I left Vegas with the goal of getting back to California today. I jump on the highway and it’s smooth sailing. GPS says 4.5 hours to get back to Ridgecrest.
I’m heading to Ridgecrest to grab a set of trekking poles for Pickles. She left her poles at a trail angels house. They shoot me the address and say “the house keys under the door mat.” Really nothing else.
Cool- I finish up the first leg of the drive and pull into Ridgecrest. I call Stealthy and Pickles but they don’t answer, I ring the door bell of the house and no answer. Ok I guess I’m going in. I grab the key and enter the house, there’s two barking dogs and two cats just staring at me like who the F are you?
I look around for poles and see nothing. I look a bit more and say hmm how weird is this. I’m in someone house uninvited searching through their stuff. Arguably feel like I’m doing a breaking and entering. I look for one more minute and then leave empty handed after saying good by to the pups. Sorry Patches I let you down on this mission.
From Ridgecrest it was another hour and a half up the Kern River where I am meeting up with everyone at Dome Rock. I expect there to be no food so I stop at McNallys and grab 2 burgers and 2 fries for tonight.
I text my buddy Geoff McNally from an old work place and shoot him the photo I’m at his restaurant. Geoff’s from NY and a good shit, I doubt he’s been to Kernville population 1800 though.
After grabbing my burgers it’s back on the road. I eat them while I’m driving. We are camping at Dome Rock tonight as a jump off point to go to Yosemite tomorrow. I’m going with Stealthy, Pickles, Scrathes and Short Cut to meet up with Greenhorn who’s coming south from Reno. Greenhorn went and saw his uncles, learned to fly fish with them.
I arrive at Dome Rock and see everyone hanging out. It’s an awesome spot, Stealthys got the hibachi running and he’s cooking up burgers and short ribs. This guy, what a guy this guy. Shortcut has a nice fire going for everyone to sit around. It’s the perfect temperature out.
I climb to the top of Dome rock to get cell service. The only place you get cell service around here. Figure I should text my parents I’m alive after the Grand Canyon trip and before going 5-7 days MIA again… This time in Yosemite.
After I text the fam and enjoy a gorgeous sunset, I head back down to the Jeep rental car where I decide to just car camp. No pitching my tent tonight, just too lazy after driving like 6 hours. Just blow up my airpad, full down the seats and I’m just short enough to fit. Nice. Nite
The Pacific Crest Trail 