April 26, 2014
0 miles
Lake Morena Campground Tented
Those gentle breezes brought the smack down around 1 am
last night. My registered tent site is really a rock covered by two
inches of sand. Getting the 8 stakes securely in the ground was
practically impossible. Once the sand became saturated by the relentless
rain, it was only a matter of time before a strong gust took the tent
down. This happened not once but three times. Each time I reluctantly
removed myself from my bag liner and quilt to restake the tent barefoot
in the cold, windy rain. Surprisingly enough, my gear remain dry
throughout the ordeal. Sleep never arrived.
Since Thursday,
folks from across the country have gathered to celebrate this year's
hikers who wish to attempt to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. These
volunteers provide food, educational seminars, and entertainment. I
cannot thank them enough for their encouragement and selflessness. I
enjoyed the Flora and Fauna of the PCT seminar this morning. These
plants are both beautiful and dangerous. Stinging nettle, poodle bush,
and multiple forms of poison oak exist along the trail from here in the
Chaparral to the Alpine wooded environments in Washington. The animals
will be equally respected. Snakes, snakes, and more snakes! I did watch
two crows fighting a hawk for it's snake diner this evening from my new
tent site.
I also attended the water report. Woah! Hiking the Appalachian Trail
during the wettest season on record spoiled me. I never had to think
about water. Now, I do as it's a matter of life or death. This will
definitely take some time to adjust. Very grateful for halfmile's maps
and water reports! I actually met him in person today as well as several
other Trail personalities. I shook hands with Coyote (Wizards of the
PCT) while waiting to use the restroom. I also allowed Billy Goat the
luxury of touching my cuben fiber skirt while we huddled in the pavilion
to escape the cold rain.
The most exciting encounter was with three other 09 Appalachian Trail
Alum: Col. Mustard, Bunyan, and OG. There's just a connection there,
expressed in our eyes and embraced in a hug that cannot be verbalized.
We're family forever and now we have traveled to the West Coast to
experience a new adventure. So glad to see each one of them.
I was spoiled once again by Betty. She took OG, Lucky, Ross, and myself
to a nearby grill for burgers. She even paid for my lunch. Incredible
generosity! (THANK YOU!). I used the store's wifi to download the PCT
Apps: Guthook, PCTHYOH, and Halfmile's maps. I am very interested to see
how these work on trail. So much has changed with technology on trail
since 2009.
I'm currently listening to the final movie presentation here at the
Kickoff from the confines of my tent as I type this entry. "As it
happens" is being shown on the Tyvek big screen on a very cold evening.
The temperature has dropped compared to yesterday although the winds
have decreased and the rains are gone. I have sought solace in my bag
liner and quilt and there I will remain until tomorrow morning.
My tent was moved to another section of the campground where my tent
stakes are more effective. I'm surrounded my Appalachian Trail Alum from
2011: Goldie, Balance, and Y Knot. Goldie completed the AT at the age
of 16 with her brother who was 13 at the time. She asked her professors
at Texas A & M if she could take her exams two weeks early so she
could start this hike. (sounds familiar right?!)
Feet are good. Spirit is lifted from a wonderfully supported conversation with family. Sore rib. Happy heart.
I'm here where I need to be, taking it one step at a time.
Let's do this!
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