Big Bear to Little Bear Springs

Morning began with Mark getting a job serving coffee at the famous Grizzly Manor Cafe in Big Bear.  We even got a discount!  Great food and fun environment.   Then hugs when we met up with 70 year old Arthur who we had hiked previously with in Mission Creek.  He shared his epic journey off the trail in the snow and we exchanged emails.

Grayson, from the hostel, shuttled us to the trail and we were off on a peaceful forest walk with crown sparrows providing the sound track.  Pines. Oaks.  Good views to Big Bear Lake.  Met barefoot Paha,  who after the first hundred miles put on flip flops.  We had open, heart filled conversation.  He made me think of St. Francis with his desire to throw off worldly things and his open communion with nature.   We later met Russel hiking for wounded warrior.  A day filled with intense people.  Like the 2 bear like men we met who scared both Mark and I for no reason at all.

We camped about 19.5 miles in and slept like babes full on milk.  We are having the time of our lives.