I had a hard time getting to sleep in the back of the van last night. Not a comfort thing, just couldn’t make myself relax. It was probably after 10 when I finally nodded off. I tell you, total absolute silence is almost deafening. One is so used to a clock ticking or the house creaking or cats running or traffic in the distance, you really get used to that.
I woke up at 430 and had to pee, it was cool out but warmer than 2 nights before. I crawled back in bed anyway, and soon enough I dozed off again. Woke up at 7. Got out of bed at 730 and prepared my oatmeal and had some juice. Those cups of instant oatmeal (1 serving each – I can eat two) are fabulous for camping. I packed up and after a bathroom stop, hit the road a little before 8. As I headed back towards Randle, there were bicycles heading opposite me, hundreds of them. I slowed down a little as there were some cars trying to pass them. After I got onto Hwy 12 there were more. As I headed east and up to Packwood, there was a tent and sign indicating a Ride For Cancer campaign. So thats what that was all about. They were all headed towards Mt St Helens apparently. From the website: High Pass Challenge — Sept. 7, 2014 Breathtaking 114-mile ride through the Gifford Pinchot Wilderness Area, including the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument; 7,500-foot elevation gain. Starts in Packwood.
I continued East on 12 to Mt Rainier National Park, Hwy 123 north. I stopped at the top of Chinook Pass to hike the Naches Loop trail. It was a magnificent day, clear and comfortable, not yet too warm, although that would likely change as the morning went on.
I arrived there at about 945 and started hiking from the low trailhead, to end at the top one. I’d done the top to bottom about 10 years ago or so. There were fantastic views from every step, and it took me the full two hours to hike the 3.5 miles as indicated in the above weblink. There were lots of other people taking advantage of whats likely to be fewer clear days like this now that its September. Most were going opposite me in direction. I spoke with a few people, just generic pleasantries.
At about noon I got back to the car and looked at the map to decide just where to head next. I seriously thought about heading home, but ultimately decided to head east on 410 to Yakima, then decide whether to head west and home, or stay the night. When I got to Yakima, it was a little after 1pm and I was hungry for lunch. I stopped at a Shari’s Restaurant and had a large breakfast. It was good, Chicken fried steak, stuffed hashbrowns, 2 eggs overeasy, and 2 slices of French toast(I got it all down but didn’t need dinner that night!). After eating I used my phone and made a reservation at a Days Inn for one night at a reasonable price. I then left and found the place and checked in.
About 330 I headed east on I82 for Zillah to find the Bonair winery, and bought a few bottles of wine that we like. I looked for the Tefft Cellars Winery but couldn’t find it, and I don’t think they’re in business any longer. Then I headed back to Yakima and the hotel.