Trail Angels & Magic

Trail Angels defined according to wikipedia:

a generous individual or group of individuals that provide acts of kindness to participants of outdoor events, on hiking trails or various biking routes. "Trail Angels" are commonly referred to in online hiking journals as friends of hikers, relatives or others persons who will often provide food, transportation, etc. to hikers on the trail.

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My take on trail angels.... simply amazing.  The generousity of individuals is shining brightly on the Pacific Crest Trail.  We have been invited into peoples homes and vehicles.  We are smelly hikers with the goal of walking across the USA, and angels along the way are making our journey easier and more fulfilling.  Trail angels come in all different ways.  Trail magic is closely associated and generally defined as the acts of kindness.  Any form that it comes in is incredible. 

Our first trail angels were Nick & Jess.  They drove us 5 hours from Phoenix down to Campo, CA to start our journey.  Wonderful beginning.  We have been blessed with lots of trail magic in the form of water, beer, soda, apples, oranges, hard-boiled eggs, mango flavored coconut water (so good), and most recently a guinness brownie.  We have been welcomed into two different homes for the night.  The outpouring of support fills me up with a sense of community and good spirit.  Thanks to all the trail angels.  You are champions!

Love,
Hawkeye

Zero Day in Big Bear Lake, CA

Nice to have a relaxing day after 265 miles on trail.  Got some chores done and heading out for a couple more.  A zero day is a day when we hike zero miles on trail.  Gotta have them (or at least those who are out of shape and want to enjoy themselves), in order to relax and rest our muscles.  The Big Bear Hostel is great and lots of hikers are here.  Well, my time is up on the shared computer here, so I'll end here.  Hope everyone is having an awesome day.  If I could HIGH FIVE all of you right now, I would.

Cheers,
Hawkeye

I'm funky (smelling) and I know it

Wow, it's been 10 days and I just had my first shower yesterday.  You guessed it, I've got the funk.  I was coming down Devil's Slide Trail yesterday and could smell a day hiker's shampoo and deodorant.  I'm not gonna say it smelled good, just different.  Smell is all relative these days.  Been enjoying life and not worried about the odors swarming around me.

We've met loads of hikers and they come from all different backgrounds, lifestyles, countries, and the like.  It's amazing to see different individuals and what drives them here on the trail and elsewhere.  Pretty much all the hikers are here for one reason though: to enjoy life.

Both Nina and I are feeling great.  A blister each, but that's OK- drained and healed already.  We are taking care of each other.  When one feels a little down, the other is up and vice versa.  We are an excellent team and sharing each moment together is precious.

Thanks for all the kind e-mails we have received over the past few weeks.  We enjoy reading them.  Sorry we can't respond to all since our computer time is limited.

I'm at a loss for words today.  So I'll direct you to shutterfly and let you peruse the massive amount of photos we've already taken so far.

http://pct2012hawkeyeandkombucha.shutterfly.com/

Sorry I didn't post just the good photos.  It was easier to upload all of them.  If I get time, I'll pull some off the site.

Aloha,
Hawkeye