PCT Roadie along the Aqueduct

PCT Aqueduct

Noelle here:

I’m enjoying being Steve’s roadie! It’s an interesting perspective.

After Steve left Hiker Town the other day, I went back to the Neenach Market to get propane and gas. Also I spun the Pokémon Stop to get a “gift” for my sister, Trish. We trade Poke gifts pretty much daily (when I have reception). It’s a fun way to connect and see where each other have been. A small touch of home! ❤️

PCT SoCal

Neenach Cafe

I went off down the road, heading for the morning meeting spot with Steve. The word “road” should not be taken too literally.

PCT SoCal

Sketchy dirt road

I took my time, shook a few items to the floor and got closer to Steve. Right up until I couldn’t.

PCT SoCal

Sketchy and flooded!

I got out and walked it to see if I could drive around on the left but it was not to be. Too much rain lately.

I went back to the store and they told me a different route. Off I went. But it turned out I was behind Steve. I called him and he could see me way back in the distance. I did get to see the aqueduct so that was neat.

PCT Aqueduct

LA Aqueduct

Off I went again! I tried several routes to get ahead of the washed out section and finally did it! I drove along and in between fields upon fields of solar panels, surprised that no one cared I was there. The roads took all my concentration so no pics. I felt nervous and stressed out!

Finally I came to this gem of a road and was able to meet Steve.

PCT SoCal

Dusty road

I guess that’s actually a picture of when I dropped him back off so he could start his night hike.

Anyway, once I picked him up, then together we found a way to get to the wind farm where I planned to go in the evening and then hike back towards him.

We passed a boat.

In the middle of the dang desert!

A boat.

PCT SoCal

Abandoned boat

And then we just laid around in the van trying to stay cool. We ran the newly fixed generator so we could have air conditioning for a few minutes. It was heavenly.

Once the day cooled down, I drove Steve back to where I’d picked him up, dropped him off and then drove back to the wind farm.

PCT SoCal

Steve is ready to hike again

It was about 8:30 when I began walking towards him.

PCT SoCal

Sun is starting to set

I mostly kept my headlamp off, enjoying the stars and the windmills lighting up.

PCT SoCal

Lit up wind turbines

It seemed like whenever I turned the light on, I saw huge field mice scurry by, which was pretty fun.

I turned my headlamp to the red light because it didn’t interfere as much with my night vision. Turns out it does interfere with the feelings of security for hikers coming towards me though! Two guys about blinded me with their lights when they were trying to figure out if they were seeing animal eyes 👀. Hahaha. That amused me A LOT!

It was exciting to finally see a single headlamp coming towards me, high enough in the air that I knew it must be Steve! We chatted all the way back to the van about what we’d each seen.

After a stressful morning trying to get to him and then the evening drop off back along all those wretched dirt roads, it was such a good feeling to simply walk alongside my best friend. In the dark. With a sky full of stars. Surrounded by flashing windmills. Atop the aqueduct. Crazy wind pressing against us.

A great ending to this roadie’s day!

7 Comments

  1. Trish

    I love you Sis! And Bro 😉 Thanks for continuing to play with me. It makes the miles seem much shorter. You are both rock stars! 😘

    Reply
  2. Scot

    Sounds like Steve has a dedicated “groupie”. Thanks Noelle

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    Y’all are such an inspiration to me. Even in hard times you find a way to make this work. I really enjoy reading the blog every morning. On a different note…what kind of tattoo does Steven have? I see something in the last pic.

    Reply
  4. rosiewalking

    You better have a shovel or two in your camper there is more sand out there to get stuck in than water. You must have headed out of Tehachapi by now……………..

    Reply
  5. Cobrabra

    That boat was not insured by Cobra…

    Reply
  6. matt Denham

    Maybe the boat floated in during the last rain storm 🙂 Sounds like an interesting day you had. Sure enjoy reading your blog, glad that you found a way to keep on truckin down the trail.

    Reply

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