Not sure what came over me this morning but I started shuffling around 3:15am and was out hiking by 4. I slept pretty awesome inside my tent. It was super dark heading out and my headlamp needs new batteries. I had to go slow bc the unpaved road I was on was up and down so I couldn't see where to put my foot. These last few mornings, I've seen sooo many little bunnies and a few big jack rabbits. We had ten miles to Walker pass and then we hitch. Didn't see anyone the whole way except some SOBO guy in a kilt.

I arrived to Walker pass and saw Rusty hanging on the side of the road, no cars have driven by. It was around 930a and the sun was getting hot already. We took turns hitching but no luck. The only car that had pulled over was from Wyoming but they had three labs in their car and a baby. They only stopped to offer us water haha but we wished we could've fit in there. There was a white pick up parked over at the pass talking to another car so I went over and tried talking to them. They were NOT wanting to give us a ride even though the other car was totally heading in that direction. Hitching is definitely interesting. You get a glimpse of hope whenever a car drives by and then feel so rejected when it drives off. Most of the cars that drove by this morning probably thought we were homeless.

We were all starting to bake so I pulled out my umbrella for some shade and laid down. I had to jump up to stick out my thumb every time a car drove by. I was so tired. We thought of hitching from the ground but it probably didn't look inviting to drivers. After over an hour of waiting, a man named Adam finally pulls over. He had his bike and a bunch of stuff in the seats but wanted to make room for us. He was going to a training ride past lake Isabella. He offered us cold beer from his cooler Rusty squished in the trunk all cozy. GB and I squished into the front with Adam. It was definitely a tight squeeze and I didn't want to hit his stick shift with my leg so it was super crammed and my left side cramped up a little. It was also super sweaty, my butt was all soaked. I didn't realize how long the hitch as was even though it's 35 miles which is really around 45 minutes with all the windy roads. Adam shared about his life a little and told us all about the area we were driving through. He actually lives in ridgecrest. He wasn't technically going through lake Isabella but he ended up driving us there to the shell. What a nice man! We were SO thankful to be picked up bc we would've waited there for another four hours for the bus, just baking in that heat.

Lake Isabella! Always so good to see water in the desert.

We walked over to the coffee shop and got some cold drinks. We wanted to find some good food but had to walk a mile to Nelda's Diner. The town is a little spread out so it felt so far. We finally made it to the diner and we were soaked in sweat. It was HOT just walking around town. I walked into the restaurant and have never felt so dirty and smelly in public. I was sure they would refuse service to us. But it's a hiker friendly diner so it was ok. I ordered a ham and cheese club, side of potato salad and a mint chocolate shake. I was so sad I couldn't finish my shake. We sat in food coma before heading out. And now, it felt like a sauna outside. I called some places and figured out what my options about going to the doctor were. I would be covered if I went into a hospital through the ER. It's silly bc I'm just wondering if a bug bite is spider or tick but the redness is also starting to fade so it might be ok. I also texted Kyle Beel about it and he made me feel a little better. I thought I'd wait it out to see what it looks like tomorrow.

I went off on my own to do errands since I had to make a lot of different stops to find random things. I walked in the heat all around town but got all the things I needed. Yay. I bought my first Gatorade since I was so thirsty and felt like I was getting dehydrated. It was so sweet. I don't think I'd buy another one again. I also went to like five different places looking for the right pair of sunglasses. I ended up getting some at the dollar store that costed $6. I liked the shape of them but they have that super reflective silver coating. Oh well. I've been walking through that entire desert section with no shades so this is better than nothing. I finally met the boys at the grocery store and I bought some random things I was craving: a roast chicken and a bunch of fruit. The others got things to make salsa and salad for dinner. We had no clue what we were gonna make. The food was so random.

The precious mural grandpa Denis painted.

When we were done shopping, I called grandpa Denis and grandma Alice and they came and picked us up in their nice and clean Mazda suv. I felt bad sitting in it bc we were SO smelly. It was so great to finally meet them! They are so cute and old. They stopped by the lake Isabella motel so I could pick up my resupply and new trekking poles I ordered. The motel seemed pretty cool actually. The grandparents live in wofford heights which is on the other side of the lake. They drove us all the way up these hills and we had no idea where we were going! We finally got to their cute house and we were so happy to stay here. They have this little loft home on top of the hill in the desert with this really great patio and backyard. I walked in and saw this huge mural on the wall of all the grandkids' names! Adorable. Everything was so precious.

So many goodies!! I love getting care pkgs now haha.

We got to take showers and it was amazing to not feel sticky. And they let us to laundry in their nice FRONT LOADING washer! It's the little things. Grandpa Denis also let us wear his collection of tshirts and shorts. We were all matching. It was so funny/cute. We hung around chatting with them until dinner time and the boys made some salsa that was too spicy for me to eat. I wrote some postcards to my kids while talking to grandma Alice. We went outside on the deck to eat chips and salsa as it got cooler into the evening. The light was so nice and the views of the desert hills were so beautiful. What a wonderful place for them to retire!!

All of in grandpa Denis' tshirts and shorts. We love wearing cotton. GO HAWKS.

Then I got to FaceTime holly so she could see her grandparents! And Alex was there too! So happy to talk to these gals. We had so much to talk about, I hadn't seen them since we did nails together before I left! I went inside to talk and we ended up talking for over an hour. It was so fun. I need FaceTime everyone more. It was so great to see and talk to friends. I miss you ladies! So happy y'all have been getting out so much ! And hope they will come join me in Washington when I'm there. I ended up missing dinner so I took a few bites of my chicken and ate an apple. We got ready for bed and I had to do some organizing bc all stuff was exploded on the bed. I am so happy to be in a home right now. I told the grandparents they are basically trail Angels to us right now. Taking dirty hikers into their home and letting us clean up and sleep is amazing. We are so thankful to be here! My only fourth time sleeping on a bed. GB is on a blow up and Rusty on the ground. I feel bad but oh well. They made a nail appointment for me in the morning and I just need to go to the post office. Not much else is left to do so I'm excited for the zero. We're sleeping with all the windows open and can hear all the crickets.