Finding Aaron

Day: 91

I got out of my sleeping bag excited today (but freezing cold, easily my coldest night yet), Aaron was on his way up to spend three nights with me; and to tell the truth the absolute loneliness of this trip is really getting to me. It’s not like the European alone, where there are lots of people around to hang out with just not any you know, here there is no one around at all. I have a few conversations with the rangers or other campers, but barely anyone my age or with similar interests. Needless to say I was excited to spend a few days not alone.

I had told him to meet me at Big Sur State Park, which meant I had 25 miles to ride today. A kind of casual day, nothing hard core, a bunch of hills though. I rode for a little less than four hours and made it to the campsite, called Aaron to tell him we are in number 47, set up my tent, ate lunch, and went down to the creek to finish reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I knew Aaron was still a couple of hours away so I rode my bike around the area and just set to exploring what was going on in this beautiful park.

Finally around six he showed up, we talked for a while, then left to find some dinner (I was out of food). We headed up to this place, Nepenthe, which overlooked the ocean, had wonderful martini’s (my first drink in four days), and cost us about $40 each. I was already feeling better, having him around was re-energizing my spirit. We picked up some firewood and ice (he had vodka and mixers) on our way back. When we got to the campsite he tried, unsuccessfully, to set up his tent; I turns out he had brought poles for another tent. I piled all of my stuff out of my tiny tent into his car and we decided to both squeeze into my tent tonight. We lit a fire and stayed up for a few hours telling stories and becoming better brothers.