AT 7 - 2nd April

 Did 7.8 miles today to Blue mountain shelter. There’s 1000 feet down up, down up coming tomorrow so taking it easy. We’ve booked hostel in two days time so we can wash and clean cloths. I’m getting the hang of filtering water and doing cooking and cleaning up, bear hanging your food. You get into a routine. So far we have been blessed with super weather (apart from thunderstorm) but tomorrow is to rain so that will be a first but there’ll be lots more rain I’m sure. 

Saw my first snake today. Blank snake non poisonous but nasty bit. I chased it to get a photo. 

Camped early so very chilled afternoon. So far we’re meeting the same groups. I’m traveling with 4 and we’re going the same speed. It’s nice to get to know each a bit better. There’s a real camaraderie on the trail. We are all feeling the same pain and joy. 

Thought for the day. 

My trail name comes from the bitterness of the past years but also the sweetness of being out here. 

Bitterness is a dangerous thing. As I get older it’s very easy to become a grumpy old man. We observe thing and comment in a grumpy way. Bitterness is a destroyer of the soul. It strangles you and all you can think about is the situation that brought it about. 

There is only one solution to get past it. It’s to know the one who took all our bitterness, sin, anger, and experience it all as he suffer it for us. I’m so relieved that He took it all away and replaced it with peace and joy. Just walking it pure wilderness, I feel so happy to know Jesus and his love for me.