July 31st
We enjoyed breakfast and the warm hospitality of the California Campus group. On this particular weekend they are hosting a number of potential volunteers/students who are looking closer at the organization. After breakfast we joined this group as Tomas, the director, made a presentation about the organization’s mission as well as its history.
After this, the day was a typical town stop, a mad dash of chores, emails and eating. We inluded a stop to see “Father Surge,” a Russian Orthodox Monk who hosts and helps out hikers. We had a sewing project for which we were hoping to borrow a sewing machine. Although his old Singer was not up to the task, his nimble fingers were. My right shoulder strap has started to pull away from the pack’s main body, ripping out about a third of the stitches so far. In putting on and taking off the pack this strap seems to suffer from more material stress than the other strap. While I might be able to “baby” it into making it to Canada, a little preventative maintenance seemed safer. Would hate to have it pull out completely at some inopportune time…….
Then there was the usual frenzy of eating – burgers at Bob’s, ice cream at Dotty’s and beers at the microbrewery. Back to the CCTG in time for a curry dinner and their “talent” show. The smell of the curry as so tempting that we passed on the chance for pizza at the deli…
