Walkabout day 13

I'm not dead yet!  Probably because I unexpectedly ended up couch surfing during this impressive heat wave.  I've been in Walla Walla WA the past several days.  Enjoying exploring a new town, as always, but about ready to head back into the woods.  I have an offer for a ride next Sunday, or I could catch a couple buses before then.  I expect my dithering will end up with the ride [grin]. 

Ironically, I'm making a loop and heading back nearly to where I started!  I'll be north of the Spokane area for a bit.  A week, a month, who knows.  But I am hoping to spend at least a little time in town visiting folks.  The only real thing on my agenda is Minnesota sometime in October!  I'll be a relief driver for a jaunt down to Texas, specific dates yet to be determined. 

In the meantime, be safe ya'll, but not so safe you don't follow your dreams!

Walkabout Day 8

I keep saying "it's not about the hike; it's about getting out and staying out".  So why do I feel guilty if I leave the PCT?

It's a walkabout: I knew when and where I would start, but not when or where I would end. And apparently, very little about the middle! 

I had a lovely, if crowded, weekend at Eagle Creek. Discovered that it's one of the most popular destinations in the gorge!  Wasn't feeling terribly healthy, so ended up in one spot for three days.  Monday re-supplied back in Cascade Locks and headed up (down?) the official PCT.  Camped at Misnamed Dry Creek. Realized I hate setting up/breaking  camp every day, much prefer base camping and day hikes.  Spent another several days at Dry Creek, and finally decided that the PCT felt to much like racing from town to town for my tastes.  So now what??

I'm back in Cascade Locks pondering that...  Decided the new tent had technical difficulties I don't want to deal with, so was planning to head into Portland to exchange for different style. But all the hostels in Portland are booked - something about a holiday weekend? Pesky holidays!

So there are several possibilities I'm exploring.  Rest assured, the walkabout adventure continues, just not on the PCT!  Any adventure suggestions will be considered!

Day 1

Despite rail problems that delayed ALL trains, freight and passenger alike, I made it to Cascade Locks today!  I am thrilled to be in the woods, even if still within earshot of a freeway. The next several months are going to be just that - nearer and further from roads and people, same as up and down the hills (and in and out of cell/internet signal!).  There's a metaphor for life in there somewhere...

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'm leaving, tomorrow, it's only a daaayyy uuuh-wayyy... (curse you Annie!)

I am amazed at how hard it is to dispose of everything ethically. Sure, I could have just walked away from the apartment and left it all for the landlord to deal with, but I just can't do that (although I did do it to a roommate once when I was 18). Plus I wanted to liquidate as much as I could, which takes effort. Seriously, how is it that minimalism is such hard work?! Sheesh.

The yard sale was a success – I managed to sell probably a good two-thirds of my stuff, the rest has been donated. I also Craigs-listed a few of the more valuable items. I have a couple boxes to send to friends (gifts and returns), and just a couple boxes (mostly important papers) being kept in storage. I am hanging on to the dehydrator, one of the more difficult decisions, but simplified by a friend who wants to do a long-term loan of it – I'm hoping I can convince him to occasionally mail me some dehydrated supplies! And really, that's about it! Everything else will be either on my back, or in the “drift box” that I will forward from Post Office to Post Office (aka the supply closet). The drift box, or bounce box as I was calling it at one point, will have critical supplies that I may not be able to get at various resort stores along the trail: extra socks, fresh fuel canisters, refills of hand lotion and sunscreen proven to not irritate my skin, envelopes and stamps to mail filled journal pages to my mail-drop/holding service, and the like.

For a while, this whole concept seemed unreal. I couldn't imagine that though I was planning to get out into the woods, I would actually be there. Now it is very real, and I can't wait!!

I have no idea how often I will have net access, or the ambition to post if/when I do, so I make no promises. But I have a vague notion of resuppling every 70 miles or so, and posting at minimum “I'm not dead yet!” when I do. Depending on how scenic the area is, and how strong the urge to wander is, this might be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks! In the meantime, I encourage everyone to consider your own dreams, and how you might follow them.