I wake and wait for Elk Lake Resort to open for breakfast. Out on the deck, I see Bumblebee and Seahawk – I haven’t seen them since Bishop. Kim Chi, Duckets, and Stealth all show up. I tell them the joys of Bend.

I nap in the presence of Mt. Bachelor. The trail is easy, but I barely squeak out 20. I camp amidst obsidian shards with Pocahotmess and Twister (also known collectively as “The Girls”). They are running low on food and create some daring culinary experiments mixing Lipton sides, Mountain House meals, and condiments. The results are impressive.