Journey Day 117 | PCT Day 117

“I’m within easy striking distance of Canada after a month of 20 miles per day,” I wrote in this post card from Seiad Valley.

8/11/85

Up early, eat Mom’s cookies, leftover breakfast rolls, drink grapefruit juice. Then breakfast at café. Pretty cook makes me sit for six cups of java. Had called Mom before. She’s taking on more chores. Can’t get JL, other calls need to be made during business hours.

Packing up stuff slowly when three biking girls from Santa Ana show up. Two very pretty, especially the one who sits close. My attention gladly diverted, we talk.

Get free fuel from RVer who shows me geological layout of land ahead. More with girls. Then Bob, a Wisconsin foundry mechanic who’s hiking the PCT in California. Girls leaving, I get JL’s dad on the phone. It’s on!! Final chores, then up 4,400 feet with one of my heaviest packs. One break and I’m on the saddle by Lower Devil Peak as the sun drops. Cold dinner, I pass on walk to lookout, sack out in clean bag, sheltered by spot on windy saddle.

“I’m within easy striking distance of Canada after a month of 20 miles per day,” in post card  to Joanne Mueller and Jeff Wood.