This morning we started slowly with coffee, bacon, and toast. As we plodded around camp, waking up, we were treated to a unofficial meetup of PCT through hikers and trail crew who gathered near our camp to swap stories, discuss routes, trade water, and pass along advice. Our friends of last night left us with thanks, looking forward to cheeseburgers at the end of their trek 16 miles out at Cascade Locks.
Once everyone had gone their respective ways, Stu cajoled me back down to the lake towels in hand. It had been a colder night since courtesy of the altitude (poor Wendel) so I was even more reluctant with than last night and spent a lot of time procrastinibg by tidying the van, packing the stuff we would want for the dip, etc. But I only delay so long. Finally it was me facing the glorious sunspeckeled turquoise waters, shivering in my suit and having one of thoseental pep up moments like you're about to dive off a cliff.
It was f#@$ing cold but once we had fully submerged, it was actually pretty spectacular and I even did some strokes out towards the center to sit in the sun and really let the moment sink in.
We washed briefly, for the first time in a couple of days, before retreating back up the bowl of the valley and driving toward warmer pastures.
In this case, those pastures were Trillium Lake (pardon the garbled metaphor). We had a couple of marrionberry PB&J's and fed the ducks while amateur kayakers bumped their way across the water and enjoyed yet another stunning view of Mt Hood. We logisticized while we ate, and decided to make a break South, setting our sights on Terwilliger Hot Springs.
Most of the rest of the day was driving as we worked out way down the state, passing out of the lush forest cornucopia that was the Hood River, into the stark plains of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and then out into the more familiar alpine forests of Deschutes. We picked up more of the 'road trip vibe' chugging along the major roads, grabbing gas and snacks, filling up tires, talking about life, and waving insincere apologies as cars whisked past us over the Santiam Pass.
When we rolled past the parking for the Terwilliger Hot springs, it was PACKED so we decided to simply continue on to our campground for the night, vowing to get up early the next morning and beat the crowds.
Camp came together quickly and efficiently-- It feels like we've finally figured out our set up--and we were soon out on the chairs snacking on more of Apple Valleys scrumptious mustard and reading. We made BLTs for dinner, enjoying Wendel's understated amenities, and then treated ourselves to the fancy schmancy s'mores kit GoCamp provided us.
Final review: s'mores shouldn't been fancy, but melty chocolate, burnt sugar, and an infinite night sky are always a great way to end the day.
Goodnight from Terwilliger,
Stu and Chelsea
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