The first order of business awaiting us was to get new shoes for the horses. Rhonda Zinkel, who lives nearby and had reached out with lots of great information about the snowpack and trail conditions, also put me in touch with a shoer, Roger Hitt, from a neighboring community. Both Rhonda and Roger are knowledgeable packers, and I am so grateful to have a new community of friends to turn to for advice. Roger actually was able to put on borium shoes that he made (so much for the supply I was carrying with me because most farriers don't have it!) and that was a really welcome bonus. He also had lots of information about surviving the trail and the wear and tear that it puts on the animals; that is something that I spend a lot of time worrying about and trying to minimize, so any guidance from someone with experience is appreciated, I can tell you that.

Scott and I didn't have a lot of time for fun, due to my list of chores and preparation before starting back on the trail, but we did get into Etna a couple of times, and we really enjoyed the charming, laid-back, old-time feel of the town, with its famous brewery that was first established back in 1872.

#2016PCT