Remington and Deep Creek

Matt and I left left Sequoia Wednesday morning - Destination Kernville: Headed to Remington Hot Spring, jeweled and buttoned tubs (Quick note: If you need to know anything about me, I love being naked, in nature, floating around in hot water - It is happiness...)... So we drove south via an amazing scenic back road - Stopped off in a tiny town near Lake Isabella, drove to a nowhere-road near Hobo Campgrounds - Hike should have been simple (less than a mile) - But, it was Bru-tal: Steep-like cliff, loose rocks, pricker burrs, stinging nettles, low brush - Matthew fell at least a dozen times....

But..... Matt and I prevailed! We won! We made it.....Whoo!........ Yea! Only to find......... all of the tubs?..... Underwater!?! The river had flooded, every tub was under muddy stagnant water! - Upset isn't the word to describe how I felt - I had my heart set on that Hot Spring for over a year and half - Doubt I will ever have the chance to drive out there again.... even if I do, the forest service is supposed to shut it down later this year.... blah.... Matt and I grudingly packed up our stuff, trudged up the giant sheer rocky cliff covered in things that wanted hurt us....

So, I ask, "What should we do now?" And he goes, "Lets drive back to town. We will camp with all those cool hippies." In my head I shout NO! ... Done with it - Done... Haven't taken a shower in seven days, my hair is matted, my clothes stink, my socks have burrs in them, stinging nettles suck, I don't want to sleep on the cold ground anymore... I want a shower and a warm bed for one single night. "Want to drive back to LA? We could try for Deep Creek Hot Springs in the morning...? We could sleep at Denny's place, he gave me a key...." Matt grumbles about how much he loves hippies, he wants to hang out with the hippies, hippies are so awesome... but I don't care, because he doesn't drive and I do... I want a shower and a bed....

Four hours later, we drive into LA, sneak into Denny's house, fall into a glorious warm smushy bed.... And everything in the world is happy! ... Well, except for Matt... he was still upset about all the hippies he missed out on...

Refreshed, renewed (and showered!), Matt and I drove to Deep Creek Thursday morning! - One hour outside of LA, clothing optional.. The experience was unbelievable! Mustang had it's first off-roading adventure (...Enjoyed watching jaws drop, when I told everyone at the springs that I drove my mustang down the 8 mile stretch of Bowen Ranch Rd!) - Matt and I hiked 2 1/2 miles into the canyon, on a perfect sunny day, through some of the most amazing scenery in California, 2 1/2 miles out.... Met a lot of great people along the way. Realized we were on the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Canada to Mexico... We took a cold refreshing dip in the river, swam out to the tubs which sit on top of a massive rock - Tubs were scalding hot, wonderful to jump in and out of - Spent a lot of time sunning on rocks, swimming around with strangers..... Deep Creek turned out to be my absolute favorite part of my California Trip - Completely made up for my disappointment the day before (although I would still love to camp at Remington someday).... Hiking with your best friend on a gorgeous day in California is good for the soul.... I recommend it.