May 17, day 48
We finally left Agua Dulce at 18:30 pm, after having pizza at "Big Mouth Pizza." We've thus paid a visit to every restaurant in Agua Dulce.
(Note from the translator: At this point, you, dear readers, might be forgiven for coming to the conclusion that the PCT is all about EATING, not hiking....)
Hiked another 11 km in order to reach Casa de Luna next day (another 28 kilometers). On the way out of Agua Dulce, we passed the Agua Dulce Movie Ranch. The sprawling premises is a kind of film studio, replete with buildings and hundreds of parked cars, delivery vans, and trucks, even a jet that’s used as a film set. (http://www.sosfilmworks.com/)
Found a lovely spot for cowboy camping.
May 18, day 49
Started out bright and early, 9 am. After 10 km, we were pleasantly surprised by yet more trail magic: Dale and Ann treated us to hotdogs, chips, cookies, gummy bears, and cold drinks. This served as lunch (although we'd planned to eat pizza leftovers from the day before). An intense ascent followed, after which the last 10 km were mostly downhill.
In the afternoon we ate the leftover pizza (pimped with avocados and olives). Unfortunately, the weather turned. The wind picked up and it started to rain. It wasn't heavy, but unpleasant overall (rain wasn't forecast until the coming days). Around 7 pm we reached the road to Green Valley and tried to hitchhike into town. For the first time, however, our attempt to catch a ride was unsuccessful and we had to walk the remaining 3 km alongside the road – which was no fun because by then it had gotten really cold and the rain continued. Our luck: after a kilometer, a car stopped and gave us a ride: it was Terrie, the owner of Casa de Luna, where we were headed! She'd taken the car to pick up hikers needing a lift.
So we even arrived on time for the hikers' taco salad dinner: tacos, beans, cheese sauce, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, and onions. The campground – located in an enchanted, magical mangrove forest – was teeming: a grand total of 70 tents were pitched there! We had a reunion with "Who is(ch) your daddy," whom we'd met at Scout and Frodo’s in San Diego. "Daddy" is currently volunteering at the Casa; his claim to fame is his fabulous breakfast pancakes. What a coincidence! New arrivals were presented with Hawaiian shirts and instructed to perform a little dance, in return for an original PCT 2019 bandana (a multifunctional cloth featuring the PCT logo and a - very practical - list of stations/resupply locations). We managed to snag one (can you believe it! Olli danced!). This was followed by a convivial and lighthearted evening, before we finally went to bed at midnight (late for us). It rained throughout the night. Our tent kept dry, but because our camping spot sloped a bit, the mattresses pushed the tent's protective area outward, with the result that water collected and our sleeping bags got wet. But it wasn't too bad.
May 19, day 50
Because the weather remained bad next day, we decided to schedule an unscheduled zero day at Casa de Luna. Breakfast consisted of plenty of coffee and pancakes. Free. Donations welcome. Around midday we called Uber to take us to Lancaster, which is in the valley about a 25-minute drive away, and went to the movies. Hiker Melanie from Berlin, who arrived today, came with us. We watched the horror movie "US" ... Never mind, at least it was warm! In the evening we had dinner at the Casa again, interviewing several people. We spoke with "Prodigy," who did the Triple Crown in 2018: that's the PCT, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, a grand total of 13,000 kilometers in 9 months. Unbelievable! We also interviewed John, who hiked the PCT from north to south and then back in the other direction during the same year. We hope the weather calms down tomorrow so we can be on our way. Our next goal is Hikertown, about 60 km away.
By the way: Olli’s replacement parts for the crooked trekking poles have been approved. Komperdell provided a link to the American wholesale dealer, who promised to send the new parts to the PO in Mojave. We should be there in a week.
Unfortunately, one of our small Sony cameras fell down while we were in the cinema. The upshot: the mike is broken and the camera won't turn on. We had to order a replacement ($400). To be sent to the Mojave PO.
Ironic: we've been using the camera constantly while in the wilderness, but once in the cinema, it falls to the floor from a height of 30 cm – and breaks. Apparently, one pays attention only in situations where one would do so anyway.
Pictures