We have independently decided that rehiking any trail is not
an adventure. We recognize areas and know what is ahead of us. We know
what possibilities for food and services await in the next town.
Speculation is not a trail game anymore. We felt more interesting
adventures awaited us elsewhere. We are headed home with a long list of
NEW trails to hike (Arizona, Idaho Cenentennial, Iceland?), places to
go. Adventures that will come with an unknown factor. Even better is
the list of people to see, to hike or travel with. I have a list of
books to read, titles that I have picked up while hiking. I am
impatient to do the after-hike activities.
Heavy rain pelted the tent starting at 3:30 this morning. We waited
in the tent until 8:30 hoping it would stop, or at least let up enough
to allow us to pack. Finally we broke camp in the rain. By the time we
finished everything was soaked. The rain was an added nuisance.
We were camped at the junction of Bartle Gap road and the PCT.
Instead of following the trail, we followed the muddy road 5 miles down
to Highway 89 in the continuing rain. Now we were really drenched to
the skin and chilled.
Serendipity reinforced our decision by making our trip home
incredibly easy. Two Forest Sevice botanists were finishing their work
and the four of us converged with surprise at the junction of 89 and
Bartle Gap Road. After asking what we were doing and what we needed (a
rental car from Redding) they said that they were on their was to
exchang their rental car for a 4WD truck in Yreka because Redding
Enterprise was out of rental vehicles. They gave us a ride to Mt Shasta
City where they stached their gear, then to Yreka where we rented a
car.
We delayed posting this entry thinking we might change our mind and
hop back on the trail. Now it is obvious that we won't continue. We
have made other plans that don't involve hiking. But we are starting to
think and plan for another hike - maybe next year.
