Is This Heaven? - Friday, April 18

Is this heaven? No. It's the PCT. Today we hiked the most beautiful section of the PCT so far. We were on the trail at our usual time, although the weather was not the usual. We woke to Washington conditions. Dew. Low Clouds. Damp tent and contents. No glorious sunrise as we have seen the past 9 days, just a slow changing from dark to light as the sun rose behind clouds. About the time the sun was brightening the landscape we left the usual chaparral landscape and entered a meadow that must have been 3 miles wide and 5 miles long. The sun began to poke through the overcast as we traversed the trail through the short grass fields punctuated with granite rock formations. The highlight was the formation of rocks called Eagle Rock at mile 106. Descriptions do not do it justice. Take a look at the posted photos. Our destination for the day was the small resort town of Warner Springs and the Community Center. We arrived about 9:30, 8 miles from our start at Barrel Springs. Once again the Trail Magic was in full operation. They serve a large breakfast to PCTers for $5, have phone chargers, bottomless coffee, TV, Snacks, showers, toilets!, and laundry services. We ate breakfast, then talked with all the people we have met and hiked with over the past 9 days, then had lunch and talked some more. I walked the 1.2 miles to the Post Office to pick up our resupply. About 3:30 thunder rattled the windows. Dark clouds were boiling off to the SE. The lady running the Community Center came out and told all of us that we were not to camp out in the lawn with thunder threatening and ordered us all to sleep in the Community Center. So, it is 8:30 and we are having a massive slumber party in the community center. There are about 20 people camping outside, 7 inside. The proprietors left it in our care and went home. We can use the kitchen, sleep on the floor, eat snacks, etc. But mostly we laugh, tell stories and enjoy each other's company. Kit (now Horizon) and Back Up got here about 5:00. We acquired wine and cheese from Chad who made a trip to town, so we finally delivered on the promise of Wine and Cheese we made 5 days ago. Trail, scenery, community, freedom, kindness, support, friendship. The trail continues to amaze us all.