[pct-l] Off-trail attractions

[blisterfree@surfree.com (Brett Tucker)]

>What "off trail" events would you suggest attending
> for those thru-hikers who enjoy town life/cultural events
> as much as life on the trail? Events must be within a reasonable
> hitch of the trail and occur when the "typical" thru-hiker
> would be passing through the area.

For southbound thru-hikers or late-ish northbounders, consider showing up in
Seiad Valley, CA the last weekend or two in August (inquire within) for the
Volunteer Firefighter's Annual Parade and "Cookout." Last year for the first
time thru-hikers were invited to walk in the parade, and I was lucky enough
to be among the participants. We carried noisemakers, some of us wore our
packs, we waved, we walked, and the parade M.C. even announced our trail
names individually as our contingent arrived on scene before the crowd. Like
everything else that is PCT trail-town oriented, the parade was of course a
little backward. But we walked forward anyway. I'll leave out the details,
and invite future thru-hikers to live out the experience for themselves. :)

http://www.hike2000.com/oregon/i8.jpg
(photo, l to r, Blisterfree, Sparrowhawk, "Menacing Vegetables")