Serendipity

Wednesday, May 7
Mile 239, San Bernardino National Forest

One of the coolest parts of being on this trail is how many different landscapes it covers in 20 miles. We started down in Whitewater valley this morning, with Smooth Operator pointing out tanagers and goldfinches for us in the willows that rustled in the wide, silty valley. The rain yesterday replenished the thirsty riverbeds and made for a beautiful, mellow morning of babbling stream and rolling clouds crowning the distant ridges we came from a couple days ago.

Tuneboost up high

This afternoon was hot and a little tough as we moved up the valley and Mission Creek petered out. Tuneboost and I traded music players for the afternoon, which made all the difference for me. We have the same ear and completely different sets of music, and I loved every song! I also chatted with another hiker called Just Tim, who's a doctor, which turned out to be pretty serendipitous. I've had this flemmy, deep-chest cough for over a week now that reminds me of the couple times I had pneumonia. Tim told me that if it wasn't gone by the time we reached Big Bear City in a couple days, then he would write me a prescription for some antibiotics. Seriously, serendipity!

Our forest grove sleep spot

Now I'm cuddled up all cozy in my tent, which has sat abandoned and unused at the bottom of my pack since day 2 of the trail. The rumor maybe snow tonight? We're high in a cloud forest, with huge ancient Jeffrey pine and redwoods watching over us and a nearby stream tumbling. Seeing bright stars out of my vestibule, so all is peace for now.