Captain's Log: Day 8

April 21

Another 4am morning. We passed Carolyn and Abby as they were getting up and then gradually passed everyone who had night-hiked past us in various states of waking up.

Carolyn and Abby caught us shortly before the road and we hiked the last few miles to the road together by water. All the cars were headed the wrong way so we walked to Paradise Valley Cafe. The place was already packed with hikers and we added our packs to line.

The topic of discussion for the meal was what to do about the fire closure on the next section. The options were to skip the 20 mile section entirely or to do a small section and then come down a very steep side trail to do the rest walking along the highway.

Trail purity lost and we were lucky enough to get a hitch up right away. Idyllwild itself was extremely hiker friendly. Lots of outfitters, cheap motels, and friendly people. We were even stopped a few times by people asking if we needed rides anywhere.

We ended up all splitting a room between the 5 of us at Silver Pines Lodge. They had an overflowing hiker box that we promptly raided as well as free laundry. After mailing some things home, making some calls, and picking up some essentials the 5 of settled down with some cold beers and fresh pizza. Over dinner Ostin received his trail name of Eeyore and Anthony was given Rickets, another Mike Birbiglia reference that fits his hypochondria (he doesn't know about the name yet).