From gold mine to messages in the sand

The best part of hiking is not the hiking, but the excursions.

I woke up and jumped into Bear’s (Thru hiking buddies) RV back to the trailhead after the Stagecoach RV campground, with plans to take a ride to Julian. After a minute, a hiker shuttle arrived, dropped off some hikers, and picked up our motley group. I was the first shuttle driver from Delaware this year, which excited him as we drove down some crazy mountain roads.

Julian, a city in the Wild West that has a problem with its water supply at the moment. Almost all restaurants were closed except 1 veterinary cafe which is near well water. All other restaurants couldn’t wash dishes, but some had food ready to go.

After a great meal at the vet cafe, the boys and I got a cheap cot in the back of the American Legion, which was also the karaoke bar that night. After dropping off our backpacks, we headed out to hit the city and tackle household chores.

city ​​tasks

We needed to visit the equipment store to sign up for a shuttle the next morning, resupply, visit the gold mine, and get a free pie from Mom. We checked out Mom’s first, but they told us to come back because they needed to go buy portions from their stores out of town.

The equipment store was wonderful. He had 14 people crammed into an 8-foot by 6-foot corner store packed with food, equipment and resupply shoes. I put on sun gloves because of my knuckles and completed my Stagecoach resupply the night before. We also signed up for the shuttle at 8 the next morning.

TJ went to the post office and the library, I went with him, but Mastermind distracted me by checking his backpack with Shadowfax to lighten his crazy load. The strange thing was that he was going through this on Main Street and I couldn’t convince him that maybe that wasn’t the place.

I found out mom had Mastermind Feet. I went in and bought a delicious flaky apple pie. Afterwards, I just hung out in town while meeting hikers coming and going, hikers I knew and got to know. I grabbed some ice cream and broke two plastic spoons while eating it.

a gold mine

At 2, TJ, Micheal and Jay, having just arrived in town, walked to Eagle Gold Mine for a tour. We tried to convince other hikers but none of them wanted to enter.

The gold mine was deserted when I got there. I ran into a couple of ladies who asked me if I was the tour guide, since they were watching too. The tour guides finally showed up, John and John.

John gave TJ, who won the guessing game, a small golden bottle while we waited for his arrival. Then John threw a bunch of information at us about gold mining. It was interesting, but the delivery would need some work.

After panning for gold, John gave us John, whose energy could be described up to the fact that he drank rock star energy all the time. He took a tour inside the mine tunnel. We were 500 feet underground when it scared us and turned off the lights. It was darker than night.

Overall, the tour was worth it, mainly just for the characters. I had dinner in a bar with a Brit named Ox who cooked gourmet meals on the side of an old milk truck. Then it was time for karaoke.

Karaoke was great fun, I sang Horse with No Name when it felt appropriate. Around 9, I handed it in and avoided the commotion with tour guide John and the bar. I woke up fine the next day, but everyone else was hungover.

Leaving Julian

We packed up and met the ferry, but once at the trailhead the guys sobered up under the underpass and rehydrated. I kept going.

The day was hot but the mountainous desert terrain was beautiful. I was surprised by the water tank maintained by the PCTA: there was enough water to shower me for weeks. From there I decided to continue another 2 miles without running into TJ or Micheal. But I met new people and was making new friends quickly. I had a great view of the sunset, but the wind was brutal on the central ridge where I found tent sites.

The next day, I did the first 8 kilometers fast. I saw Megan coming down the mountain who I hadn’t seen in a few days. They passed me as I walked for the first time on this hike that day. I was devastated for no reason. After some reflection, I realized that I had been judging myself through others.

A little reflection

I’ve been judging myself on speed, lack of injuries, lack of fight and my prepared team. Anything if you’re faster or lighter than me, then you’re asking for trouble. But if you’re slower or heavier then you didn’t do the prep work. Which is very arrogant and I’m going to put an end to it.

People start in different places, have different life experiences, bodies, goals, backgrounds and personalities. I shouldn’t feel superior to anyone or put down someone else’s achievements to keep my own high. Just some thoughts I’ve been having.

From Warner Spring

Back to some fun stuff. I saw Eagle Rock but didn’t stay because of the heat. I arrived at Warner Spring and ran into some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. That night we camped by a stream 3 miles away.

The next day was hot and I had to go up, but I found fast sand after sinking in it, found a message in the sand, and talked with friends all the way. We arrived at Mikes Place, the only water for 12 miles around.

There was magic on the trail and Mile appeared and made us rice and potatoes. The day was great despite the heat.

Today we arrived at the DeBenedetti house after another 12 hot miles. Another oasis in the desert. So I’ll relax in the pool and jump on the diving board before going out.

Until my next side adventure.

Hell yes, with a little pineapple.

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