Have not had much communication with Kevin for the past week. Crater lake had no cell service and prior to him arriving there, I was only able to track him through his map. I have had some satellite messages describing the trail. Not so great. Lots of long mile days (29 - 32 miles per day), which I believe is catching up with him. I still can't imagine walking that many miles, day in and day out? If you think about it at all, it is a bit crazy.
July 27 - After leaving Ashland, at mile 1750 - Hyatt Lake BLM campground. Got a message that is was the BEST campground. $2.00 with hot showers and electricity in bathrooms to charge phone! Burned his dinner of rice and beef jerkey, but had fig newtons and 2 bags of M&M's to make up for disaster dinner. Oh the simple pleasures he gets excited about? That was a 23 mile day...felt good. Made me wonder if he would ever be able to just go for a walk with me when he gets home? hmm?
Did mention that it was very smokey and was worried that Shane may be quite busy with all these fires.
July 28 - mile 1774. LOTS of LAVA. walking is streneous, also a very dry section. Water reports are scarce. Always a worry. Getting lots of texts from BeeMan (Paul C) as he is about 90 miles ahead of Kevin. Still walking with Smooth Operator. Enjoying his company.
July 30 - mile 1800. Tipping his hat at Pilot rock for Otis' parents. Sweet self pic for Otis and his sister. Still worried about Shane as smoke is quite bad.
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| Pilot Rock - hat off for Otis' parents |
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| mile 1800 |
July 31 - mile 1830. Mazama Village, Crater Lake. Resupply Box was there. Thank God. There were some problems with tracking that box and I was worried he would have to scavenge through hiker box to find some yucky food for the next 5 days until he arrives at next resupply, mile 1912, Shelter Cove Resort, Crescent, Oregon. Thank you UPS...no scavenging needed. Box arrived.
Aug 1 - met up with BackUp - hiker that Kevin has walked with for many miles previously. First met him when I did my resupply at Walker Pass. He is a Mechanical Engineer and is very organized and has doubles of everything...hence, trail name. Very fitting for him. Nice man, about same age as Kevin. Walked into Red's Meadow with Kevin and I had breakfast there with the 2 of them. After Kevin did his zero at Tom's Place, BackUp was ahead for a couple of days...it's nice that they are walking together again. Makes me feel good somehow that I know he is with someone during these LONG mile days.
Aug 1 - Was a discouraging day in many ways. Had to walk 32 miles as the Park service destroyed the water cache left by a Trail Angel. Hence, NO WATER for 27 miles. The angel did leave a note apologizing for the disaster..this is crazy. Will notify PCTA to post on FB page for others. Unfortunate for hikers.
Also, for myself, it was a very difficult day as we did our beautiful memorial service for our dear friend, Wendy. It was lovely, but heart wrenching. A difficult day had by all.
Aug 2 - The things you learn....UPS can do an INTERCEPT of your package and resend to another location. After stressing out this morning about my resupply box not getting to Kevin in time, I researched the UPS site and sure enough! found I could intercept the package and send it on to the next resupply at Big Lake Youth camp, Sister, Oregon. So he will eventually get package, but will have to scavenge out of hiker boxes for a good stretch of miles. Feel pretty bad, but maybe he will slooooow down a bit. ?
the adventure continues...... and yes, Shane is in N. Calif and heading possibly to Oregon for fires
Chief's wife
