Yihaa, town-day!
Set the alarm for 0600, to get out at 0700. 11 miles downhill to make it to the highway intersection around 1100, where we’d meet up with Jukebox’ family; Julie, Dick and Ben (mom, dad and brother). Yesterday Jukebox had told Free-wheel, Peach-Man and BooBoo that if they’d be there too, they could share in some cold beers. Just before heading out they showed up, passing us, obviously excited to join us. The downhill section was easy, and all of us flew down, ready to get out of the smoke for a while and enjoy some good food. We passed the 1500-mile marker.
Just before Jukebox’ family showed, up a trail-angel who’d been doing trail-magic the past days gave all of us an apple, which was a great refreshment while we waited.
Little did we know what her family had prepared for us…
As soon as they arrived, we all got acquainted and they started unloading their truck. The amounts of great food that they managed to produce in the blink of an eye, were absolutely out of this world; chocolate-chip cookies, peaches, icy cold soda and beer from coolers, chips and subs with 3 types of meat, cheese, mustard, mayo and fresh vegetables. We were over the moon! Everybody got a big plate of food and then it went real quiet. That’s when you know that hikers are eating. It was amazing!
After lunch we were driven to Dunsmuir where we got our resupply done. Since I was welcome to stay for the weekend I will be taking another zero, with the prospect of the bliss of showers, good nights sleep and wonderful food. I could never pass up such great hospitality.
It will be approximately 100 miles to Mt. Etna, the next resupply town. We’re now approaching the Oregon border fast! After resupply we got some drinks in the Dunsmuir brewery, killing some time before getting access to the AirB&B. It turned out to be this beautiful cabin with a minimalistic rustic interior. We were so thrilled to spend the night here!
Indulging in more amazing food that Julie kept forcing upon us, we settled in, got showers and eased into the evening. We had a wonderful dinner of marinated flank-steak with potatoes and green beans, blueberry crumble and my first vanilla-float (vanilla ice-cream with root-beer). After dinner we were all completely stuffed and happy. It had been such a great day, filled with laughter. The ultimate pick-me up in the middle of a mentally draining stretch. All of us hikers stayed up till late, chatting about our adventures along the trail. Free-wheel and Peach-man are childhood friends from North-California and great guys! They too were invited to stay over for the night and happily accepted. We had such a good time.
Finally it was time to turn in. What an amazing warm welcome from the Swanson-family! A great day.
I’m freaking out about what’s ahead
Maybe I`ll just stay in bed
‘Cause it’s no fun to be the one going out of my head
So I tell it to myself
Tell it to myself
Tell it to myself again
You`re looking for something you can’t find
If you give it up, you`ll lose your mind
There’s always something in the way
You`re looking for something you can`t find
If you give it up, you`ll lose your mind
There`s always something in your way
What can you say?
You’re gonna have a good day
Good Day – The Click Five
