On the other side of Four Corners, CA., my gallon jug was half empty and even though I had another four liters in my pack, I wanted to make sure I always had a full supply of water. I stopped at the FPL Solar Electric Generating Systems facility, which consists of acres and acres of solar elements. I walked up to the security gate and there was no one in sight. I did see an intercom system and so I pushed the talk button. A voice asked me what I wanted and I explained to him about needing water. He informed me that I was not allowed to enter the facility and he was not allowed to leave his post. I have to explain here; during my walks, I have experienced dehydration twice, one time, quite seriously. I suppose I have developed somewhat of a fear, I never again want to go to bed thirsty... it is a terrible experience. So, I answered with, "Sir, are you going to deny a man water?" He didn't say anything for a moment, and then,  "Let me see if I can get someone to take my place for about five minutes." A few minutes later, a large heavy set man between 45 and 50 came walking toward the gate. I immediately introduced myself and he told me his name was Homer. He was shaking his head, but smiled when he asked, "Now, I want you to explain to me why I should walk the way back to that building to get you water and then walk all the back here?" And I asked, "Does that FPL on that sign stand for Florida Power and Light?" "Yes sir it does." Answered Homer. I explained, "I paid Florida Power and Light for electricity for both my home and business for over thirty years down in Florida... I figure your company owes me big time." Homer said, "No shit! Thirty years huh, that's a long time!" reaching over the gate for my water jug, he said, "I'll be right back." A few minutes later, here came Homer with my gallon jug in one hand and a one gallon insulated water container in the other. Homer lifted my gallon jug over to me and said, "Here's your water and I filled this other one with ice for you." I said, "You sure you want to give me that nice container?" He answered, "I figure you earned some kinda' little gift of appreciation for being a preferred customer for thirty years." I thanked Homer and asked some questions about the huge solar conversion plant. He told me it was the largest of its type in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world. Homer was a great guy and just kept wishing me well.

The weight of all the extra water was getting to my back which was threatening to go out on me, and all though I had had fairly good luck with people stopping to give water, I still didn't want to depend upon whether someone would stop on not, particularly since the traffic on 395 had really lessened since the intersection with Rt. 58 at Four Corners. Another reason for doubt, I held up an empty water bottle to a passing California Highway Patrolman and he simply turned his head away. I looked after him for awhile waiting to see if he would turn around to help... he did not.  Later, An SUV pulled up and a gentleman by the name of Justin hollered out, "Hey, you okay?" I told him I was fine. He said, "You sure? I said I was sure. Then he asked, "You need a ride?" I asked where he was going and he said he was going to Mammoth Lake. I told him I didn't want a ride that far but asked could he take me out of the desert and to where there was more water. "Sure, that would be Lone Pine, about a hundred miles up the road."  Justin told me.  I'm a thru-hiker and the idea of taking rides does not suit well with me, I always turn them down unless I absolutely have to, limited access highways, bridges, and tunnels and very extreme weather. Actually, my corner to corner walk does not begin until I get to Washington state. When I am figuring my mileage of walking, I always deduct the few miles I have had to ride. I'm not trying for the Guinness Book with miles walked, but instead, with lives affected! I told Justin, "That'll work, I'll be near water and Mt. Whitney, which I want to climb." I told him." Justin told me it would be difficult to climb this time of the year. Justin was a very interesting person and full of life. As Justin was helping me retrieve my gear from his vehicle, he slipped some money in my hand and told me he wanted me to get a room for the night.

In Lone Pine, I saw a sign at a hostel, "$19.95 for a bed" So, in I went to make good use of Justin's kind donation. The pretty young lady at the counter told me, "You have to share the room with two other men, there is only one key and another man already has that, so you will have to coincide with him on your schedule. We lock the doors here at 10:30 and so you will have no access to the room at all after that." That's way too many rules for me! I found the access road to Whitney and started toward the beautiful snow covered peak. A mile or so from town was a camp ground charging $10:00. Not as comfortable as a bed, but certainly more freedom! I met a hiker who had just come down from climbing Mt. Whitney, I told him that I would like to climb the next morning and asked how bad the conditions were now. He told me that he had worn crampons (spiked shoe attachments) and an ice ax. I told him I had neither and he advised me not to try it without the proper equipment, as it would be extremely dangerous and probably impossible. He said the peak is much easier to climb after June 1. I took his advice. Later, after I pitched my tent, I decided to walk back to town for something to eat. As I was walking down the road, I turned to look at Whitney and I saw a county deputy turning his car around and coming toward me. He got out of the car and started asking me lots of questions, are you wanted, why are you here, do you have any weapons,etc. I showed him my Schrade knife with a 1.5 inch blade. After running my beautiful Florida drivers license, he asked me if I would like a ride to the store. I accepted the offer, but had I know how thoroughly he was going to frisk me before letting me in the back of his cruiser, I would have declined. He also took my knife again to hold while I was in his car. I'm sure he was just following procedure, but he did seem a bit dramatic about it. Hey, I got a ride to town and he ended up smiling when he shook my hand and said goodbye.

It was great walking out of Lone Pine, as there was highway construction going on for miles and so there were work crews all along the road with water jugs filled with ice water which they all offered freely! I found a spot at the side of the highway I thought to be suitable for my tent. There were small pine trees to hide it from passing motorist. There was a big log just perfect for sitting on and checking my mail on my laptop. After I pitched my tent and laid out everything for the night, I started into my laptop chores. I was so into what I was doing I never even saw the deputy in front of me until he spoke. He, like the other deputy, asked me lots of questions and then ran my drivers license. He told me, "You can't just pitch a tent next to the highway... that just isn't done here in California!" This was a testament to how well I have stayed hidden, I'm guessing, I have done it at least a hundred times. Deputy Smith told me that he would have to check with his boss and see if I could stay there for the night or he would have to move me to a proper campground some where. He said his boss did not come on duty until 8:00 pm and that was over an hour away. He commented that I did not look like a vagrant and that he liked my laptop, and he said, "You look very clean." Deputy Smith took my cell phone number, told me he would call around 8:00 as to if he would have to come back and remove me or not... he added that it would probably be the latter. So, as soon as he left, I packed up everything but my tent. I stood there and waited until 9:30... and no call. I crawled into my tent, laid down and slept wonderfully! How nice, I was safe, the police knew I was there and Deputy Smith did smile when he left, and.... I was clean.