Day 106, Learning to Fly

Part 4, Oregon, Day 106

Learning to Fly

Miles: 14.38

Total Miles: 1729.5

It was 10am and I was lying under the covers of my motel room bed. The air conditioner was cranked up and I could almost see the heat coming through my curtains from the sun outside. I'd slept poorly again, even though I was very comfortable. I'm not used to comfort anymore, I guess. It wasn't the heatwave that was foremost in my thoughts, but my quad muscle on my right leg. I feared tearing that muscle in the middle of the wilderness. This fear caused a brief debate of whether not I should rest it for another day. I shoved theses thoughts aside and knew what I had to do. I had to hike. As I always say, the PCT isn't going to hike itself. I was on the street by 10:30am. 

I made this sign to distinguish myself from a non hiker. 

The sign worked wonders. The good people of Ashland stopped frequently to give me a ride, but the first 4 cars were headed North. After 10 minutes, a small car pulled up that was full of stuff. Even though there was no room, the young couple squeezed me and my pack inside and we were off. They had been listening to the audio book of "Wild," so it was exciting for them to pick up a hiker, and I told them stories about the trail. They dropped me off at Callahan's on Highway 99 and I walked a mile up the road to the trail. 

My plan was to take it easy today and ease my leg back into action. The temps were over 100 degrees by noon, so taking it easy was...well...easy. I got the trail head and saw a familiar pine stick near a pack, and I was happy to find Pine Stick resting in the shade. 

I also saw Nominal Toast, a very popular hiker on the trail. We all caught up and filed out one by one. The heat caused everyone to slow down today. I was enjoying the slow hiking today; it felt good, as always, to be back home on the trail.

I was surprised to find that Southern Oregon on this early stage reminded me of the desert. Hot, exposed, and dry. I was hiking toward this giant rock:

I soon found out that it was named Pilot Rock.

There were some moments of forest hiking that provided merciful and much needed shade.

I came upon a view of the backside of Mount Shasta:

I entered the Soda Mountain Wilderness:

I didn't find any sodas though; I guess I'll find all the sodas further down trail.

The day moved from hot to downright sultry.

Just as in the desert, I was bombarded by flies from every direction. 

I arrived at the first water source and met 4 new hikers. I only remember Chicken Fat and Cardboard's names. This happens all the time when I take zeros in town. I get back on trail, and it's like a hiker shift change has taken place. We all hung out and talked while we got water. The source had a slow flow, and something told me to filter the water. 

After a long break, I slowly walked on as the afternoon wound down.

I came upon the last water for 13 miles, so I filled up 4 liters to camp with. The spring was easy to find thanks to somebody:

I walked by a gross pond and found a pipe that had lovely, clean, and ice cold water flowing out of it.

I set out with a very heavy pack. Since is planned to take it easy today, I was under no pressure to hike far, and it was nice taking my time.

Flat camp spots are still as hard as ever to find, but I found a decent spot.

I waited until the sun started setting to make camp. As I right this, I'm hearing an animal near me that I've never heard before. It's loud. It sounds like a mix of a turkey and a big cat. I don't have to tell you that the last thing I need tonight is to be surrounded by wild turkey-cats who are out for blood...

Tomorrow I'll resume my normal miles, and the heat wave will continue. I just hope I sleep well tonight. I'm being treated to a symphony of animal noises right now from all directions. I'll leave you with the sun setting over Ashland.

Night friends!

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!