4/18/22: Day 3: 11.5 miles: (Cowboy camping under a tree w/ a view)

A solid night (last night, day 2). Left front flap and back flap open, no condensation on walls. Sides blew a lot in the wind. Will trouble shoot once I find rope.
Took time to care for feet. Sunny and already warming up a lot.

Approching Mt. Laguna the short shrubs turned to pine and I felt like I was in central Oregon and I got so happy!

Under a tree a few miles outside Mt. Laguna. (In Laguna) Got a Budweiser (32 oz), otter pop and Sour Cream & Onion Chips. FT’d Mom, Dad & Gran EB, Nick & Delaney, Taryn, Maize from Desert View picnic area.
-I got to feel the happiness of town food for the first time here. What pure bliss eating can bring for the hungry.

Resupply at General store and mailed some items home.
Mailed home:
-Autobiography of a yogi
-Hardcover notebook w/ blank pages
-Headband tie-dye
-White portable charger
-Long charging chord
-Tuna knife
-Clear New Hampton salad bowl

What’s the rush I ask? I’m here in the universe where I need to be.
Found a camping spot along the Desert Valley Ridge trail tucked into the trees. Gonna cowboy camp. First night as a cowboy!
-I fucking love cowboy camping.

Today I hiked 11.59 miles. From 36.1 -> 47.7
I made more friends after lunch. Ash (who may have been in the white Tesla) b/c I was at that shaded spot. Got caught dancing by Calum (pdx, scotland) and his hiking partner (shortcake) b/c I was so stoked on the desert view. I took a side trail to Foster’s point. They had a Mt. Guide on top. San Jacinto rising up far in the distance.

Dinner, Mac & Cheese (Annie’s) was delicious. Appetite was up, stayed on top of hydration.

As I’m making my dinner the girl from the rest stop and the one who I met while reading under the tree just outside Mt Laguna decides to camp in the same area as me. Her name was Ash. I was so happy to be having a real conversation, eating dinner with someone I knew. The journey through 3 days had been lonely, I saw a lot of people once.