We are still trending in right direction. That’s trending, but not quite achieving. We made it to store before 8 with Bear and Sassy right behind. The biggest problem was that the store didn’t open until 8:10 which covered for Bear and Sassy. We had already eaten in our tents, but we were still lacking, knowing that a store was close at hand. We got a few additional snacks and drinks before heading back out.
We had a 1.3 mile road walk which provided both additional time and mileage…time to argue about how we calculate miles. Sassy and Bunny are both in agreement that we should count all miles hiked in a day. That’s fine except that it shows they both think alike and are both wrong. The only mileage that counts is trail miles. Period. We could hike 3000 miles on this trail when you include all the side trips to campsites, finding water, going to scenic overlooks, etc, but the trail is only 2,652 miles long. If you need more miles to cover 2652, that’s great, but it doesn’t matter.
I use the Camino as justification. The route from St Jean Pied de Port is 495 miles. It doesn’t matter if you take the Roman Road option which adds 10 miles, your compostella will still only state 495 miles. This is God’s word and who am I to question. Cogito ergo sum, Sassy and Bunny are wrong. God has spoken.
Bear set the pace and kept driving the herd all day. Without him, we would have quit earlier and carried water to a dry camp. I loved Bear’s discipline and leadership. Bunny and Sassy we’re making death threats (in addition to the veiled threats of yesterday). It’s hard to guess who they are going to take out first…Bear has assumed the leadership role. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but worried is the head bearing the name “Easily Forgotten.” Taking me out just may embolden the pair of hussies (spoken with the kindest of intentions).
We stopped every 5 miles whether we needed to or not. Turns out, we needed to each time, if only to prevent a mutiny. Today was driven because of water availability (and Bear, it was all him—take him out first, I wanted to stop). This was supposed to be a 20 mile dry section of trail. However, someone found a “secret pond” at the 10 mile mark and then told the world. They even put a cairn up on the trail with a stick pointing to the pond. To make matters worse, they then recorded a comment on Guthook that there was a secret pond, thus showing the world they don’t know what “secret” even means by telling everyone.
We stopped for an extended break at the “secret pond.” Bear and I wanted a 30 minute break and since we are completely in control of this hike, we took a 60 minute lunch break. In the most “un-French” manner, we even took our shoes and socks off to cool off our feet (heresy!). I’m pretty sure botanicals were even used to relieve foot pain (CBD topical oil with PCP or THC, whichever one is capable of providing “happy feet”).
Reluctantly, Bear finally agreed the long lunch break was a good idea. Secretly, I had been on board the whole time (kill him first and give me a chance at life…I’ll move to Asia and blend in with all the other Caucasian’s—doh!). Even at the 15 mile mark, we were all feeling pretty good. If Bear had had his way, three of us would have felt like crap and Bear would still be going strong. Why am I even a target, here?
It was Bunny who fell apart first. Actually, it was only Bunny that fell apart, but she tried to take me down as well. It was at the end of the day at the 17 mile mark with all the loose rock in trail. It was worse than Pennsylvania ever was (I quite liked Pennsylvania on the AT. It wasn’t bad at all, but a lot of people whine about “Rocksylvania,” Sassy being one of the leaders just because she got a stress fracture). Bunny can drive the pace down to the point that snails will flip us off on the trail. Today, the last 3 miles, was one of those days.
We did successfully make it to camp, but at a cost. Bunny says no more 20s so my goal (actually, Bear’s goal) of back to back 20 mile days may prove a bit more difficult. I did learn after out first 18 mile day when Dancing Dog was with us, that I do not mention anything about hiking long days after a long day. Lesson learned, keep mouth shut and just hike another long day and pretend it’s a short day. The women never actually look at Guthook while we’re hiking.
To make up for Bear’s pushing our wives all day, I told Bunny to take more herbals as soon as we got to camp. I told her I’d set up the tent by myself while she changed her shoes and soaked her feet in the nearby stream. I further told her, I’ll get the water and make supper while she retires to the tent to make our beds. In other words, it was a night just like every other on the trail except Bunny now believes she’s getting a deal unlike any other night while it’s just like every other night. The only difference is, there might be enough THC in the CBD oil that this might actually work.
This is still Oregon. This is still July. We are camped near a stream. For those who have experienced this combination or have been reading this blog, only one conclusion follows…we ate dinner in our tent because of mosquitoes. The biggest thing to note on this day is that it’s July 31. We have been promised that August is mosquito free. In a mere 6 hours, the biggest scourge of Oregon will be past us. Paradise awaits.
We have hiked 105 miles in the last 7 days. For young legs hiking 30 mile days 7 days a week, this is nothing. We are not young, nor do we possess young legs (slavery and live organ trade are both illegal). However, we have achieved exactly 1/2 of the amount of mileage said young legs achieve, BUT we are twice the age. We have done what many believe us incapable of doing…we have proven to all the young pups on the trail that money trumps age and we don’t have to go fast. We have hiked our own inferior hike yet maintain the right to feel righteously superior. Old people rule!
EFG