May 20, 2007

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. all alone in the Mojave Desert.  I loved my peaceful campsite and really enjoyed being by myself.  It was so relaxing to just break camp, eat, and saunter up the trail.  Bruce (Manbug) and I had planned to meet at 12:00 p.m. at Tehapachi-Willow Springs Road.  I hiked through a well-marked section today over many miles of undulating trail and along canyons named Gamble Spring, Burnham and Pitney.  Again, there were many jeep and dirt roads but I was able to follow the trail markers and footprints.  The grade was sandy and I saw several lizards and one horned toad.  I climbed to an elevation of 6,070 feet.  As I descended into Tehapachi, I hiked past many wind turbines which was a challenge for me to not get blown off my feet.  I took some unsteady pictures and did not try to relieve myself even though I really had to go.  I was worried about how the wind would react to my stream.  So...I hiked onward to meet my husband.

We greeted each other at 11:30 a.m. and then I phoned Bison Ed.  Bruce and I dropped off Bison Ed's bounce pail and made dinner plans.  Bruce also offered to provide transportation to Bison Ed if he needed to grocery shop or do laundry.  Bruce and I ate lunch at the Mountain Crossings Restaurant.  I had a grilled cheese sandwich and a delicious strawberry milkshake.  Yummy!  I went back to my room at the Best Western Hotel and prepared for my trek northward.  Tomorrow is the official start of the Sierra Nevada range even though I'm over 120 miles away from Kennedy Meadows.  I am eager to reach Kennedy Meadows...a celebration point for me.  Total miles to date: 558.3