Oregon Day 4, Hiking and House Party

August 19th

I think everyone was pretty wiped from the surfing, sun, and wine drinking the night before, I included. So it was a later morning as expected. We had it planned to go on a hike today but given our current state, we thought it best to stay local with the hiking. Plus, Shannon and Alayna weren’t able to hike so we didn’t want to do something too long. But they are two people that would be content to just pop out some chairs and sit at the trailhead with a book and that speaks a lot about their character.

We journeyed to the hike Colton found and kept the pack minimal. I grabbed my camera, backpack, water, snacks and phone. Whereas everyone else really only took their phone with them. A few grabbed water. But they kept it really light. I wanted the backpack to carry my camera and thought I might as well pack some other essentials. I was feeling tired from the lack of sleep during the week, but when I fell last in the ranks of the group, even though I was one of the few that did not drink and was getting the most sleep, I was a bit shocked. But also, the camera around my neck was certainly slowing me up I stopped frequently to take photos, but still they were cruising and I really struggled to keep up with them the first half of the hike. Rena was nice to wait for me for some of my first few photos, but I told her to not let me hold her back from staying with the pack.

Sean was also near the end of the group, my fellow hiker chilling in the back with me as always. I was literally walking alone for a while because I was that far behind until finally we were on a flat path and I jogged to catch up to Sean and Rena. It was better in the company of others, especially when theres over 10 people that you can find company with. I still could not believe it was me in the back and how they were doing this hike with the night and week we had. Because, I was feeling a bit fatigued from the hike and I came into this hike in peak health. I would soon learn that I missed a ton of complaining while lagging in the back taking my photos, and they all really powered through and welly hid a lot of their struggles. I caught a second wind about halfway through the hike that the uphill was not getting to me because I built up some endurance, and that's when I was hearing everyones true feelings about the hike. I was starting to feel a lot better that it wasn't just me that was wiped.

Our trail was a loop, however in order to get to the main viewpoint, we had to split from the loop for a mile down-back. On the map, it didn't look too bad, but on our way to the viewpoint, we were descending, which meant that we would be hiking uphill again on our return. We almost didn’t do it because of our fatigue, but thankfully we did because the view was worth it.

We all progressed along this side quest trail at our own speed. I was slower so I could take photos. Lauren G and Rena paused every so often to retackle their fear of heights. Bangh and Jacob took their time deciding if the extra trail was even worth it, delaying their start. Then you had the full senders that had nothing holding them back, and they were the first to viewpoint and the longest to stay there. We worked pretty hard to earn a good view and definitely deserved to get that out of this hike. As everyone slowly made their way to the point, we gathered, mutually admired the view, took photos, FaceTimed parents, and were just happy and proud of the accomplishment. Either those who overcame their fear of heights, or others that pushed past their fatigue. Proud moment for the group.

We made our way back to the loop and on a high from the hike, it was getting easier and easier. I walked with Lauren G and Lauren A and had some good convos which was fun. The rest of the loop was a downhill breeze. I put my camera away to be present to focus on my friends, conversations, and the view in front of me. I was also getting really hungry and excited for the impending veggie burger I was about to chow down. At the tail end of the hike, I was now front of the pack, leading the way, motivated by adrenaline and hunger pains.

We got done with the hike around 3pm and went into town to eat at McMenamins. I did have my daily pb&j in the car as a light snack before lunch because I was so hungry and knew it might take a while for the food to come out with such a big group. The restaurant wasn't too far from the trail but I thought it best to take precaution. I had a great seat at the table, surrounded by Sean, Jacob, and Bangh. I learned more about Jacob and Bangh's college grad programs, and Jacob's job search, all while watching little league baseball. 

After the lunch, we drove back to the house because no one was up for the second hike that we initially thought we could fit into the day, and instead decided on cooking dinner and doing a beer ball tournament. I ended up not eating the dinner that our car organized, and instead had my leftover Chipotle that absolutely smacked. We had fun shopping the grocery store. I picked up two fun beverages for the beer ball tournament that I was partnered with Ryan and Colton. Ryan and I were supposed to switch off each game, but I did terrible and ran out of drinks, and didn't want to so Ryan stepped up and played the rest. Which they ended up playing a lot because they made it far into the tournament. Before going back to the house, we went for a joy ride around the city, aka taking the longer way back. It was nice to see the city a bit, not a super long drive, and cruising slow enough to roll the window down and feel the wind through your fingers. 

When we got back, I hot tubed for a good chunk of the evening and thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend some time in the water and soak up the benefits of this nice airbnb. I was in there for almost 2 hours, to the point it got so hot that the heat kicked me out. But I was in there with Rena, Matt, Lauren A and Lauren G. And Jordy and Ryan were sitting outside the tub talking to us. When I left the hot tub, I stayed outside for a bit longer wrapped in my towel, reading my book, waiting for the shower to open up as that was the sought after activity post hike.

Once the air got quite cool, I went in to shower. Descending the stairs, all cleaned up from the hike and hot tub, I came down to the movie Soul Surfer on the television. I forgot how good that movie truly was. Having now rewatched it as an adult, Maybe because I resonated with Bethany in the sense that I too always wanted to be in the water. But my respect for her courage and fearlessness to get back to surfing after the accident is incredible. It's a good reminder that there will be events in life to make us fearful, but we should not let the bad experience stop us the rest of lives from doing something we love.

I was so enthralled by the movie, I am such a movie fan and will stand by that so firmly. Also, I think that was the first time I truly saw the shark attack scene because the last time I watched the movie I was too young to stomach the amount of blood lost in that scene. Again, it was so cool to see how well her friend's dad applied the tourniquet and they helped save her life. Wow. 

When it got time for sunset, I wanted to go back to the beach to watch it because it was so pretty the night before, but no one wanted to come with me. I decided to go alone right when it was setting. When I finally stepped out the front door to walk to the beach, I looked up at the sky and saw it painted pink, and shared with the others inside the house that it was so beautiful. That convinced Alayna and Jordy to join me. The best of the sunset was while we were walking to the beach, and once we got to the ocean, it wasn't as vibrant but still had the soft pink hue to make it look magical.

When we got back, the movie was off and music was playing on the TV. They put on the music because they said they all needed to wake up for the tournament. They wanted to start as soon as they could, because it would be a long tourney, so once everyone was done eating dinner, the table was set up for beer ball. I found a comfy spot on the couch and got all my photos from the hike sorted. Then when I was done with that task, I talked with the people that sat near me, played some cards, and watched the games.

Beer ball continued throughout the night, and there was a point I stole the remote and put Soul Surfer back on, no shame, and it was such a good finish. The movie climbed in my rankings. I can’t believe how much of a tear jerker it was, so good.

I hung out as long as I could that night, but finally called it when I was getting sleepy, but since it was our last night at the airbnb, some stayed up pretty late to make the most of it. Respect. I had a blast in Oregon, enjoyed spending quality team with some great people, and was able to be a part of another board house trip. Adding to the unforgettable experience that is my summer.