PCT 2018 Day 90, July 21, Saturday
Start mile 2144.2, Cascade Locks, camp at Marine Park Campground
End Aloha, Oregon, visiting with old friends
Miles walked: ZERO
I have made plans to spend the day with Bruce and Beth, deareold friends from when I used to live in the Portland area back in the 1980s. Bruce picks me up at Cascade Locks, at the drive-in hamburger place. It has been so long, we hardly recognize each other. His spouse Beth has a function at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Oregon campus, so we go to meet her there.
Beth is raising Peaches (sorry if I get the name wrong), a candidate guide dog. Each dog is periodically evaluated for any disqualifying traits, and less than 50% successfully complete the program as a guide dog or breeder dog. The guide dog facility is as large as a small community college campus, and many other candidate dogs are there for a meet-and-greet. Beth is hoping to see some of Peach’s litter mates, but none are there today. The function has a space theme, pretty cute.
Later we go to their home in a town west of Portland, which was still being built when I left Oregon around 1986. Beth presides over a huge garden, and Bruce has welded many ornamental pieces for it.
Here is their view from the house, quite excellent.
Much conversation ensues.
Good day.
Mount Adams can be seen to the north and east. The trail swings near the base of the peak.
On miles of switchbacks the trail goes from altitude 4k down to about 90 feet at Cascade Locks. Here is an early glimpse of Columbia Gorge.
I was planning on camping at The Swamp, run by trail troll Shrek. Upon going to his house I learn that he is no longer hosting hikers. Upon walking away, I realize that is just what Shrek in the movies would say, and that I should have persisted. :-)
Good conversation with hikers First, Fabian (Austria), and Gust made a good finish for the day. I showered at the campground, and will do laundry in town tomorrow morning just before my friend picks me up for a visit.
I enjoy these historic lodges, and must include at least a couple of photos of the interior. 
Hun and I get a larger table for the breakfast buffet in the Cascadia Room, so that other hikers can join us, and soon we meet Packing, Cans, and Boombox, with Kodak coming later. 
Lively conversation and good food are a fine start to the day. Afterwards I go down to the activity building and get my box and repack and organize. I do appreciate the fast wifi, and download my favorite podcasts.
Hun starts after me but catches up. We take the side trail to Ramona Falls. The sun is just at a good angle to illuminate the water.
Hun needs to stop for a rest, afflicted with heel blisters. She may need different shoes, requiring a trip into Portland. She may not hike far today, but hopes to catch up with me tomorrow.
I thought I saw an Ewok, but was mistaken. Later, after a long climb up switchbacks, the air becomes quite cool. Has the weather changed suddenly? I get to my planned stopping place, not hiking very late today, and dress warmly for a cold night.