Wonderful camp site last night.   No wind, great view.   First time I left the fly off the tent.   Was kind of neat watching the dusk, then a quarter moon surrounded by stars. 

  
Next morning was some generally uphill walking.   Plan was to do 8 early miles, get to Mike’s place, wait out the sun, then rock another 10 or so miles.    

 

Today I’ve been running into a bunch of folks mostly couples and a 2 pair of german dudes.    Somehow I got attached to some of them and hiked the last 3 together.  

  

Nice to get some trail conversations in.    Matt has a ton of interesting stuff going on with his life/family.   Just to give you a taste, Matt grew up in Big Bear.    Apparently his sister is married to a dude from Wales, has 5 young kids, and lives in a Teepee.    She was last sighted in the Dakota’s, where they have pitched their Teepee to join the protests about the Keystone pipeline.  Wow.   

We rolled into Mike’s at 11.   Great sanctuary from the heat.   The caretaker dude set us up with some pancakes, a beer, and a lot of conversation.   He offered some “weed-butter” for the pancakes.   That sounded like a 15 mile deduction from the day’s total.   Probably the next day as well.  The caretaker dude doesn’t want his picture taken or his name used, so we will call him J_   .

   
J_ and I chatted it up for a bit.  He knows a ton of motorcycle trails around here.   He offered to host me and a group of guys if we ever want to come down to ride.    Awesome.   This place is now on the riding list.
Mike, the owner, turned up in the afternoon and we had a good chat while one of the hikers was slinging dozens of brats on the grill.  He said when he bought the place the agent told him “some popular hiking trail” ran by his property but thought nothing of it.   Then over the years hikers kept showing up asking for water.  Soon he installed higher capacity tanks, then added big kitchen grills, more seating, etc, etc.
I told him somewhat in jest that he was “doing the Lord’s work” here.   Later he sought me out and said that was the best compliments he has heard in a while.   He seemed to really be moved….almost brought a tear to my eye.   What a wonderful guy.

 
I found out that Paradise Cafe closes at 3 tomorrow.  25 miles between me and a burger.   I bid farewell to 15+ fat and happy hikers surrounded in a cloud of smoke.   Told them the vortex seemed to be strong here….seemed to be centered around the bong on the table.   That got a little laugh. 

  

The climb out was a nasty, exposed uphill slog.   Had some noodles at 6 then kept hiking till 8ish.   Passed 5 occupied camp sites, chatting up a few.   Saw Josh again, and a couple named Towonda and Quark.   Rolled into Tule springs cut-off for the night.   Site had 4 tents already set up but they seemed ok with me setting up.   

Along the way, my left shoe started delaminating.  I’m bummed.  I’ve trail run and backpacked in these for years.  Didn’t expect them to last 700 miles but 70? That’s lame.  

I applied some magical unicorn tape and that seems to be holding.  

     

All the body parts are holding up pretty good.   I can feel a bit of a blister forming and I’m worried about the plantar fascia on my right foot.   Otherwise all good.