May 11, 2007

Clara and Ed, young newlyweds, hiked up this morning as I was breaking camp.  We traded trail stories before they hiked on.  I was the last to leave camp at 8:45 a.m.  My hike today was going to be close to 19 miles and very, very hot.  I cameled-up at North Fork before I set out.  Ed and I planned to hike the first nine miles and then take a break at an RV park.  I hiked upon two racer snakes early on and my remaining eight miles was spent in solitude.  I hiked in a cationic state appreciating the gorgeous mountainside.  I was the last one to arrive at the nine mile mark and the four of us opted to take the directions to an RV park. 

We ended up bushwhacking to the park.  As we emerged from the woods, I heard a man's voice shout from a distance,

"Over here..we've got hot dogs and drinks".

I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating because no one else seemed to hear the man.  As we hiked closer, sure enough, Art welcomed us hikers to his home which was the set of an upcoming movie appropriately titled, Trailer Park of Horror.  Clara, Patrick, Bison Ed, and I feasted on hot dogs, turkey sandwiches, orange juice, bananas, watermelon, Cheetos, Doritos, Pepsi, and oranges.  We refilled our water bottles and thanked Art for his kindness.  We took pictures in front of Art's refreshing swimming pool and Bison Ed reminded me not to get any ideas.  We still had nine miles to hike.

We set off in the heat of the day and took many shade less breaks.  The San Gabriel mountain range was beautiful and bone dry.  When I hiked upon the tunnel under Highway 14, I could see Clara and Patrick taking a rest break at the other end.  The tunnel was long, dark, and very cool.  I removed my pack and waited for Bison Ed.  He hiked into the tunnel shouting food fantasies,

"asparagus, red meat, etc".

I hiked the remaining three miles through Vasquez rocks where Ed and I were greeted by a Park Ranger named, Linda Vasquez.  She offered us a ride to Sweetwater Farms Market.  Ed and I opted to eat dinner first at a Mexican restaurant.  I had two frozen raspberry margaritas....maybe the most delicious margaritas I have ever had.  Or maybe I was just parched.  The food hit the spot too.  Ed and I wandered over to the grocery where we purchased more drinks and snacks. 

Then we literally went to Hiker Heaven where we were greeted by L-Rod and Buzz-saw, the gracious trail angels who have hosted over 2,000 hikers in the last 10 years.  L-Rod laundered my clothes and smelly backpack as I showered and changed into provided Saufley apparel.  I chose a purple flounced dress.  I felt like a new woman.  Bison Ed and I shared a trailer and I chose the top bunk (We established a no-fart rule).  I fell asleep with a real pillow under my head listening to coyotes rile up the neighborhood dogs.  Other hikers here tonight: Clara, Patrick, Scott, Stetson, Eric, Squirrel Hunter, Hatchet Jack, and Papa Bear.