Layover between Legs 3 and 4: Big Bear City, California
Overnighting: home of "Trail Angels" Papa Smurf and Mountain Mama
Milestone: 10% complete (5 months = 152 days)
This leg was completed ahead of schedule! They reached Big Bear City about 3:00pm. Tonight they are staying with "Trail Angels" -- PCT supporters that open their home to hikers. Our boys are sharing the home of Papa Smurf and Mountain Mama with their 20-ish year old son, two PCT through-hikers, and one PCT section hiker. Flanagan reports that the quaint accommodations aren't lavish for eight, but are a welcome change from the trail.
Thursday, May 9th is their first "zero day," meaning they are off trail all day. Thus far, every day has had a few miles on trail, either walking into the waypoint town or departing and getting 8-10 miles before making camp. They plan on taking an easy day around Big Bear City and buying supplies for the next leg. (Knowing Big Bear City was a major resupply point, we didn't pack and ship a cache box to this waypoint.) I'm hopeful that the boys can locate a wireless connection, which will allow them to upload photos from the first two weeks . . . and that means we can all see the sweeping vistas from the trail.
UPDATE: Mathes' girl, Karen, received many photos from the trip thus far and is sharing them on instagram (http://instagram.com/pct2013). Below is a photo of our boys in borrowed PJs while doing laundry at the Trail Angels' home. Glad to see somethings never change, such as Flanagan being an animal magnet (note the puppy is curled up on his lap).
=============== =============== ===============
More pictures will be added in June!
=============== =============== ===============
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI've uploaded some photos for Mathes. You can check it out at: http://instagram.com/pct2013. I sent you a PM on FB but I think it got filtered.
Will upload more during the week :)
-Karen