Eager to get to the trail town of Etna (originally named “Rough and Ready”) in time for a hot lunch, I broke camp at dawn and hiked the 13 miles to the road at a quick pace. My stomach was rumbling by the time I caught up to Vick and Ronan at the trailhead. I had barely caught my breath before a truck drove by and I waved it down for a hitch, yelling goodbye to my friends as I ran after it.
The driver was a retired local firefighter heading back to Etna after visiting family on the other side of the ridge. His toddler grandson sat in the backseat, occasionally adding nonsensical comments to the conversation. He dropped me off in town at the Etna Hiker Hostel, where I booked a bed and enjoyed some care package brownies from a nice sobo couple (short for southbound, meaning hikers who start at the Canadian border and trek down to Mexico).
I made the short walk into the small downtown and got an extremely satisfying smoothie and giant burrito at the local coffeehouse, before proceeding to what appeared to be the local tavern for a drink. Once inside I felt like I had been instantly transported to a fancy cocktail bar in San Francisco, complete with house-distilled gin tasting room and a gourmet menu. Feeling very out of place with my ragged hiking clothes and unkempt facial hair, I was nonetheless welcomed by the friendly staff. I sampled a flight of the various types of gin which quickly made my head swim. I then ordered two large plates of food, eventually shambling back to the hostel full and content.
Russell on the Road 