Day 29
June 18, 2000

A Day at the Beach? Soledad Canyon to Aqua Dulce

A soaking wet Amy
remembers "adventure"
beats "fun" any day.
Right? Right!

Climbing out of Soladad Canyon.
Yep, it's foggy alright.

Just before we head over the
hill to the I-14, we look south
and watch the fog burn off.

Vasquez Rocks County Park.

I awoke in the middle of the night to realize that my sleeping bag was getting damp on the inside. Mist had settled in the valley and condensation had soaked the outside of our sleeping bags and was seeping into the interior. Scott suggested that we just get up and start hiking as preparation for our coming stint of night hiking in the desert, (it was 2:30 a.m.) but I decided I would rather lie there wet. However, at 4 a.m. we could stand it no longer and decided to just get up anyway and hike.

As I packed my soaked things, Scott took the opportunity to remind me of the words I had uttered at the start of this trip, "I'm not looking for fun on this trip-just adventure."

Scott is living dangerously.

We hiked along in the thick fog and the white sand trail glowed supernaturally. As it got lighter, you could fool yourself into believing you were hiking along the ocean instead of in arid landscape. It was nice for a change to have our clothes be damp from conditions above instead of damp from conditions within. By 9 a.m., the fog lifted and then it was hot.

We proceeded to Vasquez Rocks County Park. The park consists of great big strange rocky outcroppings that have been used in numerous commercials and movies, most recently the Flintstones and Wild Wild West. In fact, when the Flintstones was filmed here several years ago, the PCT hikers got to see the entire film set with all the houses and props in place.

We decided to dry out our equipment on a picnic table in the park and while doing so, met Renee, a friendly park employee who told us all about the park. We continued into Agua Dulce and had a wonderful lunch and were picked up by Donna Saufley and taken to her home. She and her husband Jeff host PCT hikers in their home. The setup is wonderful. On their property, adjacent to their home, is a mobile home with all the comforts you can imagine-besides a full service kitchen, a bathroom and bedrooms, there is also a phone, stereo, TV, movies, computer with internet access, couches, use of a BBQ, and use of their jeep. What a place. What a couple! Donna also does your laundry and it has never been so clean. Spots came out that I thought were there forever. I guess it's lucky we are off again tomorrow morning because I could easily get used to this. (But will they REALLY be off tomorrow morning? Stay tuned...)

Back Outta here Next