May 30- June 1: we all left the campsite early in the morning, before sunrise. It was weird- kind of chilly, but as we climbed the hills, we'd go through warm spots, sort of like when you go swimming in a pond. Overall, it was an easy, fast walk.
I'm not sure what I was looking forward to more- getting to Kennedy Meadows (the official end of the desert) or the swimming hole e passed on the way. I can tell you this- the swimming hole sure felt wonderful! We hung out there for almost 2 hours before moving on.
Honeystick and I (the short, slower ones) walked the last 4 miles across the dry, sandy expanse to the road to KM.
When you reach the Kennedy Meadows general store, you are applauded as you walk in. That is a great feeling. Not as great as jumping in a swimming hole, but almost as good as a soda and ice cream after a 25 mile walk! And they let me open a tab even though my credit card was not on me.
There was nothing to do now but wait for my mail. And eat. I quickly found out that I was not the only one in this boat. There were many people hanging out waiting for packages in the mail. And several more people hanging out just for the heck of it. We were all hanging out together in the vortex.
In the previous week, I had been pulling big miles to get to Walker Pass in time for the concert. Now, as I hung out in KM, many of the people I had pulled ahead of arrived. It was like a reunion! I saw Silver, Beer Goddess, Fancy Feet, Wallaby, and Lauren(who was now Fainting Goat). And I ate ice cream, chips. Cheeseburgers, pizza, and pancakes.
Finally, after 2 1/2 days, my hiker-wallet arrived! I paid my (BIG) tab and headed out😊
Peace love and trail magic!
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