What a Day

As if the trail magic last night wasn't enough, we were greeted with bagels, egg-in-the-hole, hard boiled eggs, grapefruit, and bananas this morning. What a great group of trail angels who, after today, have been upgraded to trail gods.

It was a quick 9 miles or so to Warner Springs. About halfway, there were more trail angels with peanut butter and jelly burritos, cold sodas, fig newtons, and candy. I wasn't even hungry yet from breakfast but how could I refuse? They were set up right by Eagle Rock which is a pretty cool rock formation.

Views were varied today which was fun for me. There was barren pasture with cows, huge oak trees, streams, and even a couple horses that did not understand my right-of-way on the PCT!

At Warner Springs, the community center was turned into a hiker store. Outside on the grass under the trees, hikers were going thru resupply boxes, resting, and socializing. There was even some guitar playing and singing. At the community center, laundry service and showers were being offered. Laundry was $6 and a shower was $8. Three Cokes were $3. That's what I chose. Now before you question my choice, let me tell you the genius of my decision. I had made an attempt at washing my clothes the night before so they were at least a little cleaner than they had been. And then several miles into my hike, after some hot, exposed climbing, there was a creek and I was able to get in and clean myself and my clothes, and cool off in the process. Now, there was no soap involved, but I do feel much cleaner. All those people who paid $14 to get clean ruined it on that hike!

So tonite I have a sweet camping spot pretty high up. It's sheltered, but there is no wind. With the high number of they hikers this year I figured I would rarely, if ever, camp alone. But, unless a late hiker comes by in the dark, I'm here all by myself.