On that note I wanted to put my current plan out into the universe. A simple plan, but one apt to be filled with fun and adventure. In my head it is "Hiking with Hugo." Hugo, for those of you who don't know, is my big, red, lunkhead dog. 85 pounds of loyalty. Hugo loves the woods. He loves going for rambles. He loves finding creeks and rivers to wade and swim. He loves to chase squirrels, sniff coyote poop, and meander through the underbrush. I used to take him walking/hiking every day, but then we moved out to an area that, though in the country, is a lot further from dog friendly hiking areas. So we fell out of the habit. Recently though, we went on a quick trip to Eastern Oregon, John Day area to be a bit more precise. And I was reminded just how much the two of us enjoy being out in the woods.
It was on the drive home, just a girl and her dog, stopping at a few decent spots for short hikes, that the idea came to me: I want to take a solid week for a road trip. I want to take Oregon Highway 26 from the Oregon Coast to John Day, then head south, hook up with Highway 20 to head back west. Go all the way to the Coastal Highway 101, up to Cannon Beach, reconnect with Highway 26 and head for home. Basically a loop around Oregon, seeing the vast array of sights. Coastal rainforest, to high desert, fossil beds, and petroglyphs. Ocean, rivers, lakes. Mountains, plains, volcanoes both intact and blown into giant craters. I want to take the bare minimum: a pop up tent, foam pad, decent sleeping bag, essential clothes, a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen, my journal, a rockpick, and my dog. Stop to hike and explore when the desire strikes. Camp where I want, eat what I want. Drive as much as I need. Maybe we won't make the full loop. Maybe we will only make it a few hundred miles because there is so much to see and do in any given region. I don't know. But I want to do it. I will do it. Road Trip with Hugo.
With that in mind, I am already planning. I have started gathering bits of essential gear: hiking poles, a good daypack, hiking shoes are on their way. Training for me and the big red dog has already started. He needs to get back in shape, and I am always striving to get into better shape. It will add a great panache to winter training. I am looking at maps to find good areas for us to get in our training miles. It will be good for both of us. It will be fun. It will be an adventure.
