Journey Day 10 | PCT Day 10

Union Oil Dealer, Southern California

4/26/85

Arose early to make Anza, our first food drop and the terminus of our first 120-mile section.  As we hiked out of the mountains, after being rehydrated thanks to Elton and Naomi Fairchild’s wonderful well, we reached pavement and donned tennis shoes for the anticipated road hike to Anza before the post office closed for the weekend.

A mail deliverer had just told us it was open Saturday, when Marguerite Gierman walked up and said,” I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with our mail delivery man and I can’t recall our post office being open on Saturday.”

We proceeded to tell her of our need for quick access. She volunteered to get our box for us and meet us at the nearby Valley Store. She met us, gave us our mail and told us of arrangements she’d made for the box at Kamp Anza. It seemed the hotel room Keith and I had psyched ourselves up for was not to be found. Kamp Anza was to be our layover haven.

We lollygagged awhile at the store, reading mail. I downed potato chips, most of a half gallon of orange juice, coke and an ice cream sandwich. The Little Valley Store was an old, rundown gas station where you entered through a side door into a small store stocked with a mirage of foodstuffs. The characters running it were definitely unique, but they had little to say to wild-looking PCT hikers.

Hiked to Kamp Anza, set up camp. I showered almost immediately, while Keith erected our tent. I went and passed out in the tent while he washed all the clothes. Awoke long enough to eat spaghetti and meatballs from a can, then passed out for good.