Mileage: 0
We were in Ashland and checked into our hotel by 7:30. Bam, that’s how you do it. Breakfast, shower and laundry all done by 9:30. We were relaxing watching South Park when Borealis showed up with a rental car and said he was headed to the coast to go to the beach. Pip, Coughee and Barrel were in the car and there was space for one more. And my name was on it.
It was ironic that the Canadian was driving. The roads were twisty and my head hurt a little, but it felt weirdly good going so fast. We got some pizza and went to camp on the beach, complete with campfire and s’mores! (Thanks Fitz!) the sunset was beautiful and magical and it was really hard to believe I was standing there. We ran into the ocean even though it was freezing cold and it felt spectacular. I smelled like salt and the foggy air settled around me like a blanket. I haven’t been to the ocean in forever.
We sat by the fire until the stars came out and then we all sleepily crawled into our tents. The next morning we drove up the scenic coastal highway before heading through the redwoods back towards Ashland.
Back in town, it was time for chores. I bought a shopping cart full of food at the Shop ‘n Cart and went to sort it all into boxes in the shade. A woman came up and asked if I needed a ride anywhere after I was done with resupply stuff. “I hiked awhile ago, I know how it goes” she said. I told her I was staying at a hotel down the road, and that I didn’t need to go anywhere else.
She gave me some words of encouragement and told me to “rock on!” Before going inside the store. I thought that was it until she came back a few minutes later. She poked her head around the corner and thrust a $100 bill in my hand. “You’ll make it” she said, and before I could protest or thank her, she turned and left.
This couldn’t be real. There’s no way. I didn’t feel like I deserved it. After all, I’m out here by choice. I chose to quit my jobs and walk absurd distances everyday and sleep on the ground. No one owes me anything. But there I was, squinting in the sun at the crisp bank note in my palm.
on my way on the loose 
She was paying it forward…. Soon, it will be your turn.
Rock on!