Day 20, May 7: Zero no. 2 in Big Bear

• Start: Big Bear (mile 266.1)

• End: Big Bear (mile 266.1)

• Miles: 0

• Ascent: 0 | Descent: 0

I woke up slow at the Nafie’s house and worked on my blog a bit before rolling out of bed. They gave me coffee and we made breakfast with some of the leftovers from dinner. Bob showed me his birding book with photos he had taken around town. It was so cool to see!

I wanted to keep working on my blog as I was a little behind, so they very kindly left me to myself for a bit so I could do that. After a while, my family showed up! My dad, mom and sister Christy came to Big Bear to visit me while I was on trail. We all had a nice catching up and conversation while relaxing in the Nafie’s lovely backyard.

After a while, we parted ways and I tossed my pack in my dad’s truck. We went around town and made a stop by the lake. Finally, it was time to check into the Airbnb. We headed over there and got the most bizarre host introduction I’ve ever had at an Airbnb. The owner of it was there and launched into a 45-minute spiel on the quirks and history of the home, and how he could sell us a home in Big Bear or La Quinta, no problem, real cheap! It was the most bizarre sales pitch-y intro.

After the owner finally left us alone, we settled in and got ready for an early dinner. My dad treated us to a delicious dinner at Captain’s Anchorage, an ultra-old school-style steakhouse in Big Bear. Red leather booths, old timey photos on the walls, waitresses in vests and bow ties. I had a rich sea bass dish with a pesto crab sauce. A far cry from dehydrated mashed potatoes and ramen! Thanks Dad ☺️

After dinner, we went back to the Airbnb and had some great family time, chatting and sipping on wine and scotch. My dad went to bed and my mom, sister and I went in the hot tub (my special request for the Airbnb, which my sister Christy ensured I got!). It felt great to soak my weary muscles and it made drifting off into sleep quite easy.