It was a cool night and this morning, as has been pretty much the trend the past stretch. I was late to get out. It didn’t matter, there were 23 miles left, and the terrain would be almost entirely downhill. I waved goodbye to the lovely ladies that I joined at the campfire yesterday and headed out. 
Pretty soon there were brief but beautiful views of Mt. Adam again. The trail dropped beneath the tree-line and she disappeared out of sight. I listened to some podcasts and music and enjoyed the general fact that I was hiking in dry socks and shoes. It was mostly cloudy today, and when passing through parts of the forest with real high trees it would get dark, making me wonder if there were rain-clouds looming nearby, ready to poor over me again. It stayed dry all day though, which was a huge relief.
At a road-crossing, I stumbled upon a message board with on it a list of 13 trail-angels with their phone-numbers, ready to shuttle people from and to the small village of Trout Lake. There was even a suggestion of a location a couple miles further on trail where one might get cell-phone service. I took a photograph of the note, and definitely aimed to put that to good use once getting closer to the road. Having a scheduled ride definitely beats having to wait for a hitch.
In the area of cell-phone coverage, I tried a couple of phone-numbers without getting an answer. With the fourth or fifth number I tried, somebody picked up the phone. The gentleman told me he was out of town, but that there was a shuttle-service operating, that shuttled hikers to and from the trail, 3 times a day. The last shuttle would depart from the PCT trail-head around at 1730. It was now 1630 and there were 2 miles left for me to hike. Perfect timing! I thanked the gentleman for the information and quickly booked it downhill for the last miles. At the road I was joined by Maple and Dorita, a Lithuanian couple who I’ve been leapfrogging with for the past section. At 1730 on the dot, the pick-up pulled up, unloading a whole bunch of hikers who just came from Trout Lake. We gladly got in and were soon off towards a warm meal, showers and general comfort.
Around 1800 we were dropped off at the General Store. As I hiked around the building, I saw Coach and Sasquatch chilling at the hiker-hang-out area. I hadn’t seen Coach in a very long time, and it was great to catch up with him again! After dumping my laundry in the machine at the General Store, I walked over to the nearby cafe which would serve food till 1900. 
After devouring a massive cinnamon roll, a cheese-burger and fries, I was quickly off to the General Store again to put my now clean laundry into the dryer (they only had one of each, and I didn’t want to hog either of the machines for other users). I walked around the store and all the employees were super kind and helpful, and made us hikers feel very at home. I got some ice-cream for dessert and waited for my laundry to finish drying.
Knowing today that I didn’t need to put in big miles, and I could take it easy, made a huge difference to my mood. I admit this has been a very rough stretch, in the end more mentally than physically (as usual). The transition of the weather turning and me being rained on a lot was a new experience. The accompanying discomfort, forced me into a new state of mind, something that I severely had to get used to and learn to deal with. After sharing this with the other hikers today, I learned that I had not been alone in this. The past stretch had affected a lot of us. I was glad to hear it wasn’t just me. Misery truly loves company…
Hopefully the past days will have given me some sort of basis, expanding my pallet of experience; having me know a little bit more than I did before on what’s to expect out there. Hiking this trail remains a learning curve. Every day…
I felt a real relieve coming into town today, and to see familiar faces. It definitely made for another shift in my state of mind, for the better. After picking up my laundry I hiked over to Camp Jonah, a Christian non-profit retreat center, where they host PCT-hikers for free. There is a large room with bunk-beds and there are free hot showers, and use of all the facilities. So amazing! After finishing up this entry I will hit that long awaited warm shower and will gladly go to sleep in a bed.
That’s been quite a while too.
Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin’ in your eyes
But the clock’s held 9:15 for hours
Sunrise, sunrise
Couldn’t tempt us if it tried
‘Cause the afternoon’s already come and gone
And I said
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you
Surprise, surprise
Couldn’t find it in your eyes
But I’m sure it’s written all over my face
Surprise, surprise
Never something I could hide
When I see we made it through another day
Now the night
Will throw its cover down
On me again
Ooh, and if I’m right
It’s the only way
To bring me back
Sunrise – Norah Jones
Wauw Jor, je bent al zo ver! Echt heel knap, ga zo door! 😀