Miller Lake - Kerrick Canyon 7/12/10 17 miles

Things definitely haven't been easy out here so far. Not on our bodies, our minds, or our relationship. The days are long, you're body is tired, you are a hungry bear all of the time (despite the fact you have eaten like a bear), your mind is usually moving as fast as your feet and sometimes all of these factors mixed together can become overwhelming. ON top of everything, attempting to maintain a healthy relationship with another person can be..difficult. See, normally most couples have lives together, but also very separate lives of their own as well. Out here, as a couple, you are together 24 hours a day. We wake up and have breakfast together and walk (work) together all day. We have lunch and dinner together and go to bed (tent) together at night. WE even use the flipping bathroom within 30 feet from one another. IN addition to all of these things, we sweat up mountains, tromp through mud, swat at mosquitoes, fall down at times and can become fairly irritable (to say it mildly), with no alone time. This can be devastating on a relationship that once had no disagreements or rarely any confrontations. So basically, our morning consisted of discussing these issues and coming very close to leaving the trail, due to fear of being overcome by them. Thankfully, things are okay now, after much needed talking and laying (actually throwing) everything out on the table. WE both realize that this can be hard on our relationship, if we make it hard. I want to be here, but only with Chris. After a long morning on my mind and long day on my body, I'm still thankful to be out here. It was a beautiful walk through two lower passes, more green, trees and gorgeous canyons. We worked for the views today, as we walked uphill most of the day. Seavey Pass was beautiful and we both agreed that it was if it seemed hidden, like a secret place. WE got atop and lots more green and some nice ponds. It didn't even look real. We had a good dinner of broccoli and carrot pasta (thanks Debbie :) with chicken (thanks Ann :) and were both able to agree that we're glad we continued walking together. -KB