The Angels

Oasis and I have made it 558 to Tehachapi, California. I have been meaning to write another post for a while, but have either been too distracted in town by a hungry stomach, or, have not had access to a computer.
This first leg of our journey has been incredible. Highlights include seeing four rattlesnakes (we kept a safe distance), soaking our tired legs in deep creek hotsprings, located at mile 306, spending a day at the Saufley's and another unforgettable eveing at the Andersons, as well as hiking along the California Aquaduct at night with glow sticks.
This morning Adrianna (now known on the trail as Oasis) and I arrived in Tehachapi, California. With our minds set on a good meal, we managed to find an awesome diner that served us monster-sized omletes and a serving of homefries that might have given me a heart attack in another life.
Anyway, as we sat and scarfed down our breakfasts, I noticed an elderly woman looking at our soiled clothes and dirty faces. As I got up to use the restroom, she quickly handed me a 20 dollar bill and said "Please, please use this". I didn't accept her offer but explained to her that we were just fine...just a bit dirty from hiking. It was then that I was reminded of two things. What I realized first was just how dirty we both looked and how it might give people the impression that we have nothing. What I also realized, however, is just how generous and kind people have been on the trail as we have hiked.
Hikers like to call acts of kindness on the trail "trail magic" and the people who deliver these services "trail angels". I will give you a few examples of wonderful individuals who have supported us in this indeavor. Take, for example, Push and Unload, two individuals who parked by the trail to deliver hikers extra cliff bars, sanwiches, soda, cookies and a cold beer. Both Push and Unload had hiked the trail last year and been pleasantly surprised by the trail magic and thought they would return the favor. We then have Dr. Sole, a retired truck driver who set up a large tent along Highway 74, who after his son hiked the trail and complained of blisters, decided he would take it upon himself to learn everything he could about "hiker feet" so he could treat people's aches and pains along the trail. Dr.Sole spent more than 1/2 hour cleaning and treating my pathetically swollen and blistered feet. We then have Ziggy and The Bear, a couple who hosts through hikers in their backyard. There we were served hotdogs and salad and the largest bowl of icecream I have ever eaten in my life. Random people have offered us rides to and from the trail, have hosted us in their homes and have left ice-cold soda and beer in coolers along the trail.
Hiking provides much time for reflection. Walking over 558 miles and being blessed with such wonderful acts of kindness along has a way of restoring one's faith in humanity. It's amazing how just an ice-cold soda or a ride to a trail-head remind one that random acts of kindness happen all the time and make an incredible difference. So I want to conclude by saying thank-you to all the trail angels, and my incredible network of family and friends for all your support in helping us achieve this goal and enjoy this journey.
Best, Honeybear
If you want to send us something (a letter telling us how you are doing, peanut m n ms, candy, chocolate, tea) Our next reliable re-supply point will be in Tuolumne Meadows.
The address is:

Hold of PCT Hikers Lena Sessions
c/o General Delivery

Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite NP, CA 95389

Noah's Flood

Location: 8 miles from the Southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail
Time: April 26th, 12am-8am
Many hikers have expressed to me the importance of putting aside expectations for this journey. On the first night of our hike, as a raging rain and wind storm blew through the mountains of Southern California I realized it is not realistic for me to expect anything from this hike. Here is a short journal entry I wrote the night after Noah's flood.

In only one day of hiking, one thing I have learned is that expectations are worthless when it comes to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Adriana and I arrived at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail excited to see and hike in flat desert. In all honesty, seeing streams, wildflowers and deep green meadows had definitely not crossed ours minds. Nor did we predict that on our first night of camping we would endure what I have titled "Noah's Flood PCT edition".  Although the forecast predicted rain, I scoffed at the notification and laughed at the mere thought that someone would forecast rain in Southern California. Nevertheless, after bragging to Adriana about my awesome new "waterproof" tent, I felt the desire to set it up in wait for this storm that I thought would never come to pass.  I fell asleep around 10pm thinking about sunshine.
Approximately 2 hours later I awoke to find that due to water buildup on the roof my "awesome" tent had collapsed and was smashed against my face and sleeping bag. The rain continued to pelt down on my dilapidated tent and I knew that I only had one choice; to go outside in that downpour and fix the problem. I went outside to find that over a gallon of water had collected on the area of roof covering my feet. After dealing with this first issue, I then found that upon re-entering my tent that another 2 liters of the same liquid had gathered underneath my sleeping bag and had soaked through my only hiking outfit. Wonderful. I spent the rest of the night awake, laying in a cold shallow pool of water. By 6 am I was done. Done being wet and cold and done thinking that the desert in Southern California was a dry, flat expanse of sand where it never rained. Laying there in my sleeping bag full of water I realized that this trail is here for us to expect anything. Dropping all expectations for this trail has made me realize that the PCT isn't here to remind us of all that we know, but to reveal how much we still have to learn.
p.s. Later the next day, the sun came out and I was able to dry my clothes and sleeping bag! We are still hiking and still loving everyday. More trail tales to come....