Day 35 - Sleepy Heads! — Walking People Out of Poverty

May 20

Depart Mile 612.04

Arrive Mile 635.30

Got off at around 6:10 am and the walking was heavenly. For a change, and I honestly cannot remember the last time it happened, the walking was all downhill. Due to the conditions I was able to knock off 4 miles in just 100 minutes. It was spectacular. I eventually arrived at a much needed water source, and without Trail Angels dropping off this precious liquid there would be a lot of very troubled hikers. The next part of the journey was uphill and it stayed like that for several hours. It was a warm day today, and it was important to keep an eye out for shade, especially when it came time for a break. As if to confirm the need to escape the sun I came upon Einstein, neatly tucked under a nice shady spot where he was lunching. Unfortunately there was no room to join him and after a brief chat I was on my way again. I eventually came across a nice little shady patch beneath a Joshua tree, and took off my shoes and socks and slipped into my sandals. This allowed both my feet and socks the chance to dry whilst I prepared and ate lunch. Today I was having tortillas and salmon flavored cream cheese spread which was delicious. As was my daily custom, after lunch, I put on clean dry socks and secured my other pair on the outside of my bag to dry as I walked during the afternoon. The first task at hand was to tackle the rather formidable looking hill that was ahead of me. Several people had passed me as I was enjoying my lunch, and I watched them with some interest as they strode confidently up the hill. All the walkers were young and I hadn’t doubted any of them. Now it was my turn, and I always feel strong after lunch, and set off confidently up the hill. The trail led me up and over the hill and down into another valley where I enjoyed another long downhill section that led me to the next water source. Right at the bottom of the trail, and just before crossing a road, I came across Joe Dirt, Mr. Freeze and Kermit fast asleep under a really nice clump of trees that provided great shade. Sleepy Heads!!! I would have loved to have joined them but it’s not realistic when I have miles to get in. Also, as they are so much younger it would have been impossible for me to keep up with them. At 3:30 pm I left the water cache as I had a 1600 foot climb ahead of me in the heat of the day. I got into my usual steady rhythm and in a little over an hour had reached the top. Tonight my schedule had me camping in Willow Springs but because I had been pushing the miles recently I arrived at Mile 635.30. As I was the first one to arrive I selected my campsite and set up my camp in anticipation of the other hikers joining me. It had been another terrific day.