After an insanely busy few days of moving out, packing up, quitting life, and squeezing in a rock concert in DC, the time had finally arrived to head out west. We flew Southwest and each checked a box with our trekking poles, pocket knives, and first two food drops needed at Warner Springs and Aqua Dulce. Some off looks were shot our way as we walked through the airports wearing big packs and carrying cardboard boxes. We scored exit row seats with extra legroom for the five hour flight and made a friend who highly recommended the Blue Water Seafood Market so we went there for dinner. He was right. Probably the best fish and shrimp tacos I've ever had.
Off to the west coast we go!
We checked in at Lucky D's Hostel in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter which is adorned with funky art and has that friendly international hostel feel. Then we picked up some food to make sandwiches for the weekend and walked to nearby McFadden's Bar to shoot pool and enjoy dollar beer night.
May the 4th (be with you) San Diego Zoo and Old Town
We decided to do chores before fun and stopped at USPS to mail the food drops ahead. It was cheaper to mail one giant box since the destinations were close by and the flat rate boxes were too small. Also, with both food drops available at the first drop point we will be able to adjust better if we ate more/less food than we packed for on the first stretch. A short bus ride later and we were at the zoo, where I rapidly began filling up my memory cards and will post more photos from it on it's own post in the future.
Baboon.
Golden-Breasted Starling.
Serval.
Otter.
Baby Denny! He was hands down the highlight of the day; running around his pen, annoying the adults, climbing logs, and doing parkour tricks off the wall.
Old Town which was kicking off Cinco de Mayo celebrations a day early with luche libre wrestling, low-rider cars, music, and margaritas. I made some gifs.
Off the top rope! Oh muh GAWD! He killed him.
Pretty pretty dancing.
Cinco de Mayo!
We had a lazy and relaxing morning and then found out that the hostel canceled their pool party so it was an easy decision to instead head to Coronado. We rented bikes and on our way to the ferry stumbled upon the Cinco of the Bayo music festival so we hung out on the neighboring pier and enjoyed the tunes for a bit. On the peninsula we biked around the beautiful neighborhoods, picked up a 6 pack, and then chilled on the beach all day. A quick walk around the inside of Hotel Del Coronado would've been nice but there was a massive private event so we didn't get very far. Instead we watched the sunset and biked back home.
Space Jam coast to coast!
May 6th. The calm before the storm
We got an early start since I had to stop by REI to replace my trekking pole that snapped yesterday. Since they were only a month old I felt pretty certain that they would be covered by REI's warranty but they told me this falls under wear and tear and I'd have to buy a new set. They wouldn't even help out a thru-hiker and sell me a single pole. Not cool.
Boooooooo!
Later in the day at Scout and Frodo's house, legendary PCT Trail Angels, I learned that a local outfitter will pick up hikers from their place so I went there and picked up a pair of Black Diamond Trail Ergo trekking poles. I used this model on the AT and loved them and would rather give my business to a local outfitter. While I was out, Nhandi returned my new REI poles to the store so we'd have the rest of the afternoon to relax, eat, mingle with the other hikers, and get ready for day one. The Pacific Crest Trail begins in 11 hours!!!!!