By Ruth

Distance: 28km

This morning when we woke up it was still very cold out. National Park is basically a ski village, and with the temperature below 10 C, and ski rental places and cozy lodges around, it felt like the beginning of winter. It was supposed to warm up as the day went on so we didn’t rush out in the morning. We cooked ourselves a hearty breakfast at the youth hostel, visited the coffee cart for a flat white and pastry, put on our fleeces and jackets and hats, and finally headed out.

The first 15km of the day were on a mountain biking trail called the Fisher Track. We were expecting a gravel road through forest: nice, but nothing exceptional. And it started out just like that.

Soon the temperature started to climb and we happily removed our extra layers. Then the sun started to come out! Then, the trail popped out of the forest and started to follow a ledge with beautiful views over the valley below.

The weather was great, the views were great, and we were feeling great!

Eventually, the Fisher Track ended and we were out of the forest and back on a rural gravel road. It was still nice, and we found a great little lunch spot by a stream. A few more hours of walking and we arrived at the War Monument. The people who live just behind it are trail angels who offer camping, showers (with towels!), wifi, and breakfast for walkers. They have a great view from their front yard, where we pitched our tent.

Today was a much-needed great day on the trail.

On the other hand, as we come up on 2 months on the trail, we are starting to miss some things from home. Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah and we haven’t really celebrated at all this year. It made us realize we miss being with friends and family, our regular Shabbat dinners with my parents, and being together for holidays, whether it’s in Vancouver or in Israel. As much as we are loving it, there are some things you have to give up to be on the trail. I think we will appreciate those things all the more when we are home.