Pacific Crest Trail has begun!

We've made it into Warner Springs, California about 110 miles in.  Pancakes, eggs, and homemade sausage for breakfast- mmm.  Anyway, PCT is fabulous.  We have already seen such diversity in weather, terrain, wildlife, and within ourselves.  I won't speak for Nina, but I can honestly say that I'm out of shape.  My legs are sore and afternoons are rough.  We did take a little siesta yesterday afternoon though- lovely.

OK, on to the guts.  Nick and Jess dropped us off at the southern terminus on Monday via their trusty Vivian (sweet ride).  They are incredible individuals and we couldn't have been happier with the start of our journey beginning with them.  Thank you so much.

Day 1 begins at 1:27PM Monday, April 23rd.  We are fueled by our Subway sandwich in our bellies and even more so by our sheer joy and excitement of finally being back on the trail.  Having completed a thru-hike already, we know what we are getting into.  And that's what creates this grand excitement.  We (read Nina) have prepared all our gear, food resupply points, schedule, and much more for the past couple months.  We are ON TRAIL.  If we don't have it now, we don't need it.  We'll make do with what's on our back until we can get to our first resupply.  This is sweet music to my mind.  It's so simple and I love it.

The desert is not as hot this year as in year's past I guess.  We start with 56 degrees in the afternoon.  As we move towards evening a foggy mist sets low on the hills we traverse.  Each step is a little moist, but it's perfect.  We decide to make camp near Hauser Creek which is 16 miles from the border.  Good start to our journey.  Mexican rice in a tortilla and we are ready for a night's rest.

I'm losing my motivation to write, so I won't cover every day.  The weather has been cool and windy at times.  I don't think we've had temps above mid 80's, which is great.  Water hasn't been much of an issue, so that's been a real plus.  We've already had trail magic in the form of water and cerveza.  All in all, amazing beginning to the Pacific Crest Trail.  Thanks to everyone who has been encouraging me via e-mail.  I appreciate your thoughts.

Nina posted some photos on her blog if you wanna check em out:
http://dreamlivego.blogspot.com/

Love and aloha,
Tim

Party down Phoenix style

Arrived in Phoenix on Friday night.  Ahhh, thanks to the nap on the flight we were able to function when our gracious AZ hosts picked us up.  Hand and foot is an awesome card game.  The boys demand a rematch tonight.  I'm hungry so pizza is in my immediate future.  Nuff for now.

Love,
Tim

Last preparations....

We are running around like crazy trying to finish last minute things.  All these little things seemed daunting a couple of days ago, but we have dwindled the list down quite a bit.  With less than 24 hours til we depart Decorah, we are filled with excitement.  I should really be doing other things than writing this post, but whatever.  I'll get it done eventually.

We are going to miss Tacos Fiesta and the Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Shop.  Just finished some tacos for lunch and then ice cream for dessert.  Both establishments are on the west side of downtown Decorah on the same block as Decorah Hatchery.  Nina and I have greatly enjoyed our time working at the Hatchery.  Peg and Steve have done an amazing job choosing good quality outdoor adventure gear.  Decorah is a fabulous community with a solid group of people residing within its immediate radius.  Growing up here, I've known it forever, but it's always nice when it's resolidified over and over again.  Nina never thought she'd live in the Midwest, but the past year has changed her mind to some degree at the very least.

We will work our last couple of hours at the Hatchery this afternoon.  Chicks come in, and I'll help sort them for customers.  It's work, but good fun.  We are sad to leave so many good things behind, but then are reminded of what we are headed to and it's big smiles once again.  There are so many thank you's to go around that I won't do it justice by naming individuals here, so I'll close with "Thank you, Decorah.  You have a special place in our hearts."

Ha det,
Tim

I am lucky!!!

What’s the best part of life?  For me, it’s living it.  I’m not sure how I got so lucky in life to blessed with such superb individuals around me.  My wife is my everything.  She keeps me sane, but also drives me crazy at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t read her mind or decode her “hints” at what she’d like from me.  But that’s not going to stop me from being by her side every moment I can.  Therefore, I recall the words of John Muir, “The Mountains are calling and I must go.”

In this instance, those mountains consist mainly of the Sierras and Cascades.  Nina and I have decided to attempt a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail starting the end of April this year.  We have a passion for the outdoors.  Life is so much simpler on the trail.  There are very few distractions from pure adventure and life.  You make do with what you have on your back (plus what comes general delivery at the post office for some sections- thanks Mom).  But seriously, we are so present in our daily life while on the trail.  It’s sad to say goodbye to some things, but when you’re there you don’t miss things.  You miss awesome family, great friends, and the best dog ever.

Rio gets nervous when we pull out our trail gear as he has been through this twice before.  We wish we could bring him along, but that’s just not going to work.  He’s a tough kid, but the desert heat on a big, black dog could prove quite trying.  Plus he’s picky on his water, so I’m not sure he’d like drinking from some of the water sources in southern California.  That’s not even mentioning that he’s not allowed in the backcountry of National Parks.  Anyway, we’ll miss him but know that he’ll be well cared for by Tutu and Grandpa.

As Nina and I prepare for the trail, our apartment explodes with stuff all over the place.  OK, I should really say, as Nina prepares us for the trail.  We have acquired lots of possessions in the past year and a half since completing the Continental Divide Trail.  Luckily our gear from the CDT held up quite nicely and we don’t have much to replace.  Like everyone else, our budget is limited and we have to choose wisely.  This is quite the process, but we want to make sure we have exactly what we want and what’s necessary to give us the best chance at completion of our journey.  We take care of each other and know that each of us is stronger than we give ourselves credit.  I can’t understand why someone would wonder why we would want to do this.  They’ve heard about our plans and can’t figure out why we would choose this.  We both smile because we know it isn’t something they can wrap their mind around as they been in a completely different mindset from us.  For us, the trail brings freedom, and strength, and motivation, and struggle, and fulfillment.  I should really just speak for myself, but Nina and I have been through this before.  We know each other’s passions and desires.  And now you will know my desire to quit writing this for tonight and retire to my flannel sheets which I gladly exchange for a down quilt in less than two weeks.  Good night.

Getting started...

Well, finally decided I needed to get a blog up and running.  We all live our lives and go about our days. No two people do those things in the same way and I'm no different.  I do love life and want that to continue forever.  Therefore, our upcoming adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail seems to be another step (or 5 million of them) in the right direction.  We are both so excited for our trip and can't wait to be out experiencing the trail once again.

Too often we are reminded of just how short life can be.  One never knows when their time will come.  I enjoy living in the moment and being free of cares and everyday worries.  Mind you, I'm not saying throw caution to the wind and embark on a grand adventure of your own.  But if you really want it, then put the pieces in place to make it happen.  These are merely the networkings inside my cranium.  I view things differently than the next person and that is cool with me.  I enjoy me, but I also enjoy you and your individuality.

Do you see your life as an adventure?  Is it a roller coaster of ups and downs and twists and back bends?  Wait, are you sure you're not just in a yoga class?  Anyway, life is the adventure before me today.  Gotta go out and live it and live it right.

Disclaimer: If you choose to read this drivel, you do so under your own power.  I'm not forcing you to read it, agree with me, respond to me, or otherwise give me a second thought.  I write for me.  And those of you who want to follow along, I welcome you.  I hope to be lucky enough to discover and enrich my own adventure by the thoughts I blog about here.  Operation Life has begun (or is continuing, or has launched, or who knows).  Bobby McFerrin said it right "Don't Worry, Be Happy."