Today was exhausting but super productive and wonderful. Mellow and Smiles kicked off the morning with a delicious pancake and fruit breakfast. More thanks to Stephanie and Dave for stocking up on food before our arrival. After breakfast, Stephanie was kind enough to let us take their Subaru so the seven of us piled in (two in the back hatch) and I became chauffer for the day. I hadn't driven a car since April 24th, and it felt great to get behind the wheel. And you can't beat a little Journey for some good cuisin' tunes!
Our field trip into the bustling metropolis of Bend was certainly an adventure. None of us had any lay of the land, so we'd pretty much just pick a chore or destination, determine where to drive, get 'er done, and then move on to the next item on the list. We hit REI, multiple POs, lunch, downtown, a hotel where Amigo needed to pick up a package, grocery outlet, Safeway, 711 for HEET, TJ Maxx, the liquor store, Radio Shack and probably other places I am forgetting. Half the time I felt like we were driving in circles and the other half of the time I felt like a ping pong ball bouncing from one end of town to the other. Nevertheless, tiring as it was, our spirits remained high and we got everything done. Can't ask for much more than that!
We did a BBQ dinner at Stephanie and Dave's place and everyone is currently watching the Hunger Games. I was there for the beginning and enjoyed what I saw but was just too beat to stay up.
Back to the trail in the morning. A few of us (myself excluded) need to stop in Sisters before heading back to the trail, so Stephanie or I will drop those folks off first thing in the morning. The hitch up to the pass from Sisters shouldn't be too bad. The other three and I will get a ride all the way to the trail head from a local angel who is picking us up at the Brown's house at 10.
Thank you again to Stephanie and Dave! I love you guys and am already looking forward to a Bend ski adventure this winter! You are amazing friends!
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