Here's the great couple who hosted me after I left the house near the lava. They'd gotten married after a trip to Africa 8 years ago and both had lots of good local knowledge. While with them I got to know their goofy pets, learn who won the presidential election, and cook a fantastic gumbo. Wonderful to talk to and full of interesting travel tales, their next adventure is a month long trip to Thailand. Sounds awesome.


From Bend I hitched south and met up with a fellow Peace Corps Ecuador alumnus. We caught up on one another's travels as we drove down to Umpqua Hot Springs northwest of Crater Lake for an overnight trip with the goals of soaking in the sumptuous waters and seeing if we could comfortably sleep in the back of his new Honda Element. Success with the first goal, but less than optimal resutls with the second. When your back and your rest are in question, almost flat is not nearly as good as really flat. Some reengineering or a bit of foam padding are in order.


On our way to Ashland, we stopped at the Diamond Lake overlook for an inspiring view of Mt. Theilsen, the lightning rod of the Cascades. Totally different place than when I was passing through here on foot before the snows fell.


Mt. Bailey covered in snow, with Diamond Lake and Bobcat and Hey Nonny Nonny (The Crater Whale) in the foreground.


Once back in the relatively low altitude of Ashland, fall had now yet fully succumbed to winter's insistent pull. This called for some goofing off.