Since I was low on food, I had to wait around Jackson until the general store opened up at 9:00. The Deffenbaugh's went ahead without me as we agreed to meet later for lunch. After buying food and some phone cards (my cell phone hasn't had any reception since I left Eugene, OR) I began up the hill that lead out of town. Leaving town, I passed a lone jogger going about his morning run. We exchanged hellos, then I sped ahead of him. A few moments later, I heard footsteps and heavy breathing behind me and when I looked, it was the runner. He had sprinted to catch up to me. "Where are you heading?" he gasped.

"Connecticut," I said somewhat embarrased that I got caught from behind by a jogger. But in my defense, I was going up hill and carrying 85 pounds!

"Cool. Where did you start?"

"Florence, Oregon. Now I'm heading to Colorado, then east to Virginia, then up the coast to my folks in Connecticut."

"Wow! That's awesome. I'm here from Vancouver for a family reunion. We're staying at the lodge in town. So are you taking time off from work?"

"No. Didn't like my job anymore, so I quit, gave up my apartment, put everything in storage and bought a bike." I knew this guy wanted to keep talking, but I was really starting to get embarrased now. I hadn't slowed down and he was keeping stride with me as he was running, and talking. I was quite impressed.

"Wow, now that's the way to do it. You don't have a wife or kids or anything?"

"Not even a dog."

"What an inspiration. Wow!" Fortunately, I reached the top of the hill and was about to begin my descent. I wanted to tell this guy he was an inspiration, but I kind of liked the praise he was bestowing upon me. In order to save my dignity and preserve the 'wow' aura that this guy created for me, I felt I could do nothing else than to take off down the hill.

"Well, I've got this downhill now, so I'm going to take advantage of it. Have a great run through this great scenery."