I barely slept last night. It was hot and so much was on my mind. I noticed if I go to bed thinking about too much, I get restless. I was mainly just thinking about how I was going to get to Shasta and figure out my day there. I woke to the other hikers packing up to head out. I took down my tent and organized my food on my ground sheet. I still think I carry too much food. I just don't get it. I'm just paranoid of running out I guess. Plus I just don't eat as much anymore like in the sierras. I break down my resupply box and make a hitching sign, hoping it'll get me a ride. I head out just before 8 to exit the campground and back to the on ramp of I5.

Maybe it was early Sunday morning but I felt hopeless in getting a ride. Maybe I need to be more patient but I don't know if I can wait around for hours. I know if I waited long enough, I would get picked up but the ER might also take forever. So I decided to call the Shasta shuttle and taxi service. Within 20 minutes, the lady comes and picks me up right away where I was sitting. Amazing. I should've just called earlier to get it. Sometimes those type of rides are worth the cost when you don't have all day to wait. I tell her some trail stories on the way and she drops me off at the ER in Shasta.

I walk in and there are a few others in front of me. It's a very small place. I have never been into an ER before. I'm sure this is way different than the normal city hospitals. There seems to be no privacy there. Everyone can hear why you are in. This one lady was in for a rash and another man was having an anxiety attack. I let the others go first since it seemed like their reason was more urgent. I talk to the nice nurses and she said lots of hikers come through the ER. She was also another concerned about me hiking solo. Finally, I check in and they take me to a room in the back separated by curtains. I got to lay on a bed for bit and charge my things right by my head. It was the best setup. They had a real scale that was accurate and finally weighed myself again but it was in kilograms. 65 kg. Feeling good.

The dr came in and he was very nice. He is a hiker and understood my situation. He had another nurse come in to assist as I took off my shorts to show my bare ass. Somewhat awkward but I don't even care anymore. Immediately, he says it's a skin tag and is benign. He said not to worry about it and can get back on trail no problem and I can put Vaseline on the chafing to keep it from drying and rubbing. Honestly, I was so relieved to hear it was not serious. I'm glad I got it checked out to have a piece of mind. Now I can continue with confidence.

I then walk into the main strip of town looking for an outfitter to buy a stake. I see one on the corner and go in. The guy working there told me they were hiker friendly and had a little corner for us to drop our packs off while we are in town. That was nice. It was getting close to lunch and I was getting hungry but wanted to go to the grocery store first. I only ate Pringles for breakfast. I got a few snacks and a deli sandwich to pack out. I also ended up getting potato salad, pesto pasta salad, macaroni salad, roast chicken, Apple and banana for lunch. I was hungry, can you tell? Honestly, food is whatever now. I don't even really crave town food anymore. Burgers are whatever. I usually just want pasta. I walked across the street and sat in the shade on the side of a building. It was nice. I kinda like secluding myself from the hiker crowds.

I then walk back to the outfitter and loiter for a long time, but I got to charge my things. I got to see Lavern and ranger. A bunch of 15-16 year olds came in to rent gear to climb Shasta. I was so jealous. They were part of a group called overland with two guides. So fun. I wished I could've done it as a kid. I asked them a bunch of questions and they were all so excited to climb yet didn't know much about what it would be like. I'm stoked for them. That feeling of the unknown is scary yet so satisfying after you finish it. It got a little hectic in there while they rented stuff so I decided to loiter down the street at the coffee shop. I should've went there earlier bc they had wifi and outlets close by. I ordered a yummy iced coconut cream mocha. I only got to stay for a small bit before they closed and I had to get back to the outfitter to get my pack. Everyone was closing at five.

Gb called me and I told him I would loiter at the Burger King since they are open later. I caught up on blogs and things in the nice bk. Fast food seems to be the best loitering places these days, believe it or not. Gb was stuck in traffic but he was driving the uhaul back from Oregon. He was at a family wedding over the weekend and driving back down today to pick up where he got off. We were able to sync up our schedules. We reunited at the bk and he dropped off his pack with me while he went and took back the uhaul and had walk two miles back into town. Life is rough without a car sometimes.

We then walk across the street to black bear diner. I order a Asian cabbage salad since the heavy things didn't seem appetizing at all. The salads are always so big so I never can finish. We catch up on the last 800 miles and it's getting late, still unsure of how we'll get back to the trail from Shasta. While I was packing up outside, a lady asks if I work for Yosemite and I told her I don't and am just a hiker. She then throws around the idea of giving us a ride to the trailhead but needs to check on her house guests at her cabin first. She comes back to pick us up and we're off to castle crags campground. Again, for me.

On the car ride over, she says "I know you guys can't pack out much but I wanted to give you a gift..." And she hands us a pamphlet with a bible coming out of a waterfall titled "The gospel of John." It was so weird to be on this side hearing what she was saying. She proceeded to tell us about heaven and after she finished, I told her I was already a believe and she quickly changed the subject haha. I think this way of evangelizing is a generational thing. It's a bit impersonal but whatever. We get to the campsite and she offers to pay for our site and also asked us how she could pray for us. She was super nice but a little much. If I wasn't already a believer, it would've scared me away. I had a discussion w gb on my thoughts with the woman but he took it well and though it was an interesting experience. We pitch in the dark and I need to pass out ASAP. Another late night.