Mile 2454 to 2462

I know lately I have had mice on my mind, but this morning I wake with one literally on my head. The little thing apparently gets in a hole chewed by his ruffian cousin the night before. He scampers to the highpoint of his new kingdom, my head! I knock him off his perch and chase him several laps around the tent before I can get him out. Getting back to sleep is futile as every raindrop dropping or tent flap flapping sounds like a little mouse messing to get back in. It’s not that I fear him, but I am determined to defend my expensive gear.

Saved by a warm car

Ixnay reports that his sleeping bag is so wet that he froze all night and did not sleep at all. He packs up first and is off and running to get warm. We will not see him again until the parking lot at Steven’s Pass. Kevin and I walk the 7.6 miles in the rain discussing anything but water and temperature. We pass several pretty lakes and go by chairlifts of yet another ski resort.

Daniel is our welcome committee with towels, donuts, drinks and most important a warm car. We give him instructions to drive us straight to a laundromat in Wenatchee where we spend most of the day grossing everyone out. We are mistaken several times for firefighters, which shows just how desperately they need help and how far they are scraping the bottom of the flaming barrel.

Loads of Laundry

At the laundromat we learn that firefighters and support crews have Chelan accommodations basically booked. There is a $2.50 bus from Wenatchee to the Our Lady Of The Lake’s dock, which is where we will catch the ferry to Stehekin. We decide to check into a hotel here saving Daniel that Chelan to and from driving. He does however take us to Walmart for some cheap waterproof pants. The weather forecast for our next leg is not much better than the last.

We say goodbye to Ixnay who Daniel is driving to Ellensburg to catch a greyhound back to California. Because he was so cold and miserable he wants to regroup, get better gear and move his car up to help with logistics. He agrees to send a picture of himself at the border monument when he finishes, probably in October.

Weather, fires and transportation?

Tired of the usual burgers or pizza when in a town, we opt for dinner at a Salvadorian restaurant. We order a variety of pupusa and fried plantains, all of which are fantastic. We then waddle to Safeway so we can finish off with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s each.

Tomorrow we plan a lazy zero, going through our food and gear to make sure we can handle the forecasted 1 to 2 inches of snow above 5,500 feet. That Canadian border is so close, but it seems Mother Nature wants us to go out on a lion and not on the lamb.

Making Sock Tea?