quickest town stop in [our] history

Day 3 ~ miles 35.2 - 56
(campsite in boulder field)

We had a super campsite all to ourselves underneath a huge live oak tree last night.  We cruised into Mount Laguna at 9:00, right when the small and expensive general store opened.  We were able to stock up on the usual hiker food (ramen, rice and noodle sides, poptarts, etc.), and we got enough food for 4 days to carry us to Warner Springs.  Historically, we have always lingered in towns, catching up on trail gossip, relaxing, eating "real food".  This time we pretty much got our food and got outta town...we even resisted the temptation of "real" food and beverages...we were very surprised with ourselves.

At the store were 4 guys we've been hiking right behind since day 1...Quinoa and Pedi( who we named), and Julius and Dan. We have run into them at pretty much every break.  We had the pleasure of watching Julius (from Germany) earn his trail name.  After shopping, he was drinking something out of a carton...we all saw that it was half and half he was drinking ....he didn't know what it was!  Someone asked him, "Do you have a trail name?"...he replied no, and in unison, all the hikers exclaimed, "half and half!!!"  It was very amusing.

The hiking was relatively easy, with not much elevation loss or gain.  We hiked through a recent forest fire area that was covered with the new growth of wildflowers amongst the black skeletons of old burnt out trees.  We also skirted around mountains, literally on the edge, with sheer dropoffs to one side.  Step by step, I guess I am overcoming my fear of heights!  Heard my first rattlesnake rattle today, it was several feet off of the trail...we couldn't even see it, but the rattle was more than slightly startling!

We continued to break with the crew of 4 guys and also a newlywed couple out for a couple of weeks, "the honeymooners".  Quinoa has been battling a some knee pain.  We gave him an ace bandage  and I used my expert nurse skills to fix him up ( I usually keep my profession a secret on the trail)...he later reported a lot of improvement. 

Our blisters are status quo.

We found a campsite in a boulder field, and had it all to ourselves. 

We are feeling physically and mentally strong...onward!