Day 48, zero week

Sunday, June 9, 2013
Layover between Legs 7 & 8: Kennedy Meadows, California
Overnighting: Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley, California

What every PCT hiker needs -- a zero week in San Francisco!

Sunday the B9 crew met at the cabin in Forestville for lunch: brauts, brews, cards, and many laughs.  After lunch Dufresne headed back to San Francisco with Beezy, Andy, and Nichole.  

Red remained at the cabin with Nat, Dru, and Becca, and they spent the afternoon near the water -- Red floated the Russian River with Nat while Becca and Dru read books on the river bank.

Sunday evening Flanagan and Becca returned to the city to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary.  The celebration was a few weeks earlier than the July 26th anniversary, but Becca wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to see Andrew!

Day 47, zero week

Saturday, June 8, 2013
Layover between Legs 7 & 8: Kennedy Meadows, California
Overnighting: Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley, California

What every PCT hiker needs -- a zero week in San Francisco!

Saturday was spent in Sonoma Valley celebrating the union of Akiko Fujii and Chris Wheeler.  Many congratulations on their splendid wedding festivities! 

Poolside after the wedding: Nat, Dru, Mathes, Flanagan & Becca

Dru is the genius that called bowties for B9 crew.  Glad I could help the boys and tie them up before the ceremony.

Red cleans up rather well . . . and enjoys the occasional mint julep

Looking good, Dufresne!

Day 17, mile 275 (zero day)

Thursday, May 9, 2013
Layover between Legs 3 and 4: Big Bear City, California
Overnighting: Van Dusen Creek
Milestone: first zero day

A "zero day" means there are no miles hiked on the trail.  There may be lots of walking -- to the grocery store, around the town, etc. -- but no progress on the trail.  "But what about the breaks in Warner Springs and Idyllwild?" you ask.  The previous stops were 24-26 hour breaks, without a true day off trail.  They hiked off trail one morning and put a few miles on the trail the following evening.

As mentioned in the May 8 post, this is the first leg the boys are buying all their food for the next leg.  No pre-packed-with-love meals for this week!  Let's see if they miss the just-add-water meals or if they prefer purchasing food at grocery stores (when a grocery store is available).

They are getting a ride back to the trail head about 5:00pm tonight.  No miles today, just making camp so they can get an early start tomorrow.  Their other option was a ride to the trailhead at about 9:00am, but that would keep them from getting two hours on trail in the cool morning air.