Date: 2009-05-29
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 11.6

The last three days have all started with rain, but (mostly) cleared up after an hour or two of hiking. The only complaint I have is that it gets so ridiculously humid and the rain doesn't even alleviate the problem. My glasses fog up as I hike--simply from walking through the clouds--and I can't clean them because my shirt and bandanna are damp or soaked (depending how warm it is).Having said that, I have enjoyed my hike tremendously over the course of the last few days. The views may have been limited in number and/a visibility, but the trail itself has been very beautiful (and generally easier) and the people have been awesome--both new and old friends.I let John and Joe behind yesterday morning--I got an early (7:30ish!) start and they stopped in Troutdale--but I'll see them again soon. It wasn't long before I caught up with Raspberry and Raindancer once again--the near-0 leaving Damascus put me behind them--and I stopped to talk for a good bit of time while they packed up and I ate my first lunch. I hiked with them for half an hour or possibly a full one for the sake of hearing more of their stories and talking about Chicago (where their stuff is currently stored); I almost felt bad when I finally passed them. They said that we're going to have to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo when we all get back to Chicago.After meandering for a bit longer I reached the next shelter (Trimpi) where I decided to take a break and recover. I arrived just before Jungli left and chatted for a little. I ate my second lunch and was thinking about a nap when three older women rolled in. They hung around for a little bit and then left just before Raspberry and Raindancer arrived. So I got to hang out with R squared once again and headed out after an hour and a half's worth of break time.The next ten miles didn't exactly fly by, but they didn't crawl too much either. It was late afternoon/early evening, so I expected time to feel slower, and there weren't many milestones/features along the way, which added to the effect. I guess my thoughts of nearing home (and/or Hope) kept me distracted enough.I caught up to Jungli about halfway through the section and talked while she finished up her trail-side break. I felt bad passing her, too, because I was going so much faster due to her shoe problems. After that I had a reasonable 1 1/2 stretch to the Partnership Shelter.The last (10mi.) section took about 3 1/2 hours, putting me at a 6:45 arrival time. Not too shabby. Out of that entire day I spent 9-9 1/2 hours hiking the (almost) 25 miles of trail. I was definitely tired when I stopped, but not exhausted. I was also very grateful for the shower. With me were five middle-aged women who were section hiking (different group), Fishbone (a section hiker I'd seen before), Jungli and another thru-hiker named Lazer. Lazer was a nice, friendly guy, but talking to him saddened me as I discovered more about his trail habits (<1500 calories some days!) and personality. I guess we can't all be the same..The section hikers were all asleep before nine, but Jungli and I didn't talk much more then for the sake of being quiet. In the morning, on the other hand, everyone else was packed up and gone by 7:00 ot 7:30. So we talked for a bit then, while I was packing all my stuff and she was trying to figure out what to do until she got picked up by a friend at 10:00.Eventually I set off again, but a little more stiffly and sluggishly. I did not sleep well during the night for some reason or another and woke up more sore than the night before.There were a couple hills along the way, but it was mostly easy elevation change-wise and I got to the end of my 11.6 miles (at the truck stop) by 1:00.