After the excesses of the previous night, I slept in until 10. Most of the day was spent preparing the birthday barbeque for IPA and myself. At 5pm, everyone gathered at the koa (where Mash and me were staying) to start the celebrations. Cookie and Drive Thru were also invited. Mostly because they are awesome and in small part because they shared our campsite at the koa and it would be awkward otherwise.
Lavalamp took to the grill and made burgers, corn and pineapple. Dog On was staying at the koa and I listened to a couple of his CDT stories. It’s been a long time since I properly talked to him, all the way back at Eagle Rock, near Warner Springs. I’m glad he’s back in our bubble.
That evening, I thought about how I’m meeting more people now than I have during most periods of my life. Yet in the end I believe it will only serve to make me more alone. Not more lonely, just alone. No one who hasn’t done this will understand what it’s like to be out here. To feel this sort of connection to each other and the environment.
As it got dark, me and IPA took the remainder of our shared birthday cake to our neighbours at the campground. I saw Miss Pixar there, but didn’t know the others. They all had names with a lot of oomph, like Bruha and Jefe and Clash. Jefe gave me a birthday dab, which gradually took effect until I went to sleep.