Day 24: Mile 259 – 266
Big Bear day!! I woke up late, worked on blog posts, and got going at a leisurely 8am.
The hiking was incredibly chill today. I was easily going almost three miles per hour. it was flat, I was rested, and I was so excited to get to town. It was awesome scenery too. The past two days were all forested, and then suddenly today the landscape changed to sagebrush high desert. I love sagebrush (Nevada’s state plant!!), so anytime I’m hiking through it I appreciate its color, smell, and just that it’s there.
I ended up getting to the trailhead before my parents arrived, so I got a ride to town with trail angels Kevin and Eve. They dropped me off at Big Bear Coffee Roasters, where I chatted with the baristas for a while and enjoyed an iced latte. I missed good coffee!!
My parents picked me up and I was surprised that my brother was with them!! I didn’t know he was going to be there!
I finally got to shower at the AirBnB, which felt amazing. I didn’t relax for long, since I wanted to get my chores done. I did my resupply and started organizing my stuff.
After my dad made us all burgers for dinner, we stopped by the hostel to say hi to Clare and the group. I didn’t stay out long. We got to the house and I started getting ready for bed pretty soon after. Me and my brother are in bunk beds just like when were kids.
I’m so happy to be with my family!!! I’m so incredibly lucky that they love me enough to drive four hours to meet me for just a day and a half. It’s weird being away from all of the hiker culture, but also very good.
Day 25: ZERO DAY!!
Just a short recap of the zero!
Lots of catching up on the blog, and lots of chores. Dump everything out of my bag, look through it all, wash all the dirt off, and put it back in the bag. It was a bummer to have so much to do while my family was around, because I just wanted to have fun!
The highlights were that my mom made me breakfast (with my dad’s homemade sourdough bread!!), and we all went out to finish the last of my shopping. I came out of the gear store to news that my mom booked me a massage at a spa in town. I’m so beyond lucky. It was amazing on my poor, battered feet.
At the AirBnb, we ate food at home and played cards until I felt so tired I could pass out, even though it was 8:30.
Most of my group started trail today. I’m a little sad that I’m behind them, and I’m worried I won’t be able to catch up. I’ll be with Rory and Jay, though, since they zeroed as well. My dad is giving us all a ride to trail early in the morning. It relieves my anxiety quite a bit to know I’ll have at least some of my friends to hike with.
I can’t express how loved I feel with my family visiting. It’s easy for me to forget the comforts of home while I’m out on trail. Surrounded by the people I love, I think about all the things I’m missing by being out here. But I also feel so unconditionally supported as well.
Look forward to more fun updates to come after this restful interlude!
