Today was interesting. I was camped about four miles north of Idyllwild on a beautiful ridge. The sunset was incredible.
My low goal for the day was 17 miles which would put me most of the way through a 20-mile waterless stretch. My high goal was about 22 miles which would have put me at the water source.
I began hiking in the 8,000 dawn light. It was chilly but the miles came fast. At about 11:00, as I lost elevation and the sun rose higher in the sky, I began to dream of the ice cream and salad which Ziggy and the Bear serve every night to thru hikers at their home in Cabazon, mile 210.
And so the internal struggle began. Should I walk 27 miles for ice cream? Would it really be worth it? I hadn't walked a 20 mile day since my first day on the trail, but 17 of the 27 miles would be downhill and five more would be across the flat desert floor...and so it went, back and forth in my head for hours.
At 6:30, I made it to the water source, completing my high goal of 22. The sun is setting at about 7:30 around here these days, so I figured I had about an hour an a half of light. With just a few miles between me and ice cream, I lit out for town, running down the paved road in my pink crocs, laughing deliriously.
Two hours of slogging through the desert sand, getting lost twice, and losing one of my pink crocs, I made it to Ziggy and the Bear's place. There was a shower, hot water, carpet to sleep on, and Internet (and a foot soak in the morning), but no ice cream and no salad. Bummer. See if I ever et excited and walk 20+ miles for something silly :)
Also, please do not mistake me for ungrateful in this post. I am so very thankful for Ziggy and the Bear's hospitality. I am totally grateful for all the support ice cream or no!!
My low goal for the day was 17 miles which would put me most of the way through a 20-mile waterless stretch. My high goal was about 22 miles which would have put me at the water source.
I began hiking in the 8,000 dawn light. It was chilly but the miles came fast. At about 11:00, as I lost elevation and the sun rose higher in the sky, I began to dream of the ice cream and salad which Ziggy and the Bear serve every night to thru hikers at their home in Cabazon, mile 210.
And so the internal struggle began. Should I walk 27 miles for ice cream? Would it really be worth it? I hadn't walked a 20 mile day since my first day on the trail, but 17 of the 27 miles would be downhill and five more would be across the flat desert floor...and so it went, back and forth in my head for hours.
At 6:30, I made it to the water source, completing my high goal of 22. The sun is setting at about 7:30 around here these days, so I figured I had about an hour an a half of light. With just a few miles between me and ice cream, I lit out for town, running down the paved road in my pink crocs, laughing deliriously.
Two hours of slogging through the desert sand, getting lost twice, and losing one of my pink crocs, I made it to Ziggy and the Bear's place. There was a shower, hot water, carpet to sleep on, and Internet (and a foot soak in the morning), but no ice cream and no salad. Bummer. See if I ever et excited and walk 20+ miles for something silly :)
Also, please do not mistake me for ungrateful in this post. I am so very thankful for Ziggy and the Bear's hospitality. I am totally grateful for all the support ice cream or no!!
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