What a beautiful first day. A lovely cooling fog made the first several miles kind of magical and the flowers were amazing. As a special bonus I saw my first ever Rattlesnake. He was right in the trail as I rounded a sharp corner. I took a short video ( below). I am whispering because it somehow seems safer to whisper around Rattlesnakes.
I did successfully climb down and around the Rattlesnake.
Below are pictures of several beautiful flowers along the trail. 
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Runningbird
Last summer the Canadian border opened at Manning Park, BC. I walked the last 70 miles with a sense of joy and gratitude, the monument was crowded with people from all over the world, finally able to compete their dream.
The summer of '23 was incredible for another reason. Lonely for the simple pleasure and renewing life of long distance trail hiking I decided to begin the Continetal Divide Trail !
I hiked from the south I-15 crossing to Canada (about 900 miles), experiencing windstorms, a blizzard, twice daily thunderstorms and days without seeing even a human footprint.
I was hooked! Stay tuned as Wingman and I restart the blog chronicling the remaining 2100 miles of the CDT, from Mexico to Montana.
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Woman Walking Home 
Oh, good grief. That is a large rattlesnake. And you’re right: Walk very softly!
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