May 24th, 2016
Miles Hiked: 18
Total Miles: 454
Start Location: Hikertown Mile 517
End Location: Campsite Mile 535
End Location GPS: 34.89833, -118.45571
We had a good night’s rest at Hikertown in an enclosed building without any wind. The morning was cool and cloudy, perfect for starting the hike in the Mojave desert.
We followed the LA aqueduct pretty much all day. The hiking was flat on packed dirt roads and the miles flew by quickly. It was windy with scattered clouds and the high for the day barely reached 65. It was pretty much the perfect day for doing this leg. We had heard horror stories about how hot it could get out here.
Later in the day we passed through a windmill farm, and we are camped amidst these three bladed giants tonight. They hum and swirl and moan almost like the sound of an airplane passing overhead. It’s somewhat soothing to listen to.
There is a built lean to like structure we were able to pitch the tent under to block some of the wind for the night, but some still is getting to us. Some locals today stopped us on the road and offered us some Dr. Pepper. They told us spring is typically the windy season. Apparently December andJanuary are pretty mild.
We may or may not get to Tehachapi tommorrow- we are in striking distance, 22 miles to the first road that goes to there, which is apparently an easier hitch than the highway 8 more miles north. It will probably be a game time decision tommorrow depending on what we are feeling.
From Carolyn’s Journal:
The Aquaduct photos remind me of a line from “The Te of Piglet” – ‘Without difficulties, life would be like a stream without rocks and curves – about as interesting as concrete.’
I have had to remember that line through some tough times in life, hopefully you think about how boring the ducts were during your near future challenges.
Keep up the awesome pace!