Start: 1630  - Cascade Locks (from Linda and Jack Hager's house)
End:  1800 - near Gillette Lake
Miles (today): 4.5 (4 PCT, 0.5 off)
Miles (cumulative): 2184 (1962 PCT, 149 alternate, 73 off)

Never ever EVER underestimate the power of a good nights rest.  I slept hard last night (Jack and Linda, that guest bed of yours is super comfortable) and woke up with a much better outlook on everything, particularly the trail.  The first steps after getting out of bed were still rough on the feet (per usual) but somehow more manageable.  

Linda offered to cook whatever we wanted for  breakfast, which was so thoughtful; However,  what I really craved was some coffee, cereal, and fruit, all of which were readily provided.  On top of all that, I enjoyed a bagel with cream cheese.  Perfect!! 

Once fed, Nick and I went through the process of sorting our resupply.  Sadly, package 2 of 2, the one with our dinners, my umbrella, my shoes, and some special treats from Bess, is still missing.  However, Jack and Linda surprised us with a bag of food from Trader Joes so we definitely won't go hungry.  I was (and still am) completely overwhelmed by their generosity.  I can't wait to eat the food they picked out for us (although there is so much of it that we are bouncing some of it ahead - let's hope THAT box doesn't get lost, we haven't been having the best of luck lately).

While Nick got to chat with Linda (unfortunately, Jack left for work before Nick and I got up), I spent some time sending Theresa blog posts.  Then we packed up everything (I get to sleep in clean clothes tonight!) and left for REI.

Since my current pair of Altras just aren't cutting it (they have over 600 miles on them, which, as I learned last time, is about 200 too many... I meant to replace them earlier but the miles snuck up on me) and since the package with my rescue pair of shoes is MIA, Linda offered to take us to REI on the way back to Cascade Locks.  It was an offer we couldn't refuse.  

The REI didn't carry Altras for women, so I tried on a whole bunch of other shoes and ended up with Saloman Speedcross 3.  I'm nervous about switching to a new brand of shoe so late in the trail but perhaps it's a good thing - my feet just haven't been happy in the Altras lately so being forced to go to a different brand might be a blessing in disguise.

In addition to new shoes I also bought some new pants (this new pair should dry faster than the pants I had - yay for braving the rain so I know what I need), Nick bought new insoles and more fuel, and we both walked away with new socks and some dehydrated meals to make up for the ones that are lost somewhere in the mail. It was an expensive trip, but the gift cards I received from Denise and Rob upon parting the Red Cross helped out greatly.  Thanks again you two!

Once back at Cascade Locks, Linda dropped us off at the brewery.  We really wanted to treat her to lunch but she had to get back home in case she had to work this afternoon.  That's ok, it just means we'll have to visit them and take them out to dinner when this trip is over.  :)

We had a great time at the brewery.  We ate lunch, Nick drank some beer, and we bumped into a lot of hikers (but of course we did!) Such as Dirt Squirrel, Chili Cheese Dog, Woodsmoke, and Yucca (we haven't seen Yucca in forever and today is his birthday).  Nick joined them for a game of cards while I sent Theresa a few more blog posts.

After the brewery, Nick and I stopped at the post office to send the extra food ahead and to give them an address to bounce the missing box to if/when it's found.  Then, just because we were curious and because we've fallen out of Coppertone's bubble (we miss you Coppertone!) we went to the Eastwind Drive-In for some ice cream - in particular, their large ice cream cone.  When we ordered the large, the guy behind the window asked, "have you seen the large?" in an almost annoyed, bored sort of way.  Well, of course we saw the large, that's why we were ordering it!  :)

I was really impressed with the guy who dispensed the insane amount of ice cream into the cone - I wonder how much practice he needed to get it right!

After eating the entire ice cream cone, we made a pit stop at the grocery store so Nick could get some deodorant (he's finally come to my side and has decided carrying it is worth the weight).  At the grocery store we ran into Sprout again AND we bumped into Roswell!  Seeing Roswell again made me so happy - it is so so so nice to see familiar faces!

With new shoes on my feet, my spirits buoyed by the loving care of Jack and Linda, and my heart happy by seeing so many familiar hikers, Nick and I walked across the Bridge of the Gods into Washington. 

So...

WE ARE IN WASHINGTON!!!!!!!

We only walked 4 miles but it was a great 4 miles.  My feet don't seem as mad at me and I feel strong and happy.  Since we stopped to camp early, we spent some time sealing up our new waterproof glove covers (which I know we'll be using a lot these next several weeks.)
[the glove tree - waiting for the sealant to dry on the seams]

All in all, today was great. I feel ready to tackle the rest of Washington.  :)

Along the trail: