I wake up to dappled sunlight on my tent. It’s 6 am. I slept much better last night. I’ve learned to not inflate my air mattress all the way. More air doesn’t always mean more comfort. I’ve been filling it all the way then trying to balance on it like a circus seal in my sleep. The same goes for the inflatable pillow. Less is better. I pack up in 30min and wave goodbye to the other hikers waking up. 

  

It’s a beautiful morning. The climb out of the campground is cast in cool shade. Lucky me! I bet this area will get hot later. I watch as the shadows get shorter and shorter as the sun climbs the sky and I crest the ridge. Birds call out from the trees and swoop over the trail. Their playful shadows pass over me like tiny fighter planes.

  
It’s fun to watch them go about their dramatic bird business. One puffs up here, another chases off there, so much action!

I catch up to a hiking couple and accidentally scare them. Sorry! We talk for half a mile before they stop for a snack. They were really fun! I hope I get to hike with them again.

The terain shifts from scrubs and bushes to dry desert like terrain. The air is spicy with a hint of some sweet citrusy flower. Whatever it is, it makes me sneeze. A lot.

   
 

It’s hot. I crouch under my umbrella to drink more water and eat some trail mix.

  
The trail then leads me down into a valley with tall trees and waving grass. The air smells like old wood and earth. A stream bables to the left. I can hear it but I can’t see it, it’s covered with so many plants.

 
I pass by two guys trying to filter water throught the over growth. Gotta get that hydration!  

The terain shifts a third time. I find myself surrounded by pine trees. The ground is coated with pine needles and tiny electric blue flowers. It feels like a fairytale book forest! The air smells like vanilla and pine. 

  
   

  
I come across a fork in the trail with a sign:

  
Town! 

I power down the trail to the left and come across a campsite and small freeway. Phone service! 

I walk towards the Laguna lodge and see a small caffe. Food! I stop and get a broccoli salad and a Sierra Mist mixed with lemonade. So good. I chat with some other hikers as they play a dice game called Farkle.   

I check into the lodge for the rest of the day. Hikers call this a ‘Nero’ or a half day. A full day of no hiking is called a ‘Zero’. I get a key for my room and a bucket with a small cup of detergent to wash my clothes! How nice! 

      

 

Despite my best efforts at blister prevention, I’ve achieved a rather large one on my left foot. I’ll spare you an actual picture, but you get to suffer a drawing: 

 

It’s not that bad. I’ve done everything I can to help it heal quickly. Hopefully it’ll go away over night 😀

Excited to sleep in a real bed tonight!

Miles hiked: 8.95