We have the hotel breakfast since it’s included, and return to the room so I can publish another day. We leave the room at 9 and spend some time with Lyric at the Acton KOA (now the LA RV Resort). We walk around to justify the comment scrolling we both got caught in and judge this place for ourselves. We are also meeting Captain Underpants for burgers, so we were scoping out a good spot.

Lyric is camped between two picnic tables in the shade and fighting off bugs. The trail is at the other end, and the laundry is in between. We try sitting closer to the office, but the trash cans are too smelly. We drive to the trailhead and I walk up the hills to take in the views, but no sign of our tramily in the desert. Trailer Park will see us slowly drive away as we return to the office to relax in their entertainment room.

Trailer Park was able to reserve a cabin for $65 online, but the woman is now telling him it will be $300, and they will waive his refundable deposit. He calls his friend and lets him know there has been a change in plans. We pick up Gert after noon, and Rachel is half an hour behind him. The supposedly hiker-friendly resort charges $5 for an unpriced Gatorade, like the rest of their options, whereas we give our drinks for free.

We go back to the hotel so Gert can get a bath in his room, and we let the other two shower in ours before they return to the resort with drinks and fast food burgers for other hikers. While they are gone, we take Gert to Sen Noodle House. The guy behind the register asks if this is our first time in, and I tell him, “For today, it is.” The guy from yesterday chuckles and welcomes us back.

We eat our fill of garlic and chilli oil and then have shopping to do. Caleb will get Freon and a little orange air freshener for the car. Gert and I will walk over to the grocery store, and I’m able to exchange some coins for laundry and shower quarters. We will meet up with the others at Captain Underpants’ place in Valley Village.

We find close parking, and he and Trailer Park are outside to greet us. Inside, we meet his girlfriend and Nightcap. Captain Underpants makes us all burgers, two at a time, on his hibachi grill on his patio while various people join to smoke other things. We are offered a box of chips to choose from and a cooler of drinks.

Rachel is napping on the chaise, and Ravi is fresh out of the shower. They are getting their laundry done while they borrow clothes, and are plied with Liquid IV. Apparently, Ravi looked like a hot mess when they picked him up after 2pm. Once everyone is back from the store for meat, beer, cake, and cookies, we can start to watch Mile 666, a homemade horror film about the AT.

It’s nice to talk about editing and have an idea of the work that goes into it. The start of the film is interesting, and I have questions, but at 8pm, Gert is ready to go and deal with his blisters before bed. The couple has a nice place, and the delivery service from kitchen to couch was above par. We admire the painted portrait of Anita Hill on their mantle and the large piece done by the girlfriend’s dad, and say goodnight.