So the master plan of catching the 1pm bus today to Medford, Or, then catching a hitch or bus to Ashland, OR, fizzled rather quickly this morning. We both needed a full day for logistical trail “to do’s” and another evening of fun city action, too. I was up early helping Ashley with some items on her “to do” list, while Tabasco slept in. Eric was already long gone to work by the time I got up.
I spent most of the day working through the “to do” list, while Tabasco continued working on his website. Mid-afternoon we piled in the car with Ashley driving and ran several errands: post office, grocery store, hardware store, Costco to develop and pick up trail photos, UPS store. Soon after returning to the homestead Ashley and Tabasco left again to head downtown; Ashley for a class, Tabasco for a rendezvous with Venessa at Powell’s Bookstore.
I continued with trail related tasks until Eric got home from work, then he and I tried three restaurants before finding a Japanese restaurant with no line or wait. After a great one on one dinner with my brother, we returned to the homestead, then I left to drive to downtown to meet Debi. Debi had friends in town from Ashland for Tango Fest, a five day exhibition/classes/dances of Argentinian Tango. I met them at a hotel suite and we visited for awhile. Nice folks, great non-trail conversation.
Debi and I returned to her place to visit for awhile before I returned to the homestead. No sign of Tabasco, my hiking partner/night owl out and about doing the night life thing in Portland. Tomorrow we leave for Medford/Ashland for this final leg of our journey. I am ready to get off the trail, my body is tired. I’m hungry and I’m tired of cold, wet days and nights. Soon we’ll be done for the year and I can’t wait.
