[pct-l] Flight of the Spiriteagle

[kahley7 <kahley7@ptd.net>]

hi all,

We finally have access to a computer, the first time in weeks.  We came
into 
Etna to resupply, and met the hospitable Joyce Bradley at her very nice 
B&B/hiker hostel here.  Dunsmuir had email, but the library was closed
on 
Friday. Oh well. We have had some very good experiences in the past few 
weeks. Section P was probably the best section on the trail, for us. 
All 
the beauty of the Sierras, without the daily danger or the crowds.  We
even 
got to go swimming in some lovely lakes a time or two. We saw two bears,
our 
first on the trail, which was also fun.  Other recent highlights: Burney 
Falls  is one of the prettiest waterfalls I've ever seen. (And I've seen
a 
few!)  Hat Creek Rim meant a 30 mile day, carrying enough water to last
over 
30 miles. (We reached water the next morning.) Section O had been
cleared of 
blowdowns, for the most part, but was still horribly overgrown and with 
masses of poison oak. (Guess who's allergic? Both of us.)  Still seeing
lots 
of rattlesnakes, and one that looked like a coral snake, but might have
been 
a king snake.  We've only seen two thruhikers over the past two weeks -
Tim 
and Starman, though we know there are others out there.  Fair number of 
dayhikers and section hikers too. It hasn't been lonely.  Jim's new
boots 
proved disasterous - his feet are raw hamburger at the moment.  Ashland
is 
only 120 miles away, somehow we'll get replacements.  Otherwise, we are
well 
and enjoying the trail more than we have in a long time.  It really is 
beautiful country.
Walk softly,
Jim and Ginny
Spirit Eagle
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