The trek team is in "The Bob" and so the support team gets to play. Yesterday, Ravi, Cheryl and I had our day off so we took off for a hike in Glacier. We decided to do a shorter hike, since we didn't get going until late morning, so we chose the 5.2 mile trail to and from Avalanche Lake. (I also chose this one because it is in lower country and to be honest... I really wanted to have one day in the warmth. No snow hiking today.) Unfortunately, just as we started the hike, I had to turn around, dash to the car, and run back to camp the keys that I had found in my pocket. The keys were to a car that was supposed to be getting new tires while we hiked. Oops. An hour had passed by the time I got back to the trail, so I power-hiked my way up to the lake to catch up to my friends. Most of the trail was crowded- families with babies strapped on their backs, older folks working their way up, bands of young girls in hiking boots and bandanas giggling as they climbed. I jogged past them all, trying to get my blood flowing. Suddenly I realized that I was not only completely alone on the path, but I also could not hear a thing besides forest sounds. I stopped, and slowly turned in a circle, taking in the smells and the filtered sunlight. This part of the forest had not burned in at least 500 years, due to the amount of water in the ecosystem, and as I turned I marveled at the height and age of the trees. I also thought about what was happening in the world when these trees were first breaking through this rich soil, when they were just an inch high. I don't really have to remind myself how lucky I am to be here, on this journey, because I am constantly having moments like this.

I jogged on, working up to the lake, and when I finally broke through the trees I was once again just knocked over. Avalanche Lake is in a round valley, surrounded by snow-dotted, evergreen colored mountains. There must be four or five waterfalls cascading down the entire face of these mountains, filling the lake with gorgeous, clear, aquamarine water. If the shoreline hadn't been so rocky I just might have jumped in. Most of the beauty of this country is so huge that it is impossible to describe, and pictures cannot do it justice. This was definitely one of those experiences. We played for a time at the water's edge, and when a huge storm cloud peeked over one of the mountains, we threw on our rain gear for the hike home. The lake was even more beautiful, and still such a gorgeous color, even with rain clouds covering the valley.

As much as I'd like to wander every day in the wilderness, I am here for a reason- to support the trekkers, and to take care of my team. Until now, that has mostly been wrapping blisters and dispensing cold medicine. (Although I have to admit, I've been my own patient more than once, and never for good reason. My first bad cut was from an obstinate soap dispenser, the next gash from a skewer in the kitchen trailer. Not very exciting.) Today, helping the support team means taking a car to town to get new tires. Hopefully I can return to the woods tomorrow.