I didn’t really have much of a plan for today. The day before took more out of me than expected, and I knew there was another fire closure ahead and circumnavigating it cut 10 miles out of the hike, which meant I could take an easier day. I stopped for breakfast and coffee at a diner in the morning (man, I miss daily coffee). 

Then it was off on the road walk. It wasn’t as hot today, but I finally executed my idea I’d been thinking about for a few days: cutting the sleeves off my long-sleeve shirt. 

I’m sitting there on the side of the road cutting my sleeves when a man who lived shortly down the road walked up with his two pups and introduced himself. He proceeded to walk with me for awhile. He’d lost his house in the 2020 fire that caused the closure. It was interesting to meet someone so closely impacted by the fires. 

My next stop is Hikertown, which is worth a google if you’re bored ([this is a good synopsis]. The description is close to spot on. Even the hiking app (Guthook) I use to navigate has this to say, “an unusual place to stay along the trail”. I couldn’t miss it, and ultimately decided to stay the night here. They were very hospitable, and cooked a dinner of ribs, corn, salad, and fresh baked flan for the 6 hikers staying. 

Miles: 23.6

Total Miles: 732