Day 108 - Zero in Ashland, OR. 1716.2 (0.0)
Day 108 - Zero in Ashland, OR. 1716.2 (0.0)
Butterfingers and I had ever intention on leaving town today. A combination of relaxing in town, needing to go to the grocery store one more time and then ask for a ride (hitchhike) back to the trail, meant we arrived at the trail later than anticipated.
Then we learned Early Bird and The Worm were staying at Callahan's Lodge which is located within a mile of the trail. Wanting to go see them, Butterfingers and I decided to go and say hi. In doing so, we lost all motivation to hit the trail this day and decided to setup on the lawn of Callahan's Lodge (which they had set aside for PCT Hikers).
Hanging out at our tents, a Lodge worker came down to notify us that some of the people staying at the Lodge wanted to buy us a beer. Thinking it was Early Bird and The Worm being the kind Canadians they are, we went upstairs to the restaurant to say thanks. Instead we learned that it was a random couple who, knowing we were PCT hikers, saw us out of the lawn and simply wanted to give us an anonymous gift. Another form of trail magic you could say.
Day 107 - Arriving in Ashland. 1716.2 (16.1)
As of the first couple days in Oregon, there have been numerous Trail Magic stops with the word that there will be more in the days ahead. Once I reached I-5, I quickly found a hitch to Ashland, Oregon where I met up with Butterfingers and ate lots of food. Setting ourselves up at a Hostel in town, we took care of some chores (which have become a routine at this point), ate more food, and relaxed.
Day 106 - Oregon! 1700.1 (23.3)
There really are no words to describe the feelings that come with walking nearly 1700 miles from one end of a state to another. What I feel everyone must understand is that California really feels like three different states. There is the hot, dry, sandy desert of Southern California; The kick-in-the-ass snow walk of the Seirra-Nevada Mountains; And the seemingly long tree tunnels and Dear infested rolling hillsides of Northern California. All three had two things in common. First they all had incredibly breathtaking views which I don't imagine would ever get old. Second, they all had the ability to, and often did kick my ass, each in their own way. Fortunately all without any lasting injuries.
Thru-hiking thus far has been more than I could have hoped for. The character of the people, which in some was what made the trail so colorful and in others, had changed quite noticeably from the day we all took a step away from the Mexico Boarder.
I don't know if others were having as good of a time as I was or if they could get past the fact that they had to walk 20 miles in a day (I struggled with this early on) and just enjoy the simple freedom that comes with walking a Long Trail. But I do know that this whole experience is one of very few in my life where I would, out of nowhere and with very little thought, develop a massive grin on my face and a feeling of happiness (similar to smiling at a pretty girl and her smiling back at you) and be in a mindset to actually notice it.
Day 105 - The Climb. 1676.8 (19.1)
Though some of the area was still scarred from recent wildfires, the views were spectacular and the near constant uphill didn't seem all that terribly hard. Had I finally got myself in thru-hiking shape? Only took the length of California and 105 Days. Happy with 19 miles today, it left Butterfingers, M&M and me 12 miles from the Boarder, which is a perfect distance to hike before lunch.
