Bushcamp to Ashland
22.4 miles
Sobo mile 933.9
Total mileage 3586.5
I felt like shit when my alarm woke me up at 5am. A combination of not enough sleep and too small a dinner had left me feeling weak. It was only had about 20 miles to the road where I’d hitch into Ashland from, so I forced myself up and got moving.
The trail was easy, so the morning went by quick.
I saw a neat little owl the size of my fist fly off carrying what looked like a dead mouse. I snapped a picture, but it didn’t really turn out.
After my interesting owl encounter I only had a few more miles until I got to the road.
I arrived at the road to Ashland around noon, and since Paige wouldn’t be there until 3pm, I decided to hitch into town. Just then a car drove up and the driver began asking me questions about the trail. Ultimately he offered to drive me into Ashland, where he dropped me off downtown right in front of Taj Indian Food. Paige and I ate here on our way north, the buffet is incredible.
Two plates later I was stuffed to the gills, so after paying the bill I walked across the street to a tea shop to knock out some phone chores while I waited for Paige.
At 3:30pm Paige pulled up and I hopped in ecstatic to see her! We had a three and a half our drive to Bend, during which we were rear ended, so that made things extra exciting. Everyone was ok, so that was good.
By 7:30pm we were checking into our room at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes. After a quick shower we headed over to Spork for a late dinner. After eating we were both tired from a long day if traveling, so we went back to the hotel and crashed.
P.s. I spent Saturday and Sunday morning exploring Bend with a Paige. I won’t be blogging about these days, but I threw in a few photos of us checking out some breweries below. I’ll be back on the trail Sunday evening.
Cheers!
Austin (& Paige again),
Good to hear from you again. I hear you are back laboring on the PCT this Labor day.
Must be difficult after relaxing with Paige in Bend. Some great breweries in that town, of which I am sure you have sampled them all.
Catching up on your blog, it is a similar experience to watching a movie, being held in suspense while the plot twists and turns like the PCT.
1) Where is Airborne? will we ever see him again.
2) Will Austin make it to Ashland in time – did he get to see Paige.
3) The stomach cramps, is it the food, bacteria in the drinking water, trail mix overdose,…
4) The fires, the smoke, can you hike through smoke
5) 45 miles in one day – how is that even possible
6) Set the scene: a magnificent brewery , a beautiful smiling girl and a serious flight of beers in front of her, all looks cozy and inviting
All credit to you Austin, we will see you at the Oscars.
Take care of that stomach bug and be safe….
John Smithies
Hi John,
Thanks for the great comment. Bend was incredible. Such a needed respite from the trail, but I’m back at it.
1) I think Airborne is a day or so behind me.
2) I made it.
3) Doc thinks it’s the gallbladder…
4) Haven’t has issues with smoke or fire since northern Washington.
5) Just takes grit.
Cheers!
Good to see Spikes again. Hope her new job is going well.
Echoing John above, where’s Airborne? Haven’t seen mention of him in a little while.
Spikes is crushing it at her new gig! It was great seeing her for the weekend. I’m not 100% sure where Airborne is, but I think he’s about a day behind me. Cheers!
Echoing John above. It’s been hard to follow your journey due to the suspense. There has been a worry wort growing on me. Those fires have us worried about you when we don’t hear anything from you. It is also GREAT to see Smiles “AKA Spikes” again! What a great reward for your hard work (Both of you, now that she has started her new job and missing out on your ‘fun’). Keep on keeping on. Cheers
Thanks Chris!
You are incredibly thin! That makes 2 things you’ve lost on the trail.
Dude this stomach issue has made it really tough to eat enough…I’m down 30 lbs from when I started.
30lbs, wow that’s Biggest Loser territory! I do hope you remedy that stomach issue.
On another note, it’s cool to see you’re still wearing your AZT hat. I got mine in the mail yesterday, same style so I can be like my hero!
Hahaha heck yes! I hope y’all had fun on the AZT last weekend!
Thanks! We hiked up the Mogollon Rim from Pine, and our first trip was an adventure! We got caught in a hail storm, had to wait to cross a wash during a flash flood, and had to set up camp in the rain! We were prepared though and managed to stay warm and dry through the night. Didn’t sleep well thanks to the Elk bugles in the middle of the night! We did 20mi in 2 days. You’re chewing up and spittin’ out 40’s by the handful.
What an epic trip! Glad y’all had what you needed to stay dry and warm. Pine is a neat area, my parents have a cabin there! The local brewery, That Brewery, has some tasty beers and is a huge sponsor of the AZT! Cheers!
If Austin continues to average 30 mpd, he’ll be through the Sierra by Oct 1, and at the border by Nov 1. At this point, I’m thinking it’s just heads down hiking – something to knock out for the accomplishment.
He can then proceed to enjoy the holiday season by eating as much as he likes in an attempt to gain back – my WAG – at least 20 lbs.
That’s the plan Hobbes! Once I get through the Sierra I’ll slow down to smell the roses, but until then I plan to average 40 mpd. I want to see the Sierra without snow…and I’ve lost about 30lbs since I started.