Wednesday, 6/6. I crawled out of my tent to find that the temperature was only 38 degrees but it warmed up quickly as soon as the sun came up. Although the temperature never got above 70 degrees, we were climbing all day and the cooler weather made a very hard 5000-foot climb a bit more reasonable. Our highest altitude today was 6800 feet, but then we finished the day at 6100 feet. I'm finding that my legs are strong and I'm certainly acclimating to the altitude. We camped in a beautiful forest service campground - beautiful for the scenery but not the amenities. There were flush toilets but no running water except for a pipe coming out of the ground.
Thursday, 6/7. It was not as cold in the morning but still comfortably cool. It turned out to be a moderate day with spectacular views as we got up as high as 7900 feet. As I was pedaling along I heard an indiscernible loud rumble coming up behind me. I pulled off the road to have a snow plow pass me. This area along the Angeles Crest Highway has lots of sheer steep rock faces along the road with rocks falling on to the pavement all the time, so they use a plow to clear the rocks. Tonight we're in another scenic but sparse campground; pit toilet and the second night in a row without a shower. Tomorrow night we have rooms at a Red Roof Inn in Palmdale. i guess it's a reward for these last few days of deprivation.