Rachel is up and on her way to hike to McDonald’s at 5am, road-walking included, when a car alarm wakes me. Trailer Park is on the phone and Gert is sleeping in. Caleb has coffee, and Ravi is looking for one gaiter he lost (part of the set Caleb sold him at Serrano) and is still wondering what happened to his knife, necklace, and spoon.

He’ll ask who’s hiking with him and Gert tells him Rachel left three hours ago. He finishes packing up after us and leaves 15 minutes later. We’re not in a rush because we are going to meet Rachel and the guys are going to get some more miles with her before a night in Wrightwood at an Airbnb (not one of the listed ones in the hardware store that cost twice as much).

We get to McDonald’s about half an hour before Rachel’s arrival, who wants to wait for lunch before they go. We have to witness a Karen yelling for the manager about wanting breakfast (after they stopped serving it) and then something about her drink cup. She was very obnoxious and the staff handled the situation well.

Gert tells me that his wife is enjoying reading my blog and that she tells him that I take better pictures. Caleb says it’s because I post photos of him, not just lizards and trees. Troll is there again today and has made a long-haired friend. It’s fun to play hiker or homeless and this trail is a great place to be both.

We return to the hardware store to weigh our bags, mine is 28 pounds with maybe a day of food, and no bear can. We order drinks – strawberry lemonade and raspberry tea and sit outside at Grizzly Cafe so I can get some writing done. Caleb is picking up the group from Swarthout Canyon Rd. and will be gone for over an hour as he gives another hiker a ride.

Gert shared his position but not that they stopped for water. Caleb will drop them off at a shady spot in the park and return for me. We get free refills and I appreciate the generosity towards thru-hikers. We wait 20 minutes at the skate park while watching a dad with pins and stitches in his leg fall down in front of his three kids.

One of his daughters trips into the packs and apologizes. I let her know that she’ll do more damage to herself than to these rugged sacks that we’ve already put through so much, such as throwing one down and sitting on it, because bringing a sit pad and getting it out is more work. I’m glad we waited to check in as I was sure there’d be a camera.

The place is cozy and the amenities amazing – heated toilet seat, white noise machine, extra blankets, air already on, tea options, and plenty of sitting and sleep spots. I will start laundry as soon as Gert, the last to shower, tosses his dirty clothes out. I have my sandals on to go outside and the washing machine is the dirtiest thing about this place, but it comes with soap.

The first load is done about 45 minutes later, but it seems dirtier than when it went in, so I wash it again and accidentally hit the 15-minute soak with the 2nd spin option, so it will be a while before I can start the second load. Conveniently, we all have different colors and designs on our clothes, except for Caleb and Rachel’s socks – both Injinji and both with holes.

Rachel and Trailer Park walk to the store so that they can make Dino Nugs, mac-n-cheese, and mixed vegetables for the tramily dinner after calling me and asking if we would eat it… not sure if asking permission or wondering about allergies. I help wash some dishes and remind Ravi to clean his. I’ll start the second load of laundry and enjoy baked s’mores while watching The Barkley Marathons.

Trailer Park and Rachel retire to the bunk beds upstairs with their phones and Ravi has his wet laundry on the dusty table outside after turning the washing machine off to unlock the lid. I lock the doors at 9, find Ravi’s bracelet in the shower and put it on the bar, and climb into bed after Ravi goes upstairs to cowboy camp so Gert can set up the pull-out in the living room.