Daily Miles – 14
Woke relatively early and enjoyed the light coming up over Lake Virginia from my perch above.
Enjoyed the walk a lot today as I passed by several spots that I recognized – camp sites and breaks spots from previous trips through the area. Purple Lake, most notably – where our friend Qball caught a pile of trout in 2012 and we had fish tacos.
The last few miles to Red’s go through a section of forest that is pretty destroyed. There had been a fire previous to 2012 and then that winter a massive windstorm brought down tons of trees. It will take a long time (probably decades) for that area to look ‘normal’ again.
At Red’s, I got my resupply box and hung out with Sierra High Route hikers, Endless and QB. We chatted for a solid hour and a half until Steve and Lisa came. It was great to meet and hangout with Endless and QB. We have hiked a lot of the same trails.
Leaving Red’s, Steve and Lisa brought me to their beautiful condo down in Mammoth where I showered and got laundry done. We had a great time catching up at their place and at Giovannis Pizza where we had dinner. Sweet Pea and I were in Peace Corps Moldova with Steve and Lisa and it was fun to hear more about their experience and work there.
I also got a good look at my eye that has continued to be swollen. Lisa had one of those magnified mirrors. It pretty much looks like I have a pimple on the inside of the eye lid. Didn’t know that was even possible. Well, hopefully it will start healing on its own.
The night ended with a late night phone call with Sweet Pea, the first we have had while I have been in the JMT. It was great to hear her voice and finalize some post hike plans.
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