Lucky day 13- the pine tree mindset

Today was a good one. It started right next to whitewater preserve and ended in the pine trees at about 8000 feet. Whitewater is maybe 2000 feet. Nearly all day was spent climbing. We walked through mission creak bed (basically a dessert) for what seemed like ever. My thermometer read 90 degrees at only 12. And there was no breeze or shade. I was walking with the mindset of the sooner i reach the trees that we could see way up on the mountain, the sooner it would be cooler and I would get shade. And finally after 20 miles i made it to the trees and decided to take a nice long break and have dinner. I had some amazing trader joes dehydrated chilli. The cast thing is that it didn't even look that bad. At this point I met the bears. They are I think a brother and sister (large people) that don't move the fastest. They looked very sore when I saw them. They were nice and showed me where the water was. The next to come in was NotRyan. I don't know where he got that trail name but it's unique for sure. He was nice and I actually talked with him longer than I was planning on. He is an ex-actor from new York trying to figure out what to do with his life. After chatting for a while I figured I better get a few more miles in before it got too dark in order to attempt to make it to big bear city tomorrow before the post office closes at 430. I have about 22 miles to make it there. Tonight I am camped at a great spot at around 8700 feet. It had a little campfire kind of set up, so I improved it and decided to have warm mashed potatos for the first time on the trip. They are much better warm. Tomorrow hopefully some real food and a heavier pack due to my package of food in town. After my 24 mile day it time to hit the sack.