Day 20

I woke late this morning since I got to bed later than planned. I found a woman who shuttles hikers and hired her for a ride to the trailhead. I was there around 8:30am. Shortly after I arrived, Dirty Knucks also arrived. We chatted for a minute then I hit the trail. I saw my first Joshua Tree of the trail today. I thought about how I’d just visited Joshua Tree NP a week before I started this journey.

The climbs were so gradual today and it was great. I took one short break around 5 miles in then one more short one another 4 in at the water source. Boujee texted me this morning and said there was no water at mile 285 where I was going to camp tonight so I picked up 4 liters and carried it the entire day. It felt very heavy especially with a fresh food bag. Despite that, I was cruising. I went up and felt very fast and like I certainly had my legs. I accidentally went the wrong way for .2 and only knew it because I saw Flying and Snowflake coming back my direction. I kept cruising and finally stopped when I’d done 15 miles. I laid and just listened to the woods. My tinnitus has been really bad lately but it felt okay at that moment. I laid and watched the only cloud I could see in the sky. I watched it go from one small cloud to two tiny clouds and then eventually dissolve. I thought how thankful I was to have the time to do something so simple like that. I felt thankful for a healthy body and for such great support from loved ones. And I felt so lucky and so thankful to just be out here. I felt happy and full.

The last 5 miles seemed to take forever. My feet hurt but my body felt strong and healthy still. I set up my tent far away from the campsite because this area was flat and shaded and had cover from the wind. About an hour later, Hoops, Dirty Knucks, and Burps all arrived. We made dinner and chatted. I forced down a tuna, some fruit roll ups, a Lenny and Larry’s cookie, and an entire pasta dish (creamy cashew pesto with peas, broccoli, and peppers). I felt way too full but I knew my body needed it. I took my vitamins, stretched, and am now in bed. Tomorrow I’m planning to do 22 miles to a hot spring.