Day 18: Out of Big Bear to Holcomb Creek

Miles hiked: 19.8

Mile Marker: 285.9

It’s 6:00 AM when I roll out of bed. I had a dream last night that I forgot to grab my uncrustable PBJs out of the freezer.

I start off with a cappuccino mix that I got for this week’s food carry. I had so many of them that I’ve been drinking them yesterday and today so I don’t have to carry out more food than I need (which I always do).

Denis comes into the bedroom and tosses my uncrustables on my bed. Thank you, Denis!

We all move around the house: packing bags, eating breakfast, and taking out the trash.

I leave the bathroom and walk into a hallway, run straight into Denis, who is coming in from the living room. Rafiki bumps into us as he comes out from the bedroom. Collision!

Denis eats the leftover pasta from last night. I have two packets of oatmeal, a bagel with cream cheese, and an orange.

I pack extra snacks that are leftover from… whoever? into my pack.

Soon, a friendly lady comes to pick us up and take us to the trailhead. Her name is Christina, and she says she’s an unofficial trail angel. Angelic enough for us, though! It’s so kind of people to give us free rides. However, we do often tip them since the price of gas is so high here in California.

Christina has a pet snake named Aphrodites. She, too, wants to hike the trail someday!

We begin our hike in sunny weather that is cool in the shade. We cross the road to the trailhead and spend some time on a subtle but steady incline.

Soon, the trail turns to rocks. We walk across scree fields — I wonder if they’re named that because they ‘scree!’ when you walk on them. It’s technical and reminds me of walking along Mission Creek.

I feel a little anxious today and a bit bored. The terrain is a little monotonous, but I feel like I’m missing some socialization. In Julian and Idyllwild, we were in closer contact with other hikers, and I missed that in Big Bear.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can’t wait to have a tramily.

Dad and Denis hike ahead. Rafiki and I stick together, and I’m really glad to have him around. He hiked the Appalachian Trail and often understands some of my anxieties and concerns.

Dad is sporting a headache and a hurt toe today, so he hikes ahead as we gather water. I wish that I had eaten some of the leftover pasta for breakfast.

Connor! Photographer Connor shows up! It’s so good to see a familiar face!

I’m about to leave when I spark a conversation with a woman my dad’s age who has been living in New Zealand for 25 years! She wants to hike 20 miles a day — but loves her current group. I secretly hope she joins our group.

I’ve had a newfound curiosity about middle-aged women for the past year. I love to see successful women doing what they love and want to be that when I’m older.

Rafiki and I hike through pine trees, the branches of low shrubs scratching at our legs. My feet hurt and I’m quite tired today. I can do more than our planned 20 miles if I want to, but I’m ready to eat dinner and settle down.

We stop at a view of a trail winding through the hills. Mountains are in the distance in an array of blue. Pine trees scatter the hills.

“How does this view make you feel?” Rafiki asks.

I take a moment to think.

“Sad. Lonely. Lost,” I say. “Like I’m stuck in the woods. Or stuck in life.”

I feel like only certain views resonate with me with more positive thoughts. I hope my relationship with nature changes soon. I love civilization way too much.

We walk a while and I pause suddenly as I come across a squirrel who didn’t run away as I approached. Rafiki and I stand there watching the squirrel right in front of us, until another hiker approaches and the squirrel runs away.

My legs are chafing, so Rafiki lends me his Body Glide. It burns! This was a bad idea! I think.

I drag myself another two miles forward until we hit Holcomb Creek and see Dad. Yay! I plop down in the sun next to him.

“Are we camping here?” I ask.

“We can. Or we can keep going.” Dad says.

The next campsite is four miles away. I’m tired.

“Do you mind if we stay here?” I ask.

“Whatever you want.”

I want to stay. I’m so tired and my feet are sore. “Let’s stay,” I say.

I feel like I made the right decision. I could go more miles, but I really didn’t want to. After all, who am I trying to prove a 22 or 24 mile day to?

I make dinner while Dad grabs a camping spot. With my dinner in hand, I sherpa my stuff out of the creek area to set up my stuff but can’t find Dad or Rafiki.

I go back to the creek where Denis and Connor are — they’re going to walk another four or so miles today. I eat my Udon bomb — which tastes weird with the fajita chicken in it — and Rafiki and Dad join me shortly after.

Soon I’m setting my tent up at the campsite and it’s only 6:00 PM! I love this early night!

I can hear the other hikers talking while Dad and I chat. Two birds chase each other in front of us and we watch them fly nimbly through the air.

The zipper in my tent works flawlessly now that I brushed it with a toothbrush and put some chapstick on it. Thanks, Dad, for that advice!

The birds tweet loudly a I lay here in bed. My pad should be good to go now that it’s all patched up!

I’m ready for a good night of sleep!