Day 22 - Big Bear to campsite at pct mile 285

Yeah, I ended up skipping a trail section. I do feel a bit sorry about it, but that's all I'm going to do with it at the moment.
In the morning I got out of the motel, and hitch hiked back from Big Bear City to Big Bear Lake. This time a hairdresser picked me up. She continued the trend of apologizing about Obama when she heard I am from Israel. At least she didn't call him a communist, Muslim and heathen, as the motel owner did last night. Oh well.
At the hostel I waited along with Idan, Pfifer and Monty for our ride up the trail. Pfifer did the trail at '11, so he gave us some good advice on the Sierras. Monty did it back in '77 and is now just sectioning for the weekend.
We started the trail at about 10:15, and headed out towards the first water source at 10 miles. We made some short snack stops on the way, but got there at around 14:00 or so for our lunch.

Nice Tree/s

I was rather bummed at first, thinking and re-thinking and over-thinking my hike, figuring out I'm not really having fun, and maybe I should stop. Then deciding I should give it some more days. Then deciding otherwise. I was a mess. I had a chat with Idan, and somehow afterwards things seemed clearer, and I even managed to enjoy the rest of the day. So I'm still here!
I got my first taste of a tortilla with peanut butter and cheese. This is not going down easily. I need to get something else for my lunches.
We said goodbye to Monty, who was still sitting there by the water, and headed out to our second half of the day. In about 3 miles we got to a trail Junction where the pct takes a sharp right and many people miss it. We were ready for it. We also finally got to see some very nice postcard views of the lake, which were very nice.

View over Big Bear Lake, towards Snow Summit

We kept on trucking, trying to finish the day not too late. The last miles are the hardest, and I was starting to feel my feet with every step.
Finally, we got to the campsite at about 18:30, and saw several other hikers around. The site is rather big so I don't know how many are staying, or maybe some are heading out for night hiking.

Day 21 - pct mile 240 to Big Bear

After a cold but bearable night, I went out to do a rather long day of relatively easy 18 miles, that will get me closer to Big Bear, for an easy 8 mile into town tomorrow.
That was the plan.
After the first 6 miles I got cell reception, so I talked to Idan, who was currently taking a zero day in Big Bear. If I'd arrive in town tomorrow, I will still be a day behind him. He suggested I get off the trail at Onyx Peak, mile 252, to get into town today, and not tomorrow.
I set out undecided, figuring I'll see how the day goes along.
At one point, the trail went by "animal cages", according to halfmile's app. Yeah - it was like a caged zoo, but I didn't want to have a good look. I set close by, and could hear a bear moaning and growling quite loudly. Poor thing.
The trail kept dragging me. Hiking alone is much harder for me, and I am left alone with thoughts of home. It was the third day now, and I was feeling lower than ever.

I think this is San Gorgonio, peaking out over there

When I finally reached Onyx Peak (which isn't a peak at all) I saw the small water cache there, and two hikers who were having a short rest before heading on. I told them I'm getting off here for the day, and headed towards the parking lot. Down there I saw the three Warrior Hike hikers who stayed with me in the campsite last night, and they got me a banana. That's a good start.
Hitching out took some time, but eventually somebody stopped and took me to Big Bear City. I needed another hitch to get to the PO of Big Bear Lake, but I got there, and got my packages from there. I also met Idan at the hostel, which was full for the night.
Papa Smurf, the local trail Angel, was just passing through, collecting a package for a hiker that stays with him, and he took me to the Nature's Inn, where I got a private room for myself, for the night.
After a shower and a laundry things are looking better. And I will probably head out of town tomorrow with Idan, skipping 14 miles of trail. It's either skipping or continuing alone, and I feel like alone I won't get far anyway...