perfectly timed trail magic

Day 4 ~ Boulder Field Campsite to Scissors Crossing ~ miles 56 - 77.3
We got  a pretty early start today (6:10)....it's much more enjoyable hiking early before the heat of the day, so we're trying to get into an early waking routine.  Moonshine had terrible time sleeping, he was on a slope that caused him to slide into the tent edge.  Sometimes when it's the end of the day and you're tired, you just have to settle for a less than desirable campsite.
Oh yes, about that possible shower that we mentioned getting yesterday....yeah, that never happened.  So we are stinky, to put it kindly.  Our clothes are crusted and stiff with salty sweat and desert dust.  Hopefully we'll be able to shower at our next town stop in a couple of days .
The terrain today was a bit more difficult, with ups and downs and very little shade or water.   The scenery continues to be mindblowing, though, and we cannot wait to share pictures!!  The trail was also really rocky, which is rough on the tootsies.  I developed a new blister today but I think it's under control.  It seemed to be one of the hottest days yet.  We shared breaks with the crew of guys, who are fun,  and we hope to be hiking with them for awhile.

We had to carry a lot of water (4&5liters each--makes the packs soo heavy @ 2pounds/liter) from our lunch spot, because we weren't sure where the next water would be.   Some trail angels (trail enthusiasts that help out hikers) maintain water caches on the PCT: they stock certain locations in waterless stretches with jugs of water.  Such an awesome thing that these people do, but you can never depend on the caches to be stocked. Therefore, we carry enough water to not depend on the caches.  We planned to reach the potential water cache at Scissors Crossing, a highway underpass, by day's end. I  Finally, after lunch, on some pretty brutal terrain, we got some thick cloud cover along with a cool breeze....so nice!! Nearing our stopping point, I was dragging and my feet were so sore and I was getting pretty grumpy.  We arrived to find that the cache had a little water left,  several hikers, including our 4 friends, were gathered, and our first trail magic ( any form of generosity displayed by trail angels) -- a cooler of ice cold beers!  It's amazing how something so simple can totally change your attitude out here.  We sat down and each had a beer, hiked a bit away from the road to a campsite with a sweet view.  Looks like we've got a big climb first thing in the morning and several  waterless miles.  Oh well, life is good!

sideways, soapbox, pedi, and half and half at Scissors Crossing

campsite after scissors crossing