Green Springs Inn to the Border!!!!!!!!

After our brief resupply trip in Ashland Nicholas drove us back up the hill to the PCT. We made it about 5 miles and cowboy camped for the first time in what feels like weeks. We cooked a awesome dinner and watched the twinkle of the city lights in the valley. The night was warm and comfortable. Ferd even had his leg out of the sleeping bag for a bit. Was it really below freezing a few nights ago?

The next morning we woke early and walked to a spring that actually had water! A few miles later we met two hunters that informed us that open season for deer had begun today. A bit unnerving... good thing Ferd is rocking a blaze orange hat and Dangit's shorts are a rad pumpkin color. The hiking was splendid. Cool, a bit shady, with the smell of freshly falling scrub oak leaves. Ferd was reminded of his childhood in Colorado Springs and Denver. The afternoon pretty much was a long hot march a few thousand feet up Mt. Ashland. We spent about an hour at our next water source -- a water facet next to a picnic table in someones front yard. Two extremely gregarious dogs, a dane-black lab mix and a golden retriever, watched intently as we ate some lunch. We agreed that we can't wait to have dogs. The climb continued through some conifer forest and finally through a bright gold beautiful aspen stand. We love fall! Near dark we made a split second decision to spend the night near Grouse Mtn. Shelter, a large 2 sided hut with a view of the impressive snow covered Mt. Shasta. We hung out with a father and son next to the fire pit in the shelter before setting up our tarp outside. Another warm night and comfortable night! Tomorow we will walk to the border. Could this be our last night camping on the PCT? This has become our life now; it's weird to think that it will end soon.

First day of hunting season... yikes!

The next day we woke up with the sun and cruised the 17 miles to the border. At the border we read some register entries, and sat down for a while and reflected on our trip. We took a few pictures at the iconic wood Oregon/California sign, contributed a short message to the register, and headed back the way we came. Our plan to hitch back to town tonight worked out perfectly. A few nice people picked us up, gave us "what to do in Ashland" tips, and dropped us off at Callahan's Lodge outside Ashland. We spent $10 for a hiker spot on the back lawn. We also got 2 free beers (hiker special!), paid for salad, bread, and endless spaghetti with meat sauce. Our night was sweetened by wonderful live music from a local musician who played some of the songs that have been in our heads for months. What a great night to celebrate the completion of our hike.

Woah... we are gone hiking

In the morning we caught an easy hitch into downtown Ashland from some confused looking people looking for the PCT trailhead near Callahan's. Turns out the driver was planning to thru-hike the PCT this year but had some trip-ending problems with his MCL (it's a thing in yer knee).

We'll be hanging out in Ashland until our flight from Medford to San Antonio on 10/10.