Monday, July 25, 2016

Day 80- Zero In South Lake Tahoe

July 21, 2016
South Lake Tahoe(1090) 0 Miles Hiked

I was really hoping to do nothing all day long, but that wasn't the case. I had a long list of town chores to complete and I didn't get much done yesterday. The only things marked off of my list were shower, laundry, and eating a ridiculous amount of food. I was able to sleep in a little and that was nice. Instead of going out for breakfast we took advantage of the kitchen at the hostel. Outro, Evac, and U-Turn cooked breakfast, while I started another load of laundry. Breakfast was magnificent. We had pancakes with fresh fruit and scrambled eggs. 

Once all of our laundry was done we went across the street to Heavenly Village to go shopping. Patagonia was having a sale, but there wasn't anything that I really needed. Everyone else went to catch the bus, I thought I had enough time to make it to Starbucks and still catch the bus. I was wrong. Instead of waiting for an hour for the next bus to arrive I split an Uber with Powder. We went back to the other side of town to go to Lake of the Sky Outfitter. They honor the Darn Tough warranty so I was able to get two new pairs of socks. I love Darn Tough. This will be my third and fourth new pair of socks. I used some of my birthday money to buy a new wool beanie. My old one doesn't quite cover my ears. When I get cold at night it is usually because my head is cold. Thanks Anthony, Lauren, and Parker. 

After the outfitter went walked across the street to KMart. I need some new running shorts, but I couldn't find anything that fit the bill. Our next stop was Starbucks. I was still tired from having a late night at the casino. I got a free latte coupon from Starbucks for my birthday so it didn't even cost me anything. Everyone was starting to get hungry again. I wanted something quick and cheap so we ended up at Taco Bell. I can't remember the last time I had Taco Bell. It was cheap, filling, and made my stomach hurt. Pretty much what I expected. 

Once we finished eating I split away from the rest of the group. I was staying at a motel on the south end of town and I wanted to get checked in. This is the first time that I've had a room to myself the entire trip and I was really looking forward to it. Once inside my room I was able to explode my pack everywhere. I didn't have to worry about my stuff getting mixed up with anyone else's. I sorted through my remaining food and made a shopping list. I didn't need much. I had gotten most of what I needed from the hiker box at the hostel. There was a discount grocery store across the street. I walked over to get the few items I needed. I was hoping it would be a quick stop, but I couldn't get the most important item on my list, Carnation Instant Breakfast, there. An older couple heard me asking for directions to another grocery store and they offered me a ride. It was very generous of them since they were really going that way and it saved me a five mile walk.

They dropped me off at Safeway and wished me luck on my hike. I was in and out of the store in just a few minutes. I wasn't sure how I was going to get back to my motel. The bus only runs once an hour and I had just missed it. I decided to try and hitch. I got a ride within the first minute. The gentleman who picked me up lectured me about hitchhiking. He didn't realize that I was a hiker, so I had to explain what I was doing. He couldn't believe that anyone would hike 2,660 miles for fun. As he was dropping me off at the motel he pledged to continue picking up hikers. He liked the idea of trail angeling. 

By the time my chores were done it was getting late. I decided to stay in for the evening. I was supposed to go back to the hostel to meet everyone for dinner, but I really just wanted to lay in bed and watch tv. That is exactly how I spent my evening. I had gotten a few beers and some snacks at the grocery store so I didn't have to go back out. 

It was exactly what I wanted to do all day. Even though I had to settle for just an evening of being lazy it was a great day. 

"Your children are the greatest gift God will give to you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God. Be a person in whom they can have faith. When you are old, nothing else you've done will have mattered as much."
- Lisa Wingate

5 comments:

  1. Aw the joy of the exploded pack laid out in your very own private room. Peace I tell ya!!

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  2. Sometimes being close to yourself is better than a spa visit for reviving. Good on ya for the gumption to take the solitude. Seems you're finding all and everything in S L T that you've worked so hard for these past weeks. Tear 'em up, Yoda.

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  3. Best quote yet - so true! Glad you had some alone down time before you continue your journey!!

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  4. Awesome quote. Solitude can revive you, sometimes. LY

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  5. Aw, you made a trail angel. Good work!

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