Tomorrow is THE DAY

On Thursday, so many friends and family came to support me at my going away party in Boulder City.  GregS and HeatherH came from Portland, Brian and Alyn came in from Denver, Pam and Leonard drove up from Bullhead City, AZ and my Dad drove down from Nampa, ID. And of course, special guest Anthony, from Eugene, OR.  The night felt like no other.  I felt so special to have so many wonderful people share their thoughts of inspiration.  I know I will see familiar faces along the way and these are just a few of those people who will make this journey all the better.

The drive to CA was full of adventures laughs and tears already.  Dad left Las Vegas early.  While I frantically packed my last minute items and finished up little things around the house Ms. LoriB (my housemate) made a delicious breakfast casserole to get us on our way.  Her kindness has been a true showing of the person that I met just a few months ago while we were flying together.  Her son DoranB has hiked the PCT twice in years past and Lori cheered him on every step that she could.  She has been a wealth of knowledge and stories about the PCT and her effort to help the hikers like myself continue through the days forward.  She has saved bags of toiletry items that Kelly and I will donate to our trail angel Judy in El Cajon this evening.

We stopped for a moment at Cajon Pass of the I-15.  Just as we drove down the road to the famous McDonalds near the trail, we ran into a hiker by the name of Peer Pressure.  He had started last year in Canada, hiked down to Mexico and was now heading back north.  Details that escape me at this moment… (note to self: I gotta keep that notebook and pen closer) but I do remember him saying that he’ll be visiting Pahrump, Salt Lake City and then eventually make it to Georgia via plane to the hike the AT.  And you all think I’m crazy but he’s hiking for the Wounded Warrior Project so I think he’s pretty awesome.  Great to meet him, hear his story and share some yummy cookies with him that Lori gave us for our car ride.

Kelly and I rolled into Palm Desert with perfect timing to have dinner at Casuelas Cafe where we meet Ammy, Saige and Eric.  This is my 2nd time in their home and I always feel so welcomed.  Eric was full of curiosity questions which I always love to answer.  Saige is beautiful as ever.  She had ceviche (even though she doesn’t like Mexican food) and gave up her room so Kel and I had a place to stay for the night.  She leaves today to go back to school at Sonoma State.  Its been a joy to see her prosper as a young lady over the years that I have known her.  And Ammy…. I can’t thank you enough, for the last minute reservation at your home.

We will be leaving Palm Desert in a few short hours.  And I will be that much closer to starting the trail.  The weather report has improved for tomorrow.  The threat of rain has lessened although the wind will still be blowing.  As of now, I’m still planning to make Lake Morena by tomorrow evening.  Until then…. Happy Trails.