26th July

I struggled to get up for some reason so i didn’t get on the trail till seven.
I had the rest of the climb to do before I emerged at Crater lake. ……And wow what an amazing view. .it was still early so you could not see the full colours of the water
I stood for about 10 minutes taking in the site before me. I found it just breathtaking. Beautiful, Romantic, Amazing and awesome. The mist was still rising as the sun hadn’t yet risen that high.
I had to tear my self away as I needed water. I made my way towards the store and then stood puzzled as I looked at my gps
Water was at the rim village..Further to walk then a ranger appeared Can I help sir?  Yes I need water
He pointed to the rest rooms that I had walked  by  unnoticed! !
Thank you so much. I refilled my water all 4 litres as the next was 25 miles away.
I then walked back over to the rim the colours were changing by the minute as the sun rose
I chatted to an American family who were on vacation with their children for a while before hitting the trail

The trail followed the rim for about 7 miles before rejoining the old PCT as I walked around the Rim the views Were stunning awe inspiring and so had to take many photos
The trail then began to rise towards the watch man’s tower I really don’t want to climb this i said to myself. But up and up I went
Deer phew i hadn’t seen any yesterday and was beginning to worry Lol  so I  felt more relaxed when four trotted by
Then shock !!!! Juicy made me jump by creeping up on me. OMG and other words I said
We then hiked on together. Mile after mile before it was time for a break. We stopped for breakfast with such a great backdrop   and rested.

We both agreed that our next stop should be at 2 pm .off down the trail we both marched ,Then juicy realised that he had lost a flip flop..he went back to look while I stomped off. The terrain was good and so I zoned out and the miles raced by
Ping went my watch great an hour to go.ping went my  watch Hurrah  lunch .I stopped under the shadow of a tree and chilled.
As I was making lunch  juicy appeared so  We ate lunch.together
Juicy thought it may be a good idea to go to next town for pizza and beer and I had to agree with him but for the next 5 minutes we decided against it and decided to hike on
Several hours later we arrived all hot and sweaty at the  road. We both said together that pizza and beer sound good then both laughed.
So we stuck out our thumbs

After about  20 minutes we were sat in Diamond lakes  with a large pitcher of beer waiting for mega pizza. we both woofed that followed   by another pitcher of beer.Then it was Ice cream time and then we were  full
We made our way to the tent site and put up our tents and let our large tummies relax
Soon it was time got a night cap so we wandered back to the restaurant
I selected two  types of IPA Then sat outside to quaff them watching the sun set .a great end to the day

25th July
I slept really well .woke st 5 am and listened to keen hikers pass my tent
There is no rush I said to myself I only have 20 miles to do
I emerged and broke camp . lucky I remembered my gloves.
Seems its colder in the mornings in Oregon, So I needed my coat too.
Off I went but hadn’t gone far when another  bear shot through the woods and went crashing though the trees .
Phew I thought, he was  fast
I set off walking I was in woods again and again  i was clambering over trees or trying to walk around them.   This forest was quite airy so the sun was at least getting through so it wasn’t long before the coat came off.. I emerged out off the forest into a large burn area. Giant needles sticking up from the ground. It went on for a while then I began to head down into a more green landscape.
I hiked on singing songs yo myself but never really knowing the words. Ping went my watch Breakfast time although there wasn’t a lot left to eat
But the break was good. I was making good time and should be at Mazama store by 2 (Crater Lake)  .I pushed on and one forest rock meadow forest they all seemed to merge but I was making good progress I z began to drop down when I was startled by several children then their dad appeared hi I called a few minutes later another too families appeared they were doing s loop..I walked on for about an hour then decided it was lunch  time and a good opportunity to use all my bits up before my resupply.
I sat munching my lunch when several more day hikers came past. Cant be far i thought to myself. And then  there was the road. I was just taking some photos when Rock steady came past .I walked after him on the road to Mazama village  .but then he vanished. he  had taken a short cut that I hadn’t seen.

He was at the store when I arrived. I grabbed my resupply box 2  beers an ice cream and sat outside in the sun  to eat and drink. Then I grabbed s few items from the hiker box
As I was sorting   my gear Juicy appeared I told him about my 2 X 30 milers
Then I went and grabbed a shower and washed my clothes at the same time. They soon dry in the sun
Then I  brought some post cards another beer and packed up my gear.
Juicy had already left but I got confused and went’ the wrong way bugger bugger  finally I was back on the trail .dam I said to myself should of left earlier. I set off up the trail it wasn’t far to the Rim and water but it was almost 7.30 .bugger I am not going to try and make it tonight. The next flat spot I said to myself.
Tent up dinner cooked tomorrow is another day and I get to see this amazing site of crater  lake