PCT Day 41: Ducky’s Mom and Dad (8/3)

Today’s Miles: 34

Total Trip Miles: 686/2660

I wake up and think I’m going to do my first thirty today. I slept great last night and had a relaxing evening, listening to the rain and just chilling in my tent. I’m currently 45 miles outside of Shelter Cove Resort, where my next resupply is. After that, I’ll be hitting Crater Lake National Park and then Ashland, and that will just about conclude Oregon. But one stop at a time.

I walk by a bunch of lakes this morning, some of them pretty and some of marshy. At around 10, I stop at one of the lakes called Horseshoe. I reach into my pack and somewhat hilariously pull out a Starbucks can labeled double shot mocha. I packed it our yesterday from Elk Lake Resort, knowing I would just need to carry it for a day before I could toss it at Shelter Cove. I think if nothing else, I have learned how important it is to be creative and keep things fun in your thru-hike.

As I hike into the afternoon, the air takes on a smokey scent. The sky progressively grows hazier, until I can no longer see any blue above me. Not sure if this is smoke from the fires in Southern Oregon or something new popping off.

At around 5:00, I pass by hikers who tell me there is trail magic 2 miles ahead. One of them is holding a beer as he he tells me this news. The other hiker tells me I should hurry if I want to make it- the trail angels were talking about closing shop soon.

I summon my trail running skills and run most of the remaining two miles. My pack is really light as I’m carrying only a day of food. It’s also fun to do something other than walking. I try not to get too excited or hopeful, as I don’t want to be bitterly disappointed if I miss it.

I come upon a dirt road where I assume the trail magic would be and there is nothing. Oh well. I keep walking another ten minutes and then come across another road…. Where there is trail magic! A wife and husband introduce themselves as “Ducky’s Mom and Dad”. They are about to pack up for the day but tell me to take a seat and grab what I want. I get myself handfuls of chips of all varieties, a cold coke, ice water, and an ice cream bar. I have received much trail magic in Oregon but this is the first time I’ve come upon trail angels waiting for hikers with goodies.

I hang out for a bit and talk more with Ducky’s mom and dad. They do trail magic at this spot weekly, making the drive over from Eugene. Their son is a triple crowner meaning he has completed the PCT, AT, and CDT. Can you guess his trail name?

I eventually depart, hoping to do another 7-8 miles before setting up camp. I grind out the miles, the last few with the feeling of the bottom feet burning. When I get to camp, I reflect on my day. I’m tired from all of the miles but am uplifted from the trail magic and being right outside Shelter Cove Resort. I’ll bust out those last 10 miles to the Resort tomorrow morning and go from there!