Miles hiked: 26.9
Mile marker: 1919.1
Total ascent: 3500 ft
Total descent: 3700 ft
Everything is dry this morning. This comes as a welcome relief, as yesterday when I awoke, my shirt was still wet from sweat.
It takes me a while to get moving. I’ve packed all of my food into gallon ziploc bags by day, but my food is so voluminous that I have to individually place all of these bags in my pack so it will all fit.
I am still operating out of a grocery bag as my food carrier.
There’s a pit toilet here, which all of us are unsuccessful at achieving the preferred use for the privy.
It’s a cold morning. The sky shines pink and reflects on the glassy water of the lake. Some campers who have their car parked by the water are sitting around a fire — prohibited, but I’m so tempted to ask if I can stand by their fire to warm up!
It’s an overcast morning. My hands are shoved in my fleece kangaroo pockets and resting on my Fanny pack. The trees are pointy and mountains are blue.
Oh, how this reminds me of Washington.
Being out here gives me a longing to live back in Bellingham. Thinking about this leads to the thought of what I’m going to do after trail… I don’t know.
Maybe I’ll just make meatloaf for people. G-pa has the best meatloaf recipe. I hated meatloaf growing up — my mom would just put ketchup on it. She was always a good cook, but I just had an aversion to meatloaf.
Until I ate G-pa’s meatloaf. Him and Magra would make the creamiest mashed potatoes served in a white dish with a pool of melted butter on top and something flaky and green for garnish. Magra would nuke the carrots, and Voila! My favorite meal.
Plus rolls. Gosh, I love rolls with butter and jam. Oh my goodness, I’m drooling.
Instant rice can’t compare to grandparents’ cooking.
So, Washington.
I want to go back. I want to live there. I may have mentioned this before, but I feel that God kept me in North Carolina for a season.
I want to go back to be with family and my cats, but I also don’t. I love the life I’ve built in North Carolina. However, I also feel that my little town that I’ve grown to love so much is also not the place that will allow for me to pursue some other things I’d like to pursue.
But God. I try to live life by listening to God. It’s a lot easier and harder than it sounds.
I don’t know what’s next. And I want to know.
For now, I hike.
I’m going through all of my snacks. I need to pack a better breakfast. Even though I’ve been drinking water, I get lightheaded on the way up to the water.
We run into some old friends by the creek. Shout out to Broccoli!
A short walk later and we reach 1900 miles! Whoop whoop! Almost at 2000!
We hike on. Several miles later we stop at a privy. I’m sad to learn that my REI order was canceled! I need my new shoes!
I call REI in Bend and speak to a friendly Katie.
“We don’t have the Olympus 6 in size 10,” she says. “Our orders are now all processed via AI, so if the name on the billing address doesn’t match the shipping address, something like that could cancel the order.”
That explains why Voyager, myself, and Luxy (twice) have all had orders canceled from REI as of late.
I call the local gear shop in Bend.
They have my shoes!
I’m sitting on my mat and I get a whiff of the stinky privy. The sun hits me. I move my mat and pack out of the sun and onto a gravelly dirt slope.
“We don’t normally hold shoes for customers, but let me see what I can do,” the young man says.
I wait a moment, then get the good news.
“You’ll be here Sunday? We can hold them until then.”
Great! It’s their only pair in my size! And they’re 20% off!
We hike on. Up and up dirt paths I go. Down dirt paths I walk. Through the forest and in splotchy sun I hike.
We reach the lake at last for lunch!
Bad news: fire.
Basically, Washington is on fire. I can probably get a couple weeks into Washington with no problem, but the areas that are on fire are hard to get to. Plus, the terminus is closed due to fire as well.
Dad reached Cascade Locks in Washington today. I will see how the hike goes for him, but Snoqualamie Pass may be the end of the hike for many.
I really hope that’s not the case for me. Please pray the border opens back up.
“It’s crazy to think that the trail could be over in just two weeks,” Voyager says.
Two weeks? What will I do in two weeks? Visit family, then what?
The end of trail is a daunting feeling. Exciting, yes, but daunting.
I’ve gotten used to my simple life out here in the woods. Oregon has been nice. Cozy. Easy. Comfy walking.
We hike another 13 miles to camp. It’s wicked hot in the sun, which I know because I walked out on a fallen tree into the lake to fill my water. Basically it felt like my skin was sizzling until I got into the shade.
Fortunately, we’re in splotchy shade as we bounce along the dirt path.
Voyager hurries up behind Rafiki and me.
“A yellow jacket just followed me for a mile!” she says.
Rafiki stops to use the restroom. Ten minutes later he’s walking behind me again.
“I just fell! I hit a stump and flew off trail and slid down the slope!”
Poor Rafiki!
We get to the lake at last. We all set up camp and scarf down dinners. All of us are eating through our food like mice eat cheese. We’re all hungry and low on food. Poor Voyager had a mouse get into her trail mix the other day! Completely ate through her smelly proof food bag!
It’s 8:00 and I’m in bed. What an early bedtime! I could use some rest.
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