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I wanted to do something special to celebrate this decade birthday (my real birthday is Sept. 14th). I decided that a backpacking trip to Third Beach would be perfect for me. I camped there as a child with my dad, and have tried to go back every summer since having kids. It is a special place! A wild sandy beach, with a freshwater stream to play in. It is only 1.3 miles down to the beach, so a very easy backpacking trip. I was joined by around 60 people! Taylor, Brad, and Rexie flew in from Kauai for a week. Ashley, Scott, Cormac, and Story flew down from Anchorage, then road-tripped home in a new car.

My mom made one of her special bound books that everyone wrote messages in or drew pictures in. (which I cried my eyes out reading!).

Tomu and Story organized everyone to play Capture the Flag kids vs. adults 3 or 4 times during which Orion was seriously marking Weston, who was holding driftwood in front of his head to camouflage himself. Also Ellen, at 64, kept making mad dashes for the flag at every opportunity.

I swam in the ocean, handing my purple troll hair to Sally while I dunked under.

Cormac made an epic drip castle that took all day.

Orion and Kai made a bridge out of logs so people could cross the river.

Jade, Luz, Darya, Sterling, Inga, Summer, and Elsie had a serious girl gang going on. We had to finally stop them from swimming because they were too cold.

Sarah brought tattoo markers and stencils, which seriously added to the party festival vibe.

Scott, Nic, and many kids built a sandcastle near the water, and Espe was doing full body layouts to stop the incoming waves from smashing the castle.

Some people jumped rope with a long bull kelp strand.

Eric and I had a lot of laughs reminiscing about our climbing days

Nan, Ina, Patty, Carol, and Ellen impressed everyone with their cooking, their ocean swimming, their general joie de vivre and badass women-ness.

I walked to the end of the beach and built a fairy house with my nieces Celeste and Willie.

My mom made me a chiffon cake, and everyone sang.

But the best part was the dance party! DJ LunchLady was at his best. Mo and Eric noticed folks hiking down the trail and saying “Holy Shit!” upon seeing about 30 people doing the Macarena.

I had some special outfits, courtesy of Weston and Justine’s costume inventory.

We had to hike out a day early because it was just too rainy. We continued the party at Weston and Justine’s house that night with tiramisu from Mary Dewine and the Alaska crew & Sarah & 3 kiddos crashing on the floor.

I felt so very loved in this world. Thank you so much to all those who made the trek out — it made my birthday!

If I didn’t invite you, I am sorry!

It was only because maybe I thought you weren’t up for the backpacking — not because I don’t love you!

If you couldn’t make it, you were missed!

For the record, a roll call of who was there:

Hannah, Riki, Tomu, Jade, Luz, Ma Chin, Libby, Celeste, Julian, Susha, Espy, Willie, Weston, Justine, Jasper, Mira, Taylor, Brad, Rex, Ashley, Scott, Cormac, Story, Steph, Nic, Mo, Devin, Kayo, Hayden, Orion, Megan, Brett, Christine, Kai, Tori, Lynette, Sterling, Summer, Sarah, Ben, Nan, Ina, Patte, Carol, Ellen, Sally, Rudra, Darya, Sarah, Zay, Inga, Luke, Cecily, Pat, Ridley, Eric, Dana, Elsie, Eric (59 peeps!)

and some photos! and a few videos!