B & M on the PCT: Mile 1,978.5

Last night has to rank as one of the worst nights on trail so far. Here's why. We set up camp later than normal because we wanted to be near water to cook and drink. So about 8 pm we set up and just then a storm blows in. First the dark clouds, them the high winds, and next the heavy rain. No big deal, we are set up already and dry inside the tent. We went to sleep and I woke around 11pm to very gusty winds. Here's the problem, we were set up in a sandy site and the whipping winds blew huge amounts of sand into the tent and all over us and our gear. I was so mad that this was happening, I finally convinced Balance to pack up and move our tent to a grassy spot only a short distance away. I didn't want any more sand to come into our tent. At around midnight, with our headlamps and the storm still brewing, we moved camp to the grass. Balance was not happy to move but I just could deal with another half night of blowing sand. It was horrible moving, but once we did it was far better and we could finally sleep.

After spending time this morning cleaning the tent and our gear, we hiked into massive lava fields. Sounds cool, but they are very hard on your feet and ankles. These lava fields can be a mile or many miles long.

Halfway into today's hike we came across "Granny", a trail angel who is doing trail magic. We got cold drinks and a few snacks. Granny even had cream and band aids for my infected big toe. I developed a sore on the top of my right big toe and it looks infected. So it was wonderful that Grandma was able to fix me up and start the healing. Thank you Granny.

Just after leaving Granny's trail magic, Balance and I had to walk the road back to the trail. As we went by a group of bicyclists by the side of the road a guy yelled out " would you like kale salad"? He was working for a touring company and all his clients had eaten. Of course we would. So we ate. The man just kept coming with more for us to eat and drink. It was incredible, and we are always hungry. That was some amazing kale salad.

Then back to more exposed and very hot lava fields, and climbing to boot.

We set up camp, but yet another problem. The zippers to our tent are broken. Neither of the doors will zip shut. That's a major problem because we are getting bitten by mosquitoes all night. We can't seem to fix the zippers so we may have to get a new tent. Our safe heaven is no more. It's always something out here.