In 2009 during my first trip through the Pacific Crest Trail ‘desert’ – which is really patches of chaparral connected by mountain ranges – I said “never again”. My slow trudging seemed excruciating, the heat unbearable. New to the thru-hiking lifestyle my pain was abundant and incessant. The time spent whistling through the crisp cool … More Nuevo México
Yesterday, the rushing Robinson Creek bounced its poetic words full of cheer and wonder off the canyon walls. What was a nearly stagnant, algae-filling water source two weeks ago has found new life. Nothing like a little downpour to get this life blood flowing. Here on Smart’s Mountain we got about 8.5 inches of rain … More The 64 Day Countdown Begins
My mom drops me at the bottom of the mountain where the road turns from dirt to pavement. A mere 5.5 miles and 20 minute drive from our house. I jump out, grab my 18 lb. pack and trekking poles before she departs for San Francisco. I do an about-face, ready for my climb back … More The Mystery of the Abandoned Crutches
The hamster wheel in my brain has been turning and turning. And turning. Did I mention the turning? The cold. What about the cold? How cold will it be in the New Mexico desert? Should I start with my desert gear or my mountain gear? Hmmm……what about that cold? Cold? COLD? You get my drift. … More CDT Gear Changes…….Already
October 21 Mileage 0 San Francisco to Ukiah My day starts with the daunting task of fitting my bike into my mom’s already partially full FJ Cruiser. 30+ minutes later, I’ve get everything in there without having to remove my front tire. Success! Hannah and Coincidence pick me up and then we head to Crissy … More Day 12: From Sunny Bay to Mountain Home
October 20 Mileage 6 Santa Cruz to San Francisco I roll over in my bunk because someones alarm is going off. The guy, who has the cushy no-bunk bed and is taking up 1/4 of the room with his stuff, gathers his surf board and heads out. I get up not long after and take … More Day 11: More Bus and then Train plus some Bay and Birthday
October 19 Mileage 5 Monterey to Santa Cruz In the dark of the dorm the rambling Asian shuffles in and gets into bed. At least I’m not the last one in tonight. Liquidy snorting sounds erupt below me. And they go on and on. Drippy, squishy lasts at least 5 minutes. I have to hold … More Day 10: Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Monterey-Salinas-Watsonville-Santa Cruz Debacle
October 18 Mileage 10 Monterey Hot, stuffy, suffocating. This is my night in the dorm room. All the windows are closed. And if I’d known how bad it was going to be I would have opened the window. I figured though that I’d used up all my good graces by sneaking in at 11:30pm. And … More Day 9: Must Have Air or Bathing Suit Bedtime?
October 17 Mileage 45 New Brighton State Beach to Monterey The raccoons fight and play and eat my dinner spills half the night. And then I spend some time worrying about my bike getting stolen by the local homeless who frequent the nearby railroad tracks. Although my legs are tired, I’m ready to go early. … More Day 8: Street Cred Is My Stink
October 16 Mileage 37 Pigeon Point Lighthouse to New Brighton State Beach A full dorm. 6 ladies. Silent sleepers. How nice. I sleep so damn hard which feels so damn good. My mind says I need a rest day but miles make I must. I head down the highway and almost immediately a truck coming … More Day 7: Cowbell, Brussel Sprouts and Friends
Journey Return 