06/13/23 Miles 207-266: Location: Big Bear. Zero day! Hotel and shower and laundry and town foods and drum roll…. The day my best friend arrives to hike 7 whole days with me! LET’S GOOOOOO!!!
Thus far I’ve written allllll about my challenges, emotional, physical, and mental, although very real, I’ve been growing tired of that narrative and thank the good Lord, this last 60 miles, I’ve felt a turn, a switchback, in my trail life. With a well earned 266 miles, that’s one tenth or 10% of this trails, dirt, bugs, tears, and sweat, behind me, my feet are stronger, my blisters are healing, I’m finding what routines really work for me and MY way of trail life. I will not be fooled, there will always be a challenge, a nagging pain somewhere, some days I’ll just be tired and other days I’ll scoot right along. Or maybe you’ll have to hike a mile in a hail storm… But where I felt I was weak before in my body, mind, spirit, I feel growth and power and strength. Therefore, miles upon miles I was able to ruminate on what I love about this crazy trail life.
I love waking to birdsong in the early morning hours. I love the stars. It’s an affair I’ll never get tired of. I love the sunrise equally as much as the sunset. I love “hiker midnight” bed time before 8pm. I love the aroma of the sun baked earth, the pine needles, the dirt, and the wild flowers. I love the very random butterflies that flutter by, specifically the monarchs, who, I believe to be my dad watching over me. I love a good, cool breeze in the hot afternoon sun and the hot sun after a river crossing or walk through the snow. I love the downhill bits to give my legs and lungs a rest, but also the uphill bits to give my knees and toes a rest, the flat bits really are the best. I love the brave, beautiful, hummingbirds that dive bomb my head, then hover 10 inches in front of my face, look me dead in the eyes like I offended them and flit off into the atmosphere. I love me a good picnic table. I love making new trail friends, but bumping into old trail friends, who you thought you’d never see again, is priceless and an instant high. I love looking back at the trail to see where I came from… it blows my mind every time. I love seeing and feeling my own progress in my body. Making miles you weren’t sure you’d make. I love how every hiker is a friend, even though the motto is to “hike your own hike” we look after each other.
The list could go on and on. It’s special out here.
Cheers to doing this 9 more times! On I grow.
PCT 20 23 