Mile 85 to Mile 109

With the troubles behind me, I packed up and left my perch high over the desert floor. Michael is now known as Doc among hikers because he cured me of my intestinal woes. The path hugged the ridgeline near the summit for all the early part of the day. The desert floor once again several thousand feet below. The future always certain as the view of the trail often stretched for several miles. Focus shifted from thoughts to present like a tennis match. Finally the path began to drop to the valley floor. Mile 100 passed by several times in the form of several landmarks.

Upon arrival on the valley floor people began looking for campsites, but the lure of cold beer and non-Asian foot in Warner Springs was too much for me and Doc. So we pushed on. The plains above Warner springs were cold, dry and longer than their miles indicated. They were also honeycombed with rodent holes.

A sign one mile before Warner Springs implied there were 1) no diners and 2) no beers. However, there were breakfasts. Delayed gratification is an art to master. We hit the brakes one mile short of the springs and cowboy camped next to a river shaded by oaks. And dreamed of pancakes to come.

Good night, Fumiko.

Steve Halteman
On the Pacific Crest Trail
Warner Springs, California
May 7th, 2013
Hiking the PCT for the Kids of Escuela Verde

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