Last night the trailer was buffeted by some high winds. It was rocking around while some tree next to it kept scraping and scratching. I had plenty of time awake to contemplate just how nasty the cushions are that I’m laying on. In hindsight, I think my tent would have been a better option.
It was already in the 80’s when I stepped out of the trailer. Caught a cafe ride for breakfast. Came back and dug into my resupply box to prep for the next leg. After yet another round for lunch I brought back some beer and ice for the group and spent the remainder of the day lounging.
Happy Times showed up in the morning. He immediately began digging through the hiker boxes for discards. I gave him some of my stuff which he combined with random baggies of dehydrated grains people had pitched. Some of that stuff looked pretty sketch. Happy Times seems unfazed.
The lounging was split between the shade pictured below and “city hall”. I asked the folks at city hall when they planned to leave for the evening/night hike. There is a dial thermometer on the wall that looks like a clock. The consensus was at 80 degrees. No time, just 80 degrees.
Lounging
Trash Panda took off at 2 together with this dude. Bam Bam and I kept a running debate about when to pull the trigger. Sitting in the shade things seemed ok, but a couple minutes of full sun sent us back to our chairs with another beer. I got tired of the debate and just told him to make the call.
It was interesting hearing the younger folks at the table get into a long debates about society. Being on the trail tends to generate a semi-utopian feeling about humanity. Folks are letting us lounge on their properties. They give us water, beer, food, and rides. Hikers are honest, generally considerate of each other, and are either riding the high of a 20 mile hike or the satisfaction of a well deserved rest.
The debate goes something like, “Why can’t the normal world be more like this”. If I was in my 20’s again, I suppose I’d be asking the same thing. Instead Bam Bam and I are jaded old guys. We don’t have the heart to give them our opinions on reality. Better to just enjoy the moment. I suspect this explains why I run into so many repeat hikers out here.
Bam Bam and I have similar styles, generally hiking alone or in pick-up groups. He had some good observations about group dynamics on the trail. When these groups form, there is typically some Alpha setting schedules, planning the distances, and acting as chief recruiter. Wonder how two of these little tribes would react to one another if there was only enough water for one of them.
At 4:30, Bam Bam had enough. It was time to leave and since I delegated the start time authority, that means me too.
After a short flat walk, hit the Aqueduct. Bam Bam was fascinated by this. I, well, wasn’t. That put me in the lead. Turned off the exposed aqueduct and began walking this pipe.
Probably 6 miles of pipe walking. As the sun was setting we caught up with Melinda, who is a young gal who started last week on a section hike. She is new to all this and wanted to join us. The dark was freaking her out a little.
After leaving the pipe, it was dirt road walking for the rest of the night. We ran into kangaroo mice every 100 yards or so running around. They would freeze when our lights hit them. I offered to spear one for Melinda, but it was Bam Bam who impressed. He snatched one.
By this time, my right leg is killing me. Appears I have some kind of shin splint. It hurts more and more with every step. Doesn’t help that Bam Bam is telling me about friends who had to quit the trail due to this type of injury. By the end of the night, I’m limping using my trekking poles more like a walker.
We make our stop around 11:00 at mile 534. There is supposed to be some water around here. I’m a mess. I can barely stand on my right leg and just want to pass out. Maybe the pain will be less tomorrow morning. Melinda and Bam Bam setup their tents, cook some food, etc. I just throw my mat on the ground and curl up in my sleeping bag. This sucks.