Today was a somewhat easier day, which will be a theme for the days to come. Since we are doing the last 100 miles of the trip in two days, we can afford to go at a more leisurely pace until then. The road was somewhat awful at points despite being in the city because we were on a two-lane highway with passing. Thus, cars would zoom by right next to me. One unpredictable step to the right during one of these passes and I (Sam) would have likely been hit by a car. I eventually made it to a Chipotle after about 5 miles, where I enjoyed several bowls. Despite being such a popular chain, it feels as though I had seen very few Chipotles, which made it a treat. After eating, I walked another mile before sitting on the side of the road to rest. I did not really need to rest, but I allowed myself to stop given the easy milage. While sitting, a man came over to me and handed over a pair of slippers and wished a Merry Christmas. This was very kind, and I stowed the slippers away for use when I’d eventually reach Los Angeles. James and I were walking separately, but we both spotted a bowling alley on the way in Palm Springs. We decided to make a trip to the lanes This would also end up being pretty close to our final destination. I out-bowled James in the first couple of games, which led to James having a meltdown. He kicked the ball machine, leading to a screw coming loose. As his competitor, this reaction gave me pleasure. James did eventually come back to life, as he beat me in the final few games. When we left the bowling alley, it initially seemed that sleeping in next to the parking lot out back would be viable. We soon realized that there were several other tents set up out back, so we decided to find a place that was less populated. We decided on a spot behind a golf course near a bridge, out of sight and also uninhabited. It was interesting having to worry about where to sleep again. Out west for the most part, we could just pitch our tents more or less anywhere off the side of the road. This time around we had to make sure we would not be seen and also in a relatively safe location.
11/27/22
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