I crossed the border at the same time as my new friend, Mayo. She and I and two other hikers, Coyote and Strider, shared a hotel room in Ashland where two generous trail angels, Tracy and Bob, drove us to and from the trail and even treated us to lunch! After a glorious zero day full of two doses of ice cream and a walk through the Japanese garden, I got back on trail with my new trail family. We have been traveling more or less together ever since. It's been lovely to camp and hike regularly with friends again. Plus, Oregon is slightly less smoky and a lot flatter than northern California. My body has very much appreciated the "break"!
I just finished walking through the stark black lava near McKenzie Pass and Mt. Washington. Tough on the feet but amazing for the eyes! I'll be in Cascade Locks in less than a week. And then Washington! Wow! I have to admit that I'm looking forward to the end of the daily physical grind and having some creature comforts, but I try to maintain appreciation for the specialness of life out here. I reckon that looking back on this experience is going to be very different than being in it.
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