Day 5: Let's see where this goes

Last night was totally wild hooooooly cow. So right before bed we tried to follow a big group that was going down a path that was right by our campsite but wound up leaving for the trail too late after everyone that we got totally turned around. We didn’t know exactly where we were going and were too far behind the other people that we wound up turning around. After other people started coming back, Jenny, Carlos, and Nick went back with the guide while Haley and I went and got ready to sleep. After I fell asleep, I woke up around midnight and it was FREEZING!!! I got all snuggled up, but then I heard something. It sounded like a bear- yeah, a BEAR- and I got kinda spooked. But then, I heard some kind of snort/sigh and I realized it was someone snoring. S N O R I N G. It was ridiculous. So I went to sleep, but then woke up again around 3 to other people waking up to the snoring. BUT the positive was the stars were glorious, absolutely beautiful.

So anyways. This morning we got up and had a fun camp breakfast together while packing up the site. Let me just say that camping breakfasts are my favorite- everyone standing around together, eating instant oatmeal and drinking coffee whilst totally covered in dirt and grime is so much fun. After we packed up the campsite we checked out and drove to a camp that the trail guide (Hector) suggested. Little Baldy. This hike was 1.7miles to the top and it was the most biodiverse hike I’ve ever done. It was beautiful. I cannot get the imagery out of my head it was so incredible. There were so many wildflowers and colors. The views of the mountains were insane. Everything was just breathtaking.

So post hike we’re trying to decide what to do. We stopped at a Walmart to get last minute stuff and decide what we’re going to do with the  day. We’ve been getting advice from all the rangers that Death Valley, our supposed next stop, would be 120 degrees during the day and 95 degrees at night…. So very hot. The next problem was that the walk up campsite we were going to stay at wasn’t picking up. So, what are we going to do? GO TO VEGAS THAT’S WHAT!!!! We found an amazing deal on an airbnb for 2 nights ($25 per person!!! Crazy!) and now we’re driving there!!!!! I really wanted to go to Death Valley because it’s one of the best places to see the stars in the US. But I will say I think going with the flow in Vegas will be really fun and we’ve also got a handful of other deserts to go to. So updates will come!!

So we drove and drove through the desert for about 5 hours but kept having to stop because I have a tiny bladder and can’t control my water intake. We wound up stopping in a cool spot- a cool little gravel parking lot style place, so we could all pee and watch the sunset. After more driving we finally made it to Vegas!! We checked into our airbnb at 11:30 and hung out all night playing games and drinking brews. It was a total blast. 

Stay curious and happy travels!