Day 32 – I can’t stop swimming

Another great night of sleep.  I woke up in my tent and everything just felt incredibly comfortable.  Soft quilt, soft inflatable pillow.. I had a hard time working up the will to deflate my mattress to get going.  I laid in my tent for a while and listened to the stream nearby work its watery …

Continue reading Day 32 – I can’t stop swimming

Day 31 – Finally out of Big Bear

I always get lousy sleep my first night back on trail.  My sleeping pad is comfortable, but it doesn't hold a candle to a big bed where I can sprawl all over the place and leave limbs drooping off any of the four sides.  Despite that, I woke up feeling awesome.  Today I will get …

Continue reading Day 31 – Finally out of Big Bear

Day 30 – I’m back I’m back I’m back!

Today's a big day for reasons. Reason 1:  Yes, I'm back after roughly a week of being lazy all over the place waiting for my knee to heal. Reason 2:  I'm going to work very hard to get the hell out of Big Bear.  After being stuck at this point on the trail for who …

Continue reading Day 30 – I’m back I’m back I’m back!

Day 23 – Long night, Great Day

Yeah, last night did kind of suck.  I inadvertently camped along a track that all kinds of forest creatures use to go pester the farm animals nearby.  For the most part it was coyotes going over to check things out, howling as they ran by.  As they neared the farm, the responsible and dutiful farm …

Continue reading Day 23 – Long night, Great Day

Day 19-21 – Lazy in Big Bear

Here I am sitting in the very lodge I've seen countless thru-hikers staying at in the many videos and trail journals stay at with hopes of Taco Bell and greasy breakfasts from Denny's.  The Black Forest Lodge.  I'll never get over the fact that I'm out here, which kind of makes me think about my …

Continue reading Day 19-21 – Lazy in Big Bear

Day 18 – Cabazon: The Unreachable

I'm standing along side a road waiting for a car to come by.  I'm still in the odd transition from forest to desert with trees scattered here and there.  It's a dirt road with piles of sand and rock along each side, and I'm somewhat downhill from the road.  Not exactly the ideal location to …

Continue reading Day 18 – Cabazon: The Unreachable

Day 17 – Spooky Forest

Last night was interesting.  I woke up a couple hours after falling asleep and thought I heard screaming in the forest.  That's cool, I don't need to sleep or anything.  By all means, creep me out.  I turned on my headlamp and called out in case someone was actually in trouble, but got no response.  …

Continue reading Day 17 – Spooky Forest

Day 16 – Back to the Stuff

I have to leave Idyllwild today.  I can't believe I've been here for three days now, this is insane.  How did this happen?!  I know how of course, this place is awesome.  Seriously though, it's time to go.  Hotel and food bills add up quick, I don't want my hike to end because of financial …

Continue reading Day 16 – Back to the Stuff