BTW, I noticed on our last post that the author (or in that case, the authoress) had neglected to say where we were at that time (we were in the tiny little "rec. Town" called Mt. Laguna (@ approx. MP 47). The PCT passes by, about 1/4 mile from the town, and we had sent a resupply box to the P. O. there. As it happened, it was Easter Sunday when we arrived and so the PO was closed (didn't open until Mon. noon, so we effectively lost an entire day of hiking time while there). We did watch along the trail, hoping to score some hidden easter eggs, saw a couple of stray bunnys, but they were apparently off duty. No eggs for us:-( We stayed a night in an overpriced, dumpy motel. It was OK, though--the day of rest was therapeutic, and I once read something to the effect that "...on the hike, it is good to take an occasional day of rest because the body requires it and the spirit demands it". Had we been smarter, we would have sent our box to their little general store, who's mgt. would have been happy to hold it for us free of charge (as it turned out, they were also quite happy to usuriously overcharge us for the lodging, a 6-pack of beer and some other items).
Since th we've gone into the small (lovely--and very "hiker-friendly") town of Jullian to collect a resupply bx from their PO, and to eat copious omelettes and salads. In this case, the trail crossed a highway, so we hitchhiked the 12 miles into town and back. No problem getting into and out of towns thus far.
Actually, I have observed that one is frequently within sight of roads and other indicators of "civilization", unlike at home in Wash. State, where I know that one can hike on the PCT for perhaps as long as 4 days without seeing as much as even a logging road)--I much prefer the latter.
We're doing well, hiked 19 miles ea day the past couple of days, and over some pretty rough trail while carrying heavy loads of extra water. We're getting in shape, but still have a ways to go in that regard.
Now a few words about my incredible hiking partner, the lovely Jan Lapiana: This lady is incredible. There are, as far as I have observed, very few women thru-hiking the PCT, and the large majority of the men appear to be in their early 20's. This 65-year-old grandmother (Jan) is keeping up with most everyone we've met--and seems, toward the end of every day, to somehow get a "second wind" that inspires (and nearly shames) me. She is way ahead of the herd in creatively solving problems and in planning logistics and in scheduling. She has a blister the size of a nickel on each foot (which she dismissively said are gonna be calluses pretty soon), she has been stung by a bee and bitten by an ant, her air mattress went flat on her three times the night before last (one of today's fixit projects), she steps in and either handles or supervises the food prep. and general cleanup. I'm just a sort of pack mule (which role is appropriate for a big dumb Pollak such as I). Justin and Joseph Moore: You both need to be be very proud and appreciative of your grandma!
Here are a few pics we shot before the iPhone ran out of power (that "maybe-not-so-smart-phone" burns a lot of electricity and because our solar charger weighs 8 oz., we left it home):
Mike and Jan
Location:Warner Springs, Ca,
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