We're finally here! The moment has arrived. Ever since I started researching this trail Kennedy Meadows was a huge talking point. When will we get there? What will we send there? When will we leave there? What the hell am I going to do there while I'm waiting around for snow to melt or my package to arrive? And now I'm here! The desert is finally done. Goodbye dry heat, rattlesnakes, pokey plants and waterless stretches (for now) hello snow covered passes, cold nights, high river fords, and bears! The last section was one of our most serious desert walks chalk full of high heat, low water miles and a couple of mojave green (rattlesnake) sightings to top it off. The trail magic at Walker Pass was awesome motivation (not to mention the hundreds of gallons of water that trail angel Mary puts out in the desert to keep us all in walking shape). Watching the landscape change has been awesome and, as I expected, is one of my favorite things about this trail. All of a sudden out of nowhere appears our first big Sierra river sighting - the Kern! Then the pine trees and oaks are coming up. Lots of shade everywhere. I'm getting to be in the woods for real now. In a few days we'll be on top of Mt. Whitney. That's right! I'll be the highest dude in California (and that's saying a lot). Hell! I'll be on top of the whole lower 48.
Until then, it's hanging out on the porch of the Kennedy Meadows general store having a few cold ones and waiting for our turn on the ol' laundry machine. Not a bad way to spend a day. When that gets old it's swimming time in the river before heading to the campground and getting down with the trail angels that are all coming out to have a good time. The last couple of nights we've been hanging out with Sprinkles' grandma (appropriately named Grandma Sprinkles) and tonight we'll be with Dr. Sole and the Andersons. That's right! The Andersons Part III. Word on the trail is that they're coming into town today and will be ready for some wrasslin'.
From here the constant trail angeling and booze train are going to hit their last stop. But the party isn't over! We have some of the most rugged and exciting sections of trail right around the corner. It's time to get out and in it for real and bring the celebration to the tops of the mountains (as opposed to someones porchside couch). The desert has been shockingly good to us with mild weather and enough water to go around. On top of that, the trail angels have turned something that's been tolerable (and at times damn pleasant) into a part of this trail and my life that I will never forget. Many many thanks to all of those that come out to support us and join in on the fun! I hope to join your ranks next season.
Well, it's back to the porch. We're gonna buy some 5 dollar pool toys and see how many miles we can float down the south fork of the Kern this afternoon. If we get good enough at it we may be able to put some PCT miles on in the Sierras that way. Swimming or walking, the miles still count in my book! Here we go!
No comments:
Post a Comment