May 3, 2007

I woke up on the beach still dry inside my tent.  Two ducks were fishing for breakfast when I peered outside my my tent.  It was a beautiful and calm morning.  I watched a fishing boat from afar as I broke camp.  I lingered and made phone calls because Ed was still sleeping.  We began our hike together at 10:00 a.m.  First, taking us around Silverwood Lake and then back into the hot and dry desert.

When Ed and I were taking a break on the trail a man was walking southbound.  Coincidentally, it was Don Valentine, the trail angel who drove us to the store yesterday.

"Is this all the far you've gotten since yesterday?" he joked.

Don then handed me an envelope with developed pictures he had taken of Ed and me.  Don was out for an afternoon run/walk.  We chatted some more and said goodbye once again.

Ed and I hiked onward with one thing on our mind...McDonald's.  We hiked a 17.8 mile day pretty fast so that we could feast on two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.  As we hiked into the parking lot, we both recognized a white car displaying an American flag.  Don had just gotten to McDonald's.  Wow! Ed, Don, and I enjoyed a great feast.  I had a quarter pounder with cheese, large fries, a Sprite and a large strawberry milkshake.  Ed placed two huge orders and took one to-go.  Don drove us to the Best Western and we said good-bye and thank you once again.  Ed and I feel sure we'll see Don again.  I checked in, took a very long hot tub, and watched Grey's Anatomy.  Miles to date: 343