It was pretty weird walking around the totally abandoned campground this morning. There was literally nobody there. Around 0900 I hiked out, and had a very big climb ahead. I didn’t mind. Warm up the body.
During the first hours of the day, I could already tell it would be a significantly better morning. The sun was peeking through the canopy, and I was hoping I would soon get to a clearing in the forest where I could potentially dry out my stuff. 
And sure enough. A little before lunchtime I came across a lovely viewpoint, revealing Mt. Hood in the far distance, its summit hiding in the clouds. I laid out my sleeping bag to dry, and since I got service there too, I called home for a while. It was nice to enjoy relaxing in the sun and wind down a bit.
I reflected on the past couple of days. It had been rough, and in trying to catch up with the others I’ve been pushing myself to the point of not really enjoying the hiking. And that felt silly and not so much worth it. I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day, giving myself a break. Especially since the climb I was making way up on was brutal. The message upon one of the white blazes made me realise that at least I wasn’t the only one having a hard time. 
Quickly after leaving the viewpoint I stumbled across the clearing in the forest I was hoping for. The perfect set-up to pitch my tent. Even though I had taken a long break just before, I realized how happy I’d be this evening, being able to pitch a dry tent. So I got out my wet gear, quickly set it up and had it dry out over the next ten minutes. Such a relief!
The rest of the afternoon I was listening to music and slowly hiking on. I didn’t encounter many people on the trail. As I’d told myself yesterday I really wanted to make into camp before sundown from now onwards. I found a campsite on my interactive maps which would make for an arrival-time somewhere around 1800. When I got there though, the campsite turned out to be a tiny spot hidden in the bushes, and I was not very pleased. I decided to try my luck along the way, hoping to find something better.
In making this decision of course, soon I found myself stressing out again; now the sun was setting fast, and the next possible campsite was another 4.5 miles away. I kept my eyes open for unlisted campsites alongside the trail, but there was nothing really there. There were some nice views though as I made my way up the final climb of the day, revealing the first sightings of Mt. Adams.
Finally I arrived at the designated camping area. Just before approaching the lake, where I expected to be lots of camping, I came across this sign which made me sigh in relief. It was getting close to being dark now. 
On the interactive maps was some ambiguous message that there was no camping allowed near the lake because it was a designated ‘day-use only’ area. I passed this specific area, but saw a group of 3 ladies a little ways ahead, sitting around a campfire. After a little chat with them, they explained that there indeed were designated ‘camp-areas’ too, and they showed me where I could find the nearest one, close by on the hill. I found a wonderfully large open space, and gladly pitched my tent, just before it was completely dark. I carried my food-bag down again, and joined the 3 women for some down-time at the campfire. It had been a solitary day and I told them I would gladly share their company for a little bit. They warmly invited me to join them. It was a wonderful hour of conversation next to the warmth of the fire, and when I walked back up the hill I felt better than I’d had all day.
Tomorrow there’s 23 miles left to Trout Lake, a local small town where I should get all my chores done and hopefully get a warm shower. Looking forward to it!
Close your tired eyes, relaxing them
Count from one to ten and open them
All these heavy thoughts will try to weigh you down, but not this time
Way up in the air, you’re finally free, and you can stay up there, right next to me
All this gravity will try to pull you down, but not this time
When the sun goes down, and the lights burn out,
Then it’s time for you to shine
Brighter than the shooting star, so shine no matter where you are
Fill the darkest night, with a brilliant light,
‘Cause it’s time for you to shine
Brighter than a shooting star, so shine no matter where you are, tonight
Shooting Star – Owl City
