Day 20: Tentsite @ mile 256.6 - Big Bear Lake

Date: 27.04.2018

Miles hiked today: 10 miles

Total Mileage: Mile 266.6

Note: 10 by 10!!!!

Today we are going into town. I looove these days where we reach a town especially if we don't need to hike many miles and hence reach town before or just shortly after lunch. Today it's only 10 miles. We started to hike at 6.15am and reached the street to Big Bear Lake at 9.45 am. That's our first famous 10 before 10 - 10 miles before 10am. Congrats! And even better: There was a car already there waiting to pick up PCT hikers and drive them to town. We didn't have to wait one minute (hitch hiking in the US can take ages even for girls!). What a good day so far! He showed us around and dropped us off in front of the Big Bear Hostel. Sadly the last bed was booked a couple if minutes ago. Mmh what next. Ed, one of our hiker friends showed up asking if we want his room. He planned to stay one more night (He is a speedy hiker and already arrived the day before) but has now changed plans. The room is already paid for but 2 miles away from the town center. Free room, of course we wouldnt turn down that offer! I had the idea to rent a bike so we can cruise along the town and reach place better. Big Bear Lake is a nice little touristy town, better known in winter for skiing but the place is very spread out and without a car it can be difficult and take a long time to reach places. Just down the road they would rent bikes and we got 2 City cruisers for the day.

We had a free donut and it was so delicious we decided to go and get some more. The shops was right on the other side of the town then were we are! We've got the bikes, let's go - we really fancy some more donuts! On the way there we also passed the sports store Big 5 where I finally found some crocs! I was looking for them for a while. Actually I bought some for the trail but then left them I Switzerland because they seemed to be too bulky. But the cheap flip flops don't really work for me. With the crocs I can leave my socks on, they are very comfortable and protect my feet better than the flip flops. I also bought some tape for my ankle and a compression sock. Next stop donut store! I have never been in a donut store before and actually also don't really fancy donuts but these are just soo delicious and simply can't withstand! We bought a donut box, consisting of 12 donuts and ate one straight away! Joanne wanted to get a burger and me pizza with ranch. So we started with the burger place and shared burger with fries and onion rings and milk shakes! Too full now for pizza we rested for and took our bikes back to the Center of the city. There we placed our backpacks so we don't have to carry it around all day. We picked up our bags, got on the bikes and took off to the hotel. It's about a 2 miles drive there but the first hill was a steep uphill and the rest was downhill. Joanne had to stop on the uphill and walk the rest. I just about managed to get up there! How the hell are we going to ride the bikes back tomorrow as it is even more uphill??! That's the problem of tomorrow then. The room is very nice with two queensize beds. Ahw this is the first time since I am in America where I will have a bed all for my self. I always shared beds before, what a luxury!

I am soo tired I could have just fallen into bed around 6pm already! At 7pm we decided to get our washings done so tomorrow we can go for breakfast and go food shopping before hitting the trail again. Next to the washing saloon there was a Mexican restaurant where we ate dinner while our dirty cloths was being washed. However, me being sooooo tired I put the cloths twice in the washing machine instead of in the dryer!!! Good night everybody!