June 19th Evening
Trail Miles: 702.8 miles

So, I left my fate to the flip of a coin.

Heads - Go north to Ashland
Tails - Go straight through the Sierras

One a waiting audiance, filled with more anticipation than me I flipped the dime. As “it lingered in the air quite the same way a brick does not,” I had my mind set on taking either. Flipping over and over, it made its return to my outstretched hand. As I flipped it from my palm to the back of my other hand, it came up tails: straight through the Sierras.

My heart immediately sank. The dropping heart told me what I wanted. So rather than listening to Mistress Fate, I listened to my gut, heart, whatever and quickly grabbed all my gear and packed it into the van. I then said goodbye to Jon and Debi, knowing I would not see them for a few weeks to a month, when we passed eachother on the trail; me southbound, them northbound. We would meet again in Ashland to finish the last 900 miles together.

Next thing I knew I was driving north with “Canadian Bacon,” Brian, “Jumpback,” and “Pepperman.” Of course, doubt insued shortly afterwards, but that was resolved in due time.

We stopped in two trail towns along the way to take breaks. We happened across other thru-hikers in both towns. One hiker made an attempt to conquer the snow, but realized that he was not having fun. He made the decision to come down and do some rock climbing for a week or two to let more snow melt. Another hiker seemed really bitter and unhappy. While all hikers I have come across seem so full of life and happy (albeit tired), this one was the opposite. I suspect that the trail was tearing him down, rather than feeding the passion we all share for the trail. While the environment of the trail effects us all differently, I knew I would probably be the same.
I have snowhiked and snowcamped before and know it can be fun, but I also know how difficult it can be. I concluded that a couple of days is fun, while a couple of weeks is harder. I know I could have done the snow, but I don’t think I could have stayed happy. I feel my choice was the best thing for me.

I am now going to start hiking south from Ashland. But first…

If I was driving up to Ashland, I was not going to get so close to home without saying hi. I rented a car and drove the extra 5 hours up to Portland. As I pulled up to the hotel some friends work at, I stared them down. After a little bit of observation, it clicked with them who I was. With my tan and beard growth they had a little trouble recognizing me. I spent the next couple of hours visiting with some other friends, all of whom had a look of confusion, followed by shock when they realized who I was.

My next day was spent resupplying with gear and visiting with Bonnie, one of my oldest dearest friends. Her and I are both going through amazing life changing events right now, so we had alot to share. Filled with our own excitement about our lives we had little questions for eachother, yet told eachother every possible thing we could think of. All in all it was a perfect visit. (Thank you Bonnie).
In the morning I played a game of chess (which I lost) with another good friend and former coworker. After that the two of us went down to the “local drinking establishment” where we had a pizza while sitting and watching the Gay Pride Parade march through downtown Portland.

I spent the rest of the day visiting with friends. I then returned “home” to sort out my gear and food for the next segment of the trail. It is now 2am, I am about to give a friend a ride home from work. Then I will drive back down to Ashland to start hiking. Of course I am rather tired so tomorrow might consist of getting back on the trail and hiking only a small amount.

For those in Portland I did not get to see, I am sorry. This was a short visit. I will be back again either late July for a short visit, or late August for a slightly longer visit.

Happy Trails, Inner Peace, & Harmony