Any Minute Now earned her merit badge for motivating an injured hiker today. Somehow, over the fossil-encrusted ridges near Sonora Pass, she managed to urge the injured woman along. The boys and I kept our distance, taking long breaks and fishing. When we all straggled into camp, where Shazaam, Any Minute and Church Lady had been sitting for some time, we had collected Tink and Screagle as well. There was a large campfire next to the perfectly placed log and stone benches created by the early threesome. Having a fire is a trail luxury to me, and I really enjoyed it for awhile. Church Lady and Any Minute made sage bundles for everyone (mine will remain in my hat, because I intend to be around the giver for some time), and Church Lady and Dr Fierce sang Native American chants and some other songs to commemorate their last night on the trail.

After the fire had lost its appeal, Church Lady and I walked down to the small stream and watched the reflected moon wobble in the current. He seemed relieved that we'd be getting out to Northern Kennedy Meadows the next day, but saddened by the abrupt end of his trip. I promised to hike with him again sometime in the future.