Miles today: 12.3
Trail miles: 341.9
Elevation: 3055
Spinning on the turntable: The Hooters: Nervous night
We started our day with a humid 500 foot climb out of camp. The landscape is very green. It’s a nice contrast from the brown rocks that we spend so much time hiking on.
We saw several of these red bugs on the ground but have no idea what they are. Anyone know?
I finally managed to log into the insurance website for Cobra but couldn’t find a way to activate the coverage. I called the support number and they told me to use a laptop since their website isn’t configured for cell phones. What year is this!? Sigh. I tried to set it up via phone but was told it’s against federal regulations.
Our plan today was to hike into Cajon pass and do a small two day resupply to hike into Wrightwood over the following two days. It’s about 5000 feet elevation gain over thirty miles with no opportunity for water resupply.
It’s so much fun to hike on the ridge lines and see the upcoming trail.
We were passed by lots of folks on their way to Cajon. Cajon has the distinction of having a McDonalds .4 miles off trail. It’s just a burp of a gas stop on the freeway. We resupplied at the gas/convenience store and then went to McDonalds. Meh.
There were lots of hikers hanging out and the big discussion topic was how much water to carry for the next 30 mile section. A French couple was laying odds on a trail magic water resupply, but a south bound hiker told us that the water cache was empty. I think the French couple left with about five liters between them. (A bit light if you ask me…)
I loaded up with six liters and Noelle loaded up with three liters. The additional weight is daunting and takes our backpacks to their weight limits. There’s no safe option (for us) except to carry a lot of water.
Noelle started feeling rather miserable this afternoon while we were at McDonalds so she contacted her PCP for a phone consultation. Based on the PCP’s input we decided to swing by urgent care for Noelle to be seen.
We snagged an Uber and off we went. We separated ourselves from the masses in the urgent care waiting room due to our stench and general state of appearance.
We’ve gotten accustomed to our appearance on the trail. We’re hiker trash…but in a town…20 miles from the trail, we just look and smell like homeless folks.
Naturally our insurance was null and void so we paid cash for Noelle’s visit and cash for her prescriptions. I’m so glad that we have the ability to pay cash. Once we actually get the Cobra coverage active it will be retroactive to the date of lapse (yesterday) so it isn’t a big deal. Inconvenient, but not a big deal. I listened to the urgent care check in person send a lady to the ER because they didn’t have insurance. Crazy.
After finishing up at Urgent Care and the pharmacy we decided to head back towards the trail head to grab a hotel. It’s a little closer to our “tribe” and we won’t stand out quite so much, plus the motel is cheaper.
We’re going to zero for a day or so and allow Noelle to recover.
Ah, man. You two. Caught up on your posts today. Grinned, marveled, applauded, giggled, and shed a tear for Buddy. Read this quote today and it made me think of the two of you: “The difficult is what takes a little time. The impossible is what takes a little longer.” Keep trekking. My entire family is reading and rooting for you guys. You inspire. But of course you always have…
John! 😍🥰 you are one amazing human. Hugs.
Just like living in the real world – you’re going to have good days and bad days. Take it as it comes. Recover. Your energy will return. Your strength will return. You will do it.
WikiHOW Cobra:
3 Sign up for COBRA. If you are satisfied with the arrangement, return the COBRA election notice to your insurance company within 60 days. You can not be asked to pay when you send in your election notice, but you will eventually need to pay premiums. The first premium payment can be charged as early as 45 days after the beginning of coverage.
The paper work should not be complex or onerous. Each provider is allowed to have their own election notice. However, the federal government has created a sample notice that only requires the printed name and signature of parties signing up for COBRA.[5]
You are allowed a 30 day grace period if you fail to pay your premiums on time. After that, your COBRA insurance can be terminated.
4 Begin your search for alternative insurance within a year. COBRA insurance has a maximum coverage period of 18 months for employees who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced. For other types of events the maximum period of coverage is 36 months. Occasionally a plan might permit you to stay on longer. They also, however, can terminate coverage early, sometimes for factors outside of your control.
Coverage can be terminated early. If you do no pay premiums promptly, you become entitled to Medicare, or get coverage under a new plan. You can also, however, lose coverage if your employer ends their group health coverage.
Local library, even small branch, will have computers you can use. It can’t be that hard.
If the Good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we’ll hear from you – Hillbilly Heaven, American
Noelle and Steve, you are amazing………There is a season for everything under the sun and yours is a goods nights sleep in the motel………..enjoy and recharge your batteries…..and then off you go again and as we say in Ireland “May the road rise with you”………….Marian Retro Ireland
Red velvet ant – actually a wingless wasp with a painful sting – avoid!
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P.S. Thank you for sharing your adventure!
We had no idea! Thanks for sharing!