August 20.
Woke up early and got going. I spent most of the morning day dreaming about town and being with Mup. It’s been over two months since I’ve seen her and I’ve missed her like crazy. We’ve done the long distance thing before but it feels worse this time. Mostly because I know what it’s like to actually get to be with her and spend time with her whenever I want now.
Most of the miles to Coughlan’s were boring af and I don’t remember them. Mostly forest I think. We did cross some weird train tracks and sketchy trail at one point then had to do a long descent down a side trail to the road.
We walked along the road to Callahan’s, a popular restaurant where hikers can get rides to Ashland from.
Taylor and I went in and talked to some other hikers who were leaving. Nobos. Same old same old.
I washed up a bit in the bathroom. There was a sign that asked hikers not to bathe there. Apparently I was not the only one who has ever freshened up there. Got some overpriced fries and talked to Taylor for a bit and then Mup showed up.
She drove 10 hours from SF to come see me and spend a day with me. She walked in through the doors of the restaurant, I saw her and I almost cried. She said hey stranger and hugged me. She hesitated a bit but I think it was mostly because I smelled terrible. Goddamn it was so good to see her though.
I said goodbye to Taylor who was going to keep hiking on to Seiad Valley. He’s going to be a few days ahead now so I might not see him again. But this trail is so small so who knows.
Mup and I drove to Ashland, straight to the pizza place in town that had vegan pizza. Afterwards we drove to an airbnb she had found in a weird little ranchy part of town. There were a ton of blackberry bushes around us and she got us some. I took a long shower. Couldn’t shave though so my beard is still gross but at least I’m clean and with Mup now.
Plants Outside 