Little bear hostel to paradise valley cafe - 6.6 miles

Total: 151.8 miles

Today was a Nero day so we got up around 6ish to get the paradise valley cafe to eat! I was taking very tiny steps as the madre told me to do, with lots of stretching before the hike. I had my homemade brace on and ready to go. The trail was super easy and my knee felt good so that was amazing. I will continue to brace it though just in case. Got to paradise valley cafe and immediately was met by Christian, Nate, and a new guy named walkie talkie who I got to know. He had just finished the New Zealand trail (forgot the name) and two weeks later started the pct so he has been ripping the miles. We all got breakfast burritos the size of my face and pounded those back before trying to get a hitch into idyllwild. A nice guy allowed us to hitch a ride for the cost of an interview for his senior film thesis which we happily agreed to. In pairs of two he asked us the basic questions of who, what, where, and why. I got his Instagram for when he posts it. We then had to wait until 4pm to check into our Airbnb so we just hung out and grabbed random things from around town to eat or check out. Around 4 we got to meet the mayor and the vice mayor of idyllwild which is max the golden retriever. As the owner quoted “the only politician that knows how to shut its mouth on command.” They were super cute though and very worth the wait to meet the handsome mayor. The Airbnb is very nice and mark and I are sharing bunk beds as of right now. The shower felt amazing as well. I plan on doing laundry tomorrow which will also feel amazing. We did family style dinner with pasta, salmon, broccoli, and red sauce. After that I was so socialled out that I needed space from the group. Town days are draining as you spend time with everyone non stop unlike the trail where you can hike behind or ahead of someone and be by yourself. Love everyone still tho just nice to be alone sometimes. We are zeroing tomorrow so it will be nice to get a break but I can already tell I’m excited to get back on trail. Last update, my face is burnt. Feels like a goatee burn which I hate. I think yesterday I forgot to report I saw my first rattle snake! The thing didn’t even rattle at me so I was so close to stepping on it. It wasn’t even early in the morning so there was no need not to rattle. Other than that, no new info to report.