Friday I drove over for the MRI w/o contrast. Pleasant visit. Results learned today at followup DR visit.
Afterwards I drove to Rockin Dave’s bagel shop as he makes real NY boiled bagels. Outside I spied a PCT pack and inside there were 2 guys who had the look to go w/ their packs. I invited myself into their conversation. Shortly a woman joined them. They were wearing like rain clothes as their washable clothes were across the street at the laundromat. Gavin was meeting a bus, Jellybean Rambo was going to Sisters to pick up her new shoes, and Tiki Don needed to pick up his food package and return to Bend. I jumped into their stories and added mine. I squeezed 3 hikers and their packs inside and drove off. We finally found the bus stop for Gavin. We took of for Sisters and into rain. Stop @ PO accomplished they wanted a beer at the local brew pub. We left Jellybean Rambo @ the city XG and Tiki and I drove back to Bend. Jellybean Rambo got the Rambo as suffix to her name because as a single woman friends of hers gave her this huge sheath knife that she carried lashed to her pack. All 3 were hiking the PCT as long distance hikes, not thru hiking. We enjoyed each others’ company but friends new and old must part. We all have stories to share.
Tiki and I shopped REI. He bought a new pair of shoes to replace his worn out ones. I dropped him off at the motel where the 3 of them stayed the night before as it was the cheapest spot in Bend to stay.
Jellybean’s boots were an REI shipment like in Wild included missed shipping promises.
Rain was heavier as we headed west towards the crest, little fell in Bend.
Labor day weekend, sunny and brisk. I walked downtown for a stroll. Nothing for my interest. Back @ 10 Barrels to watch Mariners. I sat at the bar and a guy later sat in an empty chair next to me. Jason is his name. Our conversation kept me away from the game. He is a mtn biker. He threw out the invite if I wanted a ride partner give him a shout. He left. I left later.
Sat AM at 7 it was 31 degrees and frost was on the grasses. Jason texted saying he was in for a ride. I picked him up and drove to Maston to share with him a new riding place as he moved to Bend 6 weeks prior from Seattle area. Beautiful day. Maybe 7 cars in the parking lot, most I have seen so far as it was a Sat and cooler temps making this a good place to ride. We encountered 1 couple riding and that was it.
Back in Bend a shower at Snap then 10 Barrels again for baseball and a beer. I usually drink only 1 beer because it is weight calories that I have to pedal and get my belt around. Jason showed up for beers and dinner. Place was crowded, packed. Long line for beer and a table. I am standing in beer line w/ requests ahead and behind. One of the managers greeted me and asked for my beer order. I was served ahead of behind me. What a honor to be recognized and treated special. Special. Guy behind me took exception to my treatment.
Days before I spoke w/ Manny, one of the bar tenders, learning how the place runs. He said that the managers give frequent tests to ascertain employee knowledge of choices. Everybody is given the test regardless of how long they have worked there and their knowledge. To me is was a motivation by a kick versus a pull. Days later I spoke w/ a manager about their testing and shared how GOATS rewards trail help by the color of their helmet which to me is a positive pull reward. He was excited by rewarding folks after testing out. He shared the idea w/ other management and they are going forward w/ a positive rewards system. Turns out Jason has spent his career in HR and I involved him in a discussion w/ the same manager I spoke w/. I add ideas.
I swapped boots at REI for a pair of Keens that I wanted to test out. I picked another hike in the 3 Sisters Wilderness off Cascade Lakes hwy. Sunday I drove to Lucky Lake TH, the furthest S TH so far. Trails are in deep forest cover w/ lakes sprinkled in the mix.
I could do very long loops or shorter out and backs, I chose the latter. Plan was to hike to Senoj lake 6 1/2 miles in for the night. I greeted a pair of hikers heading against me who told me the lake was dry. Next lake is Doris which is off 6 Lakes where I passed on my previous hike.
Doris Lake is just a few miles in from a TH and I feared camped out crowds. Not so. One camp was on the shore site but I was able to find a pleasant spot further back.
My tent is essentially a netting tent w/ a bathtub floor underneath a rain fly. It is a 3 season tent aimed at venting away moisture, air can’t be shut in which reduces the axiom that a tent adds 10 degrees warmth. This tent is airy. I can sit upright on my chair at the high point. My 6′ Therm-o- rest Neo Air inflatable is just short enough to fill the inside length. Tight quarters requiring flexibility and limberness that I somewhat lack making getting in and moving around inside and back out a trial. Tent weighs less than my floorless Pyramid needing at least 4 stakes for set up vs 2 but more move around room. Bathtub floor is great for rain as is the netting in the Tarptent Moment above.
I sleep in a Wiggy’s bag rated to 20 degrees. I slept cold this night in the just below freezing temp both from the ground and above. I’m researching another bag. The Neo Air is to be warm enough to sleep on snow.
The Keen boots are a tad too short as my toes rubbed against the front. Confirmed that the entire downhill hike back. I am researching another pair of boots. REI has this fantastic happy feet program that allows do overs for another boot. The PCT hikers are wearing trail running shoes and replacing them. Tiki said the hikers w/ foot problems were wearing boots. I am not ready to embrace low cut shoes.
School started today.