As predicted this night ended up being really really cold. Not only we put our water filters in our quilts but also all of our electronics. We got up around 6am and rather unwillingly left our warm quilts and got going at around 6:45am. It was around 13 miles (20.8km) to get to the trailhead where we could take a trolley to Mammoth Lakes – our next zero stop. The whole morning we were almost flying, that’s how much we were excited to get into town after our longest stretch on trail yet. We made all those miles before 1pm and guess who showed up at the parking lot – Chris with his camper van. The same one who has already given us a ride couple of times. He took us to the Motel 6 where we have made a reservation. Since we were quite early and checkin wasn’t possible before 3pm, we decided to grab lunch first. I got a salad but wasn’t super satisfied so ended up getting something sweet at yet another German Bakery. They seem to be obsessed with those in the US.

Afterwards we did our laundry and then finally checked in. You know what came next? Yes, shower! What a great feeling. Sinead was feeling a little bit down because of her knee pain but ended up joining me and the others for dinner at a nearby pizza place. So far I am really loving the local vibe but a little bit bummed we got here one week after the ski season closing. I don’t know what it is about ski towns but somehow I just really like the vibe of those places. I mean who could blame me right? After the dinner we headed back to our motel and chilled a bit more. Tomorrow we are having a zero day here and I am excited to finally get some rest after the long stretch.