August 2

I didn't leave as early as I wanted to this morning, but had the good fortune of a dry campsite down in low elevation next to good water. My SteriPEN once again lost battery, leaving me with no way to purify water. This was somewhat expected, and not a huge concern as it was still overcast, humid and cool meaning I wouldn't need much more than the full liter of purified water I did have plus the fact that every stream and spring I see is probably more pure than the tap water most people drink on a regular basis. Over the course of the day, I did end up drinking about half a liter of non-purified water which proved, so far, to not be an issue. I am still frustrated that I can't hike more than 200 miles on one set of batteries for the SteriPEN. At this rate I will be spending about $140 just in batteries (CR123 2-pack at $13.99 each). I might as well buy a filter that I only replace once.

I'm also very frustrated at my Oboz shoes. They are going in the garbage tomorrow as I have a chance to buy some new shoes that will allow me to walk without foot pain. I do wonder sometimes what it must feel like to walk without pain... It's been my reality for so long I've forgotten.

There were some huge upsides to the day, however. First, in talking to my dad on the phone I missed the last turn on the PCT and ended up road walking for 4 miles into town. This was great because along the road were hundreds of blackberries and I stuffed my face on those for 4 straight miles after I had been eating as many huckleberries as I could get my hands on at the higher elevations. Just before crossing the Bridge of the Gods into Oregon, a marketeer at a fruit stand selling fresh peaches let me have a couple for free. Then, in crossing the bridge, the toll booth operator let me go through without paying (I was told by the nobos they were charging hikers), and standing at the other side were my new friends Darren and Mona Nichols. I've had a great night consisting of a burger, ice cream, shower, bed etc. I'm taking a double zero here and heading out Monday morning on the trail.