August 29

I slept really well last night on the fresh soft grass at Green Springs. I found the Swiss couple from the night before right away and they offered to let me use the shower in their room before we left for town. I gladly accepted and had a nice conversation with them on our way into Ashland. Once in town, I found breakfast, coffee and wifi in one place and waited around until the Taj Indian Cuisine opened for their lunch buffet at 11:00. There I met up with Jason who has been resting his foot for a few days, and ate an unbelievable amount of food. After an hour and a half we went looking for wifi and found an ice cream and coffee shop for dessert. We didn't even notice there was no wifi until after buying ice cream and coffee, but stayed for two hours anyway. Then we caught the bus to Jason's hotel room for the night, and even though there was an extra queen bed I still hitched out to the trail and hiked 5 miles in. I'm 60 miles from Seiad Valley and should be able to get there by Saturday night. Two 30s are easier than two 32s. The extra 2 miles is a lot at the end of the day. I might try to do a 32 tomorrow so all I have is a 28 on Saturday. 

August 27

I hiked the 10 miles to the road in record time with the thought of breakfast at Fish Lake Resort only 2 miles down the highway. I road hiked with my thumb out, not wanting to walk all two miles if I didn't have to but no one stopped. I ended up wandering a bit looking for the resort as it is not well marked, but did find it after 30 minutes. I ordered a coffee first of all being that I am out of Starbucks VIA instant and still have the addiction. Then for breakfast, a chicken fried steak, two eggs and hashbrowns all smothered in sausage gravy. Three different kinds of jelly came with my toast and I gave them all a try. I usually don't go for cream in my coffee, but they had honey packets and the extra calories sounded nice especially after weighing myself this weekend and finding that I've lost 15 pounds even with all the added muscle. So each of my four cups of coffee had two creamers and one packet of honey. I then finished up with a chocolate malt milkshake and paid my tab with a generous tip. 

I left the resort just before 1:00 pm, but had a difficult time making good time because of the meal. At 2:00 I took a break to dry out my tent, and eat my last apple with some Nutella and also to let my town stop digest a bit. This done, I hiked in the heat of the afternoon until 5:00 pm. By this time I reached the Brown Mountain Shelter, a cabin in the woods I heard about from the nobos. I planned to fill up with water and be gone since it would only be a 20 mile day, but found many excuses as to why staying would be a good idea. So here I am at the shelter camped with the mice and ants who inhabit the place. It's a really neat place if you overlook your company. I have it all to myself other than that though, no hikers have shown up. In 27 miles I will be able to order the best burger on the trail and 13 miles after that I get a lunch buffet. I'm trying to gain some of my lost weight back and look healthy again!

August 26

I finished today feeling good at 32 miles for the day. A few restful days and a couple nearos is good for the hiker body I guess. The trail was nice and flat once again which helped for making mileage. I did have one climb just before lunch that brought me up to just over 7,000 ft. from about 6,000 ft. This climb, however, was accomplished in classic Oregon style with long slow gradual uphill pulls and only about 3 switchbacks. When I reached the top of the pass I could see the summit of the mountain less than 500 ft. above me. I don't like missing great views so I climbed the spur trail with my pack to have lunch on top. The results were fantastic 360 degree views of the whole countryside including the rim of Crater Lake to my north and Mt. Shasta to my south. 

After lunch I made my way south once again. I met 14-ish nobos (not sure if some were thru-hikers), and got some great information about the path ahead. We mostly talk about town stops and the availability of good, cheap food when we thru-hikers meet on the trail. It does sound like I'm nearing the tail end of "the pack" of nobo hikers meaning I should start seeing less and less every day. Louis texted me and is currently 62 miles ahead of me and taking a town day tonight and probably part of tomorrow. I'm interested to see how my body responds to the mileage and to see if I can do the miles again tomorrow. 

August 25

I have enjoyed my Sunday nearo day immensely and am so grateful for the home that was opened up to me for Saturday night. We said with a long ago friend of my mom's from her newlywed days on the west coast. I had a huge lunch and was persuaded to have a second slice of pie for dessert. After a quick stop at a grocery store my mom drive me out to the trailhead from Klamath Falls. It must be from spending the week hiking with mom or the two nearo days that made me feel so at home because on the way to the trailhead I got the jittery feeling in my stomach, yet I was headed to what I consider my "home". Whatever it was I am glad now to be back on trail.

With the town power I was able to make 10 miles in less than 3 hours even though I've been in rain for the last hour and a half. I was listening to the epilogue of "Crime and Punishment" when over my noise canceling earbuds a thunderclap sounded that sent chills down my spine. I wasn't paying any attention to the sky and was absorbed in the book. Looking up, I saw that I was on a ridge top with a nasty storm rolling in overhead. I scrambled to pull out my rain gear and the sky opened up. There was enough hail to make the ground white and lightning dancing around within minutes as I ran ahead to where the trail dipped down 600 ft. and off the ridge. I have camped early at 7:30 10 miles in and am glad I had a sandwich packed for me so I don't have to cook. The rain is just drizzling lightly and I'm ready to fall asleep to the raindrop lullaby tonight. 

August 28

I am at a loss for words to describe how great my stop at Green Springs Inn is going so far. Oregon has been fun with all of the little resorts along the way, and each one has something different to offer. Each one, until this point, has been forgettable. That might be too strong of a word but the point is, all of them have sort of blurred together in my mind. I wonder what meal I had where and what went on at different ones. Green Springs, however, has changed that. I was greeted by the friendliest staff, had the best meal piled high with food, and paid very little and tipped really well. I hiked 27 miles to get here and was really hungry which helps make any food better, but I do think I just had the best burger I've ever had. The willingness of the staff to help me find everything I need is really what has me at a loss for words. It is one of those moments when your faith in humanity is completely restored. 

I have a ride into Ashland tomorrow too thanks to a couple from Switzerland that were sitting next to me and heard me asking about finding a ride. This will help take some stress off as I am trying to get to Seiad Valley on Saturday night for a Sunday nearo. I had a really great day on trail today with only one small hitch. I still have the shin splints feeling in my left leg after consecutive big mileage days. I think if I'm more diligent in stretching this problem will go away. 

August 24

I hiked across Crater Lake rim starting at about 4:50 am to get some good long shutter pictures and early sunrise shots. The results were so great and worth every minute I spent hiking the out and back of about 5 miles. It's a beautiful lake and mostly accessible by vehicle which could be the reason for all the strange looks from people as we have been walking around with our packs on. We had a huge breakfast at the lodge and spent the morning on the deck over Crater Lake enjoying the sun and the views. Around noon we headed down the trail 4 miles to Mazama Village to catch our ride out of the park and into town. We met our friends there and ended up going back up to the rim with them to show another the lake who had just arrived from southern California on a road trip. We had a great time this evening with more great friends and even though I look forward to being on the trail again, I have enjoyed my stop. 

August 23

We finished out the 9 or so miles to the village lodge on the rim of Crater Lake at a leisurely pace. The pace was slow because our cameras were getting workout pointed across the lake taking pictures every half mile. We met a few more nobos as they headed out, and got some information about some of the stops ahead. I've looked at a few more potential resupply points and want to ask a nobo about the stops if I get a chance. We climbed up to The Watchman, a fire watch tower, for lunch and had great views and a cool breeze. It was warmer up on the watch tower than down on the rim where a stiff cool wind had its effect and made the temperature feel almost cold. 

My stay tonight consists of a rollaway bed and a feather pillow. Not bad accommodations for a hiker. So far we've had a steak dinner and a shower to get the first layer of grit off. I'll go for a bath for the second layer and call it a night.