During the weekend I was checking all my PCT applications and looking at topo maps and elevation maps and decided that it was going to be an easy and a fast week.  But I guess when you want it to be an easy and fast week your brain can flatten things out.  Starting out at Hwy 58 and it is a beautiful morning.  Lenora drops me off and as we are getting ready another car pulls in and two folks are obviously getting ready to hike.  I expect to see them later in the trail as they are fairly young and I’m sure faster than I.  Even if they were not young they would probably best faster than I.  There are lots of cars at this trailhead, as there were when Lenora and I were here last week scoping out the place.  I’m wondering who belongs to all the cars and where they are.

So I start off and early on I take the picture below.  The sun was just streaming through the forest and the picture screamed out to be taken.  This is Oregon hiking.   Almost always in a forest with light filtering through the trees.  Mornings and evenings especially beautiful.  Mid-day it is much hotter with directly sunlight coming straight down.  It is hotter than I expected on the PCT during the day.  The nights are down to 50’s and 60’s and are very comfortable.

 

Not too far ahead, about 3 miles, I hit the first of the MANY lakes in this section.  Below is a picture Lower Rosary Lake.  There is a Lower, Middle, and Upper Rosary lake.  At this time the couple from the parking lot catch me and we talk for awhile.  They (Steve and Dawn) are on a two week adventure hiking up to Timberline Lodge where they have reservations two weeks from now.  A nice way to spend their vacation.

 

The Rosary lakes got their name because the outline of the 3 lakes taken together resemble a rosary.  Yah…. I can see that.

About 10 miles into the hike I reach the cutoff to Bobby Lake.  I’ve talked to a couple south bound hikers and have been told that Bobby Lake is really nice and an excellent place for a swim.  So I take the little diversion to Bobby Lake to have a lunch.  There are probably 10 tents set up right along the lake.  So this is where most of those people are from the parking lot cars.  Lots of noise.  Lot sof joyful complaining about how cold the water is.  I have a light lunch and refresh my water and move on.

Notice this sign pointing to where I have come from.  So its good news and I just continue going the other way.  Thought it odd they would have a sign only pointing in one direction.

The rest of the day is just hiking and resting through the forest.  The trail is definitely not as flat as my mind had pictured it.  I stop at a camping site that has two trees that look the right distance apart.  On this section I am hiking with a hammock rather than with a tent.  Want to give it try and see how it works.  The hammock is a snap to set up.  I’m not really hammock trained and so the first time I got into the hammock I was not all that careful and I got in and fell right out the other side onto my back.  It was pretty funny and I was laughing at myself and momentarily worried that I would fall out during the night.  Anyway with a little more care I was of course able to get in just fine and there was no worry I would fall out during the night.  It actually works out great.   The only issue is there is no privacy with a hammock.  I’m use to getting naked in the tent, cleaning up with some wipes to remove sweat, and then get into night clothes which remain pretty clean.  Can’t do that with a hammock.  There is not a tremendous amount of modesty on the trail and I have no problem with nudity but it just bothers me when I have no idea who might be coming along.  Looking ahead, I know the next part of the trail will be flat 🙂

Iphone says: 13.7 miles.  35890 steps.  13 floors

13 floors seems like good news.  At least I am walking fast enough that the phone noticed I might be going up or down hill.

Lenora’s Story:

Monday again. Week 2.  We have passed by the quilt shop in La Pine at least 3 times and so this time I decide I have time to stop.  As I get out of the car the phone alerts me to a call from Suzi the cabinet lady.  After a discussion about cabinet removal I get to explore a really great quilt and craft shop.  The colors are bright and interesting and there are so many patterns.  Every time I see a shop like this I want to take up quilting.

Needle Nook was very efficient and the thread to finish the Penguin arrived today.  I am in prime finishing mode.  When Penguin is done I am moving on to Stone Fence.

Don is making progress and I am relieved to hear he is eating so far this week.

On the stitching side the Penguins are done.

I have started in on Stone Fence.  The maple leaves are going slowly.  This is going to take some time. All in all a good day.