thoughts on the year’s first day
They say faith is taking the first step when you can’t see the whole staircase. Actually, wisdom is seeing the elevator behind it that would have taken you to the top floor. ― Shannon L. Alder Christmas music fills the house on this bitter January first, Richard digs deep into his bag of trigonometricks to insure […]
Christmas
In the beginning was the Verb, and the Verb was with God, and the Verb was God. John 1:1 When the visiting ex-bishop read this verse at Mass this morning, I couldn’t help but think of a translation of these famous words that characterizes the first earthly moments as not so much a statement, but […]
peeps of the PCT: Karl and Holly, trail angels
The trail will provide and often that’s because of people who are generous just because they want to be.
Post PCT Gear Review, or: how I learned what stays and what gets chucked
There is an expression among even the most advanced runners that getting your shoes on is the hardest part of the workout. – Kathrine Switzer Updated gear list now available. You can access it on google docs and take it with you! Walking the Pacific Crest Trail was one of the best things I have […]
GUEST POST: In Praise of “Cowgirl Camping” by Ted Adamski
Camping can be the greatest expression of free will, personal independence, innate ability, and resourcefulness possible today in our industrialized, urbanized existence. Anne LaBastille I met Ted Adamski on the John Muir Trail in 2012. He is an ultramarathoner, clocking elite finishing times in the Western States, Leadville 100 and The Fellsman, a race near […]
après PCT
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou Thank you, Marc for this beautiful quote! I received it in his comments on my diary entry for the last day of the PCT. I read […]
PCT Day 139, Lake Morena campground to Mexican border, 20 miles
You don’t choose the day you enter the world and you don’t chose the day you leave. It’s what you do in between that makes all the difference. – Anita Septimus I wake on my final day with the moon casting leaf shadows on our tent, Rich a giant breathing blue bag next to me. […]
PCT Day 138, Mount Laguna to Lake Morena County Park, 22 miles
To me, there’s no greater act of courage than being the one who kisses first. – Janean Garofalo It’s quasi cowgirl camping in our enormous tent with no fly. The stars don’t disappoint before the moon rises over the ridge obliterating them. No campfires in this tinder box means everyone’s asleep when it gets dark. […]
PCT Day 137, past Sunrise Trail junction to Mount Laguna general store, 18 miles
A sign shows me I how far I’ve come and how far I have to go to finish the PCT.
PCT Day 136, Highway S2 to past Sunrise Trailhead junction, 18 miles
Dreams and reality are opposites. Action synthesizes them. – Assata Shakur I wake up with the sun even though we were up late talking and laughing in the hotel’s beautiful lobby. It’s so nice to have Richard right there next to me, though he begs for more rest. I mess around with my pack on […]
