Hello Everyone,

Tonight I am laying on a bed at the Big Pine Motel, in beautiful downtown Big Pine, sending you an update on my trek, day 19, Tuesday, April 29.

I trekked 13.69 miles to Big Pine in about 5 hours and 30 minutes today. I got to Big Pine fairly early and was going to continue after lunch and a rest. I went to the market and got some fruit and a quart of orange juice for a little energy and laid down on a bench after eating. The next thing I know, more than an hour had gone by and I was questioning if I could find a spot to camp as it was getting late. This hotel sure looked cozy, and a hot bath always feels good, so here I am, at the Big Pine Hotel.

I had a good night’s sleep at Taboose Creek last night, especially with the sound of the creek. As I mentioned, I also picked it because it appeared well sheltered from the wind, and I was wrong. No sooner had I finished my update last night and the wind started. I was surprised how hard it was blowing even though the site was surrounded by trees. I have had so many nights with the high wind, that I just turned off the overhead light so I wouldn’t see the light swaying. I was so tired I just went to sleep after reading a little and didn’t worry about it. In the morning the wind had calmed down and I did find that four of the eight tent stakes were pulled out of the ground.

It was about 50 degrees this morning and the wind had calmed down. But, as soon as I started my trek the wind picked up again. I started out with an uphill grade for about three miles, walking directly into 15-20 mph winds, with gusts up 30 mph. The only saving grace was that it was cool. Luckily the winds died down after about three hours, but it takes it out of you. I think that’s why I may have dozed on the bench.

After the winds died down, I found myself enjoying the scenery more. I found a very interesting highway marker that I have never noticed and one that I would never have seen going by in a car at 70 mph. Most of 395 has been widened to four lanes over the past ten years or so. I still see remnants of the two lane highway and always refer to it as the old road. But apparently it’s not the real old road. There are still remnants of an old and original concert one lane highway that was first started in 1920. It’s surprisingly much like the Old Ridge Route that I traveled at the start of my trek. It was built by day laborers, who didn’t work in the heat or cold, and therefore it took about five years to build. It was only eight feet wide and had turnouts so one car could pull over to allow another to pass. It’s a pretty cool marker as it also states what the salaries were for the various construction workers. The carpenters made the most at $7 a day. Laborers, $4 a day. Wow, what a find for me! Pretty cool!

One of the things that I don’t like about noticing the things around me are the pee bottles. Oh yes, I still see them out here by the ton. I still can’t comprehend them? I would think that people driving the highway out here are the ones that are here for the nature, scenery, camping, fishing, hunting, etc., etc. People who enjoy the outdoors. So why would those same people throw disgusting waste and litter out of their cars and ruin the environment? And besides, there are plenty of open spaces and bushes out here. I should know. However, if you are caught in very high winds, then you might have a good reason to use one. Just dispose of it in the proper place.

I have met so many nice people on my trek and the lady that manages this motel is one of them. Earlier today I checked out the room and told her I was going to get something to drink at the store. When I came back and checked in, she asked me if I got the drink I wanted. I told her no. She then asked what it was that I wanted? After I came back from dinner tonight I found two bottles of the drink on a chair in front of my door. Apparently she had gone to Bishop for shopping and bought it for me. I had to go to the office and thank her. And then she told me to go back to my room and put two pillows under my feet to elevate and rest them. I told her thank you mom, and she laughed.

Bishop is about 15 miles away and I should make it tomorrow. So long as I don’t have any buts? I had originally planned to get a motel there, and not here, since it will allow me a good rest before starting the steep climb up the Sherman Summit, which is around 7,500′. It will probably be my hardest climb. I am debating which way to go. Either straight up 395, which will be a tough climb, or by Swall Meadows, which is on a two lane road with lots of switchbacks and therefore longer. Either one will be challenging. I will have to think about it.

Hope to update you tomorrow.

Best wishes to all, and please keep sending me your good thoughts, blessings, and prayers,

Ted

Next Post: Day 20