Hello Everyone,

Well, I am here in Ashland, Oregon, at my brother Tom’s house on day 27. I made it to Klamath Falls and only had to trek 8.8 miles today, almost a record low for one day.

I started out my morning waking to the sound of shot guns firing in all directions around me, but not too close. It must be duck season here in Oregon because I heard and saw them flying all around the canal.

I started out late again this morning because everything was wet again from the humidity and I had to allow the tent to dry before packing it away. It was 42 degrees and stayed chilly all morning. When I started my trek this morning I realized how fortunate I had been to find last night’s camp because beyond it there were nothing but houses on both sides of the highway most of the way into town. I did pass Henley High School, where the sound of the football game was coming from last night. It was only about a quarter of a mile from where I camped.

I had planned to meet Tom in Klamath Falls in the early afternoon and found it even more challenging on Highway 39 this morning due to the even heavier traffic and lack of a shoulder. I thought it would take me forever since I was just stopping to let the cars go by. Halfway into town I came across a bike trail that parallels the highway into town and thought I had gone to heaven. It was a beautiful path that ran along a park, crossed several rivers and open areas. Once I hit town, I had visions of French fries in my mind and couldn’t get them out of my head. I am constantly hungry and try to eat all day long and it was suppose to be such a short day that I didn’t set out my snacks. Once in town I ended up walking to the highway since it was a four lane road with sidewalks then. I found a burger place, by smell, and had my large fries, but could have eaten two or three. I figure I burn off those calories anyway.

Tom finally found me but I had to direct him to my location since he still has one of those old phones that looks like a WWII walkie talkie and doesn’t give him directions. It was great to see him and the ride to Ashland was quite beautiful. It is real mountainous road between towns and it crosses the Klamath River in a beautiful spot. We stopped at a public spring where the locals get their drinking water, and I was so use to always looking for water, I filled my drinking bottles.

Ashland appears to be a nice little town with a bustling downtown business area that still has the quaint appearance and feel of a small town, but progressive. The business area is mainly on one long street that runs the length of the town. The residential neighborhood has the appearance of so many older towns, with beautiful older homes and large tree lined streets.

There are many types of restaurants and Tom took me to one of his favorites, the Sauce. I asked the young girl to recommend the meal with the most protein, and she did, but I was still a bit hungry after the meal. When we got home, we had a little more to eat, topped off with a banana. I realize that I have been burning so many calories that my body just craves food al the time. Maybe a few days rest will settle my hunger down?

My foot was still troubling today, even on today’s short trek, and that is one of the reasons for these days of rest here. I look forward to my time here in this nice town as it is still part of my trek experience. And as I mentioned before, I will have to make the decision in the next few days whether to continue on.

Please continue to send me your positive thoughts and prayers. And of course, please excuse the typos, grammar, spelling, etc.

Ted