First 110 miles down, only 2550 to go. It has been an interesting journey so far. I was terrified about being in the desert mostly because of the unknown. All the heat, the lack of water, the endless sandy soil, snakes slithering on the trail, prickly cactus and everything that abounds that is unlike home! Well everything that I thought was true but I have learned to love this place called the desert. The heat is dry and actually not as hot as I imagined. The lack of water is true but you learn when to carry extra and at certain places, there are caches of water humped in by incredibly caring people. The snakes truly are much more afraid of me. I am too big for them to swallow and eat! And the cactus are so beautiful in bloom. But they are not ones you would pick to bring home or put in your hair. Well maybe once but you will learn quickly you are much better to admire them from afar.

The trail is absolutely magical. Each step is filled with Godly moments. The wonders of how a small delicate flower can somehow grow in an inhabited place or why do cows wander in this endless desert? There are much greener pastures but they are quite content just where they are. Contentment is so important on this trail and to think a cow can teach me what truly matters!

I have learned not to worry about what’s ahead but love the moment that I am in. Even when I am headed up a hill that has no end in sight, or when my feet are as hot as the day is long, or when I’m so tired and still need to get to a campsite and where I am won’t possibly do, or when the wind is blowing so hard that I can barely stand or worse yet, erect my tent. Yes, those are the moments that I treasure and know that God is there with me. I do believe that He placed me in the desert first so that when I reach the mountains I will truely appreciate all His glory!

Yes, I do love the desert! I now understand why Jesus spent 40 days listening to His Father and getting direction as to his destiny. I believe that the Lord is giving me the same direction, be still and quiet and know that I am with you every step, every moment, everywhere I go.

Yes, contentment and stillness have been lessons learned and it has only taken me 110 miles. Cannot wait to see what is up ahead. Oh there I go again, be in the moment. Maybe I still have another 100 or so miles to go before I get it… God has such a great sence of honor.

Godspeed….

  The journey begins. I took my first steps on the PCT on April 10 with eight other trail friends. This truly is a small community of like-minded individuals who have the same amazing goal of somehow walking 2660 miles north. God willing, we will all make it!

I have already made myself a bloody good friend from New Zealand. She is a delight and we have much in common. We are the same age, have two children, married on the same date and are in no big hurry to get to Canada. We talked today about our faith and how God has revealed himself in our lives. She is still searching but knows that nothing is by chance and that we were truly meant to be hiking these first miles together! God has a plan for all of us and who would think that he could bring two hikers together that live in different hemispheres some thousands of miles away! “I am the Lord; that is my name.” Isaiah 42:8. Never underestimate the power of our Lord!

These past few days have been splendid with tepid tempatures and clear skies. The trail is much different than I had expected. The high desert is stunning! Purple mountains with manzanita, wild flowers, lizards, snakes, rabbits, skunks and many birds and loud owls in the evenings. It is reminiscent of the garden of Eden and how God had designed this world of ours.  

So after 42 miles, God has provided me strength when I thought I could not take another step. He has created springs of clear water when we have had a drought for three years!   And this is only the beginning. So the journey continues with some waterless days ahead and no doubt, much warmer days too!

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalms 119:105

May the trail lead you to God’s will for your abundant life. 

i have arrived in beautiful sunny San Diego. As I woke up this morning I realized what I had signed up for, hiking with God but the plane flight, that I wasn’t ready for. I’m not sure why flying scares me so? Isn’t it the  safest mode of transportation? I guess it’s that sudden stoppage that I have zero control over. 

God blessed me with a nice crew. As I am standing in line, my hubby kisses me good-bye (like the ole days before 9/11 ) but being an employee of Homeland Security has its perks. So back to the kiss… He kisses me goodbye as the flight crew feels they need to get onboard with all that! Before I know it, I get a big hug from the gal checking my boarding pass as George looks on. Good thing we had a belly laugh before I left or it would have been much to mushy with many tears flowing! 

Now that I am safely back on the ground, I can honestly say, the scariest part is over! My trail angel Jan picked me up at the airport, gave me a tour of downtown San Diego as there were not one, but two Sig-Alerts on I-5. Once again, flying is safer than driving.

I plan to relax for the day, check out my maps and make sure I am headed in the right or most northerly direction. As long as I don’t get on the wrong side of the border, the fence should be a clue, then I will be putting my first footsteps on the PCT early morning Friday. 

God, give me strength to do the things that I can only do when you are with me.  

Happy trails and I’ll keep in touch.  

Campos, my starting point has been beautiful these past few days. Perfect 70’s in the daytime and freezing at night. What else could a girl ask for?

Yes, I am counting down the days to hitting the trail. I have made contact with the ‘Trail Angels’ who are truly angels and plan to pick me up from the airport in San Diego. They will drive me to the trailhead on April 10th where I will launch my next 165 days of life like I have never experienced! 

I have been doing last minute adjustments to my pack including dropping a few gadgets that I decided were unnecessary for the next five plus months. My base pack weight is 16 pounds which includes everything except food and water. I can only imagine Day One on the trail with 7-8 liters of water, four days of food topping my pack weight to nearly 35 pounds! Every step of the way , I will be drinking water and lightening my load. And then, eating the heaviest food first! Can’t wait to dive into all those dehydrated meals that I have been preparing for the past months. 

My Resupply Boxes Mailed by Hubby

My prayer request is “no big snakes” and less then 90 degrees on my first day out. I know, I’m asking for the impossible but “all things are possible for those who trust in The Lord.” Thank you Jesus in advance! I love you.

I am designed for a purpose…

I was hiking the John Muir Trail a few years ago, and I remember being intrigued by the many thru hikers. These are people who have decided to do an entire length of a trail that typically starts at one point, say Mexico and heads north towards Canada. I talked with many who were hiking anywhere from 20-30 miles a day, sometimes more! It was something I had never given much thought of, but after my 21 days on the trail, and defintely not being ready to leave, I knew at that point, I wanted to be a thru hiker too!