Hey, I have a bunch of stuff to get together for my 2,600 mile Pacific Crest Trail trip, least of all my system for letting my cheer leading squad know how I am doing. I don't know what my final process will look like, but at least I want to get my mailing list together.
Here is what I am telling people about my trip. It is simple really. I am going to fly to San Diego and then walk 2,600 miles home. That feels so symbolic to me. I am so pleased with walking south to north and ending at my home (basically). I hope by the time I make it back home that I feel at home in my own mind and body too.This is such the right thing for me right now. All I want to do is walk, I feel driven to walk and it takes no effort. All I have to do is get out of my own way and my legs move on their own. I have given notice at work so it is official. My last day is February 18th. I am all in!!
I’ve been making some soda can stoves and drying some food. I have been drying apples and olives. Yes, I said olives. They are crazy bursts of flavor when dried. A bit too much for everyday but man they are going to taste great on the trail.
In fact, I am going to dry a few more giant jars of olives. For some reason I think those salty bursts are going to taste particularly great in Washington state. My apples are a gift from Blaine and they are from a tree in Dungeness so I will be taking a bit of home with me.
I have been training for the trip by walking with some weight in my backpack. I have been carrying a rock around but I would like to upgrade to a couple of sandbags. I got my new tent in the mail and I hiked over to Fort Worden and put it up. It only weighs a pound and a half and it uses one tent pole. I can use a hiking stick for a tent pole if I choose. I am hoping that most of time I can just kip out under the stars, but being from the Northwest I am inclined to plan for rain.
Everyone has been so supportive. I can't even begin to list the ways that folks have been so gracious. My mom has a contact in San Diego who will pick me up at the airport and take me to the trailhead. How simple was that? My coworker Alice is going to make me granola to take on the trip. I am thrilled since oatmeal gets so boring. My friend MariJo is getting me several pairs of Superfeet insoles at a deep discount. I figure I will go through 5 pairs of shoes and insoles. I love my new shoes that I am going to wear. They are Altra's and they have an awesome wide toe box. They are not at all waterproof but they are light and dry quickly.
Tomorrow I go to Seattle to get a steroid injection in my big toe. I have arthritis in my toe and well...it hurts to walk. This is my biggest obstacle to not finishing the trip. The pain start to kick in after 10 miles and I plan to hike 20 plus miles a day. Something has to be done! I will get a series of shots before I go and my doc and I are hoping they will last 6 months or longer. Wish me luck! I've never gotten a big old shot in my toe before.
No comments:
Post a Comment