Hey everyone! I am doing great. I arrived in Kennedy Meadows the day before yesterday and am giving my feet a rest before I hit the Sierras. I'm really excited to be out of the desert with its hot hot weather, long dry stretches and deep sandy trails. There were some very exciting nights hiking in the dark through a little rain, some very strong winds (we had to crawl across the pass!) and sleeping in a really cool cave. I'm ready for clouds, trees, and cool crisp air. I've been hiking 20+ days, but in the Sierras I will have to slow down to 15 or 18 mile days. That's ok because I will have more time to enjoy the most beautiful part of the Trail.
The trail magic has been fantastic: Trail Angels leave us caches of water and sometimes beer and soda! It really helps us hikers on the trail. I also had a great time staying at the Saufley's and at Casa de Luna. I keep thinking about doing some trail magic next year when I'm back in Portland.
I won't be posting my journal for a while, but I will work on it when I have time and a wifi connection.
Oh yeah, if you want to send me some moolah, ($) please give the money to my mama. If you have questions on how to do that, let me know. She has access to my account.
I love you all and miss you terribly!
Thanks Mom and Grandma for the snacks and cookies!
Here's an updated itinerary for ya:
June 25 Bishop, CA 93514 June 15
June 28 Mono Hot Springs, CA Mail to: Aria Benner/ c/o Mono Hot Springs Resort/ General Delivery,/Mono Hot Springs, CA 93642 June 18
June 30 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 June 20
July 6 Bridgeport, CA 93517 June 26
July 10 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151 June 30
July 15 Sierra City, CA 96125 July 6
July 22 Chester, CA 96020 July 12
July 26 Burney, CA 96013 July 16
July 31 Mt. Shasta, CA 96067 July 21
Aug 6 Etna, CA 96027 July 25
Aug 11 Ashland, OR 97520 Aug 2
Aug 16 Crater Lake, OR Mail to: Aria Benner / c/o Crater Lake Camp Store/ Mazama Village/ Crater Lake, OR 97604 Aug 6
Aug 20 Shelter Cove, OR UPS Only. Mail to: Aria Benner/ c/o Shelter Cove Resort/ 27600 West Odell Lake Road/ Highway 58/ Crescent, OR 97733 Aug 10
Aug 21 Sisters, OR 97759 Aug 14
Aug 30 Timberline Lodge Mail to: Aria Benner/ c/o Timberline Ski Area/ WY'East Store/ Timberline Lodge/ Timberline OR 97028. The guide book says to make it painfully obvious that the package is for a pct hiker. Costs me $5 to pick up a package here. Aug 20
Aug 29 Cascade Locks, OR **Come pick me up and take me to Portland!**
Sept 6 Trout Lake, WA 98650 Aug 25
Sept 8 White Pass, WA Mail to: Aria Benner/ c/o White Pass Rural Branch PO/ at the Kracker Barrel Store/ 48851 US Highway 12/ Naches, WA 98937 Aug 29
Sept 15 Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068 Sept 4
Sept 17 Skykomish, WA 98288 Sept 7
Sept 25 Stehekin, WA 98852 Sept 15
Sept 27 Manning Park, Canada!! Mail to: Aria Benner/ c/o
Manning Park Lodge/ 7500 Highway #3/ Manning Provincial Park, BC VOX
IR0/ CANADA Sept 17
