It was a chilly morning and we both woke up feeling pretty
refreshed. For some reason I did feel like the day dragged on. The
scenery was okay, but not like what we have seen recently. We are
getting into a bit more of a green tunnel. Its still super beautiful,
but perhaps a different beauty than what is found on other parts of this
trail.
We did not see any other thru-hikers today. Did meet a few folks out
for the day, and a few on a week long hike. It is so weird to get in and
out of bubbles of people on this trail. Also strange to think about all
the hikers behind us. Are they still hiking? Its hard to know.
We managed to hike 24 miles today. Not terrible considering we still
are not feeling completely 100% yet. We will get back into it though. I
am exhausted tonight for some reason. Time to get some rest.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
8/7/12
Today was pretty good. I felt really strong again. Lauren was feeling
strong too. We made it all the way to Callahan's Lodge, some 16 miles
by 2 pm. All our packages that we sent ourselves arrived. Lauren got new
shoes, socks, and gaiters. I got chlorine tablets and a kilt to hike
in. Never thought I would own a kilt. But it is extremely comfortable.
Allows air to circulate, and should last much longer than the running
shorts I seem to destroy every 500-800 miles.
We enjoyed a good meal at Callahan's lodge too. Its really a great place to refuel, right beside the trail. I think a person could really hike this trail without ever getting more than a couple miles off the trail to resupply. That would save a lot of time and money. Time seems to be the most important of all though.
I hiked with a man named Gourmet today for a few miles. We talked about how coming to the end of the trail has different meanings for different people. For some, its exciting to finish the trail. They have families, loved ones, apartments, and jobs to go back to. For others, they want to drag this experience out. They don't have much to go back to, or perhaps nowhere to call home. I peersonally am in the middle. I am excited to start a new chapter of my life. Not looking forward to finding a job, getting into a grind of life. I am excited to start something new, once again.
We enjoyed a good meal at Callahan's lodge too. Its really a great place to refuel, right beside the trail. I think a person could really hike this trail without ever getting more than a couple miles off the trail to resupply. That would save a lot of time and money. Time seems to be the most important of all though.
I hiked with a man named Gourmet today for a few miles. We talked about how coming to the end of the trail has different meanings for different people. For some, its exciting to finish the trail. They have families, loved ones, apartments, and jobs to go back to. For others, they want to drag this experience out. They don't have much to go back to, or perhaps nowhere to call home. I peersonally am in the middle. I am excited to start a new chapter of my life. Not looking forward to finding a job, getting into a grind of life. I am excited to start something new, once again.
8/6/12
Today was much better than yesterday. Maybe it was the first solid
stool I had in a week, maybe it was entering Oregon, maybe it was the
trail magic at the border, or maybe all the delicious spring water today.
Whatever it was, today was great.
We woke to a beautiful sunrise, both felt well rested. We had gone to sleep at 8 pm last night, so we had gotten another good nights' sleep. The trail seemed to know what we needed today, easy miles. Somehow we cranked out 26 of them today. Both of us felt great too.
The California/Oregon border was a bit unexciting for us. Neither of us had actually walked from Mexico this year, and we were both mostly excited to leave our sickness behind and start a new chapter of this journey. We spent about 3 minutes at the border and then marched on.
Half a mile further we saw a sign that read "welcome to Oregon Trail Magic". Then we heard people cheering. It was Balls and his two daughters, Sunshine, and Butterfly. They gave us soda, hot dogs, twizzlers, and good company. Balls and daughter Sunshine hiked the PCT last year, AT this year, and plan to do the CDT next year. This would make Sunshine the youngest to hike the triple crown, at just 13 years old. Chili and Pepper were hiking near us all day too. Chili is just 13 years old, and has hiked the AT last year and working on the PCT this year. The father-son duo will also attempt the CDT next year. Exciting and amazing to see kids so young out here.
I ate 4 hot dogs, drank a soda, ate some chips, and that's when I knew my stomach was getting back together. Lauren's stomach is still on its way back together, but we as a whole are feeling stronger everyday. Good day.
We woke to a beautiful sunrise, both felt well rested. We had gone to sleep at 8 pm last night, so we had gotten another good nights' sleep. The trail seemed to know what we needed today, easy miles. Somehow we cranked out 26 of them today. Both of us felt great too.
The California/Oregon border was a bit unexciting for us. Neither of us had actually walked from Mexico this year, and we were both mostly excited to leave our sickness behind and start a new chapter of this journey. We spent about 3 minutes at the border and then marched on.
Half a mile further we saw a sign that read "welcome to Oregon Trail Magic". Then we heard people cheering. It was Balls and his two daughters, Sunshine, and Butterfly. They gave us soda, hot dogs, twizzlers, and good company. Balls and daughter Sunshine hiked the PCT last year, AT this year, and plan to do the CDT next year. This would make Sunshine the youngest to hike the triple crown, at just 13 years old. Chili and Pepper were hiking near us all day too. Chili is just 13 years old, and has hiked the AT last year and working on the PCT this year. The father-son duo will also attempt the CDT next year. Exciting and amazing to see kids so young out here.
I ate 4 hot dogs, drank a soda, ate some chips, and that's when I knew my stomach was getting back together. Lauren's stomach is still on its way back together, but we as a whole are feeling stronger everyday. Good day.
8/5/12
Today was tough. I am so sick of being sick and tired. Today really
felt like work. We worked hard too. I honestly did not have much fun
today. I was exhausted and it was hot. I dont feel like writing anymore.
Its storming right now. Only pumped out 18 miles today, and it was
hard. Sleep
8/4/12
We took a long day off yesterday in the town of Yreka. Lauren visited
the urgent care clinic and was reminded not to drink water without
treating it. They also prescribed her a double dose of Flagyl, one for
her, one for me. It worked out well.
We also watched so many hours of Olympics and other television. We moved from the Econolodge to the Holiday Inn Express. Our stomachs seemed to improve throughout the day, and by dinner time we ate pizza. Not sure it was the best choice.
This morning we did more lounging. Finally left by 11 am. I was worried that a hitch out of a non trail town would be tough. We received a ride in ten minutes. Two older gentlemen. We soon found out that our driver was the mayor of Yreka, a new first for me. They took us up ten miles where we needed to turn on to another highway. It was super hot there. We luckily got a ride in ten minutes from a girl who lives in Happy Camp, and she would travel through Saied Valley on the way home.
She gave us a ride back to the trail, it was very nice.
Being back at the trail feels weird. We are with a group of folks we have not met before and ones that got far ahead of us. We are 160 miles north of where we were before we got sick. But its also a week later... We will most likely hike on tonight. Feels good, also weird to be here.
We also watched so many hours of Olympics and other television. We moved from the Econolodge to the Holiday Inn Express. Our stomachs seemed to improve throughout the day, and by dinner time we ate pizza. Not sure it was the best choice.
This morning we did more lounging. Finally left by 11 am. I was worried that a hitch out of a non trail town would be tough. We received a ride in ten minutes. Two older gentlemen. We soon found out that our driver was the mayor of Yreka, a new first for me. They took us up ten miles where we needed to turn on to another highway. It was super hot there. We luckily got a ride in ten minutes from a girl who lives in Happy Camp, and she would travel through Saied Valley on the way home.
She gave us a ride back to the trail, it was very nice.
Being back at the trail feels weird. We are with a group of folks we have not met before and ones that got far ahead of us. We are 160 miles north of where we were before we got sick. But its also a week later... We will most likely hike on tonight. Feels good, also weird to be here.
8/1/12
Last night was rough. It was just one problem after another. Both of
us went to sleep with stomach aches. Then the mosquitoes would not let
up. They buzzed around our heads just enough to keep us awake. Around
midnight I set up the tent. The area for the tent was really too small
for our large tent, and we both ended up sleeping on rocky uneven
surfaces. Then there were ants, millions, on everything. So as we are
throwing our stuff in the tent, we are shaking off ants. They were on
everything. Luckily we did hang our food in a tree to keep the rodents
out.
This morning we both felt terrible. We had stomach pains and felt really tired. I felt so bad, its Lauren's birthday and we both feel like vomiting. Our dreams of hiking 30 miles today were shattered as we were both exhausted.
We decided to hike to the next water source and call it a day. A whooping 3 mile day. We camped in a saddle and slept most of the day. Though its no fun being sick, we did enjoy resting here. We are both in high spirits, played a few games this afternoon.
We are feeling a bit better this evening, hoping to get back in the groove tomorrow. We also talked about hiking back to town tomorrow and getting a bus up to Etna after a couple days rest. Not ideal, but we may need more rest.
This morning we both felt terrible. We had stomach pains and felt really tired. I felt so bad, its Lauren's birthday and we both feel like vomiting. Our dreams of hiking 30 miles today were shattered as we were both exhausted.
We decided to hike to the next water source and call it a day. A whooping 3 mile day. We camped in a saddle and slept most of the day. Though its no fun being sick, we did enjoy resting here. We are both in high spirits, played a few games this afternoon.
We are feeling a bit better this evening, hoping to get back in the groove tomorrow. We also talked about hiking back to town tomorrow and getting a bus up to Etna after a couple days rest. Not ideal, but we may need more rest.
7/31/12
We got into Mt. Shasta early on the 29th. It was easy walking and we
had 20 miles done by 1 pm. Got a ride into Shasta quickly too. The day
was pretty busy though. We had not been to an outfitter in weeks, since
Tahoe really. We also needed some R&R. Ate dinner at Billy Goat's
Tavern and enjoyed some of the best food on the trail yet. Watched some
olympics too. It was a good day.
Yesterday we had so much to do. We made resupply boxes for Callahan's Lodge and Timberline Lodge. Not really sure why it took all day. Maybe it was the all you can eat pizza buffet, or the walking all over town. We didnt return to the hotel until after 3 pm. Then ziplocs and noodles were flying all over the tiny hotel room. We finally went to dinner at 730, after packing and labeling 5 boxes, Lauren sewed my shorts, I installed her new pole tips and soaked her feet. Sushi for her town birthday. None for me, another burger instead. Then more Olympic watching in the hotel room. Shasta was a great place for a zero. Very much a hippie town with a very laid back feeling to it.
Today we took it kinda slow getting out of town. The vortex of town made it hard to leave. Though I love hiking to death, the good life sometimes does appeal to me. Its such an easy life, waking up in a bed, eating 3 large meals (or more), and the beer and television, its good stuff. But the goodness of town does wear off eventually. Luckily we have not been in town enough on this hike to wear off its charm. On the Hayduke Trail this April, me and d=rt were forced off the trail for 3 nights due to a snoe storm in Bryce. The tiny town of Tropic, Utah wore off its charm pretty quick.
We finally were on the trail by 1 pm. It felt pretty good to be hiking again. Tomorrow is Lauren's birthday. I have a few small surprises for her, nothing big! We are camped in a sweet spot. Amazing sunset. Should be a great sunrise too. We plan to start early and hike a 30 mile day for her 30th!
Yesterday we had so much to do. We made resupply boxes for Callahan's Lodge and Timberline Lodge. Not really sure why it took all day. Maybe it was the all you can eat pizza buffet, or the walking all over town. We didnt return to the hotel until after 3 pm. Then ziplocs and noodles were flying all over the tiny hotel room. We finally went to dinner at 730, after packing and labeling 5 boxes, Lauren sewed my shorts, I installed her new pole tips and soaked her feet. Sushi for her town birthday. None for me, another burger instead. Then more Olympic watching in the hotel room. Shasta was a great place for a zero. Very much a hippie town with a very laid back feeling to it.
Today we took it kinda slow getting out of town. The vortex of town made it hard to leave. Though I love hiking to death, the good life sometimes does appeal to me. Its such an easy life, waking up in a bed, eating 3 large meals (or more), and the beer and television, its good stuff. But the goodness of town does wear off eventually. Luckily we have not been in town enough on this hike to wear off its charm. On the Hayduke Trail this April, me and d=rt were forced off the trail for 3 nights due to a snoe storm in Bryce. The tiny town of Tropic, Utah wore off its charm pretty quick.
We finally were on the trail by 1 pm. It felt pretty good to be hiking again. Tomorrow is Lauren's birthday. I have a few small surprises for her, nothing big! We are camped in a sweet spot. Amazing sunset. Should be a great sunrise too. We plan to start early and hike a 30 mile day for her 30th!
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