Another Flat-Footed Adventure: July 10, 2012

Day 26
Lake Aloha
Desolation Wilderness
Elev: 8100
Miles: 8
Trip: 427

The vortex of town almost sucked us in today, but we were saved by a VW bus. We were both dragging our feet getting out of South Lake Tahoe - me updating my blog at the library, Andrew playing the slots at our hotel casino (he won $172!!), both of us eating lots of grease and dairy. We also had to re-visit our the grocery store to a add a day's worth of food to our already bursting packs. Turns out Sierra City is 25 miles further than we'd thought. Better to find out now than later - although I think we would have had enough food anyway. Neither of us has been skimping on the calories.

After the grocery store, we checked out a small outfitter store called Lake of the Sky, where the owner went above and beyond to welcome thru-hikers. He immediately offered us fruit, coffee, internet, and a chance to put our pictures on the wall (I've noticed that no one has trouble recognizing us as thru-hikers, even after we've showered. Maybe it's the grungy clothes?). I hope they get more PCT traffic and keep going strong. I did what I could by buying new socks and a stuff sack - exciting stuff.

We finally started hitching around 5pm, encouraged by the steady flow of traffic out of town. Although we got several waves and peace signs, we were at the roadside over 30 minutes without a ride (I realize that half an hour isn't a long time in hitch-hiking history, but we'd gotten used to almost instant pick-ups. Maybe it's the grungy clothes?). We started making semi-joking comments about staying another night, going for a swim and hanging out at the campground. But we both knew that another night would mean more money spent and more delays. The trail was calling us back. Still, we were about to cave when a VW bus pulled over, driven by an easy-going guy named Bob who said we were the fifth ride he'd given to PCT hikers that week. What a guy.

So we reached the trail at 5:45, Echo Lake by 6:30, Aloha Lake by 9pm - the latest we've ever made camp. Just before we dropped off the edge of sleep, I asked Andrew what his biggest challenge was so far. After thinking about his wording for a minute, he said it was traveling with another person. I know he's not used to waiting for someone on the trail, making every decision with someone else's input, taking another person's preferences into consideration. Really, considering the shift he's had to make, he's doing excellent in the patience department. I wish he'd lighten up on the race-to-Canada mentality, and meanwhile I need to push more for things I really want - like staying at a hiker-friendly motel (although he wouldn't have won big bucks at a dinky little motel...). My biggest challenge has been traveling with only one other person. Andrew can't be everything to me, he can't fill the roles of both boyfriend and girlfriend at the same time. I miss hanging out with friends in Helena, talking with less-local friends on the phone at any time of day; I even miss my parents. And Andrew and I are growing more alike every day - we even crushed our pop cans simultaneously when walking into town yesterday. Today when I left him to go to the library, I instantly felt unmoored and a little disoriented without his leadership. It was only for a moment, then I drew myself up straighter and got on the bus alone, just like a big girl.

Shaggy says:

Tahoe was a blast. Truly the best town stop yet in my opinion. We got a nice room at a casino, ate at an alright all you can eat buffet, shopped at a real grocery store, saw Moonrise Kingdom in the theatre, and today I won $173 in a slot machine. Only played $20, but in 10 minutes I had won, and walked away. It paid for the movie, dinner, hotel room, and my resupply for the next 7 days. Exciting, though I dont feel like I earned it!
   We left Tahoe late, didnt start hitching until after 5. We ate at a sub shop that had amazing bbq chicken and both of us had a beer. That seemed to make us less eager to hit the trail. We visited a great outfitter, Lake of the Sky. They treat PCT hikers really well. Gave us fruit, had a computer available for us, and gave us 10% off of everything. Very hiker friendly. Then we ate ice cream and started hitchhiking.
   It took about 30 minutes, and honestly we considered staying another night. But then I spotted a VW bus. I told Lauren that was our ride, and low and behold, they stopped for us. It was Bob, a guy who gives hikers rides regularly. Very friendly, he drove 5 miles out of his way for us.
   By 6 we were hiking, and beautiful hiking it was, Echo Lake is amazing. As much as I hate to get in to camp at 9, it was great walking around these lakes at dusk. Amazing sunset, easy walking. We are camped at Aloha Lakes in Desolation Wilderness. Got here late, and there are a lot of folks camped around here. We are close to some, hope we dont annoy them. Good to be back out, even though it doesnt feel so desolate. Its about 10 pm and I gotta sleep!