PCT Day 91

Start: 1436.8

Stop: 1458.7

Today’s miles: 21.9

Total PCT miles: 1310.2

Today was STUNNING. The whole day was just so pretty. We started hiking by 6:30 again, and never ran into each other until getting to Andrea.

Every single turn was a view. Nothing felt boring or monotonous. It was sunny and not too hot but not cold. There were lakes off in the distance and then suddenly lakes I’m walking right by. There were a few big climbs, and on one of them I sat on a rock and ate my lunch. Hoping Margot would catch up to me, but she didn’t. I was visited by chipmunk that stole the last bite of my jalapeño and cheddar bagel. Punk.

There were a lot of day hikers out and about, a father and son had their golden retriever with them, and he was a pure delight. I may have gotten him in trouble by calling him to me when they were trying to make him sit for his leash. Whoops. But worth it. I got all the kisses and tail wags.

After the big climb, there was the longest descent to the road Andrea was meeting us at. From the top, you could see exposed switchbacks, around these awesome rocky spikes above where I was standing. It was so beautiful, and thank goodness because the beauty distracted me from the pain of the rocks I had to cross. They were everywhere and my feet ached like crazy.

I messaged Andrea from the garmin at 3pm saying I still had just under 4 miles, but if she got there around 5, I should be there. The rocks were slowing me down. 5 minutes after sending that, the rocks gave way to pine forest and I felt like I was running down the switchbacks the rest of the way to the road. It felt so good to be able to move quickly so suddenly, after painful hours in the sun cautiously stepping.

I made it to the road just before 4:30, so proud. Andrea was already there! No way! She said she knew I’d be faster than I was claiming in my message, lol. I chugged the Gatorade she brought me, greedily and so happy! We talked while waiting for Margot, me splayed out in the middle of the turn around, to stretch out my sore legs. I assumed she’d get there before 5:30 at the latest. She came around the corner just before 5:15, plenty of time to hop in Andrea’s truck and get to the store for a soda before it closes at 5:30! Hell yeah!

We made it to the store, got some drinks and then went to our motel. Well, motel doesn’t seem right. It’s called Sierra Pines and it’s gorgeous. There’s a restaurant and lobby up front, then, the rest are 4-6 rooms in a building all stretched down the hill but above the river below. Our building (Andrea already checked in before coming to get us, the angel) has balconies overlooking the river and our room is right by a waterfall! It’s incredible!

We took turns showering and then went back up the hill to the restaurant for dinner. They let us sit outside by the pond and it was just delightful. This is the only area you can get WiFi, and it was incredibly slow-so-no updating anything from me here today. And honestly, that was ok. I enjoyed getting to talk with my friends and enjoy the moment I was in. We all got some form of pasta and the meal was perfection. Side salad and bread included. Andrea and I shared wine. It was wonderful.

I’m so happy she came up here and we are getting to share these experiences together. I told her about meeting the triple crown awards guy and the info about hiking the Porto Camino. Now we want to plan to do that, hopefully next fall. It would be so awesome. I love hiking even more when wine and beds are included daily. Ha.

Anyway, time for bed. We all seem pretty worn out, I know for a fact I am. I feel like I need a week of sleep to recover. Goodnight