Day 72- a change in scenery

The trail magic at the Williams was so amazing. This morning they cooked had eggs bacon pancakes fruit coffee and juice for us. Actually eggman cooked the eggs. But What more could a through hiker want? Alas I had to leave around 830 to get back on the trail, hike to belden and then get part of the way up the hot, steep, 16 mile climb out of belden. Everything seemed to work out. We walked through a forest for a while on flat dirt trail! It's nice to see that again. Then we had a short 1500 foot climb to Spanish peak. Along the way I saw 3 ruffed grouse right by the trail and many fawns once again. After a while I soon caught half fast and red blaze who had started 5 miles ahead and I decided to take lunch at that point. A short lunch and I was back on my way to hiker haven in belden. Around 7 miles out you could see the highway many vertical feet below you, all knowing a long series of switchbacks would ensue to get you down there. I just walked for a while and finally made the highway.'from here it was a 1.3 mile walk to the trail angels or you could call and they would get you. Sadly none of us had their numbers. We walked it and I got a nice shower for the second day in a row along with my new camera and new pair of shoes. I was set. So I planned to walk out 6 miles and make it a 31 mile day. Unlike when I was in the snow, I was able to accomplish my goal. Along the way I saw a rattlesnake and 2 more fawns. Must be the northern California dessert area now. I also talked to some flip floppers today who said the snow is really over until at least crater lake and hopefully that snow melts by the time we get there. We have a unique view of the flip floppers (not doing the trail straight through) because we went through the hardest section at the hardest time in the hardest year. Hike your own hike though.