Stephanie's Trail Journal

July 5th

Beginning Point: Cow Camp Shelter
Ending Point: Dutch Haus B&B
Daily Mileage: 12.5 Miles
Total Miles: 808.3 Miles
Weather: Hot and humid

We were stuck in a late-day thunderstorm and were drenched from head to toe last night. Thus, we decided to forgo the tent-camping in favor of a dry shelter a few miles sooner than the camp. The interesting thing was around 10 or so, three highschool aged boys walked into camp and shined their flashlights on us to ask if we knew where to find dry firewood. They said they were camped up at Hog Camp Gap, a bald that was 2.5 miles away(!). They were kind of loud and didn't see any problems with shining their lights all over the place (or with raiding our camp of tinder, either).

The next day we set off around 8-ish and were a little disappointed that we didn't make it to the planned campsite - it had rope swings! Very cute camp. Another mile down the trail took us to a lovely bald - and the site of our partying nocturnal camp raiders, still fast asleep. They were camped right on the trail... and left their cooler of icy beer right out in the open... so, we helped ourselves to a beer apiece. I just want to say that I normally don't find this sort of thing to be appropriate, but somehow it seemed to be poetic justice... or maybe a form of trail magic. A half-mile down the trail we found a good rock for sitting and enjoying our pilfered pilsners. It was only 9:30, but it was the start of a good day.

We planned a trip to Montebello (don't blink or you'll miss the town!) for a maildrop and a hostel stay at the Dutch Haus which was only 12 miles but they took us forever. It seems that whenever we plan short days, we feel like we have all the time in the world to get there so we lolly-gag and goof off. We finally arrived at the road to Montebello - and then realized that we had another 2.5 miles to hike into town. Ugh, didn't plan on that. The road was steep and full of loose gravel that threatened to trip with every step!

We finally made our way to town - and just missed the post office by a few minutes! We were still a half mile from the Dutch Haus and were motivated only to go to the General Store for snacks and sodas. Fortunately, a quick call to the hostel secured us some space and a dinner as well as a ride. Earl and Lois, you guys rock!

The hostel stay was awesome - we were given bathrobes to wear while all our clothes were being washed. Lois cooked up an awesome fish dinner followed by key lime pie for dessert (all while wearing our robes - good thing we were the only guests!). The Dutch Haus is a B&B that offers special hiker rates, so we really lucked out. Each room had a tv and vcr, and they had a video library too, so after gorging ourselves we watched Finding Nemo.

This was better than any town visit or hotel stay, by far. Thanks Earl and Lois!

Stephanie

Posted by steph at July 12, 2004 02:42 PM