Banning, ghosttown
In many ways, Banning was a transition during the PCT. It first served as a shelter during the storm, a rest after our first summit, and the beginning of the dissolution of our small community.
Upon arriving in Banning, I wanted one thing: a Sundae. Town and ice cream, ice cream and rest were a constant for me. Unable to consume enough calories on the trail, I tried to replenish my fat reserves to sustain myself a little longer.
After having a meal at the restaurant across from the motel where we took shelter during the windstorm, the Farmer Burger, which offered generously portioned dishes to satisfy our appetites, I set out in search of the promised ice cream.
Across from the motel was a McDonald's. Naturally, I went there to get my Sundae. Upon arriving at the restaurant's doors, I found them closed, the interior empty, with dim lighting, and a few employees at the drive-thru. I went to the nearby Taco Bell; same thing, and the same for Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC.
The Covid had done its work in this town, located on the highway that connects Palm Springs to Los Angeles. In a car-centric country, people no longer stop, visit restaurants, and these vast spaces are now ghostly.
There is something extremely frustrating about seeing all these fast-food places serving the greasy food of my dreams without being able to access it. It was the beginning of the PCT; at the end of the journey, I would have stood in the middle of the drive-thru until I was served. That day, collectively, we didn't dare.
The next day, Idaho and I walked to downtown. Again, the sidewalks were deserted, and the downtown area as well. In the dried-up gardens, dogs were barking. Something is dying in this world, and emptiness occupied my mind more than being alone in the mountains.
I was in the Far West, and Banning already seemed dying, depopulated, a ghost town clinging to the highway it bordered like a lifebuoy. Around us, the wind howled, debris flew, and yet we were happy to be there, protected.
During our stay, Nick seemed increasingly worried and eager to get back on the road. I think for all the people in relationships, separation is a real concern. We follow an inner path, a force that compels us to do the Thru-hike, but no one ignores that for the people who stay behind, and who are not addicted to endorphins and the beauty of the places, accepting isolation is more difficult.
Practical info :
Banning is the nearest town to the PCT from the highway and much cheaper than Palm Springs from people’s report. It really has everything you may need (except, in my case, sundaes).
The Farmer Burger was excellent and filling, the motel we stayed at was decent and welcoming, although it didn't provide the breakfast as promised on internet.
Special mention for the Mexican supermarket. Nearby, there's a laundromat. The only issue we had was that they didn't sell single-dose laundry detergent, but we bought some from a lady who was doing her laundry.
