I suck at sleeping when I’m sharing a room. Boo.
Oh well.
Today was all about strategy. I met with Bottlecap, Shark, Half Pint, and Pat about our strategy for tackling Mt San Jacinto. It comes down to we’re going to go as far as we feel safe, then bail if we need to. No judgements if someone wants to turn around and no one gets abandoned on any sketchy part.
We met at Idyllwild Pizza Co. I ordered a pie with anchovies, red onion, and bell peppers with extra of their spicy red sauce. It was amazing. I saved a couple slices for the next day to take hiking (note from the future, I forgot them).
I went to get groceries for my resupply, and to contribute to dinner. The cabin mates are all cooking up a feast! I got stuff to make matzoh ball soup, but using breadcrumbs instead of matzoh meal (it works) because there’s not a piece of matzoh within 30 driving miles of here. Maybe. If Palm Springs is that far. But I remember Palm Springs having garbage selection for Jewish foods.
Anina finally made it to the cabin. She got a day behind the group with Cally and Graeme, Firestarter, and Snickers. Anina found Helena on trail, who needed a place to stay so we had one more!
Everyone started cooking. I packed my resupply, then started the soup. While that simmered, Helena and I went to the local bar to get a drink. She hadn’t been to an American bar and she was telling me the differences between that one and the ones she goes to in Germany. Apparently there they have pilsners, lagers, wheats, and a dark beer, but just one brand of each so you order which style you like and what you get, you get.
While at the bar, I met a woman who invited me to her family’s seder. I don’t think it’s going to work out though.
We went back to the cabin, I finished the soup, and we ate.
Grame made a goat and cream cheese spread with herbs and sun dried tomato to be put over some toasted artisan bread.
Firestarter made a pasta dish with tomatoes and herbs
I made my soup
It was really, really yummy. We went through a lot of beer, four bottles of wine, and talked into the night. I love connecting with people.
Bonding with people over the ritual of food — of having a meal — is something Tanascha and I talk about all the time. There’s a cultural narrative to it, too. And the social aspect of breaking your fast with people you may not know… but you can all appreciate a good meal. I find the bars in Germany interesting! I’m not sure I’d fit in well. 😂 I miss your matzoh ball soup.