September 2

First full day of hiking after being sick. 24 miles up from Panther Creek to Blue Lake. My convalescence was helped by the super abundance of berries along the trail; thimbleberries (bitter, vitamin c), blackberries, huckleberries, salmonberries, blueberries (antioxidants). We developed a skill at snatching them from thier shrubs as we walked, without altering our step. There was more than enough for us, other hikers, and the bears. (Bear shit on the trail is loaded with blue pellets). The Pacific Northwest is certainly a land of plenty lush moss glowing neon, monster ferns, nets of lichen hanging from conifer branches, rich and dark spongy soil to sustain an endless garden of berries.