We didn’t take a zero and I’m happy with our decision to hike on. We played the day by ear, which ended up being a nice change of pace. Usually, I wake up with the knowledge that we have to go x miles in order to make it to our next resupply, which creates an underlying pressure to get in miles. But not today.
I started off the day by ripping one of my stuff sacks with my fingernail as I shoved my dearly beloved quilt inside. I tore the nail down so far that it started to bleed. Ouch. At least I didn’t bleed on my quilt - she kept me warm last night and I’m so grateful for her fluffinesses.
Nick repaired the hole in my stuff sack while I got dressed in the hot springs-warmed bathroom. It was absolutely freezing this morning (my 25 push-ups didn’t even help warm me up much) but it took less than a minute in the bathroom to feel warm again. (And I’m still thinking about that delightfully warm toilet seat, what an excellent feature)
We were the last ones to leave Doc Campbells this morning, which was fine with me. We had no real plan for the day other than go to the Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center and see if the comment on the FarOut app about burritos and ice cream being there was true.
The three mile road walk to the visitor center was ok for a road walk, I suppose. I had some issues with my menstrual cup (don’t ask) so I was behind Nick. When I walked up to the visitor center the first thing the volunteer said to me was, “you need to feed this guy”. Apparently, Nick had asked her about the burritos. She told him they don’t have burritos at the visitor center and went on to explain how to get to the cliff dwellings. She started to tell him about the bookstore but Nick, still focused on the burritos he read about, interrupted her, asking, “are the burritos there?”. She looked at him with exasperation and said, “No! Listen, there are no burritos anywhere here except for at Doc Campbells”. Which is apparently right around the time when I walked up.
Nick was very disappointed about no burritos. It was like the Movie Night that didn’t happen all over again.
Even though there were no burritos, we still checked out the little museum and watched the 17-minute informational movie before walking the 2 miles or so to the dwellings. On the way we met Bodhi and Cody, who were on their way back. They didn’t have packs on because they stashed them near the trail, and we ended up doing the same. (The dwellings are off-trail and why carry horribly heavy packs if you don’t need to?). I even contemplated hitching to the dwellings but couldn’t bring myself to do it because I hate hitching.
The dwellings were really neat to see and I can completely understand why people would have wanted to live up there. You are protected by the caves, you are up high, and the views are spectacular.
The dwellings are way up there
we saw Solo (who just finished cancer treatment!) and Mr. Fabulous up there and had to take a selfie
After the cliff dwelling visit (and after I experienced another cup issue) we walked back to the trail, retrieved our hidden packs, I repositioned the cup AGAIN, we had lunch, and we decided to hike on. I firmly believe that we only hiked on because neither the visitor center or the bookstore had burritos.
Nick retrieving our hidden packs
Since Nick didn’t get his movie night last week or his burritos today, we decided to do the hiker version of spa day to make up for it. We hiked to the hot springs just off the Little Bear Canyon alternate. It was a great choice.
Firstly, Little Bear Canyon is a beautiful place and I’m glad we took this route. The tall cliffs were stunning and it was cool and refreshing to walk through the canyon.
Secondly, the Jordan Springs felt fantastic. We made here by 1530, thankfully much earlier than all of the day hikers we passed on the way because 1. We got first pick at a campsite and 2. We were able to enjoy the hot springs with only 3 other people- two local climbers and one fellow hiker named Nanners. The water, while not quite what I’d call hot, was warm enough to feel like a warm bath. We soaked until about 5:30, wanting to be sure we got out with enough sunlight left to dry off.
The Jordan Hot Springs
Betty, we took this picture for you as a nod to Nick’s days in quarantine when he ate the Oreos you got him in the bath
A huge group of weekend warriors just walked up. It’s almost 8 (getting dark) and they are trying to set up their tents. I’m fully prepared to listen to their excited banter all night. Lol
Along the way:
Camp:
P.S. I think I may have finally figured out the cup placement issue! I didn’t have my period while on the PCT because I had been doing too much marathon training and not enough eating. Now that I’m finally healthy, it’s a new thing to have to deal with on-trail. The jury is still out on the cup but I’ll keep my female readers informed. Hope none of my male readers get uncomfortable, it’s just a cool thing we females get to do that you don’t. ;)
P.P.S. Nobody, not even my doctors, told me that not having my period for over 2 years was a bad thing that needed to be addressed ASAP. So if you know a younger woman who this has happened to, please convince her this is a red flag the body throws up when she’s not healthy.