I got a bit of a late start the next morning, but I k we I was only going 12 miles to the infamous casa de luna where I most likely would be taking a zero. It was a hot stretch and I didn't have much water so I tried to book it as quick as I could before it got too hot. I surprised to find that there were a tone of bugs on this stretch. Every time I went through a shady area I would be followed by dozens of gnats in my face. It started to get a little frustrating, but I just kept hiking, constantly waving my trekking pole in front of my face to keep them at bay. I finished all my water with 6 miles left to go. I wasn't worried as I was feeling really strong and was crushing miles at this point. By the time I got to the highway though i was pretty thirsty. Moments after getting to the highway, a van pulled up and offered me a ride to casa de luna, along with a cold gatorade. When I arrived at the house I was in disbelief. Terry Anderson, the owner, greeted me with a bug hug and gave me a Hawaiian shirt to wear while I was there. She gave me the run down of the place and handed me a beer. I found my group and set up camp in the enchanting manzanita forest in her backyard. Next I went over to the rock painting station where everyone paints a rock to decorate her yard with. It was memorial day weekend so a couple of generous hikers went to the gas station and bought a ton of beer for everyone to share. We also had chili hot dogs and taco salad for dinner. Some "special" brownies were also served for desert. Once it got dark, they brought out a strobe light and music. Terry had pct class of 2016 bandannas to pass out, but you had to dance in front of everyone to get one. Later a group of musically talented hikers with guitars put on a little jam session for everyone. They even made an original pct song for everyone to sing along to. Around 11 party slowed down and one of the guys from the jam session played some slow jams for us. At one poi t I looked around and everyone had fallen asleep onthe couches listening to the music. It was one of my most memorable moments on the pct so far.
Day 33 - 12 miles
I slept in he next day, but not long enough to miss out on pancakes amd coffee. I relaxed the rest the day talking with other hikers. At some point everyone toe nails and finger nails got painted. The rest of the day was almost an exact repeat of the night before only a little calmer. Casa de lena is truly an incredible pct experience that I'm glad I got to be a part of.
Day 34- 0 mile
It was really hard to leave casa de luna the next day, but I knew I had to get going before I sucked into the vortex. Some people had taken 3 zeros there and I wanted to make sure that did t happen to me. Before you leave casa de luna, Terry takes a picture of you and other hikers that are leaving in front of the bed sheet that everyone signs. Right before she takes the picture, she ppulls down her pants and moons everyone. There was a smiley face painted on her butt and it made everyone bust out laughing. It really makes the picture have some good smiles. I gave her a hug and said goodbye and made my way back to the trail. I had a long road walk ahead because of a fire closure on the trail. It was hot but my feet felt good sIcouldnt complain.i took a break 6 miles in at a convenient store with about 5 other hikers. Once back on theactual trail i had to dodge poison oak as it was around every corner. I met back UK with my group at a campground and we all regailled at how much fun we had a casa de luna.
Day 35- 18 miles