Day 118 & 119: The Friends of Bacon Bit

(Mile 1978.5 to 2001.5, Big Lake Youth Camp = 23 miles; 2001.5 to 2012, Three Fingered Jack = 11.5 miles)

North Sister. On my list!

At Silver Falls, we have a fantastic volunteer Friends group that supports the park in general and the interpretive program (that's me!)specifically.  Yesterday and today, I decided that I pretty much have my own fantastic volunteer Friends support group.  And they turned out in full force this weekend.

To find the ranger, you must first solve the riddle...

Yesterday, it was my mate who turned up just before McKenzie Pass -- hidden on trail, he perplexed us with a mystery sign.  And then fed us Thai food!  No kidding.  He packed in four tubs of Thai to-go.  I love Thai.  My belly may have been too full for the afternoon's hike, but it was delicious.  So good that it was this morning's breakfast, too.  Now, he is hiking a few days with us, carrying our extra random gear, and playing photographer.  And launderer.  And treat supplier.  Among other things.

Who knew you could have Thai food delivered on trail?!

After eleven miles yesterday, we arrived at 2000 miles.  A mile and a half more, and we were at Big Lake Youth Camp.  I have to say a word about that place.  First, it is the nicest camp I have ever seen.  Second, it was remarkable how kindly and causally they threw their doors open to us!  We could get our own boxes, laundry was easily accessible, and showers came with a towel and soap.  The staff seemed completely at ease with hikers, and the place was scrubby clean.  One of the most simply pleasant resupplies on trail.

2000 miles!

After a slow morning, we hit Santiam Pass at about 1:30 PM.  My friend (and a Friend of Silver Falls), Earl arrived right about 2 PM.  With him were two more friends/Friends and his wife!  (Jim and Janet Thomas and Betty.)  An entire car of visitors!  (Thanks for the chocolate and the bacon article!) Following shortly after was Ranger Jennifer, swinging through on a specially arranged lunch break -- freshly caught smoked salmon and local berry cobbler (delicious!) in tow.  And then my best Oregon girlfriend, Lori, and her mate, Manny arrived -- pops, treats, a new watch (yay!), and birthday present in tow.  And then Carol (from the other day) arrived with her husband, Greg -- the two actually came out and camped at Big Lake for the night!  (And brought more treats!) 

Thank you, Pam Reid and John Thomas!

It was all pretty unbelievable.  Ten of my favorite people all gathered at a trailhead in the middle of nowhere to say hello and cheer us on.  I cannot even begin to express how much it means to me.  I tear up just thinking about it.  I am so happy and so humbled.  I know the PCT is a big deal in some ways.  But I honestly just feel like I am walking.  To make the couple of hour trip out here to sit at a trailhead and chat for an hour or two, well, THAT'S a big deal!

Thank you, Friends of Bacon Bit and Gumby!

Thanks for all of your support everyone -- ongoing and today.  Days like this are what are going to get me through the remainder of the trip.   I could never do it alone.  And thanks to the Friends of Bacon Bit, I don't have to!  Big bear hugs to you all. 

BB

Thanks for the cows, Aunt Nikki!

And thanks for the watch, Lori! I am lost without one. :)

Day 117: Meeting Up

(Mile 1951.5 to 1978.5, past Obsidian Falls = 27 miles)

A frosty morning. Beautiful.

Is hard to do.

We are in my hiking stomping grounds and a good handful of people want to meet up with us.  And we definitely want to see people.  (You would not believe how giddy we get about catching our trail angels.  It's more exciting than town even.  And town is thrilling!)  But I am learning that it is remarkably hard to coordinate!  There are just so many variables, and the fires this year are real wild cards.  For future reference, here is what is working.

Point people.  I have three people I am referring friends to if they want details on how to catch us.  These three get my SPOT updates daily, so they generally know where we are.  These three are also trail map savvy, so they can help pick good meeting locations.  And these three, for whatever reason, have always been good support people for me, so I know they'll support others trying to support me.  Mike, Jimmy, and Guy, thanks for helping others help me. 

Middle Sister at sunset. I remember when
Mike Niemeyer nearly tok me out on the
descent of this mountain! :)

Maps.  It helps if everyone is reading the same maps.  I did NOT make sure of this, but I wish I had.  Halfmile's maps can be downloaded for free online.  They are what most of us use.  If we all refer to the same maps, we can speak the same language.  It simplifies everything. 

Communication.  I don't think I could coordinate a thing successfully without this dang smartphone.  Our progress changes too often to say a week out where we would be definitively on a certain day at a certain time.  Although we are becoming more predictable, the fires and town time are not.  I count on last minute texts and Facebook postings to give the most current location information.  Which means I also count on people checking these high-tech means of communication.  No, I might not be able to keep up with me if I was trying to trail angel!

South Sister. A non-technical but tiresome climb. Maybe another day, Gumby!

There are probably a few other ways to help make these meet-ups go smoothly.  I am just not practiced enough yet to know.  We hit a pass tomorrow and another on Sunday.  If all goes well, we'll cross paths with our trail angels.  If not, it is some other PCT hiker's lucky day!

Day 116: Vacation

(Mile 1931.5, Charlton Lake to 1951.5 = 20 miles)

Well, after a couple of days of 20 miles, we have decided that Oregon is our PCT version of a vacation.  We are eating more town food, taking more showers, getting more posh overnight sites, visiting with more friends, and, lately, hiking less than 25 to 28 miles.  Talk about luxurious!  We know it'll all pretty much end once we hit Washington, so we are enjoying it while we can.

I do not think most people fully understand that this is NOT a vacation.  Oh, it's not paid, and it isn't like a regular 8 to 5 job ... it might be more like, hmmm  ... like working for yourself!  The work is never done.  There is no one breathing down your back, but there need not be -- you are plenty capable of doing this yourself.  You work for 12 to 14 hours a day, about six days a week.  On your day of rest, you prep for the next week and cannot help but to put in at least a couple of hours.  Then you begin again.  You are your motivator and the only one you answer to.  You don't pay yourself anything; any profits (sunsets, Snickers, etc.), you put back into your work.  You can take a day off or two; this only puts you behind your own schedule.  You cannot hire anyone; you must do all of the work yourself.  You may sometimes ask yourself what the hell you are doing.  But you know this is just what you are supposed to be doing, and that it'll all come together in the end.  Which you sometimes think that you cannot wait for!

Of course, it isn't all work, either.  I think what it is, is a full life.  Full of work, full of play, full of friendships, full of hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, full of experiences and challenges, memories and stories.  Perhaps the way we are supposed to live.  And now I need a full night's sleep!

Day 114 & 115: The Gumby and Bacon Bit Support Team

(Mile 1861.5 to 1871.5 plus 10 miles detour = 20 miles; 1896 to 1914 plus 1 = 19 miles)

The highest point in OR/WA! Check.

Well, I am on the deck of my friend, Carol's, father-in-law's log home, getting a massage from my friend, Jimmy.  Life is good.

This is ranking as a bad year for fires on the PCT.

Jimmy came out yesterday.  He had offered to lend a hand this week, and when the fire detour information came out, I knew just the thing.  He hitched us around the road portion of the detour.  I know that some would not choose to do this and some may frown upon it, but my feet are too painful for any more long road walks.  The 18+ miles in and out of Siead Valley pushed my tender heels beyond their limits.  I have been walking, scampering on the balls of my feet since.  Plantar fasciitis is the unofficial diagnosis.  And the modified walking is messing with my hips.  A long road walk, I am afraid, will push my feet too far.  It isn't worth risking or delaying the rest of the hike by ruining myself on a road.  And so, for this section and the next few, we are trying to find rides for the road portions of fire detours. 

Trail angel, Jim Copenhaver! Thanks!

Jimmy gave us a lift and fed us Subway yesterday, and then hiked with us from Summit Lake to Odell Lake today.  In addition to his company and his avocados, we have enjoyed his twenty-some years of massage therapy.  I know, I choose my friends well!

Good morning!

This afternoon, Carol picked us up on Highway 58, showered us, fed us a home-cooked meal and amazing cinnamon rolls, gave us a care package, and then set us up with a place to crash for the night.  She'll return us to trail tomorrow, taking us around the road walk if the next fire detour is still in place.  As she would say, bless her heart.  :)

1900 miles down. 100 to the big 2000!

We have come to the realization that trail angels and trail magic, especially here in Oregon from friends, is as much a part of the trip as everything else.  We have been looking forward to Oregon for the last 1900 miles.  We are trying to embrace the Oregon love!  It is probably what will actually get us through Washington and to Canada.

Look! We ARE hiking together! Still. :)

So, Oregon friends, THANK YOU for your support!  We are lovin' this state!

Thanks for the magic, meal, showers, and shuttle, Carol! Thanks to Dick for us.