This time on the trail is very different. It is not different from a hiking perspective but is very different from a journal perspective. I am having trouble finding computers to type the journals on and doing it from my phone is very problematic. In Europe, I carried an I-pad to type on but not an option when you are weighed down with water and food. So, I am just going to do a general update of the last few weeks and then add full reports as I can. I may try the local library tomorrow. Now for the update.

We are in the small town of Chester, Ca.  The first 2 1/2 weeks have been very interesting.  We started by hiking in the snow with very little trail to see, down to the small town of Sierra city where there was no cell service whatsoever. Then we hiked on to the small community of Bucks Lake where we encountered some unexpected trail magic. Arriving a day  earlier than expected,we planned on camping 3 1/2 miles from the town and when we got to that spot, there was a sign on the trail advertising shower,laundry,and a place to sleep, and I would pick you up on the road. Well that was too good to pass up so we called and they said they’d meet us in an hour and a half at the  trailhead. We boogied on down the trail and did 3 1/2 miles in exactly an hour and a half. We weren’t at the road for 10 seconds when Terry the trail angel pulled up in his car. It was a short 2 1/2 mile drive to their cabin where they showed us the set up. They have a beautiful cabin on 3 acres of forest and land and they had a hiker Hut set up with a washing machine, bathroom,shower, and other amenities that hikers might need.  Cold beer and sodas were available as well. We sat and talked to Terry and shortly there after Nancy pulled up with some other hikers they had taken to the lake to go for a swim. Reindeer and Parker who we met that morning in camp  were there as well as two girls, autumn and peg leg. The older Australian couple we met the day before were there as well. Before long dinner was being served. Pulled pork homemade coleslaw and vegetable salad with beans and corn and rolls.  Terry and Nancy provided an amazing experience of generosity. After dinner we sat by a campfire and told stories way past hiker midnight. Hiker midnight in the woods is about 730 for Carol and I and we were up till almost  Real midnight having a good time. Terry and Nancy had thick foam pads to put on their deck for us to sleep on and we curled in our sleeping bags under the stars for a cool evenings rest. The next day we were fed a wonderful homemade breakfast  and they made Carol and I stay for lunch even though we had reservations at an Inn up the road. We finally made it to Haskins Valley Inn at 2 o’clock and settled in our room for the night. From Buck Lake we hiked on to close to the town of Belden. We were probably only a mile away yet  five trail miles and 5000 foot descent followed by more 6 more Miles and a 2000 foot ascent. We hiked down to this small what I would call a hippie town and then started back up to try and beat the afternoon heat. We had Descended to the lowly elevation of 2200 feet.  We sweated our way up the hill till we finally hit a little bit of forest and made camp at 2 o’clock. We were exhausted from the heat and climb. From that point we worked our way towards Chester. This is where we are now. We got about 3 miles from Highway 36 to a creek where we had planned to camp and since we had cell phone service we decided to see if the hotel had a room for the Fourth of July night. They said they might have one available that they were expecting a possible cancellation.  They called us back an hour and a half later and we asked if they could pick us up at the trailhead in two hours. They said that was not a problem so we packed up and headed the 3.3 miles to the highway. We made it in record time and waited about a half hour for a ride. It was well worth it we were able to take a nice shower  and have a real meal that we did not have to cook. We decided we would just continue with the next two nights we have planned here and head back on the trail on the seventh. It also looks like Shannon who we met in Bucks Lake will be joining us for the next leg. So here are the stats for the trail. We have hiked over 207 miles so far on our journey.  Yes my feet hurt my legs hurt my back hurts and I’m sweating off the pounds. We have seen some amazing country and made some new friends. There will be more details as I can write them and fill up the days between the last journal entry And this one. In another day and a half when we leave we will be entering Lassen national Park.  From there we hit a small town of old station and have to hike the infamous hat Creek rim where there is no water for a 30 mile stretch. This will be interesting. That will get us to our next town stop of Burney California on July 12. We are just starting to get our trail legs and feeling stronger every day. Things are well and we are very content in our vagabond lifestyle.  However if I had won the Powerball I think I would’ve hired porters to carry me a nice mattress and a couple of steaks to grill out in the woods. That’s all for now happy trails to you all.   My last thought is society is moving way too fast we should all just slow down.

Navigator and  Pit Stop