Day 27, mile 454

Sunday, May 19, 2013
Layover between Legs 5 & 6: Agua Dulce / Hiker's Heaven
Overnighting: with Caito (Flanagan) and Trail Angels (Mathes)

Came out at Agua Dulca earlier this afternoon as scheduled.  Trail angels again helping out boys.   This time, the angels house about four dozen hikers each night (max two nights) and rent a fifteen-person van to shuttle hikers into the REI in north Los Angeles. This REI happens to be the one that Caito, a longtime friend from college, manages.   Flanagan is staying in town with Caito tonight, while Mathes stays out at the trail angel home.   The plan is to return to the trail tomorrow (Thursday 5/20) afternoon for Leg 6.

Day 22, mile 370

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Layover between Legs 4 & 5: Wrightwood
Overnighting: O'Hare House (Flanagan relatives) in Claremont, California

Arrived in Wrightwood this today as scheduled.  Joan & Chris, wonderful extended family, brought the guys into town.  They are showed, feed, and relaxing in Joan & Chris's backyard.  They will return to the trail tomorrow (Wednesday 5/15) afternoon.  All is going well on the hike.


Will beautify this post and add photos when I return home next weekend.  For now, this "single for the summer" lady is on her way to the north shoe of Kauai to help count fish while working with an environmental group.

Lots of photos on Instagram

The adage that it takes a village is true in raising children and tracking our Andrews.  While Rebecca (Flanagan's girl) is tracking many of the logistics and manning this site, Karen (Mathes's girl) is posting all sorts of fun pictures she receives from Mathes.  She even made a special page just for our boys.  Check it out at http://instagram.com/pct2013.

As a sneak peak, here are some of the photos from Legs 1-3 on Instagram . . .

Flanagan chasing horses

Mathes self-portrait

Lovely boardwalk

Trail Markers

Flanagan in his element

One of many vista views

Day 16

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.

Day 16, mile 275

Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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).

 

 

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More pictures will be added in June!

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Day 15, mile 268

Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Leg 3: Idyllwild to Big Bear City, California
Overnighting: Doble Trail Camp

Amazing views from the rocks

Creative mile marker

Hail didn't damper spirits, but did require a bit more shelter on the lunch break today.

  

Oh, the things you'll see on trail.  

Trail love from trail angels: a recliner, cookies and flats of soda.

Cookies stored in coolers to keep the little critters at bay.

Day 14, mile 240

Monday, May 6, 2013
Leg 3: Idyllwild to Big Bear City, California
Overnighting: Mission Springs Trail Camp


A beautiful landscape from the trail.  No information is known on location beyond the approximate mile 240.