Days 104, 105, Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

Part 4, Oregon, Days 104, 105

Resting in Ashland

Miles: 0

Total Miles: 1716.12
(day 103 is in the menu)

When I woke up on the lawn at Callahan's Lodge, it was 6am and it was raining. My tent was soaked, but I didn't care since I was going into town. I threw everything I owned carelessly into my backpack and hobbled to the lobby. My body was sore and I was tired. The lobby was full of hikers either waiting for breakfast, a ride into town, or just procrastinating. Of course, Legend was here:

I dreaded the hitchhike; I hate hitchhiking, but I wanted to rest in a bed so badly that I walked to the I-5 on ramp at 8:00am, even though there was little traffic. Homie and Runaway joined me minutes later and they were very entertaining to hitch with while we waited. In about 20 minutes we got a ride to Ashland 13 miles away. I walked to the Roadway Inn, which had a decent price with a hiker discount. 

The room was just what I needed, nothing fancy. I walked across the parking lot to the Wild Goose Cafe and Bar. Unfortunately, Ashland is pretty spread out, so my options were limited.

I ordered a breakfast called "The Montana," though it came out looking more like Rhode Island...

Not as bad as it looks, but not great either. I finished this in under 5 minutes and set out to take care of my hiker chores. I went to this store first:

I was surprised to walk through the entire store and not buy one thing. I can't explain it... The store sucks for hiker resupply. I went to albertsons instead and bought my resupply food. Next I did my laundry.

I wear my rain gear when I do laundry, and you can imagine what it was like wearing it today in the high 90's heat.

I saw Shepherd and Mr. and Mrs. Smith on the laundromat; part of the team I hiked with in the Sierras! They hitched here from Etna and were returning there shortly. I caught up and then walked around for a bit.

The part of Ashland I was staying in is 3 miles from downtown Ashland, so I planned to take a bus downtown in the morning. Tonight, I relaxed and watched the Giants win in my room. I did not sleep well, even though I was so, so comfortable. I sleep weird in towns now. 

In the morning, I walked to the bus stop and took the bus downtown. This part of Ashland caught my attention immediately. Everything was Shakespeare / literary themed. The town was an English Major's dream town. 

I went to the outfitters first to buy fuel and tape. They had a register and a hiker box too. 

I went to the post office and sent a few pounds of gear home. I need to lighten up and I probably could have ditched more gear if I weren't so stubborn. 

I spent the rest of the morning waking around. I found the coolest monopoly version ever:

I went to a lot of bookstores; the best bookstores I've seen on trail yet.

I was in love with the Shakespeare themed bars!

I walked through Lithia Park:

I spent time checking out the theaters. My favorite by far was the Allen Elizabethan Theatre:

It was such a cool open-air theatre and they were getting ready for showtime:

I went to the box office and found a seat available for "Antony and Cleopatra." I was in a deep inner debate about whether or not I should go. The show was at 8 pm and the ticket cost $75. 

I decided, with great reluctance, that I couldn't afford to the see the play, money and time-wise. If the play was one of my favorites, I'd be there no doubt, but I vowed to return one day very soon. I walked around some more before going to a sports bar. 

I ordered, you guessed it; cheeseburger and fries. They did good! 

I felt so lame doing this instead of seeing a Shakespeare play, but I decided to see a film. 

I saw "Southpaw," which was decent. I got out at 3pm and saw Papa Smurf walking around. He had just gotten asked to leave a restaurant because the other customers thought he was homeless. This happens all the time to hikers. I told him to go to the place I ate at. I walked for a bit and caught another bus back uptown. 

Right now, I'm getting my stuff ready for tomorrow and I plan to relax hard tonight. This was a fun zero and I just hope my leg has healed. Thanks Ashland, I'll see you again soon!