Miles traveled: 13.4
Mile marker: 76.3
This day starts at 2:45 am I can’t sleep. I turn into a roast chicken, tossing and turning, pausing to journal, and finally falling asleep at 4:30 a.m. after hearing Dad enter and exit his tent.
The alarm goes off at 5:00 am Of course, I fell asleep just in time to wake up.
At least it’s a short day.
I open my hallway to make some oatmeal. If you keep it closed, you could get carbon monoxide poisoning or a tent on fire. After two packages of oatmeal in his backpack, I quickly gather my things. The rain hits my tent hard. When I go out, it only rains lightly.
Thank God!
My tent rolls up into a dirty ball while Dad’s is perfectly clean.
«You won the prize for dirt,» Dad says.
«How is yours so clean?» asked.
«I rolled it around my body.»
What does that mean?
We left at a fast pace, followed by Rafiki. The rain hits me in the face, but it often borders on drizzle and light rain. I can’t complain. My shorts are slowly getting soaked, but this 13.4 mile day seems very easy compared to the last few days.
Dad keeps us at a constant pace for a long time. We followed the crest line of the giant hill again. Over rocks and through a land of boulders that dot the green, overgrown hills.
Today we are mainly dad, Rafiki, Thomas and Dennis. Plus a new guy, Alex, who we saw the first day.
The landscape is a mix of tan and green, but as we get deeper into cactus territory, it becomes flatter. The rock path turns to sand. My feet hurt a little already. Most of the crew is about two blocks ahead. Dad is behind, taking photos. This place has the greatest diversity of cacti. Rafiki and I walked together, shouting conversations about our favorite movies just so we could hear each other.
Our walk ends under a bridge. There are gallons of water here, plus a hiker’s box full of unwanted gear to be donated to anyone who needs it.
Some members of our team choose to hitchhike, but Dad and I have lunch here while we wait for transportation.
The guy driving the shuttle actually drove Dad when he did this hike 5 years ago, so it was a pleasure for him to help him again. It takes us into town, where we first stop by an outdoor store called 2 Foot Adventure. This place has everything trail related. I buy some alligators (debris keeps getting in my shoes), a new hat to replace my buff, and some Leuko tape.
Next up is Mom’s Pie House, where we show our permit and get a free slice of pie! I choose a blackberry, raspberry and blueberry crumble cake, cinnamon ice cream and a cup of coffee. Delicious!
My favorite part of this experience was the Dutch guy sitting in front of me. He’s also been on the PCT and said he likes being alone. We start chatting for a few minutes. He politely asks if he can take a photo with Dad, Rafiki and me so people can see that he is surrounded by other people.
“Is that your mom asking?” say.
Was.
The next stop is our hotel. We have a few logistical things to do, including mailing my Leuko tape home (it costs $17 to buy and $11 to ship home). We replenished our food at 2 Foot Adventures and the local supermarket. In total, my food refill cost about $170.
Small towns are expensive.
Both Rafiki and Dad need some shorts from the city, so they buy the ones available. Wait until you see dad in his little yellow swim trunks. They are just a little tight for his cycling legs.
Dad, Rafiki and I shared a room at Julian Lodge. We’re all showered and drying our gear. Pizza is for dinner with our largest group, but our trio? We are quite tired. I’m certainly ready to go to bed. We returned to the hotel for a long foot bath with Epsom salt to elevate our feet.
Julian has been a great place to land so far and I can’t wait to have my morning coffee.
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