August 20

We had a good time in Etna/Scott's Valley. The longer we stayed, the more relaxed we got. Riding bikes to the local market. Eating Popsicles. Shady trees and hot asphalt. Like summers as a kid. The local b&b has a hostel set up next door called The Hiker Hut. A little red building with everything a hiker could need inside. The owners, Dave and Vibeke were great people and, like most places that cater to hikers, it seemed more like a trail angel, than a hostel. Dave hanging out and chatting casually. Vibeke bringing the Schwan's guy over and asking if we wanted anything. We definately stayed longer than planned, but were so glad we did. Oh yeah, and the local grocery store was giving out free sundaes with the works--whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top! Also went to the brewery and Bob's for breakfast with a bunch of hikers. There were so many hikers at the hostel I can't even name all of them. When we finally left, we got a ride with a couple that wa headed to the local, beautiful blue swimming hole (they showed us). They were driving his dad's awesome old camper. Oven door swinging open. Cupboard door swinging on its hinges. Floral print wallpaper. Chugging up the mountain to the trailhead. Made it a couple of miles in that night. Had a slow day yesterday. Starting to get sick? Seems like there's a bug going around trail. Or maybe it's wildfire smoke. A few people said that we had just missed a couple section hiking with a herd of goats with dog backpacks on. Hoping to catch up with them and see for ourselves! Got goi fairly early today, smoke filling the air in the AM, and made our way to Seiad Valley and the fire closure for the Goff fire. Hiked along the road to Seiad with a few hikers-Diesel, Chocolate Chipmunk, and Indiana Toad. Picking berries the whole way. So enjoyed cold drinks and Ben & Jerry's when we got there. Caught up with some people-Veggie, Inspector Gadget, Hop-a-Long, Trooper, Extra Credit, and Cactus. A few hiked the road walk, everyone else hitched up. We were debating whether to hitch or walk when a man pulled up in an SUV saying that he'd gone home to get a bigger car to pick up some other hikers, but they were gone. 4 of us took the ride. His name was Jimmy, his wife worked at the Seiad store. Had grown up in Seiad, lived in Skykomish for a while and moved back. At the top, we all hung out and cooked dinner together. Hiked a few last minutes into the setting sun, climbing higher until we got a full view of the fire burning on the hillside two ridges over. We could even see the helicopters dropping water on it. We cowboy camped on a ridge. Burning eyes. Burning lips. Headache. Oregon border tomorrow, if all goes well!!! 19 trail miles, 5 miles as the crow flies. That means we can see it on the other side of the ridge. Woohoo!