A Series of Fortuitous Events

Our PCT hike has been a whirlwind of events since July 16th. We've been rerouted twice due to fire and rain and unfordable rivers. Tomorrow PCT part 2 will start. Since the first day we have had amazing things happen to us. We've called them "fortuitous events". But really I don't believe that is the correct term since I just looked up the word "fortuitous" and it means "by chance or by accident." Maybe one or two events could be labeled "fortuitous", but several, every day, just when needed, to me becomes evidence of a loving Creator guiding and protecting us.

1. Our ride to Olallie camped with us so we had a way to evacuate when Olallie Lake was evacuated.

2. We got the last available campsite at Timothy Lake on Thursday. 

3. Cousin Steve reserved a campsite for Friday and Saturday.

4. Kelley and I hiked Little Crater Lake right before a fire also closed that section.

5. We missed a bad forest service fire rig crash by minutes.

6. The extra days at Timothy Lake helped us acclimatize to the higher altitude.

7. Grace saw the Frog Lake cutoff and there were frogs there.

8. We didn't take a wrong turn at Barlow Pass.

9. A couple alerts us that we'll have lower Twin Lake all to ourselves, saving a long hike to upper Twin Lake.

10. We had sun to see Mt. Hood.

11. We got the last bunk room at Timberline Lodge.

12. We saw the most amazing rainbow and sunset at Timberline.

13. The rain made the sandy trails easier to walk on.

14. Imperfect peace about one camp site led us to choose another that was much more protected when a thunder and lightening storm hit during the night.

15. When we realized we needed to get off trail due to the risk of hypothermia I prayed and asked God to send some one who could tell us of a safer route out and later that evening Night Walker stopped to check on us and told us of the Zigzag trail.

16. Zigzag Trail avoided another potentially dangerous river ford.

17. I was able to call my husband with only 2 bars of cell service and he alerted me that the Burnt Lake trail off Zigzag Trail would lead to a forest service road.

18. When we were second guessing ourselves I said "God, we could really use an angel right now". Literally one minute later a hiker appeared and told us we were on that right path and we needed to go 2.5 more miles.

19. Adam was at the trail head with towels and warm clothes when we came out so we didn't have to wait for a ride in the cold.

I will post more updates after I'm done on July 31st. I have mad respect for the bloggers who faithfully write daily updates and get them posted. I honestly don't know how they have time to hike and blog!

Now to see what part 2 holds for us!