Day 4: En Route to Julian

Miles hiked: 13.4

Mile Marker: 76.3

This day begins at 2:45 AM. I can’t sleep. I become a rotisserie chicken, tossing and turning, pausing to journal, then eventually falling asleep at 4:30 AM after I hear Dad get in and out of his tent.

Alarm rings at 5:00 AM. Of course I fell asleep just in the nick of time to wake up.

At least it’s a short day.

I open my vestibule to make some oat meal. If you keep it closed, you could suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, or a tent on fire. After two packets of oatmeal in their pack, I quickly pack up my things. The rain is pattering hard against my tent. When I step outside, it’s only a light rain.

Thank God!

My tent rolls up into a dirty ball while Dad’s is perfectly clean.

“You won the award for dirt,” Dad says.

“How is yours so clean?” I ask.

“I rolled it around my body.”

What does that even mean?

We set off at a quick pace, followed by Rafiki. The rain is hitting me in the face, but it often borders a drizzle and a light rain. I can’t complain. My shorts slowly soak through, but this 13.4 mile day seems a breeze compared to the past few days.

Dad keeps us at a steady pace for a long time. We travel along the ridge line of the giant hill, again. Over rocks and through a land of boulders that speckle the green and brushy hills.

Today is mostly me, Dad, Rafiki, Thomas, and Dennis. Plus a new guy, Alex, who we saw on our first day.

The landscape is a mix of tan and green, but as we enter into cactus territory, it flattens out. The rock path turns into sand. My feet hurt a bit by now. Most of the crew is about two blocks ahead. Dad is behind, taking photos. This spot has the most diversity in cacti. Rafiki and I walk together, shouting conversations about favorite movies just so we can hear one another.

Our hike comes to an end under a bridge. There are gallons of water here, plus a hiker box full of unwanted gear to be donated to anyone who needs it.

Some of our crew choose to hitch hike, but Dad and I eat our trail lunches here while we wait for the shuttle.

There guy driving the shuttle actually drove Dad when he did this hike 5 years ago, so it was a treat for him to help him out again. He takes us into town where we first drop by an outdoor store called 2 Foot Adventure. This place has everything trail related. I purchase some gators (debris keeps getting in my shoes), a new hat to replace my buff, and some Leuko tape.

Next is Mom’s Pie House, where we show our permit and get a free slice of pie! I choose a blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry pie with a crumble top, cinnamon ice cream, and a cup of coffee. Delicious!

My favorite part of this experience was the Netherlands guy sitting across from me. He was also hiking the PCT and said he likes to be on his own. We get to chatting for a few minutes. Politely, he asks if he can grab a photo with Dad, Rafiki, and me so that people will see he is around other people.

“Is this your mom asking?” I say.

It was.

Next stop is our hotel. We have a few logistical things to do, including mailing my Leuko tape home (it cost $17 to purchase it and $11 to ship it home). We restock our food at 2 Foot Adventures and the local grocery store. In total my food resupply cost about $170.

Small towns are expensive.

Both Rafiki and Dad need some town shorts, so they grab what is available. Just wait until you see Dad in his little yellow swim trunks. They’re just a little tight for his cyclist legs.

Dad, Rafiki, and myself are sharing a room at Julian Lodge. We’re all showered and drying out our gear. Pizza is for dinner with our larger group, but our trio? We’re pretty tired. I’m certainly ready for bed. We go back to the hotel for a long epsom salt foot soak and elevating feet.