Into central California 5/17

We are out of the flat desert but now we're climbing into some hot green hills. Today got up to 88 degrees. DG turned into a salt lick and T.C felt the top of her head to be on fire. The day started at the German  bakery for breakfast ( 6am). For the first time in her life DG had a pastry and a cup of coffee. Apparently she wasn't hungry enough for anything else. TC had a roasted pork and turkey panini heated up, Topo had a ham and cheese croissant. However, DG ordered a humungus sandwich to go and it took her all day on the trail to eat it. It probably weighed 2 pounds. The pastry was deliciously sinful and lasted her 3 hours. The ladies were driven to the trailhead by a retired NASA engineer who was now the only taxi in town. He called trail angels trail devils because they take his business away. He was good humored and we were glad to give him some business. He was extemely handsome. One of those people you never want to leave. 

     We started to climb and the wind was blasting us a to kingdom come. DG was giddy with delightful hysteria laughing into the gusts that were trying to blow her off the mountain. She was learning to ride the wind. The wind already knew how to ride her. TC was tearing up with gratitude.  She's loving the wind now because it keeps her cool and hating it wasn't getting her anywhere. When the two met at the summit they were almost crazed - laughing, crying, flying. Guess who they met hiking? The extortioner!! Honestly he was hiking with an oversized knapsack that was not fitted properly. DG said hello and immediately forgave him his cluelessness of the other day. Some people ARE  clueless. Bless him. He was out there trying to be a hiker and having a hell of a time. He was on his way down when we were going up. He had probably been hiking for awhile eventhough the summit was only a short distance. God bless that nutty man.

       The first few hours were in the 70's then we turned a corner and we were in the 80's. We had to carry about 10 pounds of water. When we left the hotel all three of our packs weighed 42 pounds. That did not include DG's sandwich. The weight was oppressive but we sprinkled star dust on our toes and before we knew it the packs were still heavy, like carrying a cement truck on our backs. What made it all worthwhile aside from that morning pastry were those amazing orange flowers that kept popping up around the most unlikely corners. They danced in those gale force winds. Just another day hanging out, standing tall in the wind. I've described them as poppies but they are some kind of lily. They only have three petals. They are so bright and strong one cannot ignore them. They must be loved.

Snake friend.

   TC chose to eat at a Japanese restaurant for her birthday dinner. Between them, DG and TC ordered 7 different dishes. Topo ordered two dishes. The waitress kept trying to place food in front of her but DG and TC claimed most of the dishes on the table. That might be a record number for those crazy food obsessed bubbies. TC was happy with the quality and taste. DG had froth coming out of her mouth. It could have been the seaweed salad that had fronds and such. Topo was mainly speechless.

We haven't left the wind farms, crazy lenticular clouds.