It still feels like early spring here eventhough southern CA was in full blooming spring. It's like we are going backwards in time. We may not experience summer until August. DG and TC have never been in the Sierra at this time of year so the experience is totally new- the ability to walk through snow covered mountains on a path that is visible (most of the time) and still connected to Canada. We went over Forrester in the early morning when the conditions were perfect- hard snow pack not ice. By late morning the snow began to melt and we sank into it a few times. People coming over it in the afternoon had a rough time.We heard rumors about one hiker slipping on Whitney and having to self arrest. Another PCT hiker slipped and lost his/her pack down a steep slope either on Forrester or Whitney We lucked out and made it without hardship or injury. That night we camped near Bullfrog Lake and woke up to a 23 degree frozen water bottle morning. We were over Kearsage by 10 am and had a ride down to the almost non-existent town of Independence (a Chevron gas station equipped with a Submarine sandwich shop, the courthouse motel and a lot of defunct buildings for sale). DG and TC stuck out their thumbs and got the quickest ride in their lives (less than a minute). A gentleman on his way to a memorial in Lee Vining stopped and took us to Bishop (50 miles away) where another Best Western awaited our hikers. DG and TC have joined the a BW Loyalty club. They're all about accumulating points toward free rooms. Good sheets, powerful showers, clean rooms, free breakfasts, and quiet.
The Sierra are lined up to the west of highway 395. They are close to us and DG feels their pull every time she looks at them. Being in town when the mountains are so close feels incongruous. They are waiting for her... With the patience of stone.
Most hikers go to the town of Lone Pine. It's closer but has fewer restaurants and a cheap hostel. DG and TC know people in Bishop but mainly DG wanted the Volkoren bread from Schatts Bakery and a greater variety of restaurants to choose from. There are also a lot more gear stores to browse through that invite you to change your mind about the equipment you have and entice you to buy equipment you don 't need.
The Nero day was identical to others we have had - showers, laundry, eating.
The zero day was a bit different in that TC received a final birthday shiatsu treatment from DG and DG received a treatment from Mary Devore ex-Santa Cruzian turned Bishopian. DG's left side was skewed awry and her right side was supple like tender chicken. This was the result of 700 plus miles walking with a knapsack mal-adjusted. She recently adjusted it and certain pains have disappeared while new ones have appeared. One thing she discovered : if she tightens her belt on or above her belly button digestive issues ensue - reflux, gastric cramping, bowel disturbances, impacted chi flow. This does not occur with everyone. She has inquired. Some people can hike with their belly buttons covered and pressurized but Inevitably farting must occur. Due to her gastric distress DG wears her pack belt closer to her hips and feels more like a cowgirl now, not so much like Gomer Pile. She cannot believe it took almost two months for this pathology to develop. There is only so much injury a system can sustain before symptoms appear. The body is patient and extremely forgiving but it has it's' limits. In the face lesson: overt symptoms equal long standing imbalance.
On our first zero day we organized our food for the next 7 day hike, shopped, tried on clothing, had creamy coffee drinks, had the body work thing and went to dinner at Tai and Mary's house ( big salad made from their garden. We went to bed after 10 pm; late considering our usual 7:30 to 8:00 sleep time.
One cool synchronistic thing that occurred to DG as she was absent mindedly crossing a street was meeting two different ex-Santa Cruzians ( Andy and Lisa Puhvel) as they were in their car waiting for her to cross. Just that morning DG and TC had discussed ways of connecting with these two people and presto, here they are...two self admitted reclusive hermits who only come into town once a week to pick up mail and purposely try to avoid contact with any towns people. A joyous reunion occurred as they all convened in room 214 of the BW and made plans for the future. One of their sons, Granite , patiently waited for the adults to finish their loud, excited chatter by running around the connected balconies of the BW. Synchronicity, what is that? The opposite of chaos and randomness. What do you want to see? DG thinks you can choose.
She is off to the pool. TC is taking a yoga class at Mary's beautiful studio. This afternoon TC & DG are having a hiking meeting at Schatts Bakery with Princess, Mr. sandals, and Gretchen Tomorrow, the girls are back on the trail. The mountains are waiting.
Lisa & Granite
Rarely seen Andy P.
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