June 12, 2024 - Day 26

We woke up this morning to our sleeping bags all soaked. The dew tends to form on our bags when we cowboy camp and it makes for a less than pleasant wake up. I was stiff as a board and my shin was giving me some troubles from the start this morning. Still, we pushed on to our next water source.

We had Agua Dulce on our minds. There were rumors of a Mexican restaurant in town with icy mugs and beer. That’s some damn good motivation when it’s 95 degrees out in the desert. The days have been getting hotter and hotter as we drop in elevation. We know what’s coming… the LA aqueduct.

The push today was fairly routine until we reached Vasquez Rocks, a nature preserve in the LA County with beautiful rock formations and countless birds. It was a big change of pace from our typical expansive views we’re used to by now.

Once we got to Vasquez Rocks, it was a quick walk over to Agua Dulce, a super tiny town with roughly 6 stores in its town center. I immediately walked to the hardware store to see if they had compression sleeves for my leg to no prevail. I stretched and massaged the muscle during the hike and noticed a dramatic improvement so I am hopeful for a speedy recovery.

Now, the main event. Massive plates of Mexican food and ice cold beer. They weren’t lying either. There was literal ice on the mugs. We were all content sitting in the booth. We struck up conversation with this older couple behind us. We mentioned we were both architects that just graduated grad school and the older lady was incredibly impressed while the older man seemed more fascinated in our journey up north. On leaving, they dropped a $100 on our table. After insisting they take it back, they proceeded to wish us luck and walk away. It was a wild moment. We’re looking to pay it forward quite literally and find a good place to spread the wealth else where.

After our meal, we heard news of this ‘Oasis’ up the street from the restaurant for hikers. We thought we’d check it out so we wandered up and to our surprise, there are hammocks, showers, laundry, bathrooms, and a full resupply store. It was a wonderful site. We ended up staying the afternoon to soak our feet in epsom salt and use the amenities. Were camped on their compound and will start the day tomorrow with clean clothes and clean bodies. Lets hope another night sleep heals the leg.

Clean sheets, clean clothes, can’t lose…