...Memory Lane...

[ManicManiac]

Matches are still good as gold, don't get me wrong.  The lens is only useful on sunny days and strikers wear out pretty quickly as well (which is why I almost never use it - it's just there for dire emergencies).

I just meant that extra matches go directly into whatever cache of gear and supplies to leave behind at my main encampments... and that's the only reason I consider extra matches as non-essential.     ...because they will be essential eventually, just not at that moment. 🤭

[Leeanda]

There's so many on pilgrim I could probably last several hundred days on the ones at the summit .  

Never mind the firestrikers.

[ManicManiac]

After hauling things back to the Fishing Camp... I'm trying to decide what the next route will be.  🤔

[ManicManiac]

As I've been roaming my way through Great Bear revisiting familiar sites before approaching new routes/regions to explore... I think I've decided that, while I will use weapons if I need to go actively hunt, but I'm going to leave weapons behind if I'm just out "prospecting."  And if get ambushed, I'm not going to bother struggling... I think I'll just take the mauling.  The idea being, to evade and avoid effectively in the first place. 🤭

I've been kind of doing this already anyway... but I thought I might make it official.  Something a little more to keep me on my toes.

Edited January 21, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

The snow fall was pretty heavy the next morning.  It didn't feel like it was threatening a blizzard... so I ventured back out on the ice.  My pack is a hefty 46+ kg, so I needed to make it back to the Fishing Camp.

The weather started to clear as I approached the Fishing Camp.  It took a while to get things unpacked and sorted, but I decided I wanted to follow the road over to the Coastal Townsite for the next route.  I think the idea will be to get all the way to the end of the road and then work my way up towards the mines... and that will be my way Pleasant Valley.

 
I guess I'm glad it took me a little longer than I was hoping to get things stowed... a few minutes earlier and I might have bumped noses with the Bear Creek Bear.  

...Same bear... by the time I'd collected up the sticks in the area he was already making his way back... that's okay, I'm more than happy to detour around and give him the right of way. 🤭

And that's why I tend to keep to higher ground when I can.  Over by The Tooth, there was one particularly sneaky wolf slinking close along the shore, well hidden by the bank...

I made note of a ravaged deer carcass just below the nearby bridge... moving on.

Stopped off at the Log Sort.  The trailer was occupied... but this soul already crossed over.  As respectfully as I could, I gathered up what belongings were left behind and quietly moved on down the road.

I know this isn't the most interesting of locations... but back when I first started exploring this region, this was one of my favorite little out of the way places.

This mine entrance was inaccessible way back when area was first opened up... so I'll come back for this another time.

Weather was taking another turn for the worse.  The good news... I'd already made it to the Coastal Town Site.

The bad news... There's another bear coming down the road and the area's already crawling with wovles.  

 

I'd end up carefully crawling around he houses nearest the sore, but I'm already running heavy again (mostly sticks though).  It may be best to circle back across the ice to drop things off before "prospecting" through the Coastal Townsite.  I'd like to be able to sprint and cover a lot of ground quickly, should the need arise. 🤔

[Leeanda]

I didn't realise the Polaroids had moved too!   

Nice to see the weather  isn't always bad in coastal!   I'm beginning to think you look for those bears😁

[ManicManiac]

I remember finding polaroids at The Tooth before... I didn't think that was new (otherwise I wouldn't have included it). 🤔

I don't look for bears (except when I'm specifically going on a hunt for one), but I can confirm that this time I've got three roaming around: Bear Creek, Misanthrope's, and Coastal Townsite.

The weather's been kind of manic on Coastal Highway these last few days.  I've seen dense fog, sunny skies, and heavy snow fall all in the same day. 🤭  The mood swings are kind of impressive.
 

Edited January 22, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

You have?   I can honestly say I haven't and didn't think you could.  Most of the time there's nothing at the tooth at all.  

I commonly find the pic at the top of the hill near the bridge,on the little island near the island and at my fave cosy cabin .  I'll have to check the wiki .🤔 

You don't need to😊. Seems they look for you..   I've had many a fright leaving one of those huts in the dark to find him standing right in front of me.     There's always three on pilgrim,so not usual for stalker then?  

Sounds like most pregnant women😁.  Me included!    It does seem the weather is rougher everywhere since the update,judging by ytube videos I've seen.

[Leeanda]

I've just checked on wiki and there's no photo spawn at the tooth🤔.    I wasn't aware there was a spawn below the tower either...most odd!

[ManicManiac]

The next morning I made the long trek back to drop off non-essentials.  I didn't want to spend too much time sorting because I wanted to be able to start prospecting through the Coastal Townsite today.  As I trudged my way across the ice the heavy snowfall turned on a time into an eerily beautiful fog.

Those blackish dots are five wolves disappearing into the mist.  I was going to have to be careful. 

As soon as I could see the docks, I quickly dropped off most the burden... but kept about 50 sticks on hand.  I'd managed to find a cooking pot at one of the houses closest to the shore at the Coastal Townsite, and I figured that if I ended up staying in the Quonset Garage for the night, it'd be nice to get more water prepped. 

In just the short time it took me to drop things off and head back to the Costal Townsite again... the fog had given way.

I hadn't spotted any wolves as I scouted ahead... but I could hear them.  I just had to get low and hope to avoid an ambush.

I managed to slip inside undetected.

I did my best to quickly clean out the Quonset Garage.  There still seemed a reasonable enough time to get back before dark... which seemed like the sensible thing to do, since I was already running heavy again.  I'd left behind the sticks there near the fire barrel in the Quonset, but even so I was still lugging more than 42 kg around in my pack.

As I made my way back out on the ice for the third time today...

It was tricky to keep my bearings, but I eventually was able to feel my way back to the Fishing Hut right outside the Fishing Camp.  I spent the rest of the evening melting snow (and using two more packs of water purification tablets I'd found over these least two days).  

Those tablets are so nice... I have more than 12 liters stocked at that Fishing Hut now.
I managed to get most of the non-essentials sorted and stowed, but I'll have to finish the rest in the morning.
There's still a lot of the Coastal Townsite left to search before moving further on down the road.  At this pace, it may take another week before I'm ready to move on to Pleasant Valley.

 

[ManicManiac]

16 minutes ago, Leeanda said:

I've just checked on wiki and there's no photo spawn at the tooth🤔.    I wasn't aware there was a spawn below the tower either...most odd!

Well drat... I hadn't intended to spoil anything new. 😖

Edited January 22, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

12 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

Well drat... I hadn't intended to spoil anything new. 😖

If it is new then they never mentioned moving them.. they're not classed as loot are they?  

[ManicManiac]

I spent the next day having to Metal Gear my way through the Costal Townsite.
The wolves weren't too heavily concentrated around the Quonset, but there were one or two that I really needed to be careful of.  There was also the Coastal Highway Bear to watch for as well.

Another 5 wolves out on the ice... just past the Log Sort.  I suppose that would be fewer I'd have to deal with in town... but I doubted it was going to be all clear.

I was able to search the cars and houses around the Coastal Townsite undetected.  I did have to create a distraction once by throwing stones, but other than that I got in and out clean.

While prospecting though town, I did find another pack of water purification tablets.  I decided it was a good time for a fire, and a long with that it was a good opportunity to cook canned food as well as brew some coffee and tea.

It took a long time to get all the coffee tins and herbal tea brewed up... but that also meant I could drink some of that coffee to compensate for the sleep I was about to miss out on.   But that's okay too... "Shot to the Heart" is the last "merit badge" I have yet to earn. 🤭

I think tomorrow, the goal will be to get to the end of the road.  Assuming I can gather up everything from the Waterfront Cottages in one trip... then I'd start looking to work my way up to the Cinder Hills Mine to finish the "tour" of the region.  

[ManicManiac]

It was going to be a long round trip... but I had to try.  It's been slow going and I don't want to stay in Coastal Highway for too long. 🤭

I spent the first part of the morning mending up my Expedition Parka, and then I struck out to reach Commuter's Lament.  Out on the ice was a little thick with wolves... but that's not news; and it certainly wasn't as bad as other days.  I still needed to watch my back though.  As I passed the Coastal Townsite I spotted the Misanthrope's Bear already up and about... something to keep in mind for the Waterfront Cottages.

 

I stopped off at the Coastal House (just outside of the townsite).  Rather than take the long way around I decided to just sneak up the "backway."

By the time I was done searching the through the house, a fog started rolling in.  I have had a feeling the weather was going to play havoc today... but the next immediate priority was going to be the Waterfront Cottages, and that bear.

As it turns out, the Waterfront Cottages have seen calamity... only one's left standing.
 
With the bear on its way... I may want to take my time searching this cottage. 🤭

With a little careful mending, this will be very nice.

By the time I was finished gathering up everything inside, I carefully crept back outside.  There bear was nowhere to be found... but instead it was very much threatening a blizzard.  I was tempted to hunker down and wait it out to see if a blizzard was actually going to hit, but I decided to risk it and push forward.  I wanted to make it to Commuter's Lament and back to the Fishing Village.  It was a gamble to be sure... but I know the ice well enough that I thought it was worth a hard push to make it back before nightfall.

It seems that these days, beachcombing just isn't dangerous anymore...
We can just sort of walk right up and grab whatever washes up at our leisure.

Kind of makes me sad... I kind of liked it better when we had to risk life and limb for whatever scraps luck left for us.

By the time I'd managed to get between the islands... the weather cleared.  I'm glad I pushed on... and the evening was gorgeous. 

By the time I got close to the Fishing Camp... I'd spotted two wolves blocking the way to my encampment.  I'd have to take the longer way around.

 

A long hard day... but well worth the trip.
I don't know that I'll be able to make it all the way up to the mine tomorrow, but I think I want to make at least halfway up.  I think I want to use the Coastal House as a secondary encampment.  If I keep hauling everything back to the Fishing Camp... then working my way up the switchback will likely take another four days.  

Edited January 31, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Nice to see you had good weather for a change. Lovely pics🙂

[ManicManiac]

I apparently grossly overestimated what I might find while "prospecting" my way through the "Townside Switchbacks."  Turns out that a secondary encampment wasn't needed.  It was hard two-day push... but I successfully visited and searched through the last of the locations here in Coastal Highway.  There was a bit of bad luck 🤭 but I made the best of it.

The route started out smooth enough.  The weather was reasonably nice, though I did have to get around a couple of wolves first thing that morning.  I decided to touch base over at the Coastal House (just on the outskirts of the Townsite... that's when I realized was going to be stuck behind an ill-tempered dump trunk for better part of the day.  

I did stop to enjoy the view for a little while too... The Townsite Bear just ambles along as slow and easy as it pleases. 🤭

I also made a side top to the Silent Clearing.  Very peaceful... but there wasn't much to find.

Two side-stops and I still caught back up with the Townsite Bear. 😖

Thankfully it eventually pulled over and took a nap... I was finally able to pass by and try to get some lead-time. 

I managed to make it to the cabins just below the Abandoned Lookout, but again there wasn't much to find.  I think the most exciting thing was more cans of soda, and little bit of lantern fuel.  I was glad for everything I found, I just didn't find very much of it.  I decided to hunker down at the nearby trailer just up the hill.

 

The next morning, I got a fairly early start.  This leg of the route wasn't as eventful, but it did have its sticking point.

I passed on by the turn towards the mine... Once I make this last loop, I'll be looking to head out through the mine to Pleasant Valley.  "Come hell or high water," I was going to finish this route today. 

I took to the high ground to scout ahead.  Thankfully the way was clear.  I did find a rifle about midway through my walkabout through Coastal Highway... but still haven't found a need for it yet (so I leave it behind in favor of a pocket full of rocks ).

I know it's been abandoned, but I love this Forestry Lookout.  It's in a good location... and it's got a spectacular view.

Interesting... I don't think I've ever found a knife here before. 🤔

The final stretch is where the I again had to exercise patience.  The way had been clear earlier that day... but the backside of these switchbacks decided to make up for it.  

Started with one...

Then two more...
I had to wait there crouched behind the retaining wall, hoping to not get spotted... and hoping these wolves were going to give me a chance to sneak by.  I suppose I could have double-backed and cut down the other side of the hill to my right... but I wasn't looking for the easy way. 🤭  There is a point of interest over where they went... and I want to visit.

Eventually I got the opportunity I needed.

 And that was a lot of waiting and risk, just to visit a clearing and shimmy down this steep slope next to the climb.  This is another of my favorite little out of the way places in this region.  This slope has been an escape route form many wolves and bears over the years.  I find that when you either don't have a rope... or your pack is just too heavy to make the decent... we can usually find a way down if we're willing to risk shattering wrists and ankles.  

Either way, better than teeth and claws.  Oddly enough, on this trip... I made it all the way down to the road without injury.  However...

Hmm... This time I was just going to wait a bit and sneak past to get back to the Coastal House.

Doe in the road...                                     ...that is all.
 

It was a pretty long and tense trek (all things considered).  I'm always surprised by the little misadventures I can get up to when I push just a little more and push my luck maybe a bit farther than I should.  I think tomorrow I'll be getting ready to head to the mine and make my way onwards to Pleasant Valley.

 

Then wouldn't you know it... just as I was getting ready to settle in for the evening. I nearly get ambushed.  

I do love it when Great Bear Island sends me little reminders of who's in charge... and I can't ever get complacent.

Edited February 1, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I took a little while to sort and stow one more time.  I ultimately decided to start making use of the coffee and use it to power a night hike.  First though, it was time to make my way out of Coastal Highway and on to Pleasant Valley.

The fog this morning wasn't terrible... so while it was a little warmer this morning, the visibility might be an issue if it gets denser.  Honestly, I'm more worried about there just being a blizzard on the far end of the Cinder Hills Mine.  

I did fill my lantern before leaving my encampment at the Fishing Camp.  I knew I'd be able to take my time, I really wanted to search every corner of this mine.  Having a hefty load of coal starting out in Pleasant Valley is going to be really nice. 🤭

Oh... two flare, yes please.  Each previous survivor that I come across that didn't make it, is always a sobering reminder of how unforgiving this...        Oh neat, we're both wearing a Cowichan Sweater!  

Hmm, going into Pleasant Valley with a Hunting Knife could be useful.

There was only charcoal in his pocket...

So much coal... I'm pretty happy about it.  I managed to find 48 pieces of coal on my way through the mine, but I was running really heavy now (more than 47kg) and the hike to Thompson's Crossing was going to be very slow.    I stopped to listen carefully before stepping out of the mine... thankfully it didn't sound like a blizzard outside.

Of course...  😖  ...There's a horribly dense fog covering Pleasant Valley.  The trek over to Thompson's Crossing was going to dangerous.  There's very often a bear that dens in the area just below the Mining Road.

I was just going to have "feel" my way down and through the "back way" across the river... never mind the wolves, I'm more worried about running afoul of that bear.

Thankfully, around the time I'd gotten about halfway through the area between the bottom of the hill and the river... the fog had started to quickly lift.  This was just in time for me to hear a nearby wolf freak out and sprint past right behind me!  My pack was far too heavy for me to run... so I had to keep moving (still keeping crouched) and hope I could get clear.  Thankfully the wolf didn't bother with me, but I also had this little problem to consider.

I wasn't one hundred percent sure when this bear was going to cut across and amble it's way down to the road.  So I was stuck for a little bit on a parallel path with this freight train of hate and hunger...  I eventually backpaddled a little way back up the hill, still hoping it wasn't going to cut to its right (which would mean I was going to get mauled and with no hope of running).   Thankfully, it had kept more or less on the same bearing, and I was able to keep crouched and slowly...slowly... crawl around past and onward to the river.

I remember back when this Community Hall was first "built."  It really did turn out be a good "anchor point."  I think I still prefer what I've come to refer to as "The Shunned House" (Pleasant Valley Farmstead).  However, for my purposes here... I think this will make an ideal main encampment.

Yep, that moose head still looks disturbingly ominous.
And the Deer Head always reminds me of the laughing deer head Evil Dead 2.  

I still had a lot of coffee along with me... so rather than drop off and hunker down for the evening, I think I'll stay up all night and go on a night hike.

Doe on the River...             ...That is all.

I also made a quick trip across the nearby bridge.  Thankfully there were no wolves out and about.

There was however a bear.  It was apparently already on its way back... or maybe back around again?
Either way, I nope'd my way down to the banks and crossed the river again.

I found far better company over at the part next to the Church.  I hope they rest well, but I kind of had to move on.  Since I was already near the Church...

I also decided to stop by the little cemetery that was nestled right next to it.

Hmm, here lies Ryan Thompson... town founder maybe?

I made my way out of town to the next intersection.

It's hard to make out in the snowfall and the dark... but there were three wolves prowling around the way back to the cave... so instead I decided I would take the old dirt road and make my way over to it, the long way around.

As I made my way back to the intersection... the weather suddenly started to clear.
But there is never a gift given in Pleasant Valley, so the temperature was also dropping rapidly, and a biting wind replaced limited visibility.  I needed to get to the cave now... just to keep from freezing to death for the rest of the night.

For as bitterly cold as it was... the night sky was also stunningly beautiful.

Made it to a safe haven... it wasn't going to be comfortable, but I least I could take cover from the biting wind.

For the most part I just had to wait out the next few hours just trying to recover some body heat while the temperature in the cave was in single digits and approaching zero.  Soon, the cave wasn't going to be of any use without a fire.  If I could just get a little warmer first, I'd be able to make the trek back to the Community Hall without taking too much a condition loss from the cold.  The coffee was doing its job... but wasn't really substantial enough sate hunger.  I was already feeling a bit weak from hunger slowly chipping away at my condition.  However, I was determined... I was going to stay up the whole night.   May take a nap after sunup (just to mend a sprained ankle I've been limping around with for most of the night).   

 

It feels good to live to see another dawn... especially after such a long night hike. 🤭
This is one I will remember a long while.

Edited February 4, 2023 by ManicManiac
Added a couple links to previous memoires

[Leeanda]

Is that fan of yours there a lot?  I hardly ever see that one..  

Nice pics, especially the doe one .😊

[ManicManiac]

Well, since I still had some coffee and Energy Drinks on hand... I did another night hike.  
This one essentially lasted 36 hours (All day, all night, and all the next day).  While it was indeed very long and I'd managed to see a lot of locations in one "ring-route..." it wasn't terribly eventful, so I'll try to keep it short.

After taking nap (just long enough to mend my sprained ankle)... I did a quick sort and stow.  Since I had about 5-6 coffees brewed up and three Energy Drinks, I figured maybe just one more "all nighter."



I ended up spending nearly the whole day searching every corner of Thompson's Crossing... but since I had all night ahead of me, the idea was to get to Signal Hill and back.

Stopped off at the Community Hall really quick to dump the pack before setting out down the road.

To get the route started, I wanted to get to the Upper Falls... just to quickly check out both waterfalls and both of the nearby caves.  One of which... was of course going to be the Bear's Den.

I've always liked lining up the distant peaks with the bridge's trusses. 🤭

I did go get a closer look at the Upper Falls themselves, but they look pretty similar to the falls I'd stopped by on the way up. 🤭

 

With that small trip out of the way... it was time to set out in earnest on a much longer route.  The idea was going to be to use the "Backroad" up to Cascade Falls, then follow the ridgeline but stopping off at Hill Top Cave.  From there follow the ridgeline the rest of the way around before cutting across to Signal Hill.  Once done gathering up everything I could carry there... then shimmy down the slope and follow the road back to Thompson's Crossing.

This is my favorite little out of the way place, I always visit it at least once whenever I'm in Pleasant Valley.  

Here's the view from that neat little out of the way spot.  Maybe not as grand as the view from Signal Hill, but I like it anyway.

I didn't expect to bump into anyone over at the Picnic Area.

Pensive Pond is always wonderful to visit.  I don't think I've ever found a bedroll at this little pavilion before...

The temperature was already bitter cold but it was dropping fast.  My clothing is still nowhere near good enough to tank it.  I was hoping to get warmed up for a bit over at Cascade Falls.

The cave should be right on the opposite bank... 

Welp... I guess I'm going to start freezing.  This was no place to try and warm up.  

Yep... bear wasn't far off.  Thankfully I'd wondered up to its den after it had already gone on its nightly wonder.

This poor soul ended up collapsing right near the cave leading to Winding River.
I'd considered heading through but decided against it.  I didn't have my preferred (and filled) lantern... Winding River was going to have to wait for another day.  Instead, I sat around in the dark until I got warmed up again.

I decided to head up the slope to Hill Top Cave and the nearby Hunter's Blind.  However, the wind had kicked up with such fury that by the time I'd reached the cave... I was already starting to risk hypothermia again.  The temperature had dropped so hard that the inside of Hill Top Cave just wasn't sufficient to let me even try to warm up... and I had to double back all the way back down to the Winding River Cave again just to get warm enough to continue to trek to Signal Hill.

After sitting there in the dark once again, I stepped out to find that a light fog had started rolling in.

At this point I was living on Energy Drinks  
I had three to work with the last stretch was going to be rough.

I did what I could to make quick work of searching through Signal Hill.  The place was certainly no disappointment.  My pack was so heavy, I could barely move.  I ended up having to leave behind all the firewood and sticks there at the Radio Control Station... and the pack was still weighing in at 50 kg.  🤭

The rest of the trek was just an endurance test.  I was Death Stranding kinds of weighed down... I have a pocket full of rocks, but if I run afoul of a bear then I'm just going to get mauled (there would be no escaping that).  Every step was gruelingly slow.  Following the road back to Thompson's Crossing would end up taking the rest of the day.

Back at the main encampment at last.  I would have to get things sorted and stowed properly in the morning... for now though, just absolutely exhausted.

That really was a great little endurance trip.
Made out pretty well on gear and equipment.
After some mending, I've got some much better "armor" against the cold.

Still not the best in every slot... but shaping up a lot better.  These ski boots though... it was easier to wear them than carry them.  I will be getting rid of these the moment I find Mukluks or Insulated boots; believe that.  I can't wait to harvest these heavy ski boots.  

[Leeanda]

Beautiful views of pv...  Being pleasant😁

[conanjaguar]

@ManicManiac… has become… the Darkwalker.

[ManicManiac]

@conanjaguar

It's certainly been long while since I've been out on night hikes.  All the caffeine served as a good excuse.
I have contemplated perhaps starting to sleep through the day to do more nightwalking...  Haven't decided yet. 🤭

Edited February 5, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I'd spent nearly half the day getting things reorganized (a few things mended as well).  I knew I wasn't going be able to make a long route... not if I was going to be returning to the Community Hall at any rate.  I decided I would do a small ring-route:  Pleasant Valley Out-Buildings, Lonely Homestead (in the Birch Forest), and back to Thompson's Crossing.

I'm fairly certain that's a moose back there.

This is one of the rare spots where we have a chance to catch a bear and a moose in the same frame.  

I do love those Misty Mountains...

And when the fog gives way to "burning skies."

A short route today... but still productive.  Tomorrow, I think I want to head over and visit The Shunned House over at the Pleasant Valley Farmstead.

[Leeanda]

The most beautiful place in pv has the most deadliest beasts ...  Oh to see them fight😊. 

Those hay bales look like a bear in foggy weather,given me many a fright.😁 

Lovely pics😊

[ManicManiac]

Today was time to revisit the Shunned House... along the way I'd try to make as many side-stops as seemed practical. 

Just before Heart Break Bridge, I stopped off here before trekking a bit father along the river to visit the Lower Falls.

There wasn't much to find, so I quickly double backed and came up under Heart Break Bridge.

Before going to dealing with the rest of the Pleasant Valley Farmstead, I thought I'd see what there was in the small barn first...

I don't know that I've ever found a revolver in the hay before. 🤔

oh... I've made the climb up to this little hayloft many times since this building was put up... never found anything up here until today.

Just a little further up the driveway, stands the Shunned House.  I know it's been years now since that seemingly endless night... but the nightmares of this house and horrible perpetual darkness, still haunt me.


I steeled my nerves... and quickly searched through the house.  I found that the horrible oppressive presence I felt that night seems to have gone (or perhaps just slumbering deeply).

I was tempted to establishing another encampment here... but I knew I wasn't meant to stay in Pleasant Valley for long.  Perhaps when the walkabout is finished, I can come back and see if this Shunned House's eerie soul leaching presence is truly gone.

I dreaded this basement... but it was certainly worth looking around down there.

I was glad to be getting out of there before sundown.  Maybe there's nothing more to fear here... but after that preternatural night, I didn't know I was ready to find out.  Not right now, at any rate.

Just across the river... I found this poor soul.
I wonder if that horrible house "pushed" him to take too many...

On the way back to Thompson's Crossing the weather took a turn... it didn't take long before it was threatening a blizzard.

Eventually I'd made it back with a 50 kg pack.
Once again it was slow going, but considering what I did manage to come back with... definitely worth it. 🤭