Day 94 – 8/6/16

Lemeti creek 2052.09 to 2079.27

Total miles: 27.18

We wake up at 6 and start to pack up as quiet as we can. Which is not quiet at all. Lots of rustling. I’m sure the other hikers hate us. I eat my pop tart as I wait for Tami to finish. I pour out the crumbs behind this log I’m sitting against. A few minutes later a Gray jay flies down and picks up a crumb. I pick up a piece and hold out my hand and channel my inner Disney Princess. A few seconds later one lands in my hand and picks up the piece. So cool. I’m a regular pocahontas.

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Day 93 – 8/5/16

2027.11 to Lemeti creek 2052.09

Total miles: 24.97

Last night was a weird combination of hot and sweaty but still cold. I was up again by 5 and just laid in my tent until about 5:45 when I started packing up. I packed up all my stuff and went over to the others were and waited for them. By 6:45 we were off. Continue reading

Day 92 – 8/4/16

2006.16 to 2027.11

Total miles: 20.95

I slept pretty good last night. I woke up a few times but was able to fall asleep again quickly. I of course was up at 5 but the group agreed on 6. Since we are only doing 20ish miles I didn’t feel the need to be up at 5 like I used to. I kept waking up every 10 minutes and finally by 5:45 I started getting up. I always seem to grunt and moan when I get up. Later Jeremy told Tami and Mayfly that I “was making old man noises.” I told them I’m 30 going on 80.

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Day 91 – 8/3/16

Bend 1998.53 to 2006.16

Total miles: 6.63

Woke up at 3:45  so that we could ride on Portland’s light rail to the greyhound station. It was so early and I only got abut 5 hours of sleep. Although I did fall asleep right away. We got onto the light rail at 4:15  and wouldn’t you know it there was a crazy person. It doesn’t matter what city you’re in or what time of day (or night) it is; there is always a crazy person talking to themselves. After about 45 minutes of jerking back and forth we get to our stop and make our way to the greyhound station. We stop at Starbucks then we walk over to Voodoo donuts. The last time I was in Portland I learned of Voodoo Donuts but didn’t go. It was after the bars closed and we were walking to the light rails when my friend told me that apparently Voodoo donuts is a thing. We walked by it and there was a line out the door and around the corner. Keep in mind it’s about 1 am. Why? Can they be that good? Well I got one and it’s pretty good. Not sure I would stand in line for an hour while drunk but you never know. They did have good names such as “triple chocolate penetration.” Kinky. Continue reading

Day 90 – 8/2/16

The last couple weeks I did a whole lot of nothing and it was everything I thought it could be. I ate a lot of food that wasn’t trail mix or peanut butter. I laid in bed and watched a lot of Netflix. I also remembered why I hate Arizona. It was hot. So hot. I reactivated insurance on my old bronco but it has really crappy air-conditioning and it sits outside. So I was always hot and sweaty driving around. Continue reading

Day 89 – 7/19/16

I’m home in Phoenix now. I took a greyhound from Weed to Medford and then a flight to Portland in a tiny prop plane. Had about a 3 hour layover and then flew to Phoenix. I got to Phoenix at 5:30 and my mom picked me up at the airport. I decided to just stay at my parents house for the night. My cat is there and it was nice to see him. Continue reading

Day 88 – 7/18/16

Paynes Lake 1591.47 to Sawyers Bar road 1597.25

Total miles: 5.78

Last night was horrible. I might have gotten an hour of sleep. My back was pulsing with pain all night. I packed up my  stuff at 5:20 and was gone by 5:40. I had less than 6 miles to the road into Etna. As I was hiking I made my decision. My back and feet were in too much pain and I was starting to worry about causing permanent damage. I decided I would go home for a couple weeks and then hop back on the trail at Bend, Or with my friend on August third. Continue reading

Day 87 – 7/17/16

1559.04 to Paynes Lake 1591.47

Total miles: 32.43

I had another restless night. My lower back was in constant pain. Just a dull pain enough to make laying on my sleeping pad uncomfortable enough to prevent sleep. I woken up just as it was starting to get light out around 5:20. I packed up and was downing yet another pop tart by 5:45. I was hoping I’d feel better today. My feet and back felt OK but I know it’s a temporary feeling. Those two have been getting sore earlier in the day. Continue reading

Day 86 7/16/16

Porcupine Lake 1528.81 to 1559.04

Total miles: 30.23 plus 0.2 back to trail

I didn’t sleep good last night. I woke up several times and it took awhile to get back to sleep. Once 5 rolled around I slowly got up and packed my stuff away. As I was stuffing the last of my gear into my pack the mosquitoes realized where I was. I seem to have jinxed myself. I heaved my pack on to my shoulders and made my way back to the trail. Continue reading

Day 85 – 7/15/16

Shasta 1498.70 to Porcupine Lake 1528.81

Total miles: 30.11 plus 0.20 to lake

The worst part about a zero in town is having to get up the next morning. The bed is so soft and comfy. I just want to stay in it all day. Alas, the trail won’t hike itself. Yesterday I called Shasta Taxi and asked for the earliest pickup. My taxi would be here at 6:15. I woke up at 5:45 and packed up the rest of my things and filled my water bottles in the tub. Classy right? By 6:05 I was ready and I did a quick double check around the room and walked outside. I put my key in the drop box and walked to the sidewalk to wait. Continue reading