Sleep was very sweet last night and we woke up feeling pretty good. We managed to hit the trail before 10a. The plan for today was an easy 5.4 to Gray Wolf/Three Forks Camp. Less than an hour later and we were in Camp Ellis, 2.7 miles or halfway. We’ve finally got our stride. We made it all the way to Three Forks before lunch.
Since we were so early, we took another long lunch in the camp shelter and made use of the privy. I got some pictures from inside looking out to show how relaxing it can be in nature doing what I do best (or second best, I’m one hell of a sleeper!). Decision point, set up camp or hike out a day early. 5 is Pam’s sweet number for days without a shower to get her motivated—Deer Park here we come. I grab my pack and started running to catch up.
It was 2p when we left the shelter, 3p when I realized I’d left another pack cover at the shelter (2 pack covers, one trip), and 5:55p when we got to the car. A little over a mile per hour up that steep of a hill with lots of breaks I still consider a pretty good pace. I was ready for it to be over about ½ mile before we got to the car. Pam was operating on adrenaline in a shower-anticipation-haze.
We still had the drive out of the park—no easy feat for me. Fortunately, it was a hazy day so I couldn’t always see clearly how close we were to death if my foot or hands slipped. I reminded Pam that we very well might end up at the KOA again but she had her heart set on a shower and Pam gets what Pam wants or Curtis suffers.
We drove on into Port Angeles and stopped at the first hotel we saw (Motel 8) and thought we’d check and maybe have them call around for us. Instead, we hit the jackpot and got the last available room at only twice the cost of the KOA. This was a great bargain or KOA raped us last weekend. Seeing how much problem I was having walking, I’m leaning towards the latter (not that rape is a joking matter and profiteering cannot be compared to such a horrendous act, but the KOA put it to us!).
After a pack explosion and quick shower, we headed out for a supper of pizza—safe transition back to solid food. Back in the hotel room we channel surfed a few minutes before finding a show about our early dating life together: “Naked and Afraid”. It wasn’t quite what I expected but we watched a few episodes before expiring for the night.
