Me 2007-08-04 Ashland
August 4th, 2007Tonight Blue Sky and I are at my friend’s friend’s sister’s house. As tenuous as that link may sound Laura, Russell and 1 year old Lily have been very welcoming and we’re clean, well fed and I am packed up for the next section.
Blue Sky unfortunately is not. She is going home. The last week on the trail has not felt right for her and if you’re not enjoying something why continue with it?
I sensed something was wrong yesterday when we passed two old ladies and she didn’t sound confident when answering the usual ‘and where are you going to?’ question. This morning when we left our trail-side camp I let her lead. Partly in an effort to stop me from racing on ahead to the road and straining my shins as I do on town days, but also so we’d be within talking distance. I had vaguely hoped that a cheerful conversation for the few hours into town might be enough to show that she won’t always be alone on the trail like the last few days where I have been pushing on ahead and only seeing her at brief breaks.
But in the end she has decided her PCT is over and I’m not going to try to convince her to continue. You have to want this or the heat, the dirt and the endless effort will make you miserable.
In town we found the main post office, though officially closed, was very happy to help hikers get their mail. I have been reunited with my pack in all its padded glory. I got an unexpected bonus of king size snickers and fruit pies from Truckee, fresh memory cards from home and a birthday card and chocolate from England. Town days 
The gear store was nearby so I’ve bought a warm hat. I even found an Ice-Breaker one so I’m representing New Zealand brands as best I can.
Troll got a room at Super-8 which I used as a base to organise my food drops. I spent close to $200USD on supplies for 19 days in four sections. The postal substation nearby was closed but UPS now has two food drops for me, another will stay here until I return after Crater Lake and the fourth is in my bag. I’ve also done as much as I can to stop carrying so much. My bounce box is almost bursting open with stuff I have carried this far but just don’t use.
Tomorrow I set out alone again. That part of it doesn’t bother me much. I’m happy walking and camping in solitude but there are hikers I’d like to hang out with more. Especially in the last few weeks as we close in on the border.
More photos of this day’s journey can be found at Etna to Ashland
Distance today: 6.5 miles. Total distance: 1726.3 miles
August 5th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
That is a shame that Blue Sky is leaving, but it sounds like it was the right decision for her (and probably better for you to be hiking on your own than feel guilty about pulling someone along with you that might not really want to be there). Keep smiling yourself – there will be plenty of friendly faces to come, both on and off the trail
August 6th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Bummer
That must have been a hard decision.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Craig, it was good to meet you as we were out for an afternoon stroll off the Greensprings Sunday.
Look forward to tracking the rest of your adventure.