We got to Elk Lake after stopping to gaze at the mountain range of the Three Sisters and Broken Top and seeing again the climbers trail we took for a number of years to climb South Sister!!! Remember??

Checked the resort and forest service campground getting a site at the campground and at the resort learning Dave and Lynn had not arrived but it was only like 3:30 so we didn't expect them yet.

I was very concerned because of the fire up by Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters and the closure of the PCT. Dave's mom reported to me that the kids had to take the detour but felt they could still get to the meeting place on time. I was disappointed because the area missed is beyond beautiful and I knew for their sakes it would hard to miss that west side of the Three Sisters.

We went the 1/2 mile from the resort to the trail that they would be coming out on and arrived and started to set up a waiting place at about 4pm. Dave's brother and family arrived also. AT 4:20 DAVE EMERGED from the trail with Lynn close behind. Ahead of their schedule. I was soooo happy to see them and they looked GOOD!!!! The week before when they and Jim and Polly came off the trail they all looked pretty worn out and SMELLED badly hehhehhehehehe but this time they looked really good. ALSO...they did NOT have to take the detour but were able to hold onto the PCT around the THree Sisters..plus a fellow from their church caught up with them and stayed one night at Obsidian Falls much to their delight.

Last week after we dropped them off at Big Lake PCT they hiked the whole day and camped on the edge of the lava beds that night. THe next day they saw a fire and called to report that and headed out of the lava beds toward McKenzie Pass. As they came out onto the highway they discovered they were in the 'red' zone and the fire they saw was massive. The McKenzie North was shut down to hikers but the McKenzie South was opened.

God certainly has his angels going before and behind these kids.....just wait until you see the px.....awesome.

First thing we did is go back to the resort and eat hamburgers, fries and delightful ice cream and hear all the stories of the fires, airplanes bombing the fires with retardant and water and all the beautiful spectacular scenery of that stretch.

Daves brother and family left about 8pm for home and Carol and I set up tents as I am training my dogs how to camp and this was their first night inside a tent and they have done wonderfully. Dave and Lynn took showers and emptied and refilled packs in their little hikers cabin.

This a.m. we met up for just a short period of time and drove them back to the trailhead...prayed for God's blessing and safe keeping and Carol and I left.

Believe me...I was sooooo delighted to see them fearing they had a rough time with the fires...they didn't ....they have had a delightful time and looked good.

1/2 way through.

Lynn's mom will meet up with them at Willamette Pass and the end of the month Jacque will meet up with them way down at Diamond Lake!!!......the end.

Continue to pray for their safety and that the feet would STOP hurting all night!!!! They are meeting really nice hikers and I thought looked very positive!

We are truly blessed.
Karen

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