Windstorm, the Legend, Cocina de Mexico

 Last night I didn't get much sleep after a massive wind storm kept most of the hikers up well into the night.  We also just finished a HUGE descent where we started at almost 9,000 feet and made it to 1,400feet.  The biggest descent of the trip.  I am surprised we were able to do that in a day and half.  Downhill can be brutal.  

The rest at Ziggy and the Bear's was much needed.  They are highly regarded among the thru hikers and they offer a place to rest your feet, get your mail and get prepared for the next journey.  A lot of organizing, planning and help from the community have enabled the thru hikers to continue around this year's fire closure area without harming the trail or getting injured in the process.

Ziggy and The Bear were able to get  Liam, Alex, Doug, Nightcrawler and I hooked up with The Legend, to get to a shuttle to Big Bear.    The Legend has been one of the coolest trail angles I have met thus far. He describes himself as a drifter who has traveled all over Central America and much of the trail. He plans on traveling with Gypsy, his van, along the PCT trail passing out his canpakes and other trail magic.  

Trail Magic is any kind of unexpected act of kindness shown to long distance hikers. If you haven't experienced Trail Magic, imagine being hot and tired from hiking 20+ miles to come across an Angel or their Magic on the trail. It could be a water cache where you didn't expect it, a home cooked or prepared snack or a lift to the nearest town.  ANY kind of trail magic is a much needed and satisfying experience.  Legend got his name after the lyrics from Jimmy Buffett's Last Mango in Paris song "Our lives change like the weather but a legend never dies".   Rumor has it,  The Legend has been pronounced dead three separate times since the age of six.  The ride to Big Bear City with Legend lived up to the billing.

After doing laundry, eating an awesome burrito at Cocina De Mexico, and getting my resupply in Big Bear City we were able to make it 4 miles up the trail. The next stretch will take us to the famous McDonald's at Cajon Pass.  From the looks of the Facebook post, they expect plenty of smelly hikers this time of year.

I am pretty excited about the Cajon Pass stop. I will be meeting two of my mom's HS friends from McKenzie TN. Kathy Woods Jackson, her husband Tracy, and their family have offered a hot shower, a place to do laundry and an overnight stay before hitting one of the hardest patches along the trail. It sounds like I will have a lot in common with their son Taylor.  He hiked the AT a couple of years ago. My mom followed his journey online. Taylor is also an avid rock climber. Two of my best friends are very serious about rock climbing: Tate Honaker, now living and climbing in Colorado; and Matt Kahl, who currently is working at the famous Miguel's Pizza in Red River Gorge and currently leading trips to the Gorge. I never was able to get into rock climbing but I appreciate the skill that it takes from watching Tate and Matt. 

My stops since the border have included the following:

• Mount Laguna (resupply)
• Warner Springs (resting up with help from Edward Manning)
• Paradise Valley Cafe (resupply)
• Idyllwild (hitch to find a hat)




• Ziggy and the Bear 
• Big Bear City (shuttle ride from The Legend)