June 20th – Kennedy Meadows

Got to sleep in today! Of course, sleeping in for us is something like 6:30am. Still felt good not to have to get up, pack up, and start walking. Kennedy Meadows Tom was headed up trail to go fishing and offered to haul anyone’s packs 13 miles up the trail so they could slack-pack for the day. No surprise – most people staying here in Kennedy Meadows jumped on that deal. I really wanted a full zero day with my tight calf muscle, so we stayed back.

Tractor, one of the locals who helps KM Tom out, came by about 7:45am to pick up anyone still staying behind and take them down the road to a restaurant called Irelan’s. There were 5 of us that piled into one of Tom’s pick-ups and Tractor drove us to Irelan’s. Irelan’s is quite the place. It’s really just a trailer set up with a couple of restaurant booths. The cook was sitting outside the restaurant waiting for us. The cook “hired” one fo the hikers, Arran, to be the waitress and help with pouring coffee, setting the table, and bringing the plates once they were ready in return for a free meal. The menu was limited, but still easy to find something good to eat. Most of us opted for an egg dish of some sort as well as a side of pancakes. We placed our orders with the cook and he went to town. 30 minutes later we had a table of delicious food. While eating, the cook came out and chatted. We heard all about the family business and how a bear once got into the trailer and attacked his dad. The cook ended up shooting the bear and then was afraid that he would get in trouble for having a gun after just getting out of prison. Hmmmmm…interesting guy. Interesting restaurant. Definitely a great experience though.

After breakfast, we came back to the trailers and caught up on the blog and e-mail. Had the opportunity to visit with Tractor who is quite the colorful character. He’s lived all over the country as a gypsy construction worker. He even was familiar with Kahoka, MO – the small little town my mom grew up in – he lived there for several months in the 80’s. Small world! He has all kinds of stories to tell and is accompanied everywhere he goes with his little wiener dog, George, who happens to be a female. Go figure. He’s been kicked out of the General Store here (something about striking up a fight with a band that came to town). That must be tough to live in a town of population 25 with one general store that you can’t even go in. He doesn’t seem to mind. He’s friends with everyone around, so he get’s them to buy him beer (only Budweiser) and food when needed. Real nice guy though.

Went back to the General Store for another excellent burger. Then hung out on the store porch. The store porch is THE place to be in town. All the locals hang out on the porch drinking beer all day long. I turned down the beer, but sat down with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream instead.

Had several more hikers come in today – our friends Ryan, Spencer, Kobie all came in as well as Eden and Amanda, and David. We showed them the ropes of the town since everyone else had left.

Saturday nights are potluck night at the General Store and luckily us hikers were all invited. The locals all bring a dish and get first dibbs, but then the hikers get to clean up the leftovers and pitch in a little donation. There was quite the spread of food – and even dessert. Yum!

Finished up the night chatting with everyone by the campfire. All in all, a great zero day! We feel well rested and ready to head back on the trail tomorrow. We are now headed up into the High Sierra, so will be out of contact with the real world for the next 10 days.