Most of you know that I am a big fan of the book, and movie, Wild. And if you didn’t know. Well, now you do. So, when our river cruise docked next to the Bridge of the Gods, I was more than a little excited.
For those of you not all that familiar with Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, the Bridge of the Gods was the end of her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
From Game of Thrones to Star Wars, lots of people have done tours around the world, visiting places where famous movies or shows were filmed. Well, this is mine.
The Pacific Crest Trail
Though I am sure most of you know about the Pacific Crest Trail, lets just break down the basics.
The Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, is a 2,653-mile-long trail stretching from the southern reaches of California, near the Mexican border, to just inside British Columbia, Canada.
In 2018, the PCT Association issued 7,313 permits. Not all those permits are for thru-hikers, but of those 4,500 were for northbound hikers and 491 were for southbound thru-hikers.
Of all those that attempt the entire trail, it is estimated that around 60% of those succeed. There are many reasons for this and I will not get into them all but a couple include, weather, injury, and blisters.
Wild
Cheryl Strayed embarked on her own epic journey along the PCT after seeing a guidebook in a local REI. It was her way of processing the recent loss of her mother.
She had hiked in the past but had never done anything like this. Her understanding of ultra-light packing was a bit lacking but what she lacked in some of these details she made up for in grit and drive. And a need to heal.
Her journey reached a lot of people looking for something to bring about real change in their lives and reminded us of the power of nature.
This inspirational story brought more people out onto the trail and inspired me to get off my ass and start living the life I imagined for myself. One filled with hiking, adventure, and self-love.
The first stop – Portland
My UnCruise adventure was the first time I had the opportunity to visit Oregon. I flew into Portland, which is of course, one of the biggest stopovers for thru-hikers of the PCT.
Many hikers stop here for a couple days to rest, party, and rejuvenate for the last stretch of their thru-hiking journey. Cheryl Strayed was no exception. She also now calls this city home, so it seems like an appropriate starting point on this Wild trail.
The city is a fun, chill city with a surprising amount of homeless people. But the food scene is amazing and you can walk for long stretches along the river. On weekends you can also pick up some handcrafted items and a food truck meal (my favorite way to eat) at the Saturday Market.
It has a very different feel than any city you find on the east coast. I guess that’s what makes them different.
Walking the PCT
I had the opportunity to hike a small section of the PCT during my short trip in Oregon but it was so beautiful. As soon as you enter the woods, the rest of the world falls away and you become surrounded by massive trees and miles of trail.
Everything I have read about the PCT says that the Oregon section is the easiest. If what I hiked is any indication I would agree. It was flat, easy hiking. The PCT is also considered an equestrian trail and this would be an easy go for a horse.
This particular section in Cascade Locks also has a small side trail heading to a beautiful waterfall. Oregon and Washington, it turns out, have no shortage of waterfalls, and they are all mesmerizing.
The Bridge of the Gods
This Bridge of the Gods is the link between Oregon and Washington. It is the bridge you must cross on the PCT to enter the last state on your thru-hike, if hiking northbound. It’s monumental for many and hella scary.
This bridge towers above Cascade Locks standing sentinel over the area. The entire bottom of the bridge is grated so you can see just how high up you are as you walk across.
It’s free to walk across but there are no sidewalks, so you are left to grip the side of the bridge hoping no one runs you over as you cross.
Docked in Cascade Locks we had some extra time to go across the bridge so I thought why not? I’m here right? Yeah. I didn’t really think that one all the way through, I just told myself to suck it up and do it.
Afraid of heights or not it was a day of reckoning and bravery. I forgot that I would have to walk back across said bridge in order to get back. I made it, but I didn’t look down very much. That shit will give you vertigo. And if it does, I would just look at it from Thunder Island, it’s beautiful from there. Imposing still but beautiful.
Celebrating with Ice Cream at Eastwind Drive-In
Cheryl celebrated the end of her hike, after also crossing that monstrous bridge, with ice cream. My kind of girl.
Stopping at Eastwind Drive-In, a small, food-truck sized ice cream shop at the far end of town, near Thunder Island. This place was hopping when we got there. And true to form, there was a large Wild movie poster on the side of the building. A reminder of just who had been there.
If ice cream isn’t your deal, or your lactose intolerant like me, head to Thunder Island Brewery instead. With a wide selection of brews to choose from you can settle down at a picnic table and gaze out at the Columbia River.
A Marriage on Thunder Island
Cheryl found peace after her hike and she started new. She met her now husband and married him on Thunder Island. The last stop on my Wild tour.
I sat on that little island eating my lunch wondering where they exchanged vows and what she was wearing. If I was her, I would have those hiking boots with the red laces on under that gown. You know, just for fun.
The island has beautiful views and is used mostly for picnics, weddings, photography and walking. It was the perfect ending to my Wild tour and I can understand the sentimental value of having your wedding at such a momentous location. A place that ended a journey that shook you awake, ripped your soul open exposing you bare and then slowly piecing you back together into something raw and new.
If you haven’t seen Wild or read the book, I highly recommend it. Even if you’re not a hiker, there is real value in her words and her journey. It is a journey that has touched many, for different reason. For more recommendations check out my post on my Top Adventure Travel Books. Not much of a reader (other than blog posts of course)? Check out my picks for Top Adventure Travel Movies.
