Day 95 - Without our Packs

We decided to stay two nights at Buck Lake, and therefore had another beach day. After lounging and reading for a while, I grew restless and got Bill to go on a day hike with me. We left our heavy packs and took off to explore the area around beautiful Buck Lake.

Upper Buck Lake

We walked around the upper edge of the lake, and headed towards Deer Lake on the north side. The path just kept ascending, so we decided to make our way to the top to see if there was a view. And there was...

Bill's realm

We sat on the peak for a while, but it began to feel lonely. I couldn't see or hear anyone anywhere in the vast wilderness. It's odd how it feels so good to be alone by the lake's edge surrounded by mountains, but so empty to be alone at the mountain's peak.

So we headed back down towards the shores of Buck Lake, where we passed the rest of the day.

Our campsite at Buck Lake

We spent the afternoon in the crystal clear water, swimming from island to island, exploring caves, and boulders on foot and in water. In the early evening I read more of Anna Karenin, a novel I once thought too intimating to start, but was now deep into.

I watched the sun set behind the mountains, and went to bed shortly after. I would open my eyes every once and a while to remind myself of the beauty around me.