So when I get up in the morning guess who is also camped at the water hole. “Just Keep Walking” and “Night Walker” are there and we are both a little surprised to see each other. “Rock City”, “Stubbs”, and “SingleMalt” are not too far back and show up later in the day. This is a good and probably the only spot where Lenora can pick me for Sunday. There is a road just a mile from the water hole and she can make it here to pick me up. I tell the crew that Lenora is coming to get me and they all decide to wait with me by the road so that they can meet Lenora. While we are waiting another thunder storm comes up and we huddle about for 2 hours in the rain. Everyone is happy and upbeat. Some images from the water hole back down the valley. We are about at 6300 feet.

Waiting around in the rain.

I was happy these folks wanted to wait to meet Lenora. They were rewarded as Lenora brought treats. Fruit drinks, apples, snickers, Crispy Cream donuts, Pepsi, GatorAde. The place erupted into a feeding frenzy. Other hikers that happened by at the time joined in the fun. It was a great time. Very proud Lenora found me because this was an obscure location on a 25 mile dirt road that was not in that great of condition. She not only drove up and found me but drove back down to our motel in California City. A nice little Church here in California City. A 10:30 mass. Life is good.

Lenora’s note: When I left home this morning there was a little pressure, knowing Don was already at the pickup spot and I was leaving late with several pre-drive errands to do before really getting on the road. However the Garmin said my target road was a mere three hours away and I’m heading out at 10 am. Arrival time 1 pm and lots of time to do resupply and rest before Sunday. Not to be. After about 3 and 1/2 hours I am nearing the cut off road. After 4 hours I am finally on the right road. 25 miles to go, yeah I’m late but still ok. 25 miles, how long can it take to drive 25 miles. If you have driven on dirt roads on steep mountain trails you know what I had long ago forgotten. 3+ hours later the magic friend “Find my IPhone” tells me I am 1/4 mile from Don’s phone and I pray it is not a hoax. I am so happy when I reach the spot and he is there with all his friends. I meet the “crew” and they chow down. It is good to be a Trail Angel, (ranks right up there with Coffee Angel which is another adventure on another day). The scenery was amazing as my trusty 4 Runner climbed the mountain but the cats did not like the “adventure”. They were in a panic as the car jumped and rocked over the boulders and rain ruts and careened close to the drop off. I’ve rarely heard or seen such panic in a cat and it lasted most of the three hours it took to travel up the 25 mile road. When we drove down I basked in the compliments of my husband who truly was amazed that I had dared to challenge the 4 Runner to climb that mountain. I love this adventure and if my prayers are focused mainly on Don’s safety and my success in finding him they do travel to gratitude for the wonders of the world that our Father created for us. Life is indeed good.