Get up early, eat breakfast, pack our gear, filter water, and hit the trail. We do the same things day after day. The only differences from day to day is the people we meet, the new sights we see, and the weather, of course.

Today we saw the benefit of a water filter! Gig and I walked down to a spring to filter water. When we got there the water looked greasy and just plain nasty. So we found a semi-clear pool and got ready to pump. But we noticed a strange looking root coming out of the bottom of the pool of water. We discussed what the root was and debated going to another water source. Just as we got everything ready Gig said, “It looks like the root has a little hand with fingers.”

He then picked up a stick and touched the root under the water. The thing rolled over slowly and we realized it was not a root, it was a dead and rotting lizard. We decided to hit the trail and get water somewhere else!

We hike for a mile and a half and came to Steeltrap Gap. There was water and a campsite at the gap. We had to hike down a long hill to get the water, but we were happy to get it because the water filter was working like a charm!

We decided to stay at the campsite to relax for the day and get a good nite sleep. Besides, I had 4G at that site!

Steeltrap Gap