Up at 5:15am. Restless sleep between 2:40am and 5:15am. Put on the earbuds and music at 3:30am. Ed made tea this morning, so a bit slower getting to the trail. Walked past Botox on our way out to PCT from cabin, along with 6 other tents scattered about. Once on the PCT sauntered along for 4 miles before we stopped for a bite to each in a rock field. We leap frogged 6 other hikers (one of them Botox) a couple of times. One couple had a barking Doberman Pincher. Yuck! I do not like dogs on the trail. Arrived at the trail junction to Fish Lake Resort at 11:15am. Decided that this is where we would part, Ed to go 2 miles down the side trail to Fish Lake Resort, I would go 1/4 mile north to where the PCT crosses Hwy 140 to thumb a ride to Medford. Before we parted, Clever, Bethany, Hannah and Chipmunk arrived in the clearing. We chatted about 1/2 an hour before I shouldered my pack and headed to the highway. Once there, I unfurled my “PCT Hiker to Town” sign and began thumbing. I texted Sally that I was on the highway and she called. With her on speaker phone I continued to thumb, watching about 50 rigs of all sizes zoom by until a white Chevy pickup pulled to the shoulder. I did not notice it at first. I’m not sure how long he sat 100’ behind me until I turned around and saw him. I ran down to the truck. An overweight 64 year old man beckoned me in. I thanked him and off we went.
Mason self proclaimed his 8th grade education and I soon learned he owned a concrete cutting business in Medford, Kalamath Falls and Grants Pass. Trump voter, he described his youth as an army enlister, Harley hellion, rebellious youth. Lots of profanity, but a pride in the businesses he had brought to life. He dropped me at the airport as I requested. I used Google Maps bus function to find the bus station and jogged to it as the bus was already approaching it. Talked with the driver and found I would have a 45 minute wait for the bus to the transfer station or I could just ride on his air-conditioned bus for those 45 minutes while he made a loop to White Center and back, then to the terminal. I rode, talking on the phone to Jeff about the schedule for the new home and plumbing issues with his old condo. Had to wait 20 minutes at the station to get on Bus 10 to Bi-Mart in Ashland, but was soon humming along. Had three people want to talk to me about the PCT, including Ed Blume, a former actor from the series “Nash Bridges” where he played bit parts alongside Don Johnson. Fun ride and an hour later I was at the Bi-Mart. A quick 3 block walk and I was at the AM-PM freeway on ramp thumbing to Callahan’s. There was a homeless lady there begging for money in God’s name. I was competing for corner space with her and was concerned she would hamper may chances of getting a ride. After about 15 minutes and 10 cars an Asian man walked over from the AM-PM gas station and offered me a ride to California. I told him I only needed to go 6 miles and he was happy to give me a ride. This was Tam from Vietnam, immigrated to the US at age 15 as a boat person in the 80’s. Just sold his restaurant and had been traveling the world for three months. He dropped me off at the freeway off ramp and I walked down to Callahan’s, got Ed’s charger, changed shirts, slipped into sandals and headed north on I-5 for home. It was about 4:30pm when I sped out onto the freeway. A stop for In & Out burgers in Medford and gas at Canyonville and Vancouver punctuated the drive and I was home at 10:45pm. What a fun, adventurous day! It renewed my joy in hitchhiking and being out in the world on my feet with all I need in my pack. I hope the summer brings more of those events.
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