Couldn't get my slideshow to work :-( But happy to be in Oregon and enjoying the new state to its fullest ! Onward to Crater Lake !
Last nights thunderstorm started a lightning strike fire within a 1/5 mile of the Grinder Creek Campground where I had set up camp. I could see the glow and smoke from the fire, and was having a campfire to dry my socks as the fire department showed up to send a 6 person crew into start fighting the fire. The crew was still out fighting it (over 2 acres) when I left in the morning. Got into the cafe just as it started pouring for a bit, and now I'm having an omelette and watching an attempt to eat 5 lbs of pancakes by Rooster. Only 60 miles till Ashland - and finally saying goodbye to California !! Multiple fires to walk near has made it a bit smokey to put it lightly! Only 120 miles to Ashland has me hoping that the fires around there will be out shortly! Beautiful country, that I'm sure would be even better if I could see more. Legs are slowly remembering what 25-35 miles a day feels like, and soon I will have them pounding out the mileage and escaping this infernal smoke! All for now from the tiny town of Etna, California :-) Taking some time off trail over the next week to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriend, and tour Oregon by foot and car for a change! 1506 miles in and feeling good ! Enjoying a nice Trappist Belgian microbrew... Hiking is soo difficult (I did do a 24 mile day by 1:45pm so I certainly have earned this brew) Enjoyed amazing swimming holes and scenic ridgelines for the last week. Great time in Chester and got a teeth cleaning from Dr. Webb - the hiking communities dental ambassador !! Saw Terminal geyser, Subway cave, and am sitting near Burney Falls, a natural spring waterfall that puts out a consistent 100 million gallons a day ! Soon to hitch up to Ashland real quickly and enjoy a tour of Ashland, Bend and Crater Lake with my girlfriend! A great way to spend a birthday. Did a 40 mile hike yesterday, that included Hat Creek Rim and spectacular views of Lassen Volcano and Mt Shasta ! |
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