Mike’s Place
The first part of today was not very fun for me. I woke up to my alarm at 0545 and didn’t start getting ready until 6. My rain-fly was damp from the dew that came with being so close to a creek. I put too much water in my granola and that is when I knew my morning was going to be off. The hiking started off up hill and remained that way for quite some time. At some point my right knee started to feel funny so I slowed down and put some distance between me and K. I had to keep reminding myself that there will be something better around the corner or in an hour. And I was right.
The trail went through an area with a bunch of protruding rocks and it was quite different from anything the trail had offered this far.
I passed a few new hikers and eventually caught up with K at the turn off to Mike’s place. Mike is apparently a person who lives in the middle of the desert, 60 miles from the nearest town and who provides water, a place to relax, and sometimes food for hikers at mile 127. When we got there Mike wasn’t there, but we still stayed and conversed with some hikers from Australia.
After a two hour break, K and I headed back to the trail. Leaving Mike’s place I felt really good about the rest of the day. The inclines weren’t too difficult and the ridge we were walking on didn’t overlook the same thing the entire time.
After we passed two guys who had also been at Mike’s place my feet started to feel the days miles. K’s legs were hurting as well so we decided to end the day a little earlier than usual and stopped just short of the next water source.
I set up my tent and started to make dinner. While my veggies and noodles were boiling away, I made an attempt to clean myself.
While my foods were cooling down, I got on my sleeping clothes and blew up my sleeping pad.
It was my first time making my black bean noodles on the trail and I am pleasantly surprised with how they turned out.
From yesterday’s resupply for the next 7 days I am currently the proud mother of a food baby. Literally. Not in my tummy. An actual baby sized bean of a food bag.
It’s huge. And so heavy.
Okay I’m going to bed now. Night!