Hello all, I know, not enough posts. This will probably be the last one until I am finished, which will probably be September 9 or 10.
Oregon: super beautiful and super easy to do large miles. We averaged 30 miles a day and never took a day off. The trail seemed to go through long spells of forest and then emerge to large volcanic mountains with epic names such as Theilson, Hood, Washington, and Jefferson. We have seen many more section hikers due to the fair weather a
nd an the outdoorsy population of Oregon. Many of them are interested in thru-hiking, but sometimes we are trying to make the miles and have to cut the chats short. The wildlife has tapered a bit, except for the rodents. We were hiking along Eagle Creek, a beautiful alternative to the PCT for 14 miles, and had several mice invade our campsites. One location was so bad that we packed up at 1 am and moved an 
hour away. To our dismay, the mice followed. But by the time we were to aggrevated the sun was up and we hiked on anyway. We also hiked along crater lake, the deepest lake in the U.S., 7th in the world at close to 2000 feet. It used to be a volcanic mountain that blew its' top. Swimming in lakes and rivers, lunchtime naps, and laughing at the ordinary have become staples of daily life. I have come to accept my addiction to caffeine instead of trying to quit on this trail. I make tea twice a day to the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee. I only wish I had done it sooner, like in the Sierras!!!
nd an the outdoorsy population of Oregon. Many of them are interested in thru-hiking, but sometimes we are trying to make the miles and have to cut the chats short. The wildlife has tapered a bit, except for the rodents. We were hiking along Eagle Creek, a beautiful alternative to the PCT for 14 miles, and had several mice invade our campsites. One location was so bad that we packed up at 1 am and moved an hour away. To our dismay, the mice followed. But by the time we were to aggrevated the sun was up and we hiked on anyway. We also hiked along crater lake, the deepest lake in the U.S., 7th in the world at close to 2000 feet. It used to be a volcanic mountain that blew its' top. Swimming in lakes and rivers, lunchtime naps, and laughing at the ordinary have become staples of daily life. I have come to accept my addiction to caffeine instead of trying to quit on this trail. I make tea twice a day to the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee. I only wish I had done it sooner, like in the Sierras!!! Today I am camping in a Best Western with my fellow hiker Beaker. I slept for 10 hours, probably have eaten 10,000 calories, and watched 4 movies. A good, mindless break. We may take one more day off in Washington, and average about 25 miles a day. Highlights will be Mt. Rainer, Mt Adams, Goat Rocks, the Cascade Mountains, and Glacier Peak.
Every day is different on the trail. Not always the terrain, but the thoughts of home, friends, and anything outside of backpacking. It allows your mind to wander, and although I may not find answers out here, I can figure out what is next. And what is next right now is lunch and some sleep!!! (Maybe a beer or six too).
Congrats on making it to Washington! Good luck with your last 'few' miles and we can't wait to hear all about the trip in person when you finish in September :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Huff- if you get back to the computer before finishing just wanted to let you know we are marveling at your journey... a bit jealous. We hope you are well from here in Tampa. Kalina says coo coo...where's uncle mike? And next time you come around leave the infectious diarrhea at home.
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