MM: 444.3
Trail Miles: 20
Miles Walked: 20.6
Today the trail continued the transition from Alpine forest to desert scrub. The views were mostly of the valleys that line Hwy 14, the Antelope Valley Freeway.
View of Hwy 14
I hadn’t slept well and was hankering for a nap by 1000. At 1030, I stopped in the shade of a bush on an otherwise barren shoulder between two small peaks. As I was filtering some water into my camelback I heard a man speaking French. He was alone, so there must be cell service. I quickly checked my phone – yes, 3 bars.
I hadn’t spoken to HH since Big Bear, a week prior. We had texted and emailed via the Garmin InReach but I’d been without cell or internet for four or five days. He was overseas for work with a ever-sliding return date. He wasn’t due to come out to CA until June, but I was missing him and wanted to hear his voice. We’re used to being apart for extended periods – even months at a time. It’s not without challenges, but it’s something we’re accustomed to. Yet I’d noticed this trek was different. I think it’s a combination of the physical exertion and daily exhaustion, the mental challenges (do I have enough water, too much, where is the next water) and environmental extremes. Some days my emotions were close to the surface.
Anyways, I sent a quick iMessage saying I missed him. I received a response back within 2 min. He was on online! Great! – I immediately called his number (thank you Apple WiFi calling!). It would be an understatement to say I was disappointed when it went directly to voicemail. I knew I should have hung up as soon a I felt the emotions welling up. Instead I did what I had always vigilantly avoided doing when we’re apart: I left a (slightly) sobbing message. In between sniffles I assured him I was fine; that I just really wanted to hear his voice. After hanging up I immediately sent a text apologizing for the pathetic VM, that I really was fine: there was NO need to worry about his wife half-a-world away, alone in the wilderness. (That’s why you don’t leave VMs like that in the first place – unnecessary worry!!)
Fortunately he saw the missed call and called me back within minutes. We talked for an hour and 15 minutes. It lifted my spirits and was good for both of us.
It was three more miles to the Ranger station and next water stop. I spent 45 minutes there chatting with other hikers. That was also good for my spirits. I’d been hiking long and late the last few days. I needed the camaraderie and comfort of ‘shared misery.’
The rest of the day was downhill, as in 8 miles down to the KOA campground in Acton. It was another hot and waterless stretch. When I finally stumbled into the KOA I was hurting: my feet and little bit dehydrated. Within minutes of getting there I heard someone call my name. It was Yes-man. He was doing yoga outside the laundry and shower building. It was good to see him. There were a lot of hikers there. I was catching up to a large ‘bubble’ of hikers that would be with me the next few days.
It was a good night at the KOA. I got a shower and did laundry. While washing clothes I got talking with Young Buck – a hiker my age who’d fallen and injured his leg. He’d quit his job as a software developer to be out here, but at 5 weeks in, he was facing a hike ending injury. He was going to see a specialist tomorrow to find out the prognosis.
We talked about hike strategy as well as different perspectives. He felt the social aspect of the hike was the most meaningful. It was interesting to hear his philosophy regarding the trail. I was still wrestling mentally with ‘hiking big miles’ versus slowing down to enjoy the journey. (As I type that it’s a no-brainer, yet I struggle with it still…..)
I cowboy camped near Painter and Cloud Rider. Cowboy’ing turned out to be a poor choice – everything was covered in dew by midnight. It was pointless to set up my tent then as my down sleeping bag was already wet. I’d have to dry it out tomorrow.
Regardless, it was still a good night. I awoke feeling rejuvenated and looking forward to Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce. I took my time packing up and didn’t start hiking until 7:47 AM under cloudy skies and cool temps – a bit slower than everyone else but that’s fine by me. Perhaps I could learn to slow down and enjoy the trail…..