Soon after reaching my 1000 mile mark on the PCT, I saw a map of the trail and its wanderings through California. After all I had lived and walked, there was so much more of Northern California to go. I was very disheartened to say the least. 

It’s true, I once dreamed of doing a continuous footpath from Mexico to Canada, but here it was, the middle of July already and time was running out. In addition to this, Northern California, which is known for having long, flat, dry, and already burned out sections, was burning again. 

So with this dilemma, what’s a girl to do? I say- Get to the best parts of the trail while I can and eat dessert first! 

So, with that realization, I skipped up to Oregon and Washington!

To do this, I first called a wonderful new friend, who I actually met in Argentina, to help transport me across the state.

Sylvia Craig drove all over Northern California to fetch me from Donner Pass and deliver me up to Oregon, while her daughter Andrea and grandson Gus treated me royally in Redding, California.

Next, in Castella. California, I got to visit my college professor, Danny Guthrie!

Then, I called upon some friends in Bend to help get me further north in Oregon to avoid the fires around Crater Lake. For a week I rested, ate lots of summer fruits and vegetables, slept in a big bed with an old- fashioned quilt, watched the Olympics, got my tent and other equipment repaired and had some summertime fun. 

Floating on the Deschutes River is a favorite summer pastime.
But ending the trip at the Bend Cider House is the icing on the cake! Thank you to Brenda and Craig for always making my visits fun!

Finally, I got some great cookies from my friend Katie who mailed them all the way from Alaska. I’m definitely ready for the trail now!

So, my dear readers, by the time you read this, I expect that after entering the trail at Elk Lake, I’m already somewhere north of Santiam Pass and headed for Mt Hood.

To all my Oregon friends, I hope you can come visit me on the trail!