Okay, it's April 23rd.

Just after, three in the morning.

Yeah, I've been laying here trying not to think about it.

After my sleep note last week, it really started to sink in.

I'm staying at my friend's cabin by myself to get some rest and sleep.

Maybe not the best choice given everything going on.

But I'm glad I came here. It's been restful.

I actually ended up getting a bit of sleep.

Worth the mosquito bites, I suppose.

I've been hiking every day, which makes me wish I had a dog.

Dogs just make things better.

I think I've never had one.

But I love spending time with Nick Paul and Terry's dogs.

Two days ago, I ran into my first bear.

I was trying to access the river.

I followed a narrow trail and I heard branches breaking downhill from me.

It felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest when I heard it.

And before I had time to really think about what it might be, there was this block bear.

It just stood there, not really paying any attention to me.

It was strange.

It was almost as if I wasn't even there.

After a few sniffs in the air, the bear turned into the bushes back toward the river.

...