an unplanned zero

Day 16 ~ zero day in Big Bear

Another day off!?!  It wasn't in the plan, but we love being able to just go with the flow.  We were supposed to have a day off in the next town, but realized there are really no inexpensive places to stay, and no laundry service either.  Plus, all of our friends are doing it too (the 4 guys  plus Joker and Kelsey...we'll call them the cabin crew).  We accomplished all of our normal town chores: shower, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping.  Other than that, we ate a lot of food, laughed a lot, and played a little ping pong. 'Twas a good day of rest.

birthday in big bear

Day 15 ~ miles 248ish - 266

It's my birthday and I don't feel like writing in paragraph form, so I'm not going to.

~ I'm 29 years young today :D
~A couple of well timed instances of trail magic today: a huge couch in the middle of the woods right next to a tool box full of sodas and cookies, and another trailside soda later. 
~Moonshine got me the best birthday gift ever!  A silver PCT pendant, handmade by a very talented and wonderful lady (love and miss you, Sara!)
~We hiked a pretty quick and easy 18 miles to the road, where we caught a ride with a crazy lady and her 2 young friends all smoking cigarettes in the car...I guess it was good entertainment? not really what we were looking for, but we made it safely into town.
~We spent the night in Big Bear Lake at the hostel, in a bunk room with the 4 guys.  We went out for pizza and beers and had a great time. 
~I randomly found this plastic "happy birthday" cupcake decoration in the mulch by the sidewalk in Big Bear Lake....weird!

A most excellent birthday, indeed!