Burnt Socks and Other Adventures

The four of us on the coast before we began!

Hello dear readers! Sorry it's been nearly a week since our last post but we've been hard pressed to find regular computer access out here...we've made it back to Eugene in six days, which was twice the time we originally planned on, but we've been taking it slow at the start, spending time meeting people, and having many adventures.

I'll let some of the others go into detail a little more about who we've met and what we've done, but I was saying yesterday that I think with the people we've met and places we've seen so far, I could stop walking right now and feel fulfilled. Oregon is a beautiful state, and the people we've come in contact with have been so amazing and interesting. Anyone who has a pessimistic outlook on the American public should spend some time walking the country, because it will totally restore your faith in the kindness of others. Whether it's a cold Pepsi freely given at a public rest stop (thanks Betty!) or a hot meal of soup and crackers at the end of a long day (many thanks Sylvia and Dale!), I am no longer in doubt that at any time in our long journey ahead will we be in need of anything.

The other day we were out walking when we realized we had to find a place to stay soon before the daylight was lost, but there didn't seem to be anywhere to camp so we started looking for houses that seemed inviting. We saw a sign posted on a tree that said "Food Ahead" so we decided to stop and ask someone how far the food was. We saw a couple outside of their house, so Katelyn and I approached the couple and explained to her what we were doing. Their names were Sylvia and Dale, and they were living out of a trailer in their driveway since the roof of their house had been demolished in a windstorm six months ago. When we told them we needed a place to stay for the night, they willingly offered us their abandoned house and when Sylvia learned that all we had to cook for dinner was beans and lentils she whipped us up four bowls of soup, including two vegetarian soups for Jonathan and Lauren, deviled eggs, crackers, and peanut butter cookies. In the morning we awoke to a table set out for us with cereal, eggs and cheese, toast, pears, and milk. Before we left we said a prayer for their house, and I sincerely hope that the permission they need to rebuild (not to mention the money!) comes through for them soon. Maybe you can say a prayer for them as well.

There are many other things to tell, but I shouldn't hog all the good tales for myself. Our spirits are high, we've been doing some great filming, and our only ongoing battle is the constant challenge to shed more ounces. Tomorrow we're all going out to see if it will be worth it for us to buy lighter backpacks, since the ones we carry now are five to six pounds alone with nothing in them. As I said, we're taking our time with it now so once we get into the mountains we'll be able to go faster and farther.

Oh yes, I've also learned that it's not a good idea to attempt to dry out your wet socks by laying them next to a campfire, unless they're made of wool. I burnt a hole through one pair of good hiking socks by being impatient, so I'll be sending those home shortly (sorry Mom and Dad, I just realized I forgot to mention that one on the phone). The others got a pretty good kick out of that though, so at least I'm providing some humor for the group...