May 24, day 55, km 833: Off through the desert!
Distance to Kennedy Meadows, gateway to the Sierra: 247 km
Today, Friday, we departed Hikertown in sunshine. We'll see how long it lasts! We made pancakes for breakfast in the garage.
And we interviewed former Disney producer Richard Skaggs, who owns Hikertown and the café 4 miles away.
Since we're heading toward the Sierra Nevada, where wintry conditions still prevail, we're considering our options once we reach Kennedy Meadows. Many hikers "flip-flop" (skip and catch up later), returning later to complete the leg when the going’s easier. We'll probably flip-flop, heading north to Ashland, on the California-Oregon border, then switching and heading south via bus, train, or hitchhike. The advantage: conditions are likely to be much better in the Sierras then, optimal after the thaw. Snow and river crossings would cost us too much time.
More on that later ...
First: off to Mojave, 67 kilometers away.
(A note from the translator: It's May 26, election day: In Germany, among other countries, the ninth European Parliament will be elected (we also have local and regional elections, a rather complex slate). As a committed European, of course I'm hoping none of the right-wing parties will gain a foothold in the European Union ... But I expect prayer is probably necessary, too. I hope you two sent in your postal votes! We need every voice to keep Europe free and democratic.)
Pictures