Day 7: Pool Anyone?

Sunrise on Granite Mt.

After a short 3.5 miles, we caught our first hitch of the hike to the Stagecoach Campground, where we found Brit and David (hikers we've kept up with the last two days) and showers and laundry!  The shower itself was worth the $8 it cost to stay.  And now we've found the pool!  Oh, yes, I said pool.  And it is freezing.  Which is exactly what we need.  We're alternating between icing our legs and laying out -- one of my favorite childhood pastimes. 

Pool time! Or an icy cold soak...

Today is a "near-o" -- a nearly zero mile day.  After 6 days of backpacking -- Melissa's *first* 6 days of backpacking -- we figured a day of rest was in order.  I have to remind myself that days off are good and necessary.  For both the body and the soul.  We're a couple of days out of Warner Springs, our first resupply.  (Fortunately, we were way over packed for food!)  It's a challenge to know when to rest and when to push a little.  You don't want to injure yourself, but you want to keep moving forward.  It's a bit of a dance.  So far, we seem to be moving with the music.  As a driver by nature, this has been good for me.  (And, yes, I try to lead even in dancing.  I know I'm not supposed to.  But someone has to.)

Flowering cholla.

Free cabin upgrade! With BEDS!

The day has ended with us in a cabin!  The manager not only offered us a ride in the morning, but he swung by and offered us a little cabin upgrade.  We are indoors with lights, beds, and a place to charge our electronics.  This has been the perfect rest day.  I even rounded up some visiting campground hosts from where else but Iowa!  They prayed for us in the laundry room.  Oh, and the camp store has an owl box with a nesting pair of barn owls!  (Sounds like they're out hunting.)  And what looks like a nest of flycatchers.  Sigh.  Looks like we made the right decision. 

Tomorrow starts us up the Grapevine Mts.  And 14 waterless miles.  We're ready.