June 10, day 73, kilometers 2,784 to 2,809
Total kilometers: 1,094
Blogged till about 9 this morning, departed a half-hour later. It promised to be a hot day. After a quarter of an hour, we met up with James and Devon, from the Ashland area, who were undertaking a day hike. James, a potter, responded enthusiastically when he found out we were PCT hikers. He especially admires thru-hikers, he said, and was very impressed that the entire world passes by on a path only 14 inches wide. Devon is a professional picture framer; he pronounced the word "Autobahn" perfectly in connection with the PCT as a connecting road. Sabine notes: "With my camera, I, too, am a picture framer. I felt connected right away." We immediately interviewed them.
The next hours we hiked "alone" through the woods and green mountain meadows, hardly meeting people because southbound PCT hikers (traveling south from Canada) won't begin the trek until early in July because of the snow. The countryside reminded us of the Black Forest, except that the trees are taller. Wild strawberries in droves. Time and again, the yellow of dandelions brightened the green. We noted violets, along with a kind of anemone covering large areas. We saw many unfamiliar plants blooming luxuriantly, covering the forest floor. Everything contributed to an incredible scent. We marveled at the profusion of shaggy lichens hanging from the trees, transforming the woods into an enchanted place.
We saw Electra (trail name, from Italy) and Reset (trail name), whom we'd first met at the Casa de Luna. They had hooked up with some other hikers who skipped the Sierra and are now doing a section in Oregon (from Fishlake) southbound. Electra, bosom buddies with Old Man Voted (trail name, from Croatia) parted company in Kennedy Meadows because Old Man Voted wanted to hike the Sierra. We’re curious to see whose paths we'll cross again during our journey.
We crossed the legendary Route 66 a few times. Enjoyed English muffins and grits for lunch at a small pond. Toward evening we met Don, who lives nearby, with his dog Brown Eyes. He lives off a monthly retirement income of $300 a month, can't afford to pay $2,800 for his dog's much-needed hip operation. America is the land of opportunity – albeit in both directions ...
Around 9 pm we found a great spot on Hyatt Lake and made a meal of dried salmon, olives, and cheese. Unfortunately, swarms of mosquitos regarded Sabine as their delicatesse: despite repellant and a net over her face, she's covered in bites. We hiked 25 km – an achievement, considering the heat and the many interviews and conversations.
Pictures