Homeward Bound - Sunday, July 6

I woke at 4:30 this morning, called awake by an expanded bladder, as is my usual routine. However, instead of just ascending to my knees and peeing from my Tyvek I rose and staggered into the Tahoe beach front house to leave my offering in the toilet so as not to despoil the Tahoe beach I was sleeping upon. I returned to my "bed" fully intent on sleeping more, but the beauty of the morning had taken away my will to sleep. The first light was illuminating the lake, dead calm and glassy smooth. I set up my iPhone on its tripod and launched my time lapse photography app to try to capture the dawning of the day. I set it to take a photo every 15 seconds and then lay back down to enjoy the morning, quite sure the battery in my abused phone would die long before the sun rose to complete my video. I tried to sleep more, but in vain. The uniqueness of the place and moment beckoned me awake, so I gave in and enjoyed the dawning of the day.

The rest of the household began stirring about 8 and soon we were on the back side of the house enjoying tea and coffee in the morning sun. The families take turns cooking meals, creating a little competition to outdo each other, so this morning was fresh fruit, yogurt and eggs Benedict, all wonderfully prepared and served on the deck facing the lake.

I stayed and enjoyed the company until about 10, but then felt it was time to leave and let the owners and their guests enjoy their last hours at this wonderful place before they too had to go back to their Bay Area homes. I packed up and made the rounds saying goodbye, but before I could go a group picture was to be had, a tradition of this house. We gathered on the sunny side of the house on the back deck for our photo shoot. This made it easier to leave, as the whole group was gathered and one goodbye could apply to all.

I walked the mile or so to Harrah's Casino just over state line on the Nevada side and purchased my bus ticket for the hour ride to the Reno airport. While waiting the 2 hours for the bus I called the Sands Regency Casino in Reno and secured a room for $27.50 a night, the rumored price we had heard from hikers on the PCT. I chatted with other folks waiting for the bus before boarding.

At the Reno Airport I caught the hotel airport shuttle to the Sands, then stood in line with my backpack on at the front desk waiting to register for my room. That accomplished, the elevator whisked me to the 11th floor where I entered the room, dropped my pack and collapsed on one of the two queen beds.

I had been dreaming of this moment for the last 5 days. Alone in a room with no trail or tasks before me, I just wanted to be a total vegetable. And my body needed it. I had hiked over 303 miles in the past 14 days through the heart of the Sierra and I was pooped.

There is not much else to tell about today. I watched movies on Netflix on my iPad until about 9, went down to the gift shop for a granola bar and a Diet Pepsi and was asleep by 10. It felt good to just lie prostrate on the bed, very tired and relaxed. No miles to conquer, no rides to hitch, no people to meet or greet, no camp to set up, no meals to cook.

The previous two days had come together to create a grand finish; 26 miles on the 4th of July ending in an exquisite campsite and last night's evening on the Tahoe beach with great food, new friends and incredible sunset. Life is good.