After an early evening to bed, I awoke to the sound of Eric leaving the house...it was so early in the morning! He was catching a really early flight out to California for the day on the Intel shuttle flight.
It was errand day, and I rode around town with Ashley. We went to two grocery stores; I made several food purchases for the trail for upcoming sections that will be mailed from Portland.
Phantom called from Mammoth! He and Happy and Badmoon and Whoop Ass took it pretty slow from VVR, fighting the snow as Nitro and Good To Go had also reported. They plan to take a zero day in Mammoth then continue on to Tuolomne Meadows. Phantom tried to talk me into meeting them at Tuolomne on Monday and hiking out Tuesday...I'm not sure the foot will be ready but I am tentatively thinking of trying to catch up with them at Tuolomne.
When Eric arrived from his busy day flying to/from California, we drove to McMenamins for a second visit. This time it was to meet some of Eric and Ashley's friends for drinks and dinner. The Czech contingent helped me get out of my otherwise doldrum type day by drinking lots of McMenamin beer! Misha ordered a beer sampler for me and then we had a couple pitchers of the Hammerhead Ale. Alena and Pavel had their newborn with them and he kept us entertained while we enjoyed the festive evening. Holly, Misha's wife, joined us for the dinner portion of the evening. I had a great time and it was helpful to get out of the house to enjoy fresh air dining and drinks.
The foot appears more swollen today than yesterday, most likely because I put on the shoe and walked with full pressure for the first time. It may be a setback but it is too early to tell. It did answer the question about being ready to return to the trail by next Tuesday...that appears VERY unlikely!
