September 1, 2016
Day 15
14.1 miles / 196.7 total
Steps: 42,311
Mammoth City - Best Western Hotel
Days without shower 0
I got up today about 6:30, made my coffee and breakfast while overlooking Purple Lake. It was a beautiful cold morning. I wasn't sure where the guys were but I didn't want them to get too far ahead of me so I got ready and packed up by 7:30. Said bye and thank you to the lady that offered for me to camp beside her and gave her an apple and some starburst. She seemed excited about the apple! It was so cold I started in my running pants, puffy, beanie, and gloves. The climb made it so I was exposed to the sun quickly and I had to remove layers pretty early. After so many days of hiking together with the guys you start to recognize footprints. I was pretty sure Luke was ahead of me. So I just kept moving. I had to stop a couple of times for bathroom breaks, snacks, and just to take in the views and rest but kept a really good pace. It was a long stretch without many streams, so once I reach a decent one I stopped to filter water and make lunch. I was sitting there making my tortilla wrap when I heard Luke’s laugh! And then there was Dylan right behind him! I was excited that I was able to find them and shocked I was ahead of them. They sat for a bit with me as I finished my lunch and we caught up on how I lost them the night before. Then all started off hiking together. I am much slower than them but don't mind. At one point Luke wanted to take a break so I did as well. As we were sitting there Brian walked by without noticing us. We got in to Red's Cafe right at 2. The boys all got a burger and a root beer floats and I got a root beer float and a side of pasta salad! It was yummy! I was able to convince Luke and Dylan to go into town with me but Brian had to do more miles to finish on his set date to make it home on time.
We booked a hotel and hung out with Brian a bit longer. After taking some pictures and adding each other on Facebook since we had service it was time we said bye. It is odd all of us slowly splitting up. I really hope we all can get together again.
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| Me, Brian, Luke, & Dylan |
The 3 of us then got on a bus to take us to the main lodge, where we took another bus into town, and then the trolley to get pretty close to the hotel. Once we got checked in we went up to our room dropped our stuff and Luke and I went to get him some shoes and me some Epsom salt! Thankfully there was a great little outdoor store pretty much around the building of the Best Western. While Luke decided on shoes I went to the drugstore to get Epsom salt, travel shampoo, and gum! Once back in the room Dylan was almost done showering so I was able to get in pretty quick and then Luke. Oh the luxuries of a hotel room! We decided to walk down to the brewery for dinner, but along the way a pizza place got our attention and we stopped there instead. I was excited they had a full bar and ordered a Bloody Mary which was amazing! Real food is amazing and I had to order a salad! Fresh fruit and veggies are typically what I crave the most. Shortly after getting our food and a couple more drinks my friend Grace came to meet us! It was so good to see her and get to catch up for a bit. I had mailed my resupply package to her rather than to one of the stores so it was much cheaper. We were starting to get tired and a little drunk so needed to walk back. I said bye to Grace and we started walking back. We stopped by a liquor store and picked up a small bottle of Jack Honey and when we made it to the hotel. We asked what time they closed the hot tub/pool area and she said 10 but would keep it open an extra 15 minutes for us! Sweet! We went upstairs got changed; I dumped my box to grab a couple small bottles of booze I sent myself, and met the boys at the hot tub. It felt so good!!! I stayed for about 15 minutes drinking and talking with them before I remembered I had Epsom salt! So I left and made a bath. I poured about half of the bag in the bath. It was the lavender scented one and was so good. My feet finally felt and looked mostly clean.
It was so awesome to be lazy and clean. I got into bed and the boys came up shortly after. Perfect timing!
I have a great sleeping pad and sleeping bag but not much compares to a comfortable bed.
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