Mile 454 – Cool Fresh Air in Agua Dulce

The unbelievable Saufleys known by most as “Hiker Heaven”

The cool morning mist has a bit of a nip as I sit quitely in the garage struggling to type with my out-of-practice chapped fingers.  We arrived last night after an achy road walk that lasted the length of two full days.  We were gratefully joined by Tiffany and Aaron, another young happy couple hiking in search of solitude and relief from the hustle and bustle lifestyle they were living in San Francisco.

We were so honored to depart our last trail town after a suprise visit from family friend and mentor Bo Adler.  We have written about Bo in previous entries, but this time he was joined by his Cal Tech Alumni and good pal Brad.  Brad lives in the Los Angeles area, where Bo happened to make a trip down to visit, read our recent blog, and decided to make a trip to the tourist-friendly town of Wrightwood for a visit, lunch, and a trail departure hike.

Bo, being a PhD student in Computer Science, is pretty savy when it comes to technology and created a computer program that recieves GPS data from our iPhone photos and uploads them into a google map, allowing audience to track and monitor our progress, assuming our phone has service when a photo is taken.  See our map by clicking here and on the side of our homepage where it says GPS Photo Tracker.  Bo bought us some of the best sandwiches to date on the trail at Yodeler Resturant and Brad bought us a drink at the coffee shop while we listened to live music.  The best part was having them join us for a mile on the trail as we walked the ridgeline high in the Angeles Crest Forest overlooking the desert to the north.

I write this entry with the intention of trying to find words forthe emotions that are felt as we continue to be amazed by hospitality, generosity, and authentic goodness by those we encounter and those who have reached out to us along the way.  In addition to Bo and Brad, we regularly post others on our thank you trail angels page , but special thanks to a few over the course of the week.  These include Law and Order, who pulled over alongside the heated dusty road and offered us homemade chicken tacos, cold drinks and brownies.  A few miles later Thomas, pulled up in front of us, jumping from his car to an open trunk to reveal avocados and oranges.

Lastly, upon arrival to the Saufleys last night, we were welcomed in open arms to a shower, a cot, laundry, town-clothes, internet, mail services, and our packages.  Christmas in May we laughed as we opened boxes like young children, so excited for the contents and rightfully so.  We recieved a package from Melissa’s mom containing a beautiful handmade warm hat, that Melissa will probably wear through the desert heat until it falls apart she loves it so much and baked goodies including the largest chocolate chunk cookie and dipped peanut butter goodness, as well as homemade from scratch delicious rich buttery chocolaty brownies sent all the way from my Uncle Frank in Maine, that being said I did share one and he stated it was the best thing he has eaten in three weeks! We both agree! 

So in closing, we have come to appreciate the journey, and as excited as we are about gifts along the way, we know they come in many forms, and we thank you for your support that comes as encouraging words, positive thoughts, and big smiles.  Enjoy.

~Justin