Day 90 - Drakesbad

Some days on the trail are just so good that you can barely believe that it all happened. I'm happy to report that today was one of those days. For starters, I started out with a big cinnamon roll for breakfast. Then we (Todd, Travis, D-Wreck, BooBoo and I) headed back to the trail courtesy of Magic Man before he headed back up to Washington. At the trailhead we were trying to get motivated to get going when Bert showed up. He's a hiker from Belgium who left Campo on June 11! That means he got on the trail over a month after I did! Soon after he arrived, we hit the trail...finally. Thankfully, the terrain was flat, so it was easy on my feet and allowed us to get back into rhythm...or at least it allowed me to!

I had heard that the owners of the Drakesbad Ranch were super hiker-friendly so was planning to get there for the night, as was everyone else in the group. After 18 or so miles, which has become an easy day, we arrived and were not disappointed!

First, we were directed down to the pool house where we could shower before taking a dip in the pool which was warmed to 97 degrees by a natural hot spring. Then we headed up to the lodge for dinner at 6:30. Pork loin, saffron rice, caramelized apples, endless salad, endless bread, and candied carrots were heaped in front of us! The chef even cooked up an extra rack of lamb for us that he had on hand! Then that was followed by strawberry shortcake and coffee. Then we went back to the pool and soaked for another hour or so. Oh, I forgot to mention that all of this (except food, which is 50% off) was free.

Tomorrow the plan is to get up, pack, hit the pool for another soak, and be ready for breakfast by 7:30. After breakfast we've got a steep climb and then it is more-or-less level or downhill the rest of the day into Old Station, 23.5 miles away. There, the Heitmans are the local trail angels and are already expecting us.

This section of the trail has positively been a pleasant surprise thus far!