Town-day; so up and about early. Only 14 miles downhill to get into Ashland. I was excited for several reasons. Good food, a good nights rest, new shoes, new socks and general relaxation. The miles downhill went by fast with an empty pack and I caught Freewheel, Rocket, Snow-white and Peach-man at the Callaghan Lodge, where they were enjoying beers and food before hitching into town. I gulped down a massive chocolate milkshake and had a quick bite too. The trail-angel Casey (who preferred to be referred to as trail-fairy) had picked me up from the trail-head and was now waiting around for Benjamin Button who’d spend the night at the lodge. She would shuttle him and the rest of us straight into town. Great!
She dropped us off at the post-office where Rocket and I grabbed our packages (my new shoes!!) and then we got out at our motel. We shared a room and all quickly got comfortable and got showers. My old shoes have lasted me 800 miles, since I bought them in Mammoth and even though they still looked reasonable I’m fairly sure that the cushioning in the sole is completely gone. Time for a pair of shiny new kicks!
After everybody was cleaned up nicely we went to the laundromat and hung out while we waited for our stuff to be done washing. Rocket and I grabbed some cash and she got a case of beer to share with the others. Check out the relaxed/bored hiker-trash in the laundromat. These dudes just make laugh all the time. Good peeps.
After laundry we met up with three Canadians (Arms, Double-D & Gourmet) who we’ve been hiking with the past couple of days and headed to the Pizza-place. As per usual it was great fun to have this big gathering of hikers swapping stories together. The pizza was real good and afterwards we headed back to zone out at the motel. After a quick dip in the pool I thought it time for bed as I was pretty tired, and tucked myself in for a good nights sleep. In a bed…! Happy to be in Ashland. Tomorrow there’ll be time for chores, now it’s time for sweet dreams.
I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
I’m not sure that I really ever could
Hold on to a hotel key in a
Bedroom neighborhood
And go sleep-walking in Hollywood
I’m gonna steer clear
Burn up in your atmosphere
I’m gonna steer clear
‘Cause I’d die if I saw you
I’d die if I didn’t see you there
So I don’t think I’m gonna go to LA anymore
In your Atmosphere – John Mayer
