Crap shoot and surprises

So, yesterday I posted a picture of Nuts, and today he had to get off the trail. Hopefully temporarily, but he wasn't able to put any weight on his right leg this morning. It was very sad packing up and hiking off this morning. His wife was on her way to pick him up. There is just so much luck involved in staying healthy out here. (Crap shoot) It's one thing to just lose the interest or desire to finish the trail, but it is really tough to still have the desire, but have an injury sideline you. Hoping he will be able to get back out here.

We did a quick 10 miles this morning through Vasquez Rocks. Pretty spectacular formations. Lots of movies filmed here. Planet of the Apes, Space Cowboys, and parts of Star Wars.

We hiked in to Aqua Dulce and stopped for lunch first thing at the Sweetwater Cafe, which happened to be right next to the hardware store where this dapper guy was hanging out.

He offered us a ride to Hiker Heaven ( a great hostel where we would be able to get showers, laundry, food resupply and camping in the backyard of the Jeff and Donna Saufley. Wonderfully generous people) Its just a mile or so off the trail so we jumped in his gator (he even let me drive) for the drive to their house. 

Got here, they did our laundry (can you believe that?!) and we did our other chores. 

Went in to town and resupplied our food and then...and this is big...discovered Cinnamon Bun Oreos! 

These are going to give Birthday Cake Oreos a run for their money. They are outstanding!! Definitely a contender for best Oreos.

Spectacular clouds here tonight

And lots of hikers. It's funny out here. You   Think you have people figured out and then they surprise you. Suddenly, we heard this really lovely piano playing from inside. Turns out it was a hiker named Weather Carrot, who is just as dirty and grungy looking as the rest of us. But there he was, playing this beautiful music on the piano. Lesson Learned....again...keep an open mind. You just never know about people. They surprise you every time.