Day 12:
*Once again we are left dumbfounded out here in the middle of the desrt. Trail sign says hike 1/4 mile up an abandoned dirt road. "Why, to see more of the same desert," I think sarcastically. No, no, no. Instead, to stumble upon the "Casa Herrera," the abode of Trail Angel Mike. We arrived to a residence filled with odds and ends (wheelbarrows, kid's bikes, six grills, hammocks, propane tanks, and old weird stuff). Sure, it looked shabby from afar. ON closer look, we discovered a screened-in porch filled with all sorts of hiker amenities (sun-block, stove fuel, camp food, TP, cots to sleep on, fresh water, a radio, etc.) What's more, a shelf filled with Budweisers, just waiting there for us. And they sell them in 30 packs, wow! We stayed for hours.
Day 13:
*Rain?! Clouds?! Yes!! And in the desrt. Finally, refuge from the sun (although Paul began to complain about being cold!) Over the next couple days we will encounter. The san Jacinto Wilderness, a mountain range from 6,000 ft. to 10,00 ft., our highest elevation yet. And what's more, we've finally discovered more hikers: George and Sean and Bluebird and Buster and our main man Todd who we started the trail with. We're finally catching up.
Day 14: Entering the San Jacinto Wilderness (We think Saint Jason Wilderness in English.)
*Paul asks how the breathing is with ascending the mountains today. "Fine," except for the brutally steep inclines (which we really haven't experienced yet). And then he reminds me that, while that may be true, we're also hiking at 7-8,000 ft. compared to the 4-6,000 we were used to. And what do we find at this elevation? Well, shortness of breath of course, but incredible beauty of sheer rock faces and towering boulder fields, immense mountain peaks and vast alpine pine forests. To top off our frist day in the Saint Jason wilderness, we hiked 25 miles to Idyllwild for a twon stay. We ate fresh, delicious mexican food at "Arribas" late into the evening and met David Ledbetter, an Idyllwild trail angel, who responded to our hiker stink as so: "All I got to say is that's real life. If you have a problem with that, then you're out of touch." We both felt warm inside and proud of our stench. Stink on, brothers and sisters, stink on.
*Once again we are left dumbfounded out here in the middle of the desrt. Trail sign says hike 1/4 mile up an abandoned dirt road. "Why, to see more of the same desert," I think sarcastically. No, no, no. Instead, to stumble upon the "Casa Herrera," the abode of Trail Angel Mike. We arrived to a residence filled with odds and ends (wheelbarrows, kid's bikes, six grills, hammocks, propane tanks, and old weird stuff). Sure, it looked shabby from afar. ON closer look, we discovered a screened-in porch filled with all sorts of hiker amenities (sun-block, stove fuel, camp food, TP, cots to sleep on, fresh water, a radio, etc.) What's more, a shelf filled with Budweisers, just waiting there for us. And they sell them in 30 packs, wow! We stayed for hours.
Day 13:
*Rain?! Clouds?! Yes!! And in the desrt. Finally, refuge from the sun (although Paul began to complain about being cold!) Over the next couple days we will encounter. The san Jacinto Wilderness, a mountain range from 6,000 ft. to 10,00 ft., our highest elevation yet. And what's more, we've finally discovered more hikers: George and Sean and Bluebird and Buster and our main man Todd who we started the trail with. We're finally catching up.
Day 14: Entering the San Jacinto Wilderness (We think Saint Jason Wilderness in English.)
*Paul asks how the breathing is with ascending the mountains today. "Fine," except for the brutally steep inclines (which we really haven't experienced yet). And then he reminds me that, while that may be true, we're also hiking at 7-8,000 ft. compared to the 4-6,000 we were used to. And what do we find at this elevation? Well, shortness of breath of course, but incredible beauty of sheer rock faces and towering boulder fields, immense mountain peaks and vast alpine pine forests. To top off our frist day in the Saint Jason wilderness, we hiked 25 miles to Idyllwild for a twon stay. We ate fresh, delicious mexican food at "Arribas" late into the evening and met David Ledbetter, an Idyllwild trail angel, who responded to our hiker stink as so: "All I got to say is that's real life. If you have a problem with that, then you're out of touch." We both felt warm inside and proud of our stench. Stink on, brothers and sisters, stink on.
Your mugs are as handsome as ever, but I have to say to Ben - Why that long face?! You could definitely compete with your Uncle Jim with that long face! The pictures are beautiful and the trail magic looks better than imagined. Still waiting for a trail name for each of you. Happy Hiking! Love you!
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You two look beautiful as ever. Happy hiking!!!
ReplyDelete- Brad