Imagine yourself waiting in line. A very long, slow moving line. You are not close to the front, nor near the rear. As time passes, conversation breaks out in small groups along the line. As the line moves forward, the groups move forward.

In hiking terms, that’s known as a bubble. You end up leap frogging, getting water, or camping near the same small group of folks. Within bubbles you’ll find tramilies (trail families), teams, couples, and solo hikers. People come and go within bubbles. It may take a bubble a few days to pass a slower hiker. As well, it might take a fast hiker days to pierce into the next bubble.

Prior to my missed step, I was in a good bubble. There were a few people in my age bracket, several international hikers, a couple of dogs, and polite young people. I wasn’t hiking or coordinating with any of these hikers. But I knew most of their names, had gained their respect, and we were becoming friends.

I watched the last person in that bubble leave yesterday.

My bubble has burst.

Where have I landed?

Too early to tell for sure. Early indications are that it’s into a large group of millennial flippers, with a thousand miles of experience, and all the answers.

Wish me luck! I might need it!