Agua Dulce to mile 498

Zero Day! Our zero day in Agua Dulce was great. We slept in until 6:30, then rode the bikes down to the store to finish our resupply and get some more food. We only had 9,000 calories each left to purchase. A few boxes of Cheezitz, some candy bars, and tortillas to go with Nutela and we were good to go. We also treated ourselves to some fresh produce for the zero day. Something made fresh tasted so good.

As we were eating our fresh breakfast Waterboy came in looking for people signed up on the ride board. Tiffany got a ride into a Target this morning, which means I got some new underwear! Simple, but wonderful to get new ones!

While Tiffany was out shopping I organized the food and took some time to write in my journal and enjoy the cool shade under a large tree at the Saufley's. As I wrote in my journal and lounged around the patio I saw 20 or so hikers come and go here at Hiker Heaven. Again, so fun to meet all the different people doing this trail.

Later we made a second trip down to the center of Agua Dulce to get postcards, but found a very limited selection. We got a couple, but found an alternate postcard media. Some of you should be receiving our make shift postcards in the coming week.

For dinner 9 of us went in on a 28-inch pizza from a local pizza joint. We should have timed how long it took us to eat it. We took a picture around the huge pizza box and then decended on the meal.

We left the Saufley's at 5:30 am to get the road walk over with early. This segment of trail includes a little over two miles of road.

Our original plan was to walk from the Saufley's to the Oasis cache, but plans would change.

We walked16 miles to the Oasis cashe. Tiffany and I were the first to arrive and found ice cold beer! The Oasis cache is sponsored by the Anderson's, yet another trail angel on this stretch of trail. The Oasis has beer, soda, camp chairs, and blow up decorations appropriate for an oasis theme.

During our visit at the Oasis we were joined by Double-It, Gumby, Talywa, and Samba. We all enjoyed our frosty beverages and a long rest. The six of us were having such a good time together we decided to continue on to the Anderson's in our group. From the Oasis it is 8 miles to the road to hitch into the Anderson's.

When we got to the road we were wondering how to hitch in with such a large group. So we decided just to all line up on the road with our thumbs out. Assuming we would eventually all get different rides in. To our great surprise and delight it wasn't 5 minutes before a truck pulled over and gave us ALL a ride into the Anderson's.

The Anderson's is referred to as Hippie Daycare. You get all your chores done at the well organized Saufley's and then just hang out at the Anderson's. Upon arrival you receive a hug from Terry Anderson, then are told to find a camp spot in the large back yard, and come back with your head lamp.

Once we returned with our headlamps, some guy rolls up in his car with a case of beer and a stack of pizzas for all hungry and thirsty hikers. Savior hiked the PCT in 2009 and said he was just trying to give back some of the trail magic he received when he hiked.  I cannot wait to do this in the future.

We all enjoyed the pizza and beer. This was the appetizer to the nightly taco salad served at the Anderson's. When you stay you get taco salad at night and pancakes for breakfast.

After a plate full of cinnamon pancakes the next morning our group of six headed out together again. We actually walked out with a group of 10, but 2 of them took a different route to the main road and the other 2 didn't want to stop at the convenient store. So when we got back on the road to hitch back up to the trail head it was the Oasis 6 pack. Again we figured we would all have to get separate rides to the trail, but as luck would have it, we got another ride for all 6 at once.

On a bit of a high from our great luck we formed a line and started to make our way over the next ridge. We played the make a story game with everyone contributing to the story one sentence at a time. In short it was about Jack rabbits, Poodle Dog bush, a political plot to end the bush and something about the pine beatles. It had a Romeo and Juliet ending. Would probably have to hike for several weeks in the woods before one found it as entertaining as we did.

Throughout the day our group spread out and rejoined several times. Tiffany and I stopped for a while at a water tank where the other 4 were spending the night. We contemplated staying too, but the camping was limited.  So we pressed on for two miles and found a vary nice flat spot to put up the tent.

Still enjoying the trail as it only seems to get better. In a day or so we should hit a flat valley floor which extends several miles. I think this will feel like the true desert.

Happy Trails!

Trail Statistics
Mile: 498
Days: 30
Candy Bars: 21
Bags of Chips: 5
Jars of Peanut Butter: 1 (Shared)
Showers:7 (6with soap)