Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
09. August 2003 — Day 105 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
Woke up and most of my stuff was still moist so I broke camp and walked over to the Lodge to have a coffee and sit in the morning sun. Jim and Jeff were there as well. I spread out my gear to dry. Jeff’s wife and a friend arrived at around 11am with a van and we hit the road. We stopped at a Dairy Queen in Oakridge before they dropped me of at the airport in Eugene. It was funny to walk down the line of car rental booths to get a quote. Ended up with a Toyota Corolla from Budget. It was very strange to be driving down I-5 south. Basically heading back to the Medford/Ashland area. The 2.5-hour drive was exhausting and then the fun of looking for a motel started. There were plenty to choose from but most of them asked more then I was willing to pay. So ended up in the Motel 6, which had the advantage of being super close to the airport. That evening I stayed up quite late and watched TV. I think I tried to catch up.
10. August 2003 — Day 106 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
The next morning I stay in the motel and relaxed before heading to the airport to meet Emma. She had an exhausting day, getting up early to take the bus from Newport to the airport in Boston. Then after the flight into San Francisco take a tiny plane to Medford. I think she was shocked when she saw me. We hadn’t seen in over three month and I had lost about 40 pounds. I took her to the motel were she could freshen up before we went for yet another pizza.
11. August 2003 — Day 107 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
The next morning we had a nice breakfast and then drove around to explore Medford. In the afternoon we went to Mill Creek falls, which were really nice. We enjoyed the sun on the quite there. In the evening we went for dinner and then saw “Terminator 3” in the theater.
12. August 2003 — Day 108 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
The following day we went shopping for some normal clothe for me and then headed for Crater Lake. The drive was nice through pine forest on a winding highway. I was pretty sure we would run into some hikers in Crater Lake and I was right. When Emma and myself arrived at the Mazama Village Store we saw Hatchet, Paul and Apteryx there. It was pretty funny to see them. Hatchet was clueless like ever. He could not remember were he send his package to so we gave him a lift to the Post Office and then back down to the store. Then Emma and myself drove up to the crater rim and I have to say it is amazing. It’s a shame that it is so touristy. We had a little bit to eat in the cafeteria and then went over to the lodge and climbed up one of the peaks (I think it was Pyramid Peak). From Crater Lake we drove further east and then south on highway 97 towards Klamath Falls, were we stayed in a motel.
13. August 2003 — Day 109 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
We went into Klamath Falls to find a nice little place for breakfast the next morning. Afterwards we tried the public library to check emails, but all PCs were in use and we would have had to wait an hour. We decided to hit the road and head for Etna, CA. The drive down highway 97 is not exciting except for the stunning views of Mt. Shasta overshadow the surrounding area. Really impressive. We took some back roads over to Etna. It was a little bit strange to return there. But I just liked this small town. We checked into Etna Motel for two nights and then went down the road for food.
14. August 2003 — Day 110 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
After breakfast I had to do some shopping to send onwards to Ollalie Lake for my next leg on the trail. I met Puck and Belcher on their way to the Post Office. The last time I saw them was in the Sierras. It was fun to see them. Then Emma and myself drove up to Etna Summit and headed southbound on the PCT. We went about 3 miles on the PCT to the spur trial that leads down to Taylor Lake. I assumed that this trail would be as well graded as the PCT. Well it wasn’t. It was very steep and it took us quite a long time to drop the 400 feet down to the lake. Emma struggled a bit because she was just wearing runners. Finally made it down there. The lake was really beautiful, tucked into a valley and surrounded by mountains. We had our lunch break there and went for a swim afterwards. Since we didn’t want to go up the steep slope we took a different route. It was very strange going on a day hike on the PCT. Especially hiking a stretch that I had done before. Back in Etna we had a few beers in the microbrewery. Really good beer. We had planned to go for dinner in the “Trailhead” so we had to rush a little bit and we had a nice dinner there.
15. August 2003 — Day 111 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
On our drive back to Ashland the next day we stopped in Yreka to get my pictures developed at a Wal-Mart. Some of them came out really good. I had four rolls of film so the reached back to Aqua Dulce. Looking at them brought back memories. Taking Interstate-5 got us back to Ashland were we planned to stay for three nights. We checked into our Motel and relaxed for a bit. We had seen a Thai restaurant on our way into town that we wanted to try that evening but when we showed up at the restaurant at 9pm they were about to close. Just a little different from Ireland were it is common to go for dinner later. So Emma and myself went to a small Mexican place, which had huge portions and excellent food.
16. August 2003 — Day 112 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
Went to Denny’s for breakfast, which was right beside the motel. Then we drove into town to do some shopping and explore Ashland. I really like Ashland it has a very European style to it, all the small shops and restaurants. This evening Emma and myself made sure we were at the Thai place earlier. We had a lovely dinner very relaxed and forgot the time a little bit. After dinner we wanted to see if we could get tickets at the Shakespeare Festival, but we were too late. A shame really, so we walked around Downtown Ashland and went for a quick drink. I hadn’t seen “American Wedding” yet and it was the only other thing really to do so we went to a showing. It was way past hiker midnight when we got back to the motel.
17. August 2003 — Day 113 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
A very busy day went into Ashland again to buy new shoes and then send of my bounce box to Cascade Locks. Also had to buy resupplies for the next 4 – 5 days on the trail. Afterwards we relaxed at the pool. We had fresh watermelon and just enjoyed the sun. For the evening we just wanted to stay in and watch telly. I couldn’t believe that the week was already over. Emma and myself would be parted for another 1 ½ month.
18. August 2003 — Day 114 – Road trip through Oregon – Northern California
We went to Denny’s for a quick breakfast again. Emma’s plane was leaving Medford at lunch time so we made the short drive to Medford airport. The security guard checking the bags was a little surprised when I answered his question about sharp objects, with “Oh yeah ice axe and trekking poles” Very sad to see Emma leave and walk through the security checkpoint. Alone again and still such a long way in front of me. Still 750 miles.
But before that I had to get back to the trail first. The drive to Eugene was boring and I ran out of time a little bit. I had to return the car by 2:30pm. I would have made it but then I could not find a petrol station to refill the car and it took me quite sometime so I was a little late. The guy behind the desk didn’t seem to mind which was cool. Now the problem really started, getting back to highway 58 and then up to the mountains. I inquired at the information desk and they actually had a shuttle running that would bring me half way, but it was expensive. It cost me $55 but if I think about it, it was an hour’s drive and about 30 miles. I then tried to hitch a ride from Oakridge up to Shelter Cove Resort were I had left the trail. But it turned out that it was quite hard at 5:30pm and I had no luck. I tried for an hour and then gave up and took a motel room. Tomorrow would be a new day.