Yesterday a mouse ate a hole in my tent netting. Then it ate a hole in my garbage bag. I patched the tent with bandages. I would have used adhesive tape, but I had given my tape to Matthew.

At the end of my hike today I ran into Nobody’s Friend. Unfortunately he hurt his knee and had to slow down and take time off to recuperate, which allowed me to catch up to him. We camped together and I told him about my hiking with Matthew (AKA Watson) and he told me about how he got hurt. Also it rained.

Update: I missed meeting him at the end of the day so it seems that the reunion was short lived. Too bad because I enjoy his company.

Dad *Open after mile 2168.0

Dad (AKA Tartan),

I told you on the trail, but I want to make sure you truly know how much this trip has meant to me. I will cherish it. I will look back and know it made me a better person and man for doing and accomplishing it.

A few sayings have stuck with me recently and I want to share them with you. First, “when you’re going through hell, keep going.” I’ve been going through a lot of hell in the last couple of years and it just goes to show, this journey as a microcosm, that there is a better side… that there is good around the corner if you just keep going. So when you’re going through hell on the rest of this journey, just keep going. Your family will always be there at the end supporting and loving you.

Second, “if the wind won’t serve, take to the oars.” You have set this example for me my entire life. It took me a while to get it, but I do now and every time things get challenging I “take to the oars” and work harder. Your journey just goes to show that there is nothing anyone in this world can’t accomplish if they just work hard for it when there is no wind.

Finally, “I Love You!” You are my hero, my friend, my supporter, my confidant, my provider, my rallying cry… my dad. I wrote in my journal tonight and want to share with you this… “I got through. My dad got through. We took every step together and I will take every memory with me for the rest of the steps I take in my life.”

Thank You! Love You! Good Luck!

Matthew AKA Watt’s son

Finished 462 miles of Oregon. Crossed the Columbia River on a grated bridge. Didn’t look down.

Matthew and I arrived in Cascade Locks only to find my resupply packages not at the trail angel’s house. I assume he never picked them up from the Post Office. Unfortunately we arrived on Saturday and the PO is closed on Saturday and Sunday. So I had to take a zero day on Sunday with Matthew. It’s now Monday and I’m waiting for the PO to open at 8:30 AM. This means I’ll get a late start hiking today and won’t get my full 18-20 miles. BTW, there is a high heat advisory for 90-100s today and I need to climb 4000 feet out of the gorge.

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!