Day 49: sitting on Black Sand Beach after having hiked 25 miles of the Lost Coast over the past four days. (Yesterday, at 2 miles, was especially rough.)

Spent yesterday in Eureka, met some interesting people. Headed out to the coast today, might not have reception for the next week or so.

Continue to be exceedingly impressed by the punctuality of Greyhound buses. Maybe we'll try Amtrak next time. On the plus side, got to see San Francisco Bay.

The bus is currently running at least 10 minutes late (or at least we assume. It hasn't shown up yet). Sure glad we got here 30 minutes early like they told us.

After an absolutely fabulous 3-day 2-night stay at Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce (L-Rod, you're amazing!), we're headed toward the Lost Coast via Greyhound.

Towanda got stung by an of insect of doom & was up most of the night soaking her foot in cold water, trying to keep the pain at a tolerable level. 0mi today.

Day 38: Dropped off at the trailhead by our kind & goofy host, and ran into trail legend Mendo-Rider as he was heading off to do some trail upkeep.

Day 37: Zeroing on Wrightwood, hoping to recover somwhat from the way we pushed ourselves from Big Bear to Wrightwood. The library is golden.

Day 35: Did 18mi/4800ft. Got to camp but were warned by Scalpel about bears. Chief looked at the tracks & said there might be bears, but they had dog feet.

We finally have trail names! Towanda (the Avenger, Righter of Wrongs and Queen Beyond Compare) and (Flatia, Goddess of) Air. No points for guessing who is who.

Day 32:
Stubble check: Rugged and manly.
23.5 miles today. Operation Insert Sugar Into Bloodstream And Pass Out has commenced. Dinner can be eaten tomorrow.

6 years! Celebrating with hummus by Holcomb Creek. Melted-Rolo trail mix, foot soaking and a nap in the sun to follow.

Day 30: Left Big Bear Hostel this morning and did 19.5 mi (longest day yet). Convo over dinner:
M: My dogs are barking.
N: My dogs have been treed by a coon.