Start: 0715 - near Chimney Creek Campground
End:  1800 - Kennedy Meadows  
Miles (today): 22 (21 PCT, 1 off)
Miles (cumulative): 724.5 (618 PCT, 89.5 alternate, 17 off) 

Holy shit, we made it to Kennedy Meadows!!

Kennedy Meadows is a milestone of sorts - it signifies the end of the desert, the beginning of the Sierras, and 700 miles of hiking.  700 miles! It seems like a lot and yet we still have a long way to go. :)

700 miles.  We walked 700 miles through a desert that tried to kill me and I don't feel prepared at all for what's next.  If we forget about the stretch of desert from Mohave to Walker Pass (which is when the desert tried to kill me), I really liked the desert.  I've been assured that the scenery of the Sierras is amazing but I thought the desert was beautiful (then again, I AM from the Midwest so my standards are pretty low).  I also enjoyed being warm (for the most part) - I am terrified of the cold awaiting me.

But enough about all that.

It seems like so much has happened today!

We woke up late, thanks to the rain that woke us up at 0100 and made us scramble to put up the tent.  I love cowboy camping but it can be a risk.  Waking up late means starting to hike late (particularly when you have to spend the extra time taking down the tent). Thankfully, the weather was great and we didn't have to worry about stopping mid-day to escape the heat.  
 
Breakfast tasted good, I didn't feel nauseous after eating it, AND water is once again refreshing and tasty.  It is SO NICE to actually want to eat and drink again (as opposed to choking it down because you know you need to). That right there should have told me today would be a good day. 

When we signed the trail register by the Chimney Creek campground Nick noticed Ducky had signed it just a day earlier!  Ducky! I haven't seen her since Cajon Pass!  I crossed my fingers that she'd still be at Kennedy Meadows and hiked on.

Around noon Nick remembered that the Kennedy Meadows General Store closed at 1700; since this is where all our packages were sent we decided to try to get there before closing.  We knew it was possible to make it but not probable, but we kept our breaks to a minimum and I tried to not stop every 10 minutes to take a picture just in case.

By the time I made it to the Kern River I did the math and figured I would probably get there at 1715 if I kept going (too late), so I decided to take a break and wait for Nick (that's right, I was ahead of him today - I think I have finally recovered from the desert's attempt on my life).  Some hikers took the time to swim in the river and while a swim was tempting I also really really wanted to get to Kennedy Meadows.  I did take a bandana bath, though, and it was like washing off the desert in preparation for the Sierras. It felt great.  (Maybe I should have gone swimming?  Nah, it was a little too chilly.)

The 5 miles between the Kern River to Kennedy Meadows were our transition miles - it no longer felt like the desert yet it wasn't quite the Sierras.  Adding to the effect was the thunderstorm brewing all around us - it sprinkled on us and felt so refreshing.  

When we signed the trail register at the road to Kennedy Meadows I noticed Ducky had signed it earlier today!  OMG! I excitedly exclaimed to Nick that Ducky had just signed the register today - TODAY! - and he smiled and nodded (probably thinking something like I told you so).

Walking up to the Kennedy Meadows General Store was pretty awesome - a lot of hikers were hanging out on the deck and everyone clapped and cheered as we walked up.  No, it's not because we are so cool (well, we ARE pretty cool) - that's just how hikers are welcomed here.  It's a great vibe - everyone is feeling good about finishing the desert, everyone feels some sense of accomplishment just to make it this far, and everyone is excited/apprehensive about what's next.  Even though all hikers are welcomed with clapping and cheering, only a special few (us) got to experience Ducky running to great them (like I said, we're pretty cool) - THAT was amazing.  As we hugged she just kept asking, "where have you been?" :) 

The General Store was still open (although not for packages) so we bought some food to snack on - chips and salsa, beer, ice cream, and a Kind bar.  Then we joined Ducky and her boyfriend, Rob, on the patio.  Rob (who is Ducky's personal trail angel) had brought her all sorts of goodies, to include wine, bread, and cheese.  We got there too late for the wine but did enjoy some bread and cheese while we chatted.

I was so happy - I had been so worried that I wouldn't get to catch up with 'old' trail friends and here I got to see Ducky!  

But wait, it gets better! Nick had left the table to get something and when he came back he said, "look who I found" and there was Special K! What?!! It turns out K was still waiting for a package to arrive (new shoes).  Ok, not good for him but good for me - it was good to see him again.

We all chatted until it started to get too cold for those of us in shorts so we all made our way to our tents.  There is a whole tent city behind the store that sort of reminds me of Casa de Luna - the line of tents just goes on and on.  Nick had set up our tent while I was visiting with friends (I am spoiled and have the best husband ever) so I had no idea where it was; Therefore, I blindly followed him as he meandered this way and that trying to find the tent.  As we were meandering around we ran into Woody/Orange Blossom!!! More excitement for me - Orange Blossom and I rode out to the southern terminus together!  Too cool.  Ducky, K, and OB?! :) :)

It took Nick a while to find the tent but we are here, safe and warm.  I AM curious to see what the fire in the teepee is all about but I'm finally warm.  Plus, I'm afraid I won't find my way back to the tent if I leave it.  

Along the trail: