Written by Rob
My posts are going to be a mix of our experiences and notes to fellow n future PCTers. My thanks to bloggers from PCT class of 2016 that I followed last year while prepping for our trek this year. Claudimoon, Blazer, Hammer n Corky. Hiker Harrison caught up with us just in time to go up a desert canyon at high sun time. It was a challenge in the heat but we found refuge under a huge boulder for an hour before going the other half up and over. We camped at Lake Morena with 10 others. A few seasoned hikers had made the first 20 miles in one shot. The rest of us rookies took two days. Since our first day was really a half day, it was just right for us. Beautiful desert flowers because of all the recent rains and “extra” streams that would normally be dry by now are a blessing. Topping a hill to see what is beyond or even a rabbit that decide

s to run in front of us for a bit are proving to be little inspirations too.

Lacy:

A lesson I quickly learned today is that shade and water = 😊.  On the other hand, the ☀️ between 2 and 4 is BRUTAL. We got up from our secluded campsite about 9 and hiked through the morning when we met up with Harrison. We had stopped so Rob could tape up a blister on my heel. It was nice to hike with someone and chat. He works as a fisherman 4 months of the year and travels the other 8. Living the dream. He did the AT in 2013 and has a faster pace so he is ahead of us now. Maybe we will see him later. He huddled up under the boulder with us seeking shade in the middle of the day. We met up with him and several other hikers at Lake Morena campground. I was so exhausted at then end of the day and apparently everyone else was too cause everyone was in their tent by 7:30 and vowing to wake up early and get in miles before the heat of the day. It was a great day‼

We got to California yesterday after a very long two days of packing our house up. There were happy tears shed many times along the way. Just knowing that this goal we set a year ago is actually happening is an overwhelming feeling. We agreed that we wanted to shift our lives towards being connected to nature and the earth more. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and moving to California is how we decided to turn that desire into reality. We have been so fortunate to have support from our friends and family during this adventure.

Our first day began with an hour long drive from San Diego to the border. Rob and I were both very touched that his dad came to see us the day before when we arrived in CA and that my parents flew all the way from New York to drop us off on the trail. I ate snacks and drank water the entire way in anticipation of what was to come. As soon as we got to the Southern Terminus a wave of emotion washed over me and tears filled my eyes. We had made it! This was really happening!

After a few photos, we set off on our way. The fact that we didn’t actually set foot on the trail until 1pm did not work to our advantage. We definitely started on adrenaline, but the middle of the day in the desert is hot even in March. We also had nearly 9 lbs of water each in our packs in anticipation of there not being water for the first 15 miles. Fortunately, that was not the case. From all the recent rain in California there were streams where there typically never are. The flowers were blooming, wildlife was out and we were feeling great…heavy packs and all. Rob walked right over a snake without noticing it, but that was he only one we saw. We came across one other hiker who seemed pretty wiped out and since we were trying to make Miles and find a campsite we just did a quick hello. At 5:30 the sun had completely wiped us out as well as the elevation changes and we settled on a spot to camp off the trail. We didn’t break any records at 8.65 miles but we know our speed will pick up. We were camped in the middle of nowhere, watching the sunset over the mountains and I cried a few more tears of complete joy. This is everything we wanted! We ate and were in our tent by 8 and asleep very shortly after, under a bright moon that illuminated the sky like natures night light.

Well, there is nothing like getting the flu right before you plan to move across the country and start the most physically taxing endeavor you have ever attempted…unless you AND your husband get the flu!  We certainly didn’t anticipate this little set back and have started on a second plan where we start the Pacific Crest Trail a week or so later than our original start date of March 13, 2017.  While taking the time to recover and get our strength back up we are itching to get of the house, out of Dallas and start our adventure.  It’s a little ironic that immediately before we are about to spend the next 6 months being very physically active and living outside more than inside, we are stuck in the house laying in bed.  Either way, we have just a few more days left with the city views and sounds, before we leave it all behind and get out into the great outdoors!