Day 134

Campsite to cascade locks - 20 miles (I took an alternate route)

Total - 2150 miles

The night was filled with wind but that didn’t matter for noise bc I had ear plugs so I slept goooooooddd. That was the main reason why I wore them but the second reason was to block out any sounds that might make my mind race since I camped alone for the first time. It worked. I woke up around 5:40 and got to packing up. I slowed it down as it was still pretty dark in the forest and I realllyyyyyy did not want anything jumping and surprising me. The first five miles were easy and had some great views. I was slower as my feet fucking hurt. Definitely time for new shoes as these have 1000+ miles on them. Time for retirement for sure. I got to the split off down the alternate route that leads you to eagle creek and tunnel falls. The first half was Indian creek trail and that was steep with tons of rocks and dry dusty dirt. I had to catch myself from falling multiple times as well as climb over some blowdowns on the steep climb down. All I kept thinking was why the fuck would anyone do this trail. I passed some people and I had to make a comment of wtf is this which they all nodded in agreement. Finally that trailhead met up with the eagle creek and I cruised down it at lightning speed passing lots of people going up and down the trail. I made it to tunnel falls which was gorgeous and everything that I expected. I still had one thing on my mind and that was dad coming to pick me up. I zoomed down the last 7 miles. It felt so long though as I was trying to conserve battery as everything was dying or dead so no music until the last two miles. I was passing people left and right and as I got down to the bottom probably 0.5 miles a meat head man would not let me pass. Everytime I came up to him he would skip down? As well as quickly side shuffle as if he was trying to be non chalant in literally the most chalant way possible. It made me giggle. He also seemed to be trying to outrun his Girlfirend or something. I eventually passed him on the road asserting my dominance once again. I caught up to little peak who started the trail at the same time as me. She was a day ahead and I caught her in the last 2 miles. We hiked together the last two chit chatting it up before we split up at cascade locks. They were going to a coffee shop and I was headed across the bridge to Washington. A toll bridge but free for people who walk across. Very pretty views and I couldn’t stop smiling as I was so close to being home for the first time in four months. Insane!!!!! Very sketchy though as the two lanes were small causing the cars to come close to me. The wind also was hitting my pack in just the right way that it was causing me to be pushed towards the edge of the bridge barrier. When I finally crossed it was kinda anti-climactic as I beat my dad there lol. I waited for about 15 minutes before my dad, rocklicker, and Marc pulled up with drinks. I obviously had to crack a few jokes stating that I was the only one to walk into Washington and they should try it sometime. Poor guys, both very injured. We offered some beers to the other pct hikers and after we were done we got going home. A stop to killer burger was needed and I put that thang DOWN. So good. Got home and lounged for the rest of the afternoon before I headed over to Sophia Clinton’s birthday!!! I got see everyone as well as Brenda who was there. I caught everyone up but I will say it was super overwhelming. Lots of people talking which I’m so used to the silent forest and only my thoughts that I had to really focus on my own conversations. This must be how people with ADHD feel bc my god it was hard. We played a kahoot all about Sophia before I headed home with some groceries for brauts. We cooked those up and watched easily one of the worst movies I’ve watched in awhile. I’ve only seen two movies these past four months: Superman, and whatever the fuck that shit was. I already forgot the name of it. Thank god honestly. Then we all went to bed. My blow up mattress was limp but I was too lazy to blow it up so I just curled up into a ball and fell into a deep sleep.