Thursday started slowly after listening most of the night to a film crew doing their thing until after 3am just outside the State Park boundary. Bright lights and "Cut!" were the order of the night. A call to Ranger Bill and a quick trip to the parks office confirmed my decision to take the Black Mountain alternate to the desert. Up to 3 feet of snow still covers portions of the trail leading to Fuller Ridge. Fellow hikers Paul and Laura walked up that way to the tram and said they saw no footprints leading towards the ridge. A little later in town I met an AT hiker out here to do the PCT and he said he was going to do Fuller Ridge despite the snow. Best of luck to him.
A walk through town led to a bakery, yum!, then Nomad Outdoor and a new set of trekking poles. While there I learned of the fire closure between Ziggy and the Bear's and Big Bear which will necessitate a bus ride to get around. Bummer.
Next was the post office and library. After updating my blog on the library computers I started up to the Fern Valley Inn where I was to meet Betsy. Before I left town center a car pulled up driven by Diane, owner of Gastronomics, a local restaurant, with two section hikers. While Diane dropped off chairs at the restaurant we talked about trail conditions. When Diane came back she gave me a ride to the inn. No sooner had I checked in when Betsy drove up! What a surprise and great timing. A quick kiss, then we dropped our stuff in the room, and were off to get a burger at the Lumber Mill.
The rest of the night was spent relaxing at the inn with wine and beer and quiet talk in front of a fire.
Betsy brought me everything I want when I return from a hike: my sister Paula's cookies, beer, cheese and crackers, IKEA cookies, scotch, and most importantly, a hug!
Friday March 18
The Mile High Cafe next to the school offers a fantastic breakfast with bacon, sausage, French toast, pancake, two eggs, hash browns, and fruit for $6.50. Nam, the owner, was very kind and promised to send me back onto the trail with her special jam if we came back on Saturday.
Betsy and I spent the rest of the day exploring the Idyllwild area, shopping, and picking up a few geocaches. My favorite was the Evil Knievel upturned motorcycle lodged in logs piled alongside the twisty mountain road.
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