The part where not much happens

Agua Dulce to Wrightwood October 22-25, 2025

Surely it wouldn’t happen.

My husband texted me: how are your feet?

My answer: they are pretty good. I haven’t had to record them in a while. No blisters.

He asks: How are you eating?

My answer: pretty good. I seem to be maintaining my weight.

silence.

There doesn’t seem to be much to say. Could it be that after over 2000 miles I can understand this?

After a lovely visit to my brother and his family who live in Los Angeles, Dan dropped me off at Vasquez Rocks and I started over.

I had splurged at REI to restock and was sporting a new pair of shorts, a new sports bra, and an abundance of goodies from their snack section. It was a nice change from the refills I had previously prepared. I especially enjoy those Bobo Oatmeal Bars. I had bought like 10 flavors.

Highway 2 no adventures

A good portion of this section loops around Highway 2, crossing the highway several times along the route. It seemed like every time you crossed the road, you had to climb steeply up the hillside next to the road, then meander a little, then go back down the hillside and cross the road to the other side, a mile further down. Repeat.

The time I didn’t cheat, I got a gift! A beautiful sunset over the smog of Los Angeles.

It was sometimes extremely difficult to climb these hills for 5 miles when you could simply walk down the road with its nice gradual incline for 1 mile. I admit it, I cheated once. No, actually twice.

Snow along Highway 2. Not that exciting, but it gives you an idea of ​​the «view.»

The second time I cheated was to avoid Mount Baden Powell. While I was getting soaked near Tehachapi 10 days ago, that same storm dumped a bunch of snow on the mountain and it hadn’t melted yet. Reports indicated that the ideal would be to do the route using microspikes. I’m not a mountaineer, so I opted for an 11-mile hike on Highway 2. Probably the most exciting thing that happened was seeing several fancy sports cars going really fast. And I finished listening to my romantic comedy novel. (Script for Love Off by Laura Starkey)

Are these “sections of the path”?

Hikers often talk about the phenomenon that you suddenly discover that at the end of the day you are not tired and that you can climb the hill without breathing hard. I’m not a believer. I think you get “trail legs” when you are not only fit, but you have also made your pack light enough to not cause strain on your body.
I admit, I fail at this last one. I can’t seem to let go of basic comfort. And I tend to add things back in, just in case. I am aware that my daily mileage will always be limited by this. On the other hand, I use all the items in my backpack daily (like sunbrella).
So I may not have advanced stretches, but I’m good enough to maintain the status quo. That’s all I need to reach the goal!

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