May 6 day 7 camped mile 117.3 walked 8.7 miles today.
Woke to the continued light drizzle. Short walk to the outskirts of Warner Springs. Got to the post office before it opened. Other thru hikers were already there. Got my package of food till Idyllwild.
The community center was set up for the PCT. I scarfed down an egg pancake and sausage breakfast. Had a couple of hard boiled eggs and two tangerines for desert. Took my first shower since I started. It was nice and warm outdoors in a gentle drizzle. Had a cheeseburger for the road.
It rained the rest of the day. It was much harder walking with all the yummy food I was carrying. Didn’t go too far today which was the plan. I’m resting my feet for a long day tomorrow.
May 7 day 8 camped mile 140 walked 22.7 miles today.
I left camp in the cold drizzle. Good weather for walking. Went to Trail Angel Mike’s place just off the trail had a pancake and some coffee. Missed staying in the garage with the hoards of wet hikers last night. Made a wonderful stream bank camp sans water.
May 8 day 9 walked to mile 151.7 Highway 74 walked 11.7 miles today.
Got up early to get to the Paradise Valley Cafe for breakfast before my sister Lauri and her daughter Nicole picked me up. 13 miles by 10:30. Had a great time with my sister et. al. Had loads of food got my clothes cleaned for the first time and had an indoor shower plus there was a couch to sleep on. Felt pretty deluxe to me
May 9 day 10 camped mile 157.3 hiked 5.6 miles
Spent the morning with my sister Lauri in her lively house. Picked up a few supplies and was driven back to the trail by my sister and niece Nicole. Had a huge burger at the Paradise Valley Cafe with lots of other thru hikers. Made an excellent camp just before it stormed.
May 10 day 11 camped mile 175.5 hiked 18.2 miles
Long long day. First stop was Tunnel Spring. It featured slightly sulfurous water. First fully sunny day in a while. The trail was carved onto the steep eastern escarpment of the mountain. Made to camp at 8:20.
May 11 day 12 camped mile 185.2 walked 9.7 miles today.
Got up early to make it down to Humber Park at 10:00 to meet Nick Rigney. He arrived bearing gifts of homemade super healthy and yummy breakfast burritos and chai. After a leisurely meal we climbed the 1600 feet back up to the PCT and a few miles along it. Camped above the San Jacinto river.