Day 31 - Mile 479. The Trifecta of hostels & campgrounds. After back to back days of tasting and being refueled by civilization (KOA & Hiker Heaven) and logging mediocre miles, youd think Id be anxious for a solid day of hiking. I was and on the trail by 5:30am, I soon racked up a few early morning miles. The temps were expected to reach the 90s again and I was starting to enjoy the early starts. Also, I had a special reason in mind today as my old California hiking friends Shadowface and Dataduck were going to meet me on the trail later that day. Real names Mary and Bruce, they are two of my backpacking converts and live just an hour or two from the section I was hiking today. Its always good for morale to have friends or family join me on the adventure. This would be the third such rendezvous. Niece Sheena (Strubs) was the first, then high school friend Bob, and now Shadowface and Dataduck. So I hoofed it north while they were hoofing it south from San Francisquito Rd. On the way I ran into Micky, who had left camp ahead of me and three other hikers (O.G., Mung & Pudin) Ive met off and on since we stayed together in Idyllwild at the beer brewing party a couple hundred miles back. Gathering at a water/trail magic cache we were soon joined by angels from the Andersons, the next hostel along the trail. Before noon I was hugging my friends and we were off down the trail toward San Francisquito Rd. Not having hiked with them since 2007, we had a lot of catching up to do. I also enjoyed picking their brain in identifying flowers and bushes along the trail, as they are much better versed in their identification. The dense chaparral of this section was unexceptional - primarily chamise and scrub live oak, but learning the names of the many flowers and other vegetation kept the hike interesting. The day grew hotter than expected and at one point I recorded 100 degrees on my thermometer. As we progressed it became obvious we needed to find shade so we could cool off and take a lunch break. Shadowface was especially impacted by the heat and at one point came to a dead stop on the trail to rest and rehydrate. I loaned her my umbrella for shade. Luckily a rock alcove was just up the trail and we took refuse in its cool shade. Refreshed by shade and sandwiches, we finished the miles without too much trouble and rewarded ourselves with cold watermelon and lemonade from the store. At that point I decided to check out the infamous Casa De Luna hostel. Unlike the super-efficient operation at the Saufleys, the Andersons project a looser vibe - sign over their door reads Hippy Daycare. And that is kind of what the place reminded me of - a 1960s style commune. As soon as we arrived, the hikers already there gave us a hearty round of applause (tradition there) and Terry Anderson came out to greet us all with a big hug - soon a couple of beers were in our hands. The whole front yard was covered in old couches, coolers of beer and soda, an arts & crafts table and barrels full of recycling and refuse. It was obvious a lot of celebrating took place here. And my two companions and I continued that tradition. Shortly however they needed to go and I was left in the grasp of the quirky hostel and its even quirkier owners. As the evening progressed another Casa De Luna tradition unfolded in the form of an elaborate taco salad preparation line and soon the queue for the tacos was 20 hikers long. As each one made the circuit of ingredients their plates grew in stature. The chatter subsided as fork to mouth calathentics commenced. Satisfied, it wasnt long before the guests of this unusual establishment found their way to the sleeping area. A cluster of manicured manzanita bushes formed a Tim Burton-like scene of tunnels and dark nooks, and the gnarled branches formed into many small sleeping spaces. Terry had promised a great sleep in the miniature forest and I have to testify it was so. Three restful, food-full and unusual nights had been spent in these hostels and a campground and there might even be a fourth. Hiker Town was only 23 miles ahead and there was a good chance I would end up in that equally strange hiker hangout. He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. Socrates
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 13:42:21 +0000
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