DAYS 49-55

POST: DAYS 49-55

DAY 49

6-11-2013

Miles 651.2-664.42

-Woke up in Lake Isabella in a comfy bed

-Went to a local diner where I had pigs-in-a-blanket, fruit, orange juice, water, and coffee. I am stuffed!

-Back at the motel packing everything up for check out. I've still got to go to the store and to get a milkshake. 

-Im excited because 789, a girl from Argentina, and I have decided to hike together. We both think we are slow so I might have found myself a hiking buddy- at least for one day! I really hope we hike well together because we have similar personalities. It's going to be fun, minus the whole climbing a mountain aspect. Haha!

-Went to the grocery store for food. I was in the parking lot putting food in my bag when an older woman came up to me to give me money! Lol. I had to tell her that I was "optionally homeless" and that I didn't need her money. (I wish I would have taken it because I'm actually kind of broke after all these hotel room stays!)

-Rode the bus to Onyx and am waiting for a trail angel to pick me and 7 other hikers up. 

-Hiked with 789... I love her! Nice hike. 

-Saw a fox at night

DAY 50

6-12-2013

Miles 664.42-683.21

-Woke up at 6:30 am

-"Using the bush" means to use the restroom. While using the bush today, a couple hiking the trail almost saw me! That would have been embarrassing!

-Hiking with 789 and High Low. Also ran into Steve(ie) and Dave. 

-Beautiful day, but hot

-I now have an appetite! Woohoo! I've been eating a bunch, and all day. I just ate dinner and now I'm hungry AGAIN! I'm pretty sure the "hiker hunger" is about to set in. 

-I love Jelly Bellies! 

-Excited to get to Kennedy Meadows, the gateway to the Sierra Nevada and a closed chapter to this first portion of the PCT. Im only a few miles away from Kennedy Meadows which is the 702th mile of the PCT. I am currently in my tent writing at mile 683. I now have less than 2,000 miles to go! Woohoo! An animal was just near my tent. I scared it away with my headlamp. 

-Ate dinner by a water source with Steve and 789 who cooked for us. 

-Not feeling so good after dinner. Couldn't go any further so 789 and I stopped. Laying in my tent and looking at stars. 

DAY 51

6-13-2013

Miles 683.21-702.2

-Started very difficult because of an incline. I also felt like I was coming down with something. The trail started descending, and although it was sweltering hot and very rocky, I somehow found my way into my "hiking zone" where I get tunnel vision and hike hard and hike fast. I bypassed 789 and felt badly because she was having a rough day- but I needed to take care of myself so I hiked on. 

-So hot! Ughhhhh!

-Incredibly excited to get to Kennedy Meadows. Kennedy Meadows represents the "gateway" to the Sierras. 

-Arrived in Kennedy Meadows around 3:45pm. Saw Chris on my way in, went to Tom's Place to set up my tent, shop, eat, shower, relax, and sleep. I'm seeing TONS of old friends I didn't think I'd see on the trail again! It was a fun reunion- a way to turn the page to a new chapter of the trail. 

-Watched Happy Gilmore in the outdoor amphitheater constructed out of mattresses and sofas. 

-Picked up 3 packages for myself 

-Hung out with lots of "old" trail friends

DAY 52

6-14-2013

Miles: Zero Day @ Kennedy Meadows

-Slept in until 8:00am; felt amazing because I was in desperate need of some good sleep. 

-Once I leave here I will be heading out into the Sierras where I will have a 7-11 day stretch of no civilization at all. Water will be available because the area is saturated with lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams. Food will be available because I am packing a lot of it. I am great on my gear which should keep me well-sheltered and warm. I really have nothing to worry about. :) I think the fact that I'll be out in the wild for such a long time is what makes me about nervous. I'll be okay though. 

-Im going to stay here a few days so I can relax and get my gear properly packed. 

-I have hardly consumed any alcohol while on the trail, not because I'm avoiding drinking but I just haven't felt like it. Today, in the company of old compadres, I am drinking some wine! I'm excited for this later on today. I am taking a siesta in my tent so I can rest up. 

DAY 53

6-15-2013

Miles: Zero Day @ Kennedy Meadows

-Met Tin Man and Jack Rabbit

DAY 54

6-16-2013

Miles: Zero Day @ Kennedy Meadows

-HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

DAY 55

6-17-2013

Miles: Zero Day @ Kennedy Meadows.