherwise – who even clapped for Secret when he got to the top of the pass. A bunch of youth group clubs – super supportive teenagers and teachers. We saw them yesterday when we went down and they hiked in. In fact we saw a bunch of people yesterday and again today so it was a small reunion.

Once at the top of the pass we managed to make pretty good time heading down to our camp like 1.1 miles from Glen Pass. We talked to a few other hikers, got some beta from a sobo hiker who just went over the pass, found a spot fairly far away from the other hiker camping near us and pitched the tent and got started on dinner.

Since we resupplied at a gas station, the options were limited. We had to get canned fish again. Which is heavy but worth it. Sardines this time. Secret loves eating fish for dinner and we get to add some to our mashed potatoes.

Bedtime went alright. Through the day Secret has been physical with me a few times but let off at dinner. He threw large rocks at me (not ok – I fell avoiding them), threw a large stick at me and threatened with sticks and rocks later in the day. He’s getting attention from this. He’s upset. But man it’s so hard not reacting strongly to this. Of course there are consequences but they have to be executed level headed.