Zero day in Bend
Today was very emotional. Carolyn and I said goodbye to each other at the Redmond airport. She went through the security gate and I waved a final goodbye, eyes all teary eyed as a pit the size of a black hole sank deep within my stomach.
I couldn’t believe she was actually leaving. It was like losing a limb or something. We were practically together 24/7 for 4 whole months and now I was just me without her. It felt strange and weird and I hated the feeling as I walked outside the airport in a daze and hopped into Qballs car.
We drove around and went to REI and then to the Deschuttes brewery for a beer tasting. It was nice to have a good friend to spend time with and take my mind off everything.
The hike has changed now and I don’t want to accept it even though I have to. I want to hike with Carolyn and share the rest of this experience with her but I can’t.
I can’t tell you have unbelievably proud I am of her. She walked 2000 miles and spent an entire 4 months on the trail. She is one tough girl for putting in the hard miles and getting through all the tough parts of the trail, through the snow and river crossings and heat and mosquitos, she was truly one bad ass girl who certainly kicked butt out here. I love her more than the world itself- and having this experience with her made me love her even more. I am unbelievably grateful to have had the opportunity to share this experience with her.
