It’s been 28 years since Elaine and I worked together and it was so good to see her again and meet Jacob at Cascade Locks. Jacob’s dinner was delicious and we chatted about family and this quest to hike the PCT that I am on. Thank you for the meal and your kindness and your generosity.
Hiked from mile 1989 (Sisters OR and Mackenzie Pass) to mile 2155 (Cascade Locks OR) with Matthew. This brought me to the border of Oregon. He just left and I am again alone and sad, but I appreciate him helping me get this far.
When we can get them we’ll try to clean up our act. Today Matthew and I did all our laundry and got showers in an RV park. I dressed in my down jacket and wrapped my sleeping bag liner around me to do my laundry. Not fashionable but at least I was modestly covered. Later I came to realize that I had rain pants that I could have worn.
The end of Oregon is nearly here. However it appears that my local trail angel didn’t pick up my resupply packages last Monday so I have to wait until this Monday (it’s Saturday night) to get them at the post office. Ugh!
Under the waterfall we went. What fun!
As Matthew was following me on the Eagle Creek alternative trail he accidentally put his foot down and missed the edge. Instantly he fell down the sheer cliff about. 7 feet (over his head). The creek was about 5 feet further down. I turned around and he wasn’t on trail. Then I saw him over the edge and trying to get back up. I asked him if he was alright and he said yes. His pack had hit the edge and protected him. He didn’t have any cuts, bruises, or breaks. Whew! That was close.
There are at least four ways to cross a mountain stream. The easiest is a bridge. Next easiest is on a log (as shown below). Followed by hopping from rock to rock. Finally the hardest is to wade across facing the current. Sometimes after wading some frigid mountain streams you can’t feel you toes and feet for minutes.
Matthew and I are on the move and headed to these mountains, which are in Washington. However he’ll be leaving me in Cascade Locks so it’ll be me alone to pass by Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier, which is what we think these mountains are.
Somehow over the past three days I’ve developed a sore throat. I feel it every time I swallow. For the first time during this entire trip I’ve taken some Tylenol this morning and then some Advil this afternoon.
Update: No fever, no cough, throat feels better (no longer feels thick or swollen), but now my tongue is very sensitive to acid such as spaghetti sauce. It burns when I eat acidic things. Over the days it has moved from the back of my tongue towards the front. It’s taken days to progress this far.
Update: Tongue problem still lingers and it is now 8/18. Although I feel it’s reducing in intensity. I now liken it to burning your tongue with a hot drink and the sensation you get when you again try to drink a warm liquid.
Update: 8/22 still sensitive.
