Day 126: Windigo Pass - Shelter Cove

Date: 11.08.2018 Miles hiked today: 22 miles / 35.40km Total mileage: Mile 1'906.6 I didn't sleep very well cause my left lower back hurts a lot. It would be a 30 mile day again today to Shelter Cove where we can get food and drinks. So I want to be there today. But 30 miles is a lot, specially after hiking 30 miles already yesterday. But there is an alternative - the very old PCT route which is about 7 or 8 miles shorter. I know that both Parmesan and Duchess are planning to hike the alternative route. I actually wanted to stay on the current PCT route but with my back sore it may be a better idea to join them. I'm ready, enjoying a hot morning chocolate when the trailangel arrives who takes care of the water cache. I help him sorting out the water cache and filling it back up. But moving around heavy 5 gallons water bottles is not helping my lower back. Soon later we take off. As it's a lower mile day today we are not in a hurry and take our time. It feels like I'm on a day hike! As we are off the actual PCT trail I cannot see how many miles it actually is to get there nor how many miles we hiked already on the phone app. We take a couple of small breaks but don't stopp for a big lunch break because we can eat at Shelter Cove, where we arrive at 2:45pm. I've heard that the pizza must be amazing here so that's what I order. There is only one single pizza dough left after both Parmesan and me get one, as they are all home made. And the pizza really is delicious! About 1.5 hrs later also Apachi and Helter arrive and a little later also Maria is here! I was looking forward to seeing her here again. Shelter Cove is a resort right at the lake famous for fishing. Hence, there are many other americans here with their huge motor homes and boats. We chill all afternoon, listening to a live jazz band playing in the garden for 2 hours and drinking some beers. Maria is also so gentle and takes care of my washing! In the evening all hikers sit around a big camp fire. It's so nice having a bonfire. It's quite chilly in the Evenings again but we were not allowed to make any camp fires after leaving the Sierras due to the hot weather and the drought and the high danger of wild fires. I somehow managed to get my back massaged by Apachi, then my feet by Maria (for about 2 hours thank you so much!:) ) and at the same time Darko was massaging my calves, while sharing a bottle of Rosé with Maria. What a wonderful evening! ;) we are sitting at the camp fire and gazing at the stars, hoping to see a meteor shower till late in the evening (i wasn't lucky, I didn't get to see one). May be tomorrow. 

Colourful jazz  band!