This morning’s activities began with a quick walk to downtown Idyllwild to The Kettle to see who was eating breakfast and leaving town. Basmat and Herd were getting a ride with Dave, a local who has been graciously shuttling hikers around town to help with the road walk situation getting around the snow on top of the Mt. San Jacinto area. I managed to get Dave’s cell phone number for further help later in the day. Debi (Ladyface) saw me on the sidewalk and came over. We caught up on our adventures since Warner Springs, and she walked with me up to the Tahquitz Inn to visit with Phantom and Good To Go. We made a group decision to do the road walk (highway) one way back into town and to check out of the motel. Debi invited us to stay at the Idyllwild Inn with Psycho, Grilled Cheese, Jessica, B.S., Jean Luc and herself for the night. We gratefully accepted, then checked out of the motel and walked with Debi through town to drop off our packs at the Idyllwild Inn. (Our 4th night in Idyllwild).
Then the three of us went to the Kettle for another round of their fantastic breakfasts (bacon, Swiss, and avocado omelet with a heaping side of fresh fruit…yummy). After breakfast I called Dave and he almost immediately came and picked up Phantom and me and drove us 8 miles out of town and dropped us at the Black Mtn. Road intersection. We walked the highway back to town (sans packs) and meanwhile our Good To Go compatriot ran the dang road one way, then walked all the way back. (Showoff!) It took two short hours to make it back to town. We spent the next couple of hours lounging about town, including buying some milkshakes, visiting the thrift store with Debi and Psycho, and the grocery store.
Next came the fun afternoon activities which included several games of team horseshoes with Grilled cheese, B.S., Psycho, Phantom, Good to Go and me. My record was 8-1, losing only when after throwing a ringer to win the game, B.S. topped my ringer with his own. We then switched to 3 on 3 volleyball where Phantom, Good To Go and I dominated 2 games over our bearded rivals (B.S., Grilled Cheese, Psycho). It was the Skinheads (the three of us, newly sheared) vs. the Bearded ones and we took the prize, all in great fun. Pizza for dinner was next, then several hours of cocktails and social time at the Idyllwild Inn party central (cabin #3). Tomorrow we finally leave town for good and have to hike a forest road (Black Mtn) 8 miles with a 2,500 climb just to get back to the PCT on the back side of Jacinto. We had a fantastic afernoon and evening with great trail buddies in Idyllwild.
Today’s weather: sunny and cool, approx. 65 high. Road miles: 7.7
