May 19, 2007

Bruce and I spent last night at the Tehapachi Hospital.  My poison oak was spreading and treatment was necessary because finding treatment further north was going to be difficult.  We spent hours in the empty waiting room, but when I was finally seen by a doctor he wouldn't even get close.  Nobody...not even the doctor wanted to catch my poison oak, although contact with the urshiol oil isn't all that easy from person-to-person.  The hospital was smaller than my doctor's office in Cincinnati.   Their capabilities are limited, but I did receive a shot in the behind (ouch!) and a prescription.

My plan was to wake up early this morning and hike the remaining 24 miles into Tehapachi.  It didn't happen.  I slept in instead which felt really, really good.  Since I am now on meds to dry out my insides, I thought it best to hike in the evening and early morning hours.  A dehydrated hiker putting in 24 miles through the hot, dry desert is cause for concern.  So Bruce and I had breakfast at the Mountain Crossing Restaurant next to the Best Western Inn.  I told him about my dream last night.  I was sitting around with a group of hikers and we were each stepping up to a podium and recalling eventful moments about our hike.  I got to the podium and picked up a Sierra Mist bottle which was the microphone.  I shared with the group the purpose behind my hike and talked about my sister Cheryl and her battle with breast cancer.  I shared how my hiking is a memory hike in honor of Cheryl and I raise money for breast cancer patients and their families.  Then I took a drink from the microphone.  Yep...it had Sierra Mist in it.  I was pleased with that and I continued my talk.  End of dream.

My shot and meds are ramping up my dehydration so much that I am now drinking from a microphone---wow!  Bruce and I finished our breakfasts and went out to Albertson's to pick up some Gatorade to place on the trail for other hikers.  I also got a prepared turkey/cheese sandwich and Cheese Puffs to take out with me for my dinner tonight so I wouldn't have to carry my JetBoil.  I packed a very light and very clean pack with a brand new Z-Lite, newly laundered clothes, and sleeping bag.  Nice!  Bruce laundered all of my clothes/pack/bag for me when I was napping yesterday.  Thanks Sweetie!  I drank a strawberry milkshake from Mountain Crossing Restaurant and Bruce drove me to the trailhead at Cottonwood Creek where I stopped yesterday.  We planted the cooler, said goodbye, and Bruce drove off in his air-conditioned SUV.

As Manbug was driving me back to the trailhead 1.6 miles north of Cottonwood Creek, we talked about strategies if he were to run into car trouble.  He was driving in the desert alone and I wanted to remind him of the dangers.  We planted another cooler full of Gatorade and ice to surprise the hikers behind me.  The cooler we had planted yesterday was empty so I am happy we could do a little trail magic.  Bruce and I took some photos under a Joshua tree as I was reminding him to watch where he stepped.  The Green Mojave Rattlesnake is deadly.  We kissed goodbye and I began my hike around 3:00 p.m.  I turned and watched the silver SUV leave the desert.

My plan was to hike 24 miles by early Sunday afternoon. This gave me a chance to hike during the evening and early morning when the temperatures weren't so unbearable.  The wind was strong though so I felt like the Cincinnati Bengals running back, Rudi Johnson trying to score a touchdown for several hours.  I also may have seen a deadly Green Mojave Rattlesnake!  I took a picture so I can look its description up on the internet.  It was certainly green and it could have been a lizard but it didn't do push-ups and it did slither.  If it rattled, I wouldn't have heard it over the strong winds.  It was the size of a baby snake which is also why it may not have rattled.  Not knowing exactly what the green creature actually was gave me a sense of calm.  Maybe, I shouldn't look it up?  That just might creep me out.  I convinced myself if I found myself in a battle with an aggressive rattlesnake I would use my Bear Mace on him.  It could work, right?  I don't want to find out so I skedaddled on to Tylerhorse Canyon.

This part of my hike confused me.  There were so many dirt bike paths and poor jeep roads that unless there's a PCT sign posted, I'm screwed.  I sat down to study my maps and read my guidebook information.  I followed a couple of different paths but did eventually find the PCT thanks to footprints.  I took a break at Tylerhorse Canyon Creek to refill my water bottles.  This would be my last water source for the next 16 miles so I sat there and cameled-up, too.  I hiked on and up to an elevation of 6,070 feet and pitched my tent.  I ate a turkey and Colby cheese sandwich I purchased at Albertsons in Tehapachi.  And I had cheese puffs...yummy!  The wind has picked up again but I am snug inside my tent with my fluffy bag of cheese puffs being used as my pillow.