Day 69: Mexico to Samuel: In Tahoe

Miles traveled: 17.7

Mile marker: 1091.9

Today is the day!

I can see my brother.

I remember sitting at a high table in Idyllwild with Dad, Rafiki and Thomas, looking at the trees and feeling how the smell and look reminded me of Tahoe.

‘I’ll be at Sam’s soon!’ I thought.

Today is the day I walk to my brother’s house.

We started walking at 5:55 am. We chose to leave early, even though we had plenty of time, because Voyager wants to get to Tahoe early. She will leave tomorrow to meet her mother for a short period of the walk.

Our view faces the mountains as we all compare our tan lines.

We arrive at the ranger station, where they offer some magic on the trails!

I call dad to confirm the plans. My brother will pick us up, but if we get there early, we can hitchhike into town.

The other day I fell on my water bladder and now it has holes in it. I put some tape on it, but this BeFree filter doesn’t work for me. I want to go back to the Platypus water filter.

We have a quick lunch while we chase away the flies. Voyager has continued walking to reach the city early. I’m ready to go in too! I call my dad and let him know we’ll hitchhike.

It is a sunny day as we walk among large rocks and overgrown forests.

We continue walking.

A burned area is filled with black trees charred to the top.

«Look how high that fire went!» Rafiki points out.

That was a big fire!

It feels so strange walking into Tahoe. I feel like I walked from Mexico to his house. I had never felt this sensation on the road before. I feel like I’ve actually accomplished something, that I’m going somewhere that matters instead of just moving forward.

We walked a long way downhill.

We finally hit the road!

Less than five minutes later, a guy stops to help us.

He is a native Spanish speaker and started learning English last year. He is also an Uber driver. He plays us extremely loud music that he made for a bar. It’s old rock n roll but it’s a lot of fun. He’s also a fast driver, so this is the most exciting problem I’ve ever had!

Leave the three at the camp. Next we go to my brother’s house.

I open the car door and see Sam and Dad in the garage working on something. I tip my hitch since it took us everywhere.

«Hey!» say.

«Hello!» Sam gives me a hug. He settles me inside and soon I’m rubbing my dirty toes in the shower.

He has three wolfdogs, Mogey, a mother dog, and Zuka and Eggs, daughters of dogs.

I go out and find Dad and Sam working on their boat.

Sam owns a landscaping business and is always working on something! He is very skilled and very good at problem solving to find a solution.

Dad is very proud of my brother and how hardworking he is! It’s great to see them work together.

If G-pa were here, I think he would like to join the ship repair business. G-pa used to be an avid sailor. He and Sam have that in common.

Dad prepares chicken and rice skewers for dinner. I make some gluten-free brownies (that’s all they had at Whole Foods), so we have them for dessert!

Sam has me set up on a futon in his office, so I stay there for the night.

It’s great to be in Tahoe!

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