Day 105: Into Ashland
Date: Tues 7/31
PCT Start Mile: 1712.5
PCT End Mile: 1718.7
PCT Mileage for Day: 6.2
Total PCT Mileage: 1718.7
The Highlights: a short hike and hitch into Ashland
Today we only had a short hike to the point where we could hitch into Ashland, our first town stop in Oregon and a chance for some much needed rest.
We started hiking by 6am as usual, anxious to get into town. I always know when we are the first hikers down a section of trail for the morning because I end up clearing cobwebs with my face. Definitely the first on the trail this morning.
Another hazy smoky morning.
The trail was fairly easy, rolling through the forest and crossing over a crazy number of dirt roads. Lots of deer out for their morning hike as well.
Before we knew it, we were at Old Highway 99 South, where we left the trail to walk down to a restaurant/lodge called Callahan’s, supposedly a good area to get a hitch.
Soon enough, our thumbs were up by the I-5 ramp to Ashland. It wasn’t long before an older couple, Dave and Sandy, stopped to give us a lift. They had lived in the area since 1946. They talked about how much it had changed, particularly the weather, and about the devastating forest fires. The Ashland area and entire valley were still quite smoky from fires to the west.
Road walk to Callahan’s.
They dropped us at Morning Glory Cafe, where we tore into delicious breakfasts complete with huge cups of coffee. Town food is so good, why does anyone ever go hiking?!?
After filling ourselves, we walked around downtown Ashland a bit, taking care of some errands, stopping at the post office, pharmacy, and a local outdoor outfitter.
Several baffles had blown out in Shawn’s air mattress, leaving a huge bubble in the middle of the mattress when it was blown up. Not that comfy for sleeping. The outfitter helped him get in touch with Cascade Designs to get a new one sent to our next stop.
It turns out hikers blend in fairly well in Ashland because there are plenty of other folks that wander the streets with backpacks. Biggest difference is that we are wearing shoes and less likely to be carrying a guitar, though there are a few folks on trail with small stringed instruments of one sort or another.
Walking around downtown Ashland, we also noticed that almost everyone was wearing face masks due to the high level of smoke. It has cleared a bit in the past several days, but is still pretty bad. The sky (sadly) reminds us of our travels through the big cities in India, though heavy pollution is the issue there, rather than smoke.
From downtown, we took the #10 bus back out to the highway where we checked into our hotel. The rest of the afternoon was filled with all the normal stuff we do when we have a town stop that includes lodging: showers, gear cleaning, and laundry. We also did some resupply planning for the next section. Here we will actually send a couple resupply boxes ahead to ourselves to locations further ahead in Oregon. We ran out of time today so will do our grocery shopping and mailing tomorrow.
My order of Altra Timps also made it to the hotel. FINALLY, a shoe delivery without headache.
Hello, loves.
After everyone had taken care of laundry and had some clean clothes to wear, we made our way to Caldera Brewing with Rainman, Pitch, and Mustang, who had also gotten in today and, coincidentally, are in the hotel room right next door.
Caldera Brewing, walls lined with shelves of beer bottles.
Pitch, Mustang, and Rainman.
Our sweet cat themed table. (Ugh… where is the puppy table?)
More good food and drinks and we were ready for bed. Tomorrow we’ll finish up our chores and relax some more, taking a full zero before getting back on the trail on Thursday.
