Even though my birthday is tomorrow, the on-trail celebration started today. My first present? Alan and Mary Ashworth hand delivering my best friend Double Dip to hike with me for the next few days. 
She was an amazing sport through a longish day. Thanks Emily!
The boys were also great sports and helped pack out the fixings for a cookout.
After hauling it up to Angel’s Rest, we enjoyed a day of relatively easy terrain and a beautiful ridge that is quickly growing golden with the colors of fall.
The cookout was a success!