Because we expected to bypass the forest-fire closed miles for today, we tried to sleep in. Look how cozy we all are inside the big half-dome-tent.
The sun rose and we got ready to get some breakfast in town. One of the lovely volunteers was already up and about, ready to shuttle us the 1 mile into town. We gladly accepted. Saved us the morning walk. We sat down in the Sweetwater Grill cafe, where Jimmy, Thad & Natalie ate yesterday, and were the first ones there, around 0715. I went all out with eggs Benedict and blueberry pancakes. Happy days.
When we came back, I snapped this picture of shoes that hikers left behind (probably because most people are getting new shoes for the following sections, or because they caused their former owners pain/blisters/misery.
We were informed that we would be able to get a shuttle to the trail-head, leaving us 12 miles to hike out of the 20 somehwat mile-section we initially thought had been closed off due to the forest-fire. This meant we didn’t have to skip the entire section to get to Casa de Luna. This sounded great to me, because honestly I was bummed out we had to skip an entire days worth of hiking to get to the next planned stop.The others were still making up their mind on what time they wanted to hike out, and the shuttle was getting ready, so I got in with the Canadian family;
Father (Gord) & sons (Alex & Johnny) have started hiking the trail 2 days before I did. Pretty cool thing to do with the family, I thought. We were shuttled out, and back on the PCT around 1200. It was crazy hot again today, but because we had had two half days of hiking in a row, we made steady progress. The first 4 miles were all uphill, after that it would be mostly either flat, or downhill towards town. Today the scenery was a lot of the same. Rolling green hills, with very long switchbacks.
The final 4 miles were a real drag, and even though it was only a half day, it felt as if I’d been hiking the whole day; the second half of the afternoon was hot and slow going. That the scenery hardly changed, did not help. I was glad to make it down to the road around 1800 where Natalie and Thad, who’d passed me during the day, were already trying to hitch a ride.
After about half an hour a car stopped, ready to take the three of us in. And then Pops showed up, bustling off the trail just in time to also tag along. Though by the time he’d made it to the car, another woman had stopped to also take any of us in. So now Pops got a ride all to himself.
We were dropped off in front of Casa de Luna. This wonderful trail-angel-house is home to the Andersons, and we were all greeted warmly by Terry with a big hug.
Everybody gets to pick out their own (unique) Hawaii shirt. There was no dance required. I’m not sure if I felt too upset about that. Look how psyched we all are with our new funky attire!
In the backyard of Casa de Luna, is a very large and amazing Manzanita forest. It is truly magical. Scattered throughout the sleek branches are all different sizes of painted rocks, left by thru-hikers who stayed in the past. All of them have quotes, slogans, drawings, or sayings on them related to hiking. Some of them are beautiful and hilarious. Tomorrow morning I will snap pictures of the ones that stand out. The colorful rocks in the mystical forest create an amazing atmosphere, and all of us felt like this is a real special place. Especially since we got to camp right in the middle of it!
After set-up it was time for dinner. Unlimited taco salad, with excessive toppings. I ate so much it hurt. That I covered both my plates with ridiculous amounts of Jalapeños didn’t help. I thought my tongue was going to fall out of my mouth. After dinner Pops wanted to get some coffee at the local bar/cafe, so we headed out for a little evening stroll. I got some hot coco, and afterwards we chilled out some more back at the Casa. I discovered holes in my shoes today, and so my plan to have new shoes shipped to Tehachapi (at mile 550) seems to be alright. I bought exactly the same pair, but in a different color. I’m pretty excited to feel the difference with regards to my current shoes, which by the time I reach Tehachapi should be pretty beaten up. I loved them though, they have been working very, very well for me. Now it is time for bed; tomorrow there’s pancakes and coffee from 0600 onward.
What an amazing place this is, made possible by amazing people!
This picture says so many things
I wish I never had the nerve to
Say to you, to say to you
But I could be so many things
I wish that I could never be in
Front of you, in front of you
You say that you never believed
You say that it’s done.
Ohh, you can find a way, through the rain,
The rhythm of the rain (the rhythm of the rain)
Songs from your past will play,
Through the rain, the rhythm of the rain (the rhythm of the rain).
Rhythm of the Rain – Mêlée
