Quality Time

Waxing Crescent Moon

Just as I was entering my tiny tent early Monday evening, I heard my name called. What? Looking up, I saw the big holy face of Cody Gartner beaming right at me. Cody, for those of you who don't know, is a poet, a guitarist, a joy beacon, an ex-student in my old Earth Science class circa 2005, and one of the founding members of the San Benito High School Outdoor Club. Plus, he is a current resident of Old Station, CA, my next scheduled stop.

I was expecting to meet Cody for lunch on Tuesday at JJ's Cafe in Old Station, but he decided to surprise me at the Cassel Campground just for fun. Awesome! We jabbered about past, present, and future at the picnic table for an hour or so and agreed to continue the discussion the next noon.

All I had to do was get some sleep and complete the all uphill but beautiful ride between Cassell and JJ's Cafe. An early departure from Hat Creek would help me manage the heat.

The ride went well until the last 30 minutes or so when I repeatedly had to ditch the Dream Machine onto the soft shoulder to avoid getting crunched by caravans of cars and trucks. Why do people drive in packs?

Despite the rude roadsters, I was able to arrive on time to have a terrific late breakfast and enjoy some more conversation with my old friend. There were several of this year's PCT hikers in town. Cody frequently talks to them as they wander through, getting some grub and taking advantage of the town's public shower facilities. When we finished eating, Cody made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

"Why don't you put your bike in my car and take the rest of the day off? I can drive you way up to 8,000 feet in Lassen Park and we can stop along the way to take pictures - do the tourist thing."

I really did not know if I was capable of pedaling up there or not with a load on my bike and a screaming hot knee. I still don't know, because of course I said yes! The rest of the day was just chillin' in the Cody-mobile and soaking in the full majesty of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Late in the afternoon, Cody dropped me off at the Southwest Campground, saving me untold grief on really gnarly, no-shoulder climbs in a typically busy summertime park. Thanks, bro!

Peace, Love, and Lava Bombs,
Jim