As I hiked along, I met four retired state troopers who dubbed me "the nicest gal on the trail so far." I didn't know if this was sarcasm or if they really meant that to mean something.

They said I needed something other than pictures of rocks, so this is their contribution.


I hiked down with them later and as they breaked and I took off down the switchbacks they yelled out, "Thanks for talking to the Duke! Just make sure you get to the sheriff's office soon for a restraining order." "Thanks for the warning," I called back, not really knowing what they were talking about.