Oregon’s End - Days 115 - 122

Day 115

Mile 2000.9 to mile 2018.5 ~ 17.6 Miles

Getting out of Bend was difficult because I wanted to stay longer! It was such a enjoyable town. We got a ride from a great guy named Woody. He drove 6 of us hikers the 40 minutes all the way back to trail.

I got back on trail around 10am and hiked an easy 18 miles to camp. My camp tonight is a beautiful spot overlooking Mt. Jefferson. Couldn’t be more stunning!

Day 116

Mile 2018.5 to mile 2055.0 ~ 36.5 Miles

It’s amazing how my body has fully adjusted to hiking. I started hiking at 6am and ended at 9pm. I hiked all day long and I enjoyed every second of it.

At around 5pm I stopped by Olallie Lake to pick up some food at their general store. When I arrived at the lake and gentleman named Nate was doing trail magic for passing by hikers! He offered me watermelon on arrival. Then he proceeded to make hotdogs and bbq bananas (its way better than it sounds). I sat around visited with hikers and enjoyed a wonderful trail magic meal. After chowing down I proceeded to hike another 10 miles or so before setting up camp.

Day 117

Mile 2055.0 to mile 2091.5 ~ 36.5 Miles

Back to back 36’s! Also back to back days with trail magic. At around lunch we crossed a horse camp. At the junction there was a sign that said “trail magic site 7”. I hurried in to find an easy up with sandwich makings, cookies, candy and soda. Ughh I was in heaven! All this was set up by a wonderful woman named Connie Trail. She has been doing trail magic for 3 years at the same spot. She had some chairs set up and I ate lunch and actually took a quick 10 minute nap then got back on trail.

Tomorrow morning I have 6 miles until I get to Timberline Lodge which has an all you can eat buffet. Supposedly it’s the best meal on trail. I am beyond pumped!

Day 118

2091.5 to 2106.8 ~ 15.3 Miles

I climbed a pretty brutal 6 miles into Timberline Lodge. Once I got there it was straight to the breakfast buffet. It was a little more on the fancy side but the food was amazing. I had cheesy eggs, french toast, cereal, sausage, yogurt, the whole 9! After two huge full plates I was stuffed to the brim. After breakfast myself and the other hikers I was with went to the front desk and asked for “The Shinning Axe”.

The outside of the Timberline Lodge was used for the famous movie The Shinning so the hotel lets people hold the axe if they ask. It was fun to see and take some pictures with. I ended up hanging out at the lodge until around 2pm, partly to rest and partly because my stomach was so full I couldn’t move.

Once back on the trail I did another 10 miles or so and called it a day. It was a very fun and good driven day.

Day 119

Mile 2106.8 to mile 2138.6 ~ 31.8 Miles

So here’s how I know I’m so far separated from real life... As I was walking this morning there was a couple with their dog out for a day hike. They walked by me and we exchanged pleasantries, but all I could focus on was their SMELL. They smelt like the heavens opened from above and sprinkled rose petals upon them. As they walked away the smell lingered in my nose for what seemed like an eternity. I have not showered in about a week and the people I’m around the most haven’t either so getting to pass by a day hikers has turned into such a treat!

Tomorrow morning I hike into Cascade Locks which is then end of Oregon. It’s so crazy that I’m almost on my last state. One of the buddies I’m hiking with went to school in Portland so we are going to take a bus and spend a couple days in the city. I am super excited because I have never been to Portland and I have wanted to for so long.

Day 120

2138.6 to Cascade Locks ~ 8.5 Miles

I made it through Oregon, and what a beautiful it was! Cascade Locks it the border of Oregon and Washington. Now I’m ready to take ok Washington, but first Portland.

Myself, Skipper, Watson and Holmes took a bus into the outskirts of Portland. We went to WinCo and did out resupply, found a laundry mat to clean out clothes and went to a gear store to buy a few needed items. We then took a bus into downtown Portland where we are staying with Skippers friend Shin. She was gracious enough to let us use her apartment. I am so excited to explore Portland!

Day 121

Zero Day

Today Skipper took us around and we explored Portland! We ate from food trucks, we went to some awesome breweries and we ate frozen yogurt at a farmers market. Downtown Portland reminds me a lot of Seattle but with a weirder twist. I think it’s the mass amounts of food trucks and strip clubs that give me that vibe.

Even with the weird vibe from Portland, the guys and I really stick out like a sore thumb walking around downtown. We all have athletic shorts, flip flops and puffy jackets on. People look at us like we are from another planet. We even got asked “what are you guys doing?”. Oh well admit the judgement I am enjoying expiring this fun city.

Day 122

Zero Day

It feels so good to have a couple days to relax and do nothing. My body is so happy and I can feel a lot of my aches and pains recovering. The guys and I were pretty lazy in the morning. We slept in and watched movies at the apartment. In the afternoon we went to an event called First Thursday which is a gathering in downtown where people go to different art shops and hangout and drink for FREE!

Tomorrow morning I am getting back on trail and pushing for the finish line. These last couple days have been a lot fun and given my body some much needed rest but I’m ready to get back out on trail and complete my goal.