Asphalt

July 19, 2018. Silver Creek campground to Northport.

Not much to report on this day. Originally, I planned on stealth camping a few miles before the town of Newport, and the next morning go in for breakfast, pick up my General Delivery package at the Post Office, and be on my way. I did not think I could reach Northport before the Post Office closed. Ideally, I would camp overlooking the Columbia River.

The overarching theme for this day would be sun and asphalt. I packed up and left before Indigo and Snowberry were ready. While I started on a forest service gravel road, after three miles it took a right turn on to a paved county road. There was an older gentleman sweating at some yard chore at the junction. We exchanged greetings and I was on my way to 15 miles of asphalt.

In previous years, the PNT to Northport was shorter and mostly trail. However, a landowner decided they no longer wanted to provide access. Now, the PNT walks about 12 miles on pavement. I do not know the details, but it seems absurd.

After approaching the Canadian border, I turned south and began walking south parallel to the Columbia River. When visible, it broke the monotony. Between the road and the river, an abandoned railroad track gave rusty testimony to an earlier time of economic prosperity.

One guy stopped and offered a ride. Locals in pick ups and truckers waved and gave me a wide berth when there was no shoulder. Surprisingly, Canadians always seemed to cut it close when passing.

As I checked my pace, I realized I could probably get to my package before the Post Office closed. It was now stinking hot. I was sweating pretty good. At one point, a Border Patrol officer stopped. By his questions it seemed to be a combination of investigation (where did you sleep last night? Where are you headed) and welfare check (do you have enough water).

I pressed and got to town in time. There was a simple cottage with a vacancy so I grabbed it. On my way from the post office to the cottage, I was hailed by Snowberry. They had stopped at the intersection of the gravel and paved roads and asked the man working in his yard if he would give them a ride to Northport. He did.

The cottage had a/c, so I took a shower and lowered my body temperature. Later, I had a two entree dinner and drank what seemed like a gallon of water.

I was glad I got to town and the cottage. Tomorrow, I would wait until the other restaurant in town opened for breakfast. Until then, sleep.