My body healed well overnight and my spirits were up. By noon I had completed the 13-14 mile downward stroll to the road crossing near Julian, CA.

The valley I woke up in reminded me of home.

An early bird was out hiking the trail
The valley smelled sweetly, I think it was the large bushes and not the hikers I was fast approaching

My future hitching buddies
We reached the road at about the same time and I shared some techniques on hitching as this was their first time.
Moments later our chariot arrived. Irene graciously welcomed us into her van and offered us cold cans of Pesi and watermelon. What an angel!!!

This vehicle transports water and treats to the trail on a regular basis. Thank you Irene!
She shared stories from the hiking season and communicated a loving care she feels for us hikers.

Traveling in style and with a/c!
Julian was a bustling little tourist town and one of the local eateries gave us free pie, ice cream and a drink. Thank you Mom's!

The staff were so kind and hospitable
And the pie was spectacular.

Strawberry rhubarb pie a la mode, I think they had my grandmother's recipe!
Julian looked like the set of an old western movie and this guy provided the soundtrack.

I hitched a ride back to the PCT with Pattern Seeker and Tarzan.

Pattern seeker's stove exploded a couple days ago and left him with no hair remaining on his face. He has a funny video of it that he shared and is still smiling.
Tarzan is sponsored by Moon Pies, no kidding!

Brand ambassador, also hiking in sandals.
I trekked on a couple of miles up the mountain and found a beautiful little spot tucked away in a fold of the mountain, where the moon and Orion watched over me as I slept.

The moon overlooking the PCT
80 miles hiked!
<3 Will
