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.

Went to Timberline Lodge and stuffed ourselves at the awesome buffet. Matthew says that we are allowed that sin, one of the “seven deadly sins,” while we are on this adventure.

Matthew found this on the trail for me.

We approached Mt. Hood and are now camped in its foothills after visiting Timberline Lodge.