(Daily Mi: 14.2) Kind of a meltdown this morning. Just so wet and cold. Brother and I hiked out .5 mi at 5:30 am to the roadhead and caught a very early morning shuttle into town from the owner of the local diner. Had hot biscuits and gravy. Owner just couldn't have been a nicer fellow. Took us to the PO and market after breakfast, then back to the Trail.

Meltdown happened when he dropped us back at the trailhead. There was a motel there with a $19 hiker rate. Jesus I wanted to stop in. Take a hot shower. A bath. If I could have talked Brother into it, I woulda.

Hiked pretty hard to make up for the breakfast stop. Long switched climb near the end. Racing to beat what looked like rain. Quick cloudburst with less than a mile to go. Didn't get me any wetter, but slicked up the trail pretty well.

Big fancy shelter. It is in a state park near the entrance (and road). There is a visitor center and phone nearby (phone + road = delivery pizza). Heated restrooms. Shower, but no hot water. Order a pizza and wait, shivering in the cold by the road.

In with the California boys. They are funny because with their huge red beards and wild hair, they look a pair of John Muir loving, hippy naturalist. But as soon as they start talking, they are pure Socal surfer.

They have been here for two days waiting for an emergency shipment of rain gear.

Starts to rain hard at dusk. Plenty dry in the shelter, but I am very glad to have my winter bag.