I had lots of energy today and enjoyed the entire walk into Warner Springs. I felt better going up the hills but still have some annoying cramping in my left shoulder blade. Never happened during the training at all but now I have to stop at times. I was getting some really serious bruising along my sides from the backpack straps as well but while I was home Lenora fashioned a buffer I can put around my waist from the towel that I carry. Little bit of time at the sewing machine and cutting a strap in two and I had a cushion that I could tighten lightly around my waist and shelter my poor tender too-fat middle from the straps. The last mile or two into Warner Springs is really nice. Walking along a stream that has a lot of trees and shade and is pretty much flat. Getting to Warner Springs, I see an older and a younger man walking towards me. It was the guy that wondering about me at 3rd gate (Glide) and his nephew. He says that the Warner Springs recreation center was closed but you could camp there but they were not going because they did not want to camp with all the other people there. They were backtracking to find a good camping site. I decided to go on to the recreation center just to check it out and sure enough there was a large group camping under the oak trees there and when I walked in a young man immediately came over and indicated I could join them. Very nice, but I said I have been told that I snore pretty loud and so I will camp over yonder (about 50 yards away). I’m wondering why Glide did not notice it… The center was closed but their showers were outside and working and so I took luke warm shower and tried to clean some clothes. Hung them out to dry and then walked over to the main bunch. A really good group of people. Marathon John and Happy Feet were there. The young man that greeted me was Alex. His friend was called “Solar” caused he carried a solar power station. There was Spencer, also very young. An man named “Fix it” because he could fix anything that was broken on a backpack it seems. A young lady named “Claw Hammer”. There was also an older couple and I don’t remember there names but there motto was “Because we can”. I laugh when I think of that motto (read my first post). Almost everyone had foot problems. “Claw Hammer” was the worst as she had two blisters rather than two feet. Seriously bad. “Solar” also had pretty bad troubles but found a pair of shoes in the hiker box that fit him better and was going to give them a try. On the trail, if something is not working you get rid of it (leave in hiker box for others that might have use for it). Apparently the shoes did not work for someone but Solar was going to make use of them. Turns out the school next door was having a fund raiser which was an enchilada dinner and so we all went over to the school and had a great dinner. I felt sorry that Glide and his nephew did not stay around.

The next morning at 9, the center fixed a breakfast for all that stayed around that long (I did). It was bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Great way to get started although I felt I was wasting time waiting for it. So the breakfast was $6 and turns out the shower was $6. Both are really optional but are suggested. I gave them a bit more and thanked them for providing such a great service.

Lenora’s Note:
Same old, same old off trail for me. Old Testament class final is a take home and I am anxious to get started.