Day 26 and 27: Rest
Because the universe loves us and wants us to be happy, Carrot and I get to Packwood in two hitches. Our first ride is a couple of gay men from Seattle, out for a day hike. Our second hitch, is a couple of people that I KNOW. They were going the opposite way. They saw me on the side of the road. They drove us straight to the diner and let us buy them dinner, even though our destination left them nearly 100 miles from home. We love you Max and Miles! You saved our lives.
In Packwood, there is so much good. There is a coffee shop. There is an actual grocery store, complete with abundant fruits and vegetables. There is a motel where the rooms cost 35$ per night and for five more dollars the wonderful grumpy grandma will do your laundry for you and give you loaner clothes to wear while you wait. There are TWO establishments with vegan burgers, both with gluten free buns. There is outrageously expensive vegan and gluten free pizza and I give all my money to enjoy it twice.
In Packwood, I rest. I nap. I elevate my foot. I lay down most of the time. I google my ailment and I find advice about tape, pain killers, massage techniques and herbs. I watch TV on my phone well into the night. Bogwitch joins us and has a foot ailment too and we all talk about where our bodies hurt. I buy strawberries and vegan Reddi-Whip. I am insatiably hungry and acknowledge that although I am eating as much as I can, I am losing weight and it's freaking me out. I battled with an eating disorder for years, I battled with my body image for years. I am not comfortable wasting away.
This section of the Pacific Crest Trail is on unceded Yakama land.