7 May 2021
Zero Day in Kernville
No PCT Miles hiked!

I’m trying to get the hang of these zero days. I know I should be eating more to offset weight loss while on trail. Today I decided to start with a big breakfast, then snack all day in the room, then finish with a big dinner.

Lone Wolf and I headed over to the Cracked Egg Cafe a bit early, before they opened. We wandered around the main square and were very impressed with this sweet little town.

At the cafe we waited outside for a bit when a short elderly local man in a pickup drove up. He got out and asked us “Which side of the horse has the most hair?”

“The outside.”

Nice!

He told us about how low the river is this year and how horse tourism is going in town. He’s definitely lived here a while!

A bit later the cafe opened up and we headed in. Lone Wolf and I ordered the biggest plates we could.

Then I went to the market to get chapstick, a smart water bottle with a top for my sawyer squeeze, and snacks for the day. I also had a bottle of beer I got from the brewery last night.

I used the hotel pool to find a leak in my camp pillow and fixed it.

Then I finished binging Flight of the Conchords and played with the hotel kitty for a while.

I spent the afternoon contacting local trail angels to try and get a ride back to trail tomorrow but it’s a long way! We also put the word out with the hotel manager that we’d be willing to hire someone. I don’t think the hitch would be terrible, but I felt a little anxious about it and we were trying to find another way.

Then when we went to dinner for burgers, fries, and shakes at McNally’s, we struck up a conversation with two retired police officers sitting next to us.

They have helped other PCT hikers before, and they offered to give us a ride back to trail in the morning, asking only for gas money. Sweet! Thank you soooo much!

It will be great to get hiking again. I’m ready!

Today’s Hike-U:

Life Lessons
My anxiety
Is flowing away each day
As the trail provides