Ziggy and The Bear

20 days into the hike we are at mile 210. We would be a lot further along if I had not gotten sick back in Julian, but that's all fine and well, we'll make up for it.

Even just being on the trail this past few weeks I can already see how this type of lifestyle can be addicting. I was aware beforehand, but now actually being on the trail your eyes get opened to this entire long distance hiker community of sorts. Almost a small town feel where everyone knows everyone from some other hike or other. You also realize very quickly that attempting a thru-hike does not make you extreme by any means. There are always people faster than you, have a lighter pack, and far more experienced. We met this one guy Ron or ''ipod'' who has triple crowned two times! That means he thru-hiked the Appalacian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail...TWICE. He has also done tons of other hikes all over the world. And there are tons of people like that on the trail. It's hard feeling like a ''newbie'' at first but 99.9% of the people we've met have been really nice! Which brings me to trail angels Ziggy and The Bear! Talk about nice people!...So yesterday was a ''Nero Day'' which means Michael and I were going to be doing nearly 0 miles. The day before we had almost come down 8,000 feet from the top of Mt. San Jacinto. We only had 9 miles to hike out before we came to trail angles Ziggy and the Bears house. PIECE OF CAKE. Well, it would have been if it wasn't 106+ degrees outside, and if we hadn't been walking in sand. Needless to say by the time we got to Ziggy's we were burning up! They immedietly had us sign in, took a picture for the PCT class yearbook they make, and had us sit down and relax for our epsom salt foot bath. Ziggy explained that dinner was at 6:30 for salad, and icecream and cake were to be served after...but only if we finished the salad! :) She had a few simple easy rules to follow while on there property, but other than that you are welcome to feel right at home and use there internet/computers, sift through hiker boxes, re-supply on food/fuel/misc (with a small donation), wash your clothes/self in the sink, use the port a potty, and relax in the three tents they have for the hikers in there backyard. I'm not sure if that seems like a lot to you, but let me tell you for a hiker that is everything.

It amazes me that these people do this out of the kindness of there hearts! They even moved from there house in Anza to Whitewater to be closer to the PCT! It really goes to show that there are still kind generous people out there and makes you want to be a better person as well.

We stayed the night at Ziggy's and are now currently waiting for hiker Monty to come pick us up. We arranged that we would take Monty's car up to Big Bear where Michael and I need to take a week off trail. His foot is still bothering him, we think it's a strained tendon so rather than hike and make it worse we're going to let it heal for a week and get back on trail from there :)

-Felecia

Sick on the trail

I've learned a few things the past couple days. One- don't ever order Itailian food on the West Coast if you are from the East Coast unless you want to be dissapointed. Two- the kindness of strangers is the greatest gift. And thirdly- DO NOT GET SICK ON THE TRAIL. You can say that three times! Ay dios mio.

It started on the trail Thursday. Coming out both ends and such. Like I mentioned in the previous post we got a ride to Julian from Scissors Crossing from Kevin "The Hawk". GREAT GUY. We figured my flu like symptoms would go away on there own so we'd just stay the night in Julian. Boy were we wrong. Everyday got worse for me. Fever, cold swets, lose of appetite, nausea/ vomiting, diahrea, headache/dizzyness and THE WORST intestinal cramping. Michael was the greatest in home doctor anyone could ask for,but it was apparent last night into this morning that I needed medical attention asap.

Kim and Damian, two employees of the Julian Lodge, GENEROUSLY offered us a ride to the hospital 40 MILES away! I couldn't believe it. After relentlessly calling the "24 hr taxi" with no answer they were a God send! (**if you ever looking for a place to stay in Julian try this place out! The employees and management go above and beyond for their customers in sooo many ways...especially for hikers!!)

The doctor took samples but we wont be sure of the results for about a week. Most likely it's Giardia or Crypto. Could have gotten either a million different ways. Bad water being the biggest offender for Giardia...but we'll never know for sure. I have the antibiotic and feel better already. He also gave me a smooth muscle relaxer for my intestinal cramping (which was my huggest issue...picture being stabbed in the stomach and you'll begin to get the picture)

As for Michael, he's starting to feel on the sick side. We're hoping it's from the lack of sleep and stress but we'll see. We can't get back on the trail until we know we are both well. Staying in Julian is getting far too expensive even with hiker discounts so we're going to try and find a trail angel and go that route. And then get back on the trail asap.All these shenanigans have made for a laughable streak of bad luck...but we are trying our best to stay optimistic.
Could definitely use your encouragement!

-Felecia

Mile 0-77.6

I feel like I am in some sort of time warp. Days are not measured by work scedules or school, but by milage and water sources. At the kick off party @ Lake Morena we had a water briefing with some Pacific Crest Trail Association members. Although we will not need to worry about snow this year (the sierra nevadas only got 30 something % if its average snowfall...it makes it a really rough first 700 miles of desert. Theres not much snow run off, river beds and streams that were once reliable are now bone dry. It definitely makes for an interesting hike knowing you may not get a chance to re up on water for 30 miles. And let me tell you water is HEAVY! It's a completely different way of life out here. So much of it has still yet to sink in.

A week ago today we started the trail. It feels like forever ago already. Partially because the landscape out here is like nothing we have ever seen before. One second you're on a ridge of a mountain with panoramic views of other 6,000-12,000 ft mountains, and and the next thing you know your coming into pine grove valley, and just when you think you're completely off the mountain youre right back to hiking back up it- except this time over red clay at your feet and cactus and aloe plants surrounding you.

Everyone was right when they said you can't think of it as "Mexico to Canada" everyday. WAY TOO DAUNTING. Right now we are in a small touristy town by the name of Julian somewhere in the Anza-borrego desert. Getting much needed rest. Yesterday and today have been rough on me...I think I got a 24 hr stomach bug or something. That coupled with 90 degree heat...it just wasn't safe or smart staying out in the desert today. After a failed 45 mins of trying to get a hitch we had given up. Michael got to close for comfort with a rattlesnake and then out if nowhere a car pulls over. It was Kevin...he had just gotten off the trail to attend his daughters graduation. Real nice guy. He drove us to Julian and we all got free lunch at Moms Pies just for being hikers! So nice!

Mount Laguna

We made it to Mt Laguna yesterday, and are taking a 0 today. The hikewas beautiful!  We saw another rattler, a deer in the middle of nowhere and the lizzards were everywhere!  There were a couple of water sources along the way which was nice, so we didnt have to carry much. 
Tomorrow we want to be on trail at 5:30am so we have plenty of time to do the 33 miles in 2 days to get to Julian.  Everything is beautiful and so different.  The internet connection here is a little weak, but we will try to upload some photos by the end of the day. 
Mike