Day 15 - 17

Well, my shin splints have been healing nicely and I've been having a great time in Palm Desert. There's a lot to see there. I went to Sunnylands Botanical Garden. It is 9 acres of lovely gardens sitting next to the 80 acres of the original estate.

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses and wagon was putting in an appearance in Palm Desert while I was there. It was so odd to see these giant horses trotting down the street. Their backs were higher than most people's heads.

I also got to see an oasis. A real Oasis. I don't think I knew what to expect. It was absolutely beautiful and luscious. And the palm trees when left alone looks so amazing.

I drove to Palm Springs and took the tram up to over 8 thousand feet. It climbs over 6000 feet in under 10 minutes and the floor slowly rotates so you get incredible panoramic views. It was significantly cooler up there at the higher elevation. I did some hiking around and it is only 8 miles from where the PCT passes by!

I also put my new pack through a water test. The pack gets great reviews and it is fully waterproof during rainstorms, but I wanted to see what would happen if the pack was submersed. When I pass through the Sierras the rivers may be swollen and challenging to cross. It's not uncommon to slip and fall in. Well, as I expected, the pack is not waterproof. But then, that's a lot to ask of a pack. I'll just put a pack liner in for that section.

James drove me to the trailhead yesterday afternoon. I must admit I did think about the fact that I was so close to the PCT just further North. I really want to continue where I left off though, and that's what I did.

When we left for the trailhead yesterday we were stopped. There had been an accident on Highway 74 and so we were rerouted. We ended up going by the Salton Sea. I'm so glad we were rerouted because  I had never seen the Salton Sea. It looks rather barren and harsh. It is a shocking volume of water out in the middle of the desert!

It was a pretty easy day yesterday, only 9 miles. I passed one very interesting area on a steep sheer Cliff that was full of memorial headstones.

I had a lovely spot to camp nestled in among some rocks, some giant Boulders really. I slept out without a tent and was quite comfortable all night. There was no dew. Water is reliable per the Water Report and that is a comfort.