Day 12, km 176
Today SWOH reached Warner Springs – a sprinkling of houses, post office, holiday resort, golf green, and gas station. Contact point for PCT hikers: the community center about 2 miles out of town, temporary home to several dozen tents today, including SWOH’s. Alas, not their eagerly awaited new tent, which unfortunately hadn’t arrived at the P.O. yet. Z-Packs had neglected to post it on time. Since SWOH can’t wait another 6 days here, they’re going to try to have the package redirected to Idyllwild, the next resupply station. This means carrying their heavy tent another 113 km.
(My translator-back aches just thinking about it ...)
Nonetheless, the disappointment was outweighed by good news. Downhill-Mike arrived in Warner Springs today, and presented SWOH with their lost trekking poles. In return, they invited him to pizza and beer – coincidentally their first warm meal in two days thanks to an empty gas cartridge. At the golf club restaurant, SWOH made the acquaintance of a couple from Maui who go by the trail names Iron Giant and Captain Fantastic.
Meanwhile, SWOH boast their very own trail names. A trail name commonly reflects a particular character trait or an event that happens during the hike. Mike christened Sabine with the very fitting "Sunshine," on account of her ever-ready smile. Olli’s trail name came about this way: One evening a group of hikers, including Mike, were sitting together at a table. Olli was invited to have a seat on the empty, rather majestic chair at the head of the table. Mike promptly pronounced him "King Olli," a most appropriate moniker! ;-)
Onward ho tomorrow, Sunshine and King Olli send their regards ...
PS: Meanwhile, Z-Packs informs SWOH that the package with their new tent is being redirected to Idyllwild!
