I write this entry not because it has been so long since my last entry, in fact you will probably receive this at the same time, but because I have had some thoughts. 

Anyways, the past few days since Kackie left have been new, interesting and I think worth sharing. 

Day 54. [944-964]

{I know this is a repeat day but there is more to say}

In addition to (“big”) Troy, I also hiked with “Cliffhanger” the Australian actor, entrepreneur, and filmmaker from Hollywood. He is writing a tv show about the trail (as I’m sure many think they are) and is quite confident in it. He gave a big speech about how people shouldn’t talk politics on the trail—-as he made his way into a long rant about his hate for Trump. —->I, as usual, agreed with more informed and equally passionate disapproval of him but from the position of one betrayed and not opposed. 

…anyways, he got too crazy so I ditched him and hiked past him. But there are a lot of people “in the film industry” on the trail and I thought I would share. 

Also, today, for the first time in the trail, it began to rain. This… was a new challenge. 

Day 55 [964-987]

Today, after my morning routines I skipped my normal podcast plan and began an old favorite of mine—The Fellowship of The Ring.  Unsuprisingly, I was still listening to it 11 hours later.  I have so many pages of voice memos and hope to find time to actually essay them.  

Today rained for the entire day, and with each (false) glimpse of sunlight behind dark clouds came new thunder and harder rain than before.  I was thoroughly soaked early and quickly it ceased to bother me.  

I didn’t reach camp until a very dark (from the clouds) 8:00.  I set up my tent and tried my best to do it fast enough to keep the inside dry.  For some reason, as I stood there at the end of a truly exhausting day, filthy and soaking I had a rush of adventurous joy.  I found myself yelling back at the thunder and laughing at it joyfully.  Then, seeing my tent site was near a small lake, I realized in a moment the only natural way to go about dinner…..

As I cooked my ramen beside the lake, I washed my socks and remembered that every night for the past month I had burnt my mouth by eating it too early.  So as it cooled I took off all my clothes and went for a swim, taking a small lap out into the lake and back to kick off all the mud and sweat.  Then coming back I knew my Ramen was ready I just ate it all right there and then—butt ass naked, alone in the mountains.

I was so content

In fact…

I think I’m growing to like this Treebeard fella…

But I still laugh imagining some Californian who for some reason was 40 miles into the wilderness in a thunderstorm who stumbled upon me having my supper.  [(I knew nobody could come from behind because I hadn’t passed anyone in 5 miles)]

Day 56 [987-1018]

Today I hit 1,000 miles! 

That’s so insane, but I promise to you I am actally far from it.

Today, as you can see, I was moving again.  It feels good to be going far and fast again.  (Except for my knee which is hurting very badly).

But my mind and pride feel as good as ever!

Today was also a goodbye to the “true Sierra Nevada” and an entry into “Northern California”

*See below*

I reached Kennedy Meadows North where I was able to ship my bear can home (lighter pack!!).  There I also got a 2 hot meals, new food for the trail, wifi (for you ❤️), and soft serve ice cream!

At the PCT campsite I met a bunch of people but one hiker Evan, lured me in with a free offering of leftover food and whiskey…..

Anyways, 5 hours later and we were still talking.  He is an ex infantry, great books Master degree from St. John, enlightenment humanist, leftist, defense attorney, who is hiking the PCT with his wife.  

Talking to someone ideologically opposed to me who has been traditionally educated was fascinating and nuanced and really fun.  Topics covered included Monarchism, Radical Islam, Normal Islam, Active Combat, the Judicial system, the constitution, the founding fathers, and the Christian literary tradition.  

Being in good spirits we essentially played the game of seeing how much we could agree on from our different ends.  He, having served on the streets of Afghanistan was forced to have the really unpopular liberal position of Sam Harris on Islam (which I recognized) and that was a starting point for our agreement.  

Making strange friends over immediately deep talk truly is, I think, the greatest thing a person can do to meet themselves and the world.  

Most importantly he too agrees with G.K Chesterton who said there is nothing for men to discuss BUT Religion and Politics, which is a sharp turn from the foolish rule of the trail and polite society to never discuss anything of substance or import.  

Then at 1:30 we ended our long discussion and went to bed. The heavens, from this view I judge, chose my side in the discussion…

One of the thoughts which is haunting me is the religious nature of “collectivism”.  To much outrage, Zohran Mamdami said earlier this year that we must replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism"

However, I too oppose individualism, which I suppose is very un-American of me.  More fervently, I require the warmth of collectivism.  

I have an essay cooking on the subject so stay tuned.  

Everyone go touch a tree and thank God for it, trees are good.  

Much Love,

treebeard