So I figured the issue yesterday was that I was just not ready to be carrying a 50 pound pack for a long distance.  So today was going to be a short hike with about a 25 pound pack.  We are staying in Ashland Oregon and the trail goes just south of Ashland.  Today I drive up to the trail near Callahans Lodge near interstate 5 and start hiking back towards Etna Summit.  I get a pretty late start and want to make an early end (LOL) so I divide the hours in half and walk away for half the time and walk back.  The distance out was 5 miles.  So after two days on the trail I have done 8 miles.  Wow… impressive..  Lenora says actually 16 miles to make me feel.  BUT the key thing is that after the 10 miles (5 in, 5 back) I am feeling fine.  There is no pain on the right side at all.  So it is not the act of hiking that caused the pain but it seems the weight in the pack.

Here are some wild flowers along the route

And some pictures of the views and the trail.  The trail is a nice soft forest trail.

So I will continue as it appears to be a simple matter of lack of preparation.  I will consider this on the job training.

Lenora’s Story:

So we are still on a hiking adventure.  Am I happy?  Yes.  Am I concerned?  Very much so.  My part is very minimal today as Don drives himself to the trail and does the 5 out and 5 back thing.  I stay in and do some laundry while stitching.  A good day all round as Don returns without the leg pain and feet feeling stronger.  I’m done with one side of my Love Shack house and decide to work on the “Chocolate” piece.