PCT Day 78

Start: 880.7

Stop: 881

Today’s miles: 0.3

Total PCT miles: 1068.7

Croc Miles: 181.3

What a day. Margot and I left camp together, only to hug and say our farewells 0.3 miles later at the junction to Fish Lake Resort. She carried on hiking southbound, and I walked two miles to Fish Lake. I got there by 7:30, before their little store and restaurant was open. So, I used their bathrooms and washed my face.

Once they opened at 8am, I ordered a coffee and hung out inside working on figuring out my next move. They don’t serve breakfast until 9am, so I wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry either way. I topped off my resupply, so I’d have enough food from Seiad Valley until Etna.. assuming I’d some how get to Seiad Valley to begin with.

I checked the Facebook post Mark had made for me. Nada. I made my own in the Oregon group. And waited. I ate breakfast. I talked with the ladies at Fish Lake-the owner, Sarah, said that maybe one of her folks could drive me into Medford when they got off work today.. but otherwise there was no one. She also said I’d probably get a hitch easy enough, and that she’d talk with customers checking out and see if she could find me someone headed that way.

Then. The real kicker. My shoes never showed up! OH MY GOD. I have been walking in damn crocs for so long, I almost cried. I called mom. She had paid so much money for expedited shipping, they were supposed to arrive two whole days before me. She was upset too. That box also has my new watch, my birth control, some cash, candy, and other little surprises from Mom. NO. Just. Why?!

I checked the tracking, it said it won’t be delivered until Monday. You have got to be kidding me. I start to wrap my mind around the fact that I’ll be sitting at Fish Lake through the weekend and then have to repeat the song and dance of begging for rides when Andrea text me to check in on me. I told her everything, so close to completely melting down.. and then we realized she had a pair of my shoes in my suitcase.

Y’all. Andrea DROVE FIVE HOURS from Reno to get me from Fish Lake, with my shoes, and take me to Medford! She’s staying in a hotel with me tonight and then we will go to Seiad Valley tomorrow, before she makes the over 5 hour drive back home. She’s spending her entire weekend completely saving my ass! HOW ON EARTH am I lucky enough to be loved by her?! My goodness, please know it’s mutual, I am so very very blessed to have her in my life.

While she was getting ready and driving all the way to me, I tried to relax a bit-calm down from the panic I had surging all morning-and work on updating the blog. Thank God I write daily, because it’s taking so long to upload pictures and the day itself that I can’t keep up. I got a few days posted before the WiFi got overwhelmed with all the people on it that it wouldn’t even upload a single picture.. so I gave up.

Andrea arrived before 5pm and then after squeals and hugs (mostly from me, jacked up on Mountain Dew), we got in her truck and headed the hour west to Medford. We checked into our hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, and I marveled at the luxury after all these days on the ground or in subpar motels. Don’t get me wrong, they get the job done-but this was JUST what I needed.

We ate dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.. I had pesto and mushroom ravioli with steak-and we split a bottle of wine or two. Afterwards, I took the world’s longest shower, washing everything a minimum of twice. Then we laid around in our cushy beds with four fluffy pillows each watching TV.

It’s been such a turn of events today. Getting to see my Andrea now, instead of in another 3 weeks or so, has really boosted my mood. Her willingness to drop everything and show up for me has me so humbled by her love. She truly is the very best. And now, I have to make sure I get to that Mexican border on time-we have an Egypt trip to get to! Haha

Ok, I can’t write another word, I’m exhausted! Time for lights out and some sweet sweet dreams in this incredibly comfortable bed! Goodnight y’all!