I made it.

I got up here.

I knew I would but didn’t know in what condition.

I didn’t go all out. I didn’t stress myself.

I made the smart move in driving to Sacramento the first night. That saved me so much time.

Even with the shortened drive, with all the stops that I planned, I still felt rushed.

There were a few things that I didn’t get to do because of the time crunch, but it is what it is. Maybe next time, I’ll plan things out a little bit more and spread the drive up to a few more days to include what I wanted to do.

There’s a lot of Oregon that I wouldn’t mind exploring.

A LOT.

There are so many state parks and hiking trails and areas of interest, in general, that how could I go wrong.

How could I go wrong?

Vacation.

It’s meant to be taken and it’s meant to be experienced.

And I plan on doing that.

Firsts.

There are many things that people should experience or do in their life, at least once.

I never thought picking up a hitchhiker would be one for me, but I did just that.

Now, to be fair, she wasn’t hitching, and I didn’t stop my drive specifically to pick them up.

No. Never expected it or was ever my intention to do something like that.

I was in Chemault, OR getting gas and the gas attendant asked if I was going to Bend, and if so, if I wouldn’t mind taking a PCT thru-hike hiker up to Bend.

I looked at the hiker and felt that she wasn’t too threatening and was like, sure.

That was how I ended up driving a hiker to Bend to meet up with some of her hiker friends.

She’s off doing the PCT alone. 23. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago. A nurse who took a year off to do this.

Grace.

She started in April and hopes to finish before the rainy season of the PNW starts. October.

She has about 680 miles left in the hike.

So, what did we do on the hour drive? We chatted.

I asked her a lot of questions about the experience and how she ended up doing it.

A friend told her about it and she went and did it.

Pretty awesome.

One day. I just may.

I just may.

To Grace. I wish you the best in finishing this great feat.

You can do it.

Bend.

After I dropped off the hitchhiker (more below), I thought I’d spend some time to explore Bend, maybe get some lunch too.

But it didn’t end up happening.

I parked and explored their downtown a little bit, but not much more.

I walked around the block, then looked at the time, calculated the drive to Painted Hills and to Portland.

Didn’t have time. Couldn’t spare an extra minute.

So, I left.

A little disappointed that I couldn’t explore more, but hey, that’s life. Roll with the flow.

Next time.

Next time, indeed.

Painted Hills.

The main reason why I took a different route and went out of my way to get home.

It was a small attraction out in the middle of nowhere.

It was different. It was kind of cool and beautiful.

There’s small little hiking trails around but Pickles and I only did the main one to the lookout.

He had the same problem that he had while we were in Alabama Hills. The rocks were bugging his paws and that made it difficult for him to walk. I had to carry him a few times.

It was what it was.

I wouldn’t mind exploring, if I had time.

I remembered from pictures that I saw that there was a boardwalk area that one could go through the hills. But I didn’t see it. It was one of the hiking trails that we didn’t go to.

Time.

It all came down to time. We didn’t have much.

Time crunch.

Rushed.

I didn’t want to get to Portland and Phinny’s too late. I didn’t want Julie and the kids to wait for me to have dinner.

I left early and got there at 7.

But was I disappointed by that stop? No. It’s a cool little thing that I’m glad that I made the effort to go see.

To more little gems.

On the drive to Portland, I was pull over. Right when I got on I84, I got pull over.

Speeding.

Of course.

I totally forgot it was Labor Day Weekend.

Thankfully he didn’t give me a ticket.

Thankfully.

I’m so lucky.

Just a little reminder that I need to slow down. Not just driving, but life.

Slow down.

Enjoy it.

Stop rushing and that’s how I felt.

Rushed and out of time.

Time crunches.

Slow down.

I’ll keep that in mind.

Slow down.

Vacation.

Vacation mode.

What do I have planned?

Hiking.

Wilderness.

Nature.

Alone time.

There’s going to be so much alone time while I’m up here. I need it. I need to relax. I need some peace.

I need some hiking in my life.

I’ve already booked my hotels for Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park.

I even started the planning and research of the good hikes to do. The manageable ones that I could accomplish in a day without killing myself.

Next, it’s to just make it happen. Keep my days and itinerary open for other things.

Also, try not to kill myself.

Just don’t.

Enjoy my time. Enjoy nature.

Take it slow.

Slow down.

Try not to overdo things and just enjoy it.

Let’s see how it goes.

Pickles won’t be with me, so I have all the time to do anything.

Relax.

Other than these two side trips, I got nothing planned.

Well, I’m taking Pickles to Snoqualmie Falls tomorrow. Do a little short hike and see what else there is to do.

I wouldn’t mind taking him to Rattle Snake Ridge, but I just don’t think he can make it.

Old. Slow. Tired.

I know he would want to, but I don’t want to risk it.

I’ll see how well he holds up at the short Snoqualmie Falls hike.

We shall see.

School.

Programming.

I need to get back to it.

I’ll have some down days and I guess that would be a great time to get back to it.

Make use of the extra time that I have.

Learn and learn and learn.

I’m a little behind, but I’ll be fine.