Diary Entry-The finish line approaches…

More than 300 miles after I got this road trip started, I’m finally closing in on the finish line at Happy Camp. As I stare down the final few miles and the final stop on the trip, I’m feeling ‘all the feels’. It’s been a hell of a ride.

I uncovered footprints (and handprints). I heard countless weird, squatchy noises. I ran across an enormous mound of squatch poop. Rounding things out, I ran afoul of a nasty squatch that could have put an end to me and Sherman.

Despite clearing the air with Jimmy, I’d be lying if I said I’ve fully recovered from our experience at Bluff Creek. I do think he’s probably right. Most squatches are likely NOT like the one we encountered.

We did also invade its territory. So, its response isn’t too surprising. But, what if we’re wrong?

What if most squatches are like the one we ran afoul of at Bluff Creek? This question has prevented me from sleeping soundly these past few nights. It’s also acted as a catalyst for any number of crazy dreams.

Despite these misgivings, I’ve come too far to not cross the finish line. Happy Camp is dead ahead. It’s just a few miles away.

With the finish line approaching, I’ve found myself wondering what I’ll do when it’s over? Of course, this assumes we survive whatever is at Happy Camp. I’m being somewhat facetious, but nothing is guaranteed.

Being an amateur squatchologist has been baffling, frustrating and scary not infrequently. But, I can’t deny there have been amazing moments of pure elation. There have been moments of transcendence that have lit me up inside.

In a weird way, my experience these past 300+ miles reminds me of my experience as a runner. You spend so much time training, putting in the miles, and just doing the work. Sometimes, you wonder why you do it. But, then you have an incredible race where you do something you’ve never done before.

You notch a personal best that you’ve been chasing FOREVER. You break on through to the other side. Suddenly, all the days, weeks, and months of labor is worth it.

I’ve had far too many magical moments on this road trip to simply walk away. If I can set aside the lingering fear from Bluff Creek, the truth is I want more. I want to continue doing this.

Without sounding too immodest, I think this might be my ‘thing’. I’ve uncovered more evidence of Sassy’s existence in the past few days than many squatchologists find in a LIFETIME! I might have just gotten lucky.

I definitely HAVE been very lucky. I found Sherman who’s been an awesome partner and squatch sniffer! The weird tingle on the back of my neck that materialized these past few miles has helped my cause as well.

But, I think there’s more to it than just luck. There’s something about this work that just feels right to me. The baffling, frustrating, and scary moments are far outweighed by the transcendent moments.

So, I head to Happy Camp feeling…..happy. It’s not a jump out of your skin kind of happy. Rather, it’s a happy born of clarity of purpose.

Squatching is my thing. It’s what I was born to do. Happy Camp isn’t a finish line. It’s the beginning of a new journey.