Idyllwild and Big Bear

How to begin...so much as happened since the last post it is hard to know what to include and what not to. I am finding that blogging on my phone is actually quite frustrating, so be prepared for me to start uploading video blog posts instead! In the meantime:
Idyllwild introduced us to so many new friends. Smores, Whiskey Girl, America, Mountain Goat, Rogue and pounce are some of the most prominent.
I also received my first care package and got to spend three nights around a campfire and good company. The next stop after that was at Ziggy and the Bears, followed by a rangers station and then he Big Bear Hostel. I know this is brief but I will make it up to y'all with a long video rant next week. I love all of you who are reading this and sending me support and love. You make it possible for me to do this.

Warner Springs

We departed Julian Sunday afternoon and trekked on towards Warner Springs. It was rough, and my feet were basically falling apart (see gnarly pictures below), but we made it and officially passed the 100 mile mark on Monday night!! That day was the longest day we've had so far, with a total mileage of 17. We finally found a place to camp at about 11 at night. But it's okay because we ran into some awesome night life along the way like a tarantula and salamander! Also, and perhaps more importantly, Nick gained his trail name: 'Snake Eyes'. Tuesday proved to be a much easier hike, however. We walked a flat and easy trail across a tremendously gorgeous field into Warner Springs where Nick's cousin Ann (and her husband 'Hopper') came to pick us up. And we have spent the last couple of days as zero days at their house. Our original plan was to stay for two nights, but when Nick found out little cousin Rosie was coming to visit on Saturday, we decided we just had to stay longer. It has been amazingly wonderful. They live in the mountains so close to the trail they can see it from their window! And they're house is completely off the grid (or in other words, it runs on energy from the solar panels installed in their backyard...so it's only my dream home and stuff). They have a 75 year-old desert tortoise named Tiny, a german shepard named Elsa, and a little black bunny named Oreo that we get to play with every day. Also, they're taking care of their neighbor's place for a bit so we got to go visit their turkeys and chickens and pigs. They have also taken us to the Palomino Observatory (the one that declared Pluto is not a planet) and the San Diego Zoo!! Not to mention they've treated us to stupendous home-cooked meals, desserts and restaurant outings. Getting to hang out with Rosie has also been a blast. She officially walked around the zoo with a fake mustache with me, this girl is awesome. Needless to say, we've been livin' the dream here. It's going to be hard to leave tomorrow. Thank you so incredibly much, Ann and Hopper. We are going to miss you guys!

Til next time

-Birdie & Snake Eyes

Nick in a basket. . .because Rosie and I locked him out of the vehicle haha. 

Fungus Garden!!!!!!! 

Rosie kissing the komodo dragon, this girl is awesome. 

Rosie and I think this is definitely our best look

Tiny the 75 year-old desert tortoise

Tiny chasing Oreo around (aka, the tortoise and the hare)

Our delicious attempt to make Tres Leches cake. 

A memorial to a fire-fighter.

A Sequoia sempervirens

Old telescope from the observatory

Mile 100 

Julian

Well, we're a couple miles behind scheldue but we've finally made it to Julian! It turns out that walking in the mountains is very similar to driving in them: when the sign says "10" miles, it's going to feel like "20". Our first day on the trail was by far the longest and the hardest. We walked all day with close to 50 pounds on our backs and still weren't anywhere near our goal of 20 miles, or more importantly, water. So when nighttime rolled around we were pretty concerned, but then came the trail magic: we stumbled upon a mini campsite stocked with plenty of water. . . Thanks trail angels! Needless to say we slept incredibly well that night. The next couple of days were all challenging and much the same (except for Friday night, but I'll get to that). We slowed our pace down to about 10 miles a day to accommodate my knee (in a brace) and my blistered feet. Nick's body, on the other hand, has been doing fabulously. He easily outpaces me and had no pains to complain about aside from his back and shoulders. But my body is doing better each day, and I'm not worried. Aside from physical ailments, however, the trail has been awesome. It has amazed me how many people we've already met. Everyday we run into a minimum of 5 new hikers, and have even made some actual friends. It's awesome! The hiker community here is like one big family, and I'm so excited to be becoming a part of it. Today in Julian we even got free pie and ice cream! Also, I have officially adopted a trail name. We have yet to give Nick one. I suspect it will have something to do with being a snake catcher though haha. 

And now to discuss what happened Friday night. So Friday day had been a really successful and easy going hike. The weather was awesome, the people were awesome, Nick even caught an elusive Rosy Boa! So after filling up on water at one of the pitstops (where many of the hikers were camping out)  we decided to push on a couple more miles to the next campsite on the map in attempt to have less miles to hike before hitting the town the next morning. We never found that campsite. Instead, we hiked until dusk was setting in and ominious rain clouds were rolling towards us over the mountaintops.  There was absolutely no flat, cactusless ground to be found save for one spot right on the top of small ridge. So we had a choice, trek on and risk being caught in the storm at night, or set up camp and hope the one small tree would serve as a decent windblock. Well, we chose to camp. And well, the poor little tree turned out to be no windblock at all. The winds were so fierce by the time the tent was set up that I was afraid it was going to snap my tent poles (we found out later the winds were over 70 miles per hour). We ended up sleeping with our boots on and in our thermal underwear covered by our normal clothes just incase we had to abondon the tent; our backpacks were fully loaded and ready to go, propped up against the side the wind was hitting hardest in an attempt to support the poles. Did I say sleep? I meant we spent the night wishing we were asleep. The winds only got worse and when the rain came it brought hail with it. Nick and I were huddling together underneath our emergency blankets watching the tent above us bend and shake violently all night. Rain leaked through the edges where the wind was blowing away the rain cover and several times the wind was so powerful it lifted a good portion of the tent straight off the ground despite all of our weight. But my tent never broke, and morning finally came bringing the sun and all its glory, which in this instance included a double rainbow! It didn't stop raining, however,  but it did become far more bearable. So we took down the tent and trekked wet and cold to scissors crossing where we hitch-hiked for the first time ever to the town of Julian. Which, as afore mentioned, had free pie and ice cream waiting for us. Not to mention a hot shower and a bed. All the same, we named my tent Diana, after Wonder Woman. Because there would have been none of this for us today if she hadn't stood her ground so heroically.

Til next time-Birdie

Nick and I with the performing artists of Julian! They put on a short comedy skit for free, it was awesome.

A delicious California Burger (no really thats what it was called, I'm not saying that just because it came from California!) From Jeremy's on the Hill Restaurant just outside of Julian. So Good. So Good! 

Free Pie and Ice Cream from Mom's for being a PCT Hiker!!! Could life get any better?!?

Nick taking a nap after our morning hike, this stuff is exhausting. 

Nick playing with the first snake of the trip! 

At the Beginning! 

Laurie, Nick and I goofin' off at the starting point! 

Lake Moreno! 

Day 0

Today has been truly wonderful.We arrived in stunning California this afternoon after a very easy going and trouble free plane ride. (And I mean, how often does that happen?) Although I did get patted down for the first time! They said it was because I had zippers in my pants. . . Back to the arrival. Nick's cousin Laurie came to pick us up from the airport and immediately greeted us with big hugs and lots of laughter. This was then followed up by some delicious Mexican food served by one of the nicest and most genial waitresses I've ever had. The rest of this day has been spent rearranging our packs, taking naps and swapping stories with Laurie and her husband Ken. It honestly feels like I've known them my whole life. Thank you, Laurie and Ken, you are wonderful, bright, amazing people. I feel so blessed to be under your roof the final day before embarking upon this journey. We are leaving bright and early tomorrow to head to campo and hit the trailhead. Nick and I both have such a good feeling about this trail. Thank you, everyone who has supported us and helped us start this journey. Your love is not lost on these two crazy souls.

All the gear!

Meet the fluffiest kitty ever; Wallace!

Enchiladas Verdes. Yes, I think I will.