May 15, 2018 San Jacinto Mountains

Granny Hat celebrated her 60th birthday today in style with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme for her new herb garden, calls and cards from her kids including a phone call from MISSION in Idyllwild, CA.  He said, “Hi mom, Happy First Day of Ramadan!”  A pause, and then….”Oh and Happy Birthday!”  I didn’t even know it was the first day of Ramadan. He sounded great and had just picked up his first re-supply box at the Post Office.  He says his pack is heavy again.   He also said in a text “Definitely the hardest day I’ve ever hiked.”  He explained that he started early this morning with a steep climb from 6,000 to 7,000 foot elevation, saw gorgeous views of Palm Springs to the East, then a steep descent down to just over 4,000 feet followed by another steep climb back up to 6,000 feet.  He said photos will be on the way.

He treated himself to Mexican food in Idyllwild, texted a “shopping list” to me for his next re-supply box going to Big Bear City, a combination of food, energy bars, new socks, TP, batteries, sunscreen, maps, oatmeal and supplements.  Then he headed back up a steep ascent hiking with a headlamp to get a jump on the trail, stopping at 10 pm to make camp.  I asked him if he is getting used to camping out at night all by himself in the wilderness.  He said that it is becoming more normal but it is very lonely and every snapping twig sounds like the footprint of a giant bear.  He said that if he makes dinner in the dark he can feel the watching eyes even if he can’t see them.  Granny Hat is feeling scared just writing this.  This is the SPOT check-in message we receive most nights assuring us all is well: “This is Stephan checking in!  I love you all! (No action needed).”  Unless you call prayer action and Granny Hat certainly does!  And because Granny Hat loves her music, here are the lyrics she sent to MISSION tonight:

If we’re gonna fly, we fly like eagles, arms out wide.

If we’re gonna fear, we fear no evil, we will rise!

By your power, we will go, by your Spirit we are bold,

If we’re gonna stand, we stand as giants, if we’re gonna walk, we walk as lions.

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