Reflections On Our Trip


I can't believe that it's already almost a year since Scott and I left on our trip.

I can remember saying to myself when hiking certain sections of the trail, "I will never do THIS section again." Now that I've been home a while, I find myself longing for certain areas of the trail and strangely, many of them are in the desert areas. I long to be hiking back during that first week from the border to Warner Springs. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but on a business trip to southern California, in my free time, I actually drove to San Gorgornio Pass and forced a coworker to look not only at the Snow Creek area, but at the VERY underpass that I hiked under. And then I just stood there staring feeling the force of the memory wash over me. (My coworker was very patient.) I also really want to go to the Mojave Desert and stand on 170th Street and watch the moon rise and I would love to drive on Highway 2 through the San Gabriels and see them from the perspective of the road.


Note to People Who Keep Putting Off Hiking the PCT Because They Can't Do The Whole Thing:

This experience was one of the best of my life. I am so glad that we didn't wait until we had enough time to complete the entire trail. It was disappointing to have to leave at Vermillion, but the experience has affected me so profoundly that I wouldn't have wanted to wait another second to experience it. If we had waited, what if circumstances had changed and we'd never had the opportunity? What's that expression, Carpe Diem--Seize the Day? I remember reading a post on the pct list last year. The man was saying that he only wanted to hike the trail if he could complete the entire thing. Anything less was not an option. He didn't know when he would ever be able to do it. Maybe he never will. Hiking the entire trail, would be wonderful, and quite an accomplishment. I'd like to do the entire trail too someday. I do think that getting away from the world as we know it for an extended period and finding a new rhythm was really an important part of the trip for me, but you can have that experience in less than 4 or 5 months. If you've got 3 months or 6 weeks, or 1 month or whatever, go for it. I think you will be surprised and exhilarated about the things you will find out about yourself. Hiking for me is more of a journey of the spirit and much less about getting from Point A to Point B on a map. (Of course, that's nice too, especially when there's ice cream at Point B.) So get out there and do it!

I am also happy that Scott and I did it as a couple because we can remember the experience together. Also, it has changed our attitude about a lot of things and given us a new perspective about what's really essential and given us a new focus regarding how we want to live our lives.


A Little Thanks

Just a few thank you's to some folks. We don't know if any of them will ever read what's written here, but it needs to be said anyway. Advance Warning: this section is a little heavy with sentiment (alright it's just dripping with it) but when you're out on the trail and people go out of their way to be kind to you...well, darn it, if you can't get gooey and sentimental about that, when can you? (maybe watching Old Yeller) I forgot about Old Yeller. Ok, when people are unexpectedly kind and when watching Old Yeller, you are aloud to get a little emotional. So, in, short...read this at your own risk.

Ok, here goes...in order of appearance:

Thanks San Diego Trail Angels for all of those water drops, the trail maintenance and for your support of hikers in every respect. You guys are amazing. When we were up at the 3rd gate in the San Felipe Hill and our eyes traveled down the boulder-strewn road down to Grapevine Spring, we thought, "Wow, people make the difficult trip up here just for people like us...not once but many times." A labor of love. Thanks so much. We didn't count on it, but the fact that it was there was really a balm to the spirit and it was pure luxury to gulp a little extra water.

Thanks Paul and Pat. Pat, we never got the chance to meet you, but Paul, not to mention scads of hikers think you're the greatest, and who could argue with that. Paul, meeting you was really a highlight. You spoiled us rotten and we will never forget you. We fondly remember the night that we sat up late with you talking for hours, listening to the crickets chirp and watching Miserable Beast cast longing eyes out to the night of a thousand mice and you told those great stories about your life and different jobs that container you designed for the marine animals. You are terrific. (And your hiker mobile ain't bad either.)

Thanks to Mr. Bill for the great hiking story of you in the San Gabriels (we will never forget it) and the advice on where to find all the late season water...everything was just as you said. You are a fountain of information. We really enjoyed meeting you.

Thanks to the entire DiLorenzo family. What an amazing and fun family. Thanks for the kindness and hospitality. My parents loved hosting Tony, Jeff and Dave. Carmen and Vincie: you two have a great couple of kids. They are a credit to both of you.

Thanks to Larry at the Summit Valley General Store. I don't think we need to ask if you've switched political parties...you were a lot of fun EVEN though you were sure I'd break you scale if I sat on it. You sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself...

Thanks to Todd at the North Fork Ranger Station. That shower hit the spot! We envy your lifestyle you lucky dog!

Jeff and Donna Saufley, you guys are great. It was so hot and buggy in the San Gabriels and to stop in and spend a day with you restored our spirits. And, by the way, Donna, I forgot to thank you for taking care of my 80 bug bites. Thanks for such a wonderful trail memory. We hope Buddy and all the dogs are well.

Thanks to the White Family of Mojave, CA. We enjoyed our stay in your motel. There was a crowd in the pool and we didn't have bathing suits so we thought we'd spare everyone the horror of our naked and oddly-tanned bodies. We enjoyed hearing all about the history of Mojave, Roger. By, the way, how's the poodle doing? She was something else.

Thanks to the postmaster in Mojave who did us the amazing favor of accepting a package against U.S.P.S. policy that was mistakenly Fed-Exed to us just because he loves hikers and knew it would be something we needed. It was. Thanks!

Thanks to Mary and Green Mt. Boy for those great water drops in a crucial area. You two made that section a lot easier.

Thanks to Scott's parents, Mary and Glenn. You two are supportive of us no matter what we do or what crazy idea we come up with. Scott thinks the world of both of you (I do too) and you both have always made me feel a part of your family. You are terrific role models of how to have a happy marriage. Thanks for coming all that way to meet us at Walker Pass. It was great to share this experience with you.

Thanks to the folks at Kennedy Meadows Store. You actually waited on us at our table and brought ice water of all things. We'd forgotten what that was. We loved the shower too!

Thanks to Amy's parents, Jack and Donna. Thanks so much for instilling a love of backpacking and respect for animals and nature in your kids. Thanks, Mom for acquainting me with the P.C.T. at an early age and inspiring me to get to know it. Thanks Dad for always making our vacations fun. You two always were doing something interesting with us and still make everything fun when we get together. We are always laughing. I love you guys.

Thanks to Butch, Peggy, kids, and the entire VVR staff. They say you can never go back, but I think we might just have been able to return to summer camp. I never thought this would have been possible. I can't think of a better place to end our hike.

Thanks to all the friends, family, and in some cases, strangers, for reading the journals as we wrote them and encouraging us when we were out there with your kind words and often, downright ridiculous, questions. Knowing you were all rooting for us was wonderful.

Thanks, Julie for the support on this trip. We couldn't have done it without your help. You have always been a terrific friend to both of us. You are amazing and organized and resourceful. The day I met you in 7th grade was one of the best days of my life. Thank you thank you thank you.

Thanks, Sean, for all your help getting this website up and running.

Ok, that's enough. We just wanted to say it.

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