Monday, October 1st: We woke up with Michael to share one last morning together before he had to catch his 6:30am bus. Even though we would be returning in just over 2 weeks, it was still sad to say goodbye. Sherah also stopped by, after swimming early laps at the gym, to drink some coffee and give both of us hugs. Once everyone had left to start their routine weekday, Tom and I began packing up our things and tidying Michael’s house. A week of living with them meant that our belongings were in more places than one, requiring us to first gather, then pack it all back into the camper. Before leaving town, we picked our bikes up from Sherah’s and unsuccessfully attempted to snake her clogged drain. Her tub had been inconveniently holding water and we had hoped to resolve the issue for her. After hitting a dead end in our troubleshooting we decided to get on the road before traffic hit. Driving out of Seattle was bittersweet; nice to flee the city, but hard to leave family.
We woke up in Steven’s Pass on Tuesday morning at a tucked back campsite that we had stumbled upon the night before. The air was chilly and rain was falling hard, making it difficult to motivate ourselves to get out of bed. Our plan for the day had been to climb, which with sopping, wet rock, was now out of the question. Throughout the day, between reading and catching up on writing, we’d suggest various activities that were ultimately dismissed. Hiking in unrelenting rain sounded less enticing than staying snuggled in our dry camper. The longer the trip goes on, the less guilty we feel taking a lazy day. During our initial days on the road, our worth and motivation was measured by what we could accomplish in a day. I think that each of us benefit from feeling both challenged and productive, but just like with anything, we can become trapped in a cycle and forget to allow for other possibilities.
By Wednesday we were both rested up and ready for what the day had in store. After making breakfast and driving into town to fill our tank with gas, we headed for a trailhead in Steven’s Pass. The hike up to Labyrinth Peak had just about every type of terrain; steep, flat, wet, dry, snowy and exposed. Minotaur Lake, a calm body of water that reflected the surrounding mountains, sat at the halfway point. It followed an unrelenting uphill, making it the perfect spot to stop for a snack and take some pictures. The trail after the lake became obscured due to a snow-covered boulder field, but we managed just fine. After reaching the saddle, we began traversing the mountainside that lead to Labyrinth. Wet, snowy rocks through areas of exposure forced us to step with caution. At one point, I went sliding on my butt with nothing to stop me. The heels of my boots finally caught some larger rocks but my fear induced adrenaline remained. Each step and moment of discomfort was worth the payout at the top. The view of the Cascades was majestic, providing a wave of peace that was quickly smothered by chilling, strong winds which encouraged us back to the protection of the way we came. That night, we drove to Jonah and Anne’s house in Leavenworth. We had met them while climbing in Skaha and exchanged information for when we were in town. We camped in their driveway, made dinner in their kitchen and ended the night with a relaxing soak in their hot tub.
On Thursday, we went shopping at the town’s local grocery store. Almost every establishment in Leavenworth is Bavarian themed giving it a unique character but tacky appearance. It’s hard to know how to react when you feel like you’re on the set of Shrek. Our agenda for the day involved hiking to Colchuck Lake to witness the area’s infamous Larches, coniferous trees that change color in Fall. Not only were the bright, yellow Larches astounding, but the deep, blue lake and surrounding peaks made for an incredible view. I had planned to run the 5 Miles back to the car while Tom walked with our pack. Not long after I had started, I ran into an older woman that wasn’t entirely sure how to get back. After assisting her through the most difficult section, Tom caught up to us. She informed me that she had initially taken the wrong path and had been hiking way longer than she had planned with little food and water. I had assumed that I’d carry on after giving her a Clif Bar, but quickly realized that she seemed incapable to make it back on her own. With Tom ahead of us, Betty and I very slowly completed the 3.5 miles back to the parking lot with her balance and leg strength degrading with each step. I learned a lot about her while receiving a lesson in flexibility and patience. Back at Jonah and Anne’s, Tom taught me how to change the oil on the truck. I appreciated both familiarizing myself with a handy skill and not being afraid of getting my hands dirty.
Friday started off with a few climbs at Rattlesnake Lake, knowing we would inevitably be pushed out by rain. We had decided that we would split up our drive to Bend between that night and the following morning. After climbing, we picked up the rest of our things at Jonah and Anne’s and said our goodbyes. We were so grateful to them for their hospitality and the bulk of fresh apples that they sent us with. Before hitting the road, we dropped our used oil off at the dump station and stopped for gas. We camped on the river in Goldendale that night, a little more than halfway between Leavenworth and Bend.
Our mission on Saturday was to get to the Bend Post Office before they closed at 1. A copy of the Smith Rock Guidebook was there waiting for us, kindly shipped by a good friend. We arrived with plenty of time to spare, leaving the rest of the day to explore the town. First, we stopped at the public library to get on wi-fi and catch up on various to do’s. Afterwards, we drove around to shop for yarn and groceries. That evening, we settled at Adam and Katie Steele’s home (friends of Havila and Brian’s) where we were able to do laundry and park our truck. With our clothes in the process of transforming, Tom read his book while I went for a run. Taking advantage of having every convenience at our disposal, we showered and ate dinner when I returned. That night, we hopped on our bikes to check out Bend’s Saturday night scene. As we walked up to one of the town’s many breweries, our attention was redirected to a live band that was playing a block down on the street. Being the lovers of live music that we are, we scampered over to find food trucks, beer stands and a free show. A local Deschutes was the obvious beverage choice and was the perfect accompaniment to the performing band’s folk set. They went by The Dead South and played music that kept everyone’s attention and made you want to dance. Our last stop was at a crowded bar, where ordering a drink required shouting over hip-hop music. We hung out, sipping cheap beers, while waiting our turn to play pool. After a win and 2 losses, we started back to the house on our bikes. Weaving through the empty, small town streets with a grin and carefree buzz was the perfect end to a perfect day.
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