I Have a New Name - Days 20-23

Day 20

Mile 305.9 to Mile 326.3 ~ 20.4 Miles

So I found Ondre, which was a huge relief knowing I can use his water filter if I stay near him for the next few days. Not having a filter was stressful!

Today I crossed a really cool area near mile 308 which had beautiful hot springs! There were 4 or 5 different pools with warm to hot water and a huge creek with cold water. I was really excited to soak my body and enjoy the natural beauty of the springs. After about 2 hours and seeing more ding a lings than I was prepared for I was ready to get back on the trail. I had a great time and would love to come back another time!

Tonight I am cowboy camping on the beach of Silverwood Lake. It is beautiful! The water is slowly crashing along the shore, there are lots of stars and a bright crescent shaped moon. I’m a happy camper!

Day 21

Mile 326.3 to Mile 356.3 ~ 30 Miles

Wow what a day. A day I had no idea would turn out like this.

I woke up with one thing on my brain and that was french fries and a McFlurry. Crossing through the Cajon Pass, right next to the 15 Freeway there is a McDonalds. Oh boy was that the talk of the trail. All the hikers were talking about what they were getting and how excited they were for it. After about 15 miles I was at the door step of the Golden Arches. I spent $18 and got 2 McDoubles, 2 McChickens, a 6 piece chicken nuggets, a large french fry, a large soda and a McFlurry. Oh my goodness did garbage ever taste so good! With my hiker hunger in full swing I devoured every bite.

After leaving McDonalds I felt sick and like I didn’t want to hike anymore. After another 5 miles I had to take a break to calm my stomach. I finished 20 Miles by 8:00pm but I heard rumors of a lot of hikers doing a bit of night hiking. I was eager to get out there since I had not night hiked in a while. The miles started to fly by! 22, 23, 25 in the bag. Then after 25 miles I decided to push my body and mind and try and get to 30. I pushed and I clawed until 11:15pm and reached 30 miles! It was probably not the best thing, but I love pushing my body and mind to their limits. I think it’s how I grow and become stronger. Let’s hope that’s the case and my feet don’t fall off in the process.

Day 22

Mile 356.3 to Wrightwood ~ 13 Miles

As I woke up I could feel the soreness from pushing my body to its limits the day before. My limbs were like crazy children I could not control. My feet were screaming mean things to me while my knee was running around causing a ruckus. Plus I had formed a blister on the inner part of my right big toe. I knew I had to grind out 13 miles and Town was going to feel good.

Once in town I headed to the Post Office to pick up two things I had ordered on Amazon. A sleeping bag liner to add some extra warmth at night, and my new water filter because mine is floating down a river somewhere. My liner had been delivered but I needed to wait until morning for my filter. I also went to the grocery store and did my resupply for the next 90 miles to get me to Agua Dulce. Once I was done with all my errands I found a place to stay called Holistic Day Spa that I had heard was offering a place to stay for $20. Come to find out it’s a couch or a recliner in their library room. I’m not picky at this point so I took it.

Come to find out I am able to shower, do my laundry and hang out with their pot belly pig! The owner of the spa, “Mamma Bear” and her whole crew were so friendly and made me feel right at home. I am not sure if I will zero here in Wrightwood but I will decide that in the morning.

Day 23

Zero Day

I woke up with soreness and pain in my feet so I decided it would be best to take a zero day and get back on the trail tomorrow morning.

I spent most of the day resting, icing and and hanging out with other hikers in town. Some of us hikers decided it would be fun to do a group bbq night, so we all bought meats, veggies and garlic bread and had an awesome hiker cookout at the day spa. It was so much fun getting to hangout, drink a few beers and get to know the people doing this journey along side of me.

A trail name that was given to me a few days back has really stuck, “Dunks”. Due to my constant ordering of ranch dressing in towns and my love for sports the name Dunks seems fitting. Other hikers are starting to call me that now, and it is very strange. I do like the name and I’m sure I will get used to it over the next 2,000 miles.