Mile 110: Angels, Parties, Names, and Magic

So I'm well into the desert.  I got through a  little nervous energy in the start but not without some silly results.  Things I did while running around like a chicken with no head on aderall included: leaving my cell phone in a car, leaving my trekking poles in someones truck, dropping my camera in a stream at miles 2.5 (no the warranty does not cover submersion), and popping my precious water bag on one of the many spiky things in the desert.  All maters were resolved and I'm again with phone, poles, camera and plenty of water storage but my forhead is still red from slapping it so many times.  Unfortunately I can't get photos up at the moment but here are some big to-do's that went down in the first 110:

TRAIL ANGELS
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Trail Angels are total strangers that for one reason or another have taken it upon themselves to provide hikers with necessary services or totally unecessary luxury items as we trod north.  Southern california is known specifically for having a high concentration of these beautiful people who set out to make what we all call "trail magic" happen.  Examples have included:

-being picked up in san diego, fed, and driven to the trail ala scout and frodo
-given beer and snacks at almost every road crossing (don't worry there have only been 5 so far) ala D.O.T.
-provided over 200 of gallons of water in the middle of the desert at a crucial point in an otherwise 54 mile dry stretch ala Mulestomper
-one big ol' BBQ, campfire, and all around good party at mile 101 ala Princess
-ice tea and snacks just after eagle rock ala Hamburger Helper and Tabasco (people not the corporations)

And this shit as only started.  In a couple days I'm expecting to walk up to a house that's hosting a home smoked chicken BBQ and then a few weeks after that we'll hit the famous trail angels the Saufleys and then the Andersons.  By the time we hit the Sierras we're all going to be super spoiled and majorly dissapointed.  But we're taking it all in while we can now.  My favorite thing about these folks besides the effort and generosity they throw our way is how militant they are about making sure you get the best of whatever it is they have to offer.  The other night I was trying to get a hot dog at the BBQ after a long 24 mile day and it was not happening until I got a cold beer, all the necessary utensils, and a seat by the fire first.  I was pretty antsy to get my hands on that dog but I wasn't about to argue with orders!

Trail Names
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So everyone at one point or another is dubbed some name that will stick with them for the rest of the hike.  It's a fun a carefree tradition that allows folks to go by a name that fits their character rather than there parents' naming inclinations.  Some names are associated with a story, others by a common association, others just because someone said so.  Once your given a name you have the option to turn it down for a better one but you better be quick about it because it'll travel fast along the trail before you have enough time to stomp it out.  I got my name because I wore a funny hat to kickoff - my super sun resistant sombrero.  Before long people thought of me as that guy with the sombrero or "mexico" but it wasn't until a funny discussion about lost passports near the border and sneaking by the patrol down in Campo that a Floridian by the name of Kilroy dubbed me "Pepe Lopez."  Immediately everyone in the group was doubled over laughing so much so that I thought I missed the joke - some pop culture reference or atleast tequila brand.  I was reluctant to accept at first.  I really wanted a name that had a story behind it not just - I wore a sombrero to kickoff.  But when I kept telling people my name I got the same reaction everytime - pure joy and laughter.  I can't complain being surrounded by that and it's sure easy for people to remember me and pick me out even miles down the trail.  No wonder I didn't see any sombreros at the border.

Alright.  I'm getting antsy to hit the hot springs here at Warner Springs.  So you know I'm having an awesome time.  I love walking alone and getting through 20 mile days and reconvening with newfound friends along the trail at every water source and camp ground.  I even started working on my harmonica playing and hope to be rocking out in no time.  I wish you all well and hope you're having half the fun that I am.  Until next time!