[pct-l] StoneDancer, Muir Ranch and VVR

[Freiman, Paul]

Just got back from the JMT.  What a buttkicker.  I finally got 100% acclimated on the 11th day of the trip (the day it was over).

Muir Ranch....  They are very friendly and nice there, but no meals to the public.  The hiker bins were fully stuffed (pasta, rice, soups, misc gear, etc).  I think they charge $45 to have the mules carry in a box, but you can get the food out of the hikker bins for free.

StoneDancer.... Met Alice again.  She has recovered from a back injury and is hiking part of the JMT SOBO.  Looks great.

VVR....  All I heard about was how expensive VVR is.  BULL!  The prices are excellent.  A shower with towel was only $5 compared to $10 at a truck stop on the way home.  I had a burger, beer and pie.  Seafood fettuccini in wine sauce, beer and pie.  Breakfast burrito, OJ and pie.  Tuna salad, beer and pie.  Six Doctor Peppers plus other goodies. Total $65.  My total bill was $100, but I had $10 in tips and $18 RT ferry ride, plus taxes.  The store prices and menu prices are excellent.  What freaks couples out is the ferry RT ride for two is $36, plus a $15 box shipment payment.  I was very pleased at 1.5 days rest in a nice bed FOR FREE, and a FREE BEER that all hikers get.  I recall paying over $60 for a bed at Warner Springs and paying more for menu prices.  I paid more for a tuna salad at Mammoth and at Reds Meadow.  I pay more for the breakfast burrito at Jack in the Box because theirs is only half the size.

Capt Bivy