IN THESE WOODS: DAY 143: BRIDGE OF THE GODS

miles: 11

The goal was to start hiking in the morning today, but as usual, that didn't happen. There is always so much to get done the morning of town departure. We had to go to REI suddenly and take care of last minute chores. Dr. Slosh and Smiles were still in town so we all decided to travel to Cascade Locks together, thanks to our friend Meg! THANK YOU MEG FOR SAVING THE DAY and driving us all the way to the gorge. We really appreciated it.

It was a gorgeous day in the gorge - atypical. Hot, sunny, no wind. We did some last minute grocery shopping, last minute PO sorting and mailing, and last minute diner eating.

Smiles, Rocky, me, Dr. Slosh organizing our lives on the sidewalk - typical.

The usual pavement explosions.

Slosh and Smiles sort food.

Ben fixing something - typical.

Eastwind Drive-in: shakes are so good.

Cascade Locks.

We had come from those mountains last Friday.

Enjoying procrastination, fried foods, and milkshakes. Our last taste of Oregon before hitting Washington.

Walking over the Bridge of the Gods (the glorious bridge connecting Washington and Oregon) has been a long awaited part of our journey. We've all been looking forward to this bridge march since the beginning - most hikers anticipate this. It holds some degree of importance because it is the gateway to the "last leg" of our trip, essentially. The last state.

Crossing over into the last state. About 500 miles left to go.

The Bridge of the Gods! Finally!

Some cars cheered us on.

The mighty Columbia River.

Getting a little windy.

I love how the bridge even has a PCT trail blaze on it (far right of the Bridge of the Gods sign).

Smiles and Slosh loving Washington. We're almost there!

Ben and I have hiked this part of the trail before, the PCT from the bridge to Gillette Lake is pretty unremarkable; dense vegetation, dark forest, oak matter, clear cuts, the sound of distant power tools... The daylight was suddenly winding down into that lustrous, rich, afternoon warm coloration that helped to improve the scenery.

Heavy packs, loaded bellies (greasy food variety), and stiff legs (haven't hiked in 3 days) contributed to our sluggishness this afternoon as we all struggled with lethargy.

The constant drone of helicopters, power tools, and the freeway in the distance.

Food coma.

A moderate climb.

It was a bit of a rough start - Washington. What will this state hold? We were all so excited to be beginning our last state that we were almost able to ignore the lethargy, the food coma, the dull views. By dusk we had made our way into some lush, wonderful forest and we chose to camp on a dirt/gravel road. Not ideal, but it was good enough as none of us are fond of night hiking anymore...