Written Tuesday, 25 May 2021

I know what you are thinking: Otter, for a backpacker and long-distance hiker, you sure spend a lot of time in town...

And you are right. Especially now.

Let me explain.

1. The towns are a big part of the cultural experience of the trail. It's not just about the wilderness

2. I'm currently waiting for a new pack to arrive from ULA Equipment

3. Towns are where the food and beer is...

Sure, not all of these reasons are equally weighted, but they're all the reasons I could make up in the spot.

This extended stop has been great, even if it has been horrendously expensive.

Tehachapi is a nice town with good places to eat (and drink) and convenient resupply options. The breakfast at Kelcey's is a killer (in a good way). There's a German bakery in town. You can get an ostrich burger at the Burger Spot if you want one. And TK Pizza has over 30 local brews on tap.

Best restaurant name in town (and maybe for the trip so far): a Thai place named Thai-hachapi.

There's also a pie place named Tehacha-pie.

Tehachapi us another town that exists because of the railroad. As with the Cajon Pass and the San Gorgonio Pass before it, Tehachapi is located in a pass that allowed early rail east&west rail travel, and the town grew up next to the train tracks. In the middle of downtown, there's a nice railroad museum to acknowledge this history.

The best part of the extended stay in Tehachapi is seeing people I haven't seen in a few days or even weeks. Top Rock stayed with me at the motel for a couple of nights. He's doing well and feeling good, and he's a couple days ahead of me by now.

Even better, I have finally re-synchronized with The Ambassadors--Silke (whose trail name is now Anchor), Lauren (Catch), and Florian (who does not yet have a trail name). They have added a sharp, young kid named Maverick (from Washington state) and an Israeli named Elle. Elle's brother also has been hiking with them for a couple of weeks but headed home earlier today. Baewatch, whom I have met several times on Trail, is also in a loose orbit. He's 6'5" so he really stands out.

Catch coordinated with Florian's wife to surprise him here in town, and he definitely was surprised. He had absolutely no idea what was happening and even did a double take when he first saw her. Great work, Catch!

Last night, we all had a great dinner (and beers) at TK Pizza. So many laughs!

Karolina is back a couple of days, enjoying a more leisurely journey. Though if my new pack doesn't show up soon, I may see her too!

Safe, dry, warm, and fat here in Tehachapi

Miles Hiked This Entry: Zero point zero zero Total Miles Hiked: 566.5

Sea Otter Fact of the Post: Almost 90% of the known sea otter population lives in Alaskan waters.