The breakfast provided by Warner Springs Recreation Center was great and as I left, and I was the first the leave, I announced to everyone that I would see them soon when they passed me. And indeed, everyone but one did pass me that day. Glide did not pass me that day and I wondered about that but not for long. So on leaving the Recreation Center you head out to the North 40 and bypass the city of Warner Springs (really just bypass walking on a busy highway) and walk in the fields for about 2 miles to the other side of town where you cross Hwy 79 again. It is a real easy first 2 miles especially in the early morning with no heat. A different story in the afternoon and it is 104 as I had found out on one of my training walks, but today was easy. Saw my first rattle snake during this 2 mile section. It was a small one, that was just resting across the path. I took a picture and just walked around him. You will find out tomorrow why I am not posting any pictures (no, I am not psychic and I can’t tell the future, but since I am writing these posts after the fact there are things that I know). After crossing the Hwy you start heading towards the mountains and it is pleasant walk again for a mile or two but then it starts heading up and the heading up never seems to end. A nice enough uphill walk however as there are lots of trees for most of it and you are crossing streams and in the shade. Almost everyone when they leave Warner Springs plans on making it to the first major Trail Angel along the PCT which is the residence of Mike Herrera. Here you can get all the water you need, linger in the shade of his trees, camp in his yard and they even will fix a real meal for you to eat. His place is at mile 127. As you can see from the title I fell 3 miles short of this goal and I camped among the huge pink boulders in the desert just before his place. I was just too slow on the constant assent of the mountain to make it all the way. I heard later they (most of the crew I was with in Warner Springs) had a great meal that night.
Lenora’s Note:
It is group photo day for the RCIA Team and I’m sorry to have my picture taken without Don there. I leave for the mountain tomorrow and today I am baking breakfast treats and making Irish stew so it can freeze overnight for the trip up the mountain. It will be a special Cursillo, my first chance to work on a team in CA and I have asked to be a “Coffee Angel” although I have no idea what that will mean I hope my duties will give me some time to work on my final exam. I also want to check on Jennifer Mitchell who is making her Cursillo weekend. The plan is for Don to join me for Closura on Sunday then I will return him to the trail. So far this hiking adventure is going great for me. I figure I got the trauma out of the way by wrecking the car on day 1 and now I can relax and enjoy the journey. My prayer time is mostly filled with requests today and knowing how many are praying with me for Don’s safety really affects my prayer as I find myself attuned more than usual to the praying for the needs of others. I miss our morning reading time since I have noone to discuss my reflections with. Having a prayer partner is a wonderful gift and I am so grateful.