Lots of special going on from miles 1607 to 1635. Late afternoon yesterday after one last beer at the brewery we hitched a ride to the Etna summit trailhead. We got a ride from a really nice couple from the Bay Area who were Montessori teachers. We were the first to arrive but the rest of the gang joined soon after, Mihap and Noday then Moonshadow, Israh and Astrid. We were all huddled around the empty firepit (an understandable fire ban!) drinking beer and wine as it got dark. We had a really fun conversation and then a car pulled up below us in the trailhead parking lot. We were speculating as to what was happening in the car, axe murderer, young amorous couple or drug dealers. Eventually all was revealed. Moonshadow (Aggie) had asked some of the musicians from the bar the night before to come up and play for us. And they did! We were fortunate to listen to Jason Conley play some amazing songs as we sat there under the stars. Occasionally a car would pass and it would light up the trees in a spookily cool way. Great evening.
Today we hiked 28 miles so are clearly out of the fire zone. Though we probably missed some great distant views because of the smoke, it created the yellow-orange light that you usually only get for a few minutes as the sun goes down. This light quality lasted most of the day as we walked through spectacular meadows of wild flowers. Van Gogh and Monet would have felt quite at home in today's scenes.
We all swam in Fisher lake at lunch and now we're cozy and camped at Paradise Lake. Great day.
1 comment:
Wow - you are almost in Oregon!! You've timed it to possibly be in Ashland for the Shakespeare festival!!!
Love the blog - thinking of you!!
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