The adventure is over - October 11th - Time to give thanks. I get by with a little help from my friends. ~ John Lennon and Paul McCartney Its been 15 days since my wilderness trek ended, as I slowly make my way back home to Michigan. While resting and reminiscing over the last few days, I often thought about all the people who made my hike a success. From close family and friends back east to strangers along the PCT, so many kind souls made it possible for me to spend 5 1/2 months in the wild. I just wanted to take the time and use this journal post to acknowledge them. Ive tried to include everyone, but if I missed someone, I apologize now. My memory isnt what it used to be. It all started with my family in Michigan. My siblings Lynn, Kim, Nan and Dana all had to step up and fill in for me in caring for my aging mother. While my mom is still fairly self-sufficient, they still had to spend more time checking on her, taking her shopping and just generally spending time with her. Thank-you all. My sister Kim graciously agreed to be my main resupply person and without her help the logistics of my hike would have been far more difficult. She was on call all spring, summer and fall to mail me food and map boxes. Kim was totally reliable and every resupply box arrived on time. She also kept me appraised of my moms well-being. I thank her heartily. I owe her big time. Im sure her husband Bill was also there behind the scenes helping. Thank-you Bill. Her backups, sister Dana and good friend Teresa, also stepped up when Kim was unavailable. My thanks to them as well. A special thanks to my friend Teresa is next. She shuttled me to the Amtrak station in Grand Rapids, a six hour drive. It was much appreciated. She also helped boost my spirits all through my multi-month journey with updates from home through regular phone conversations. Thank-you Teresa - my good and special friend. My niece Sheena (trail name - Stubbs) has been one of my staunchest supporters. Besides driving me to the Mexican border from her home in Boulder, CO, she braved the desert and hiked the first week and 110 miles with me. Her boyfriend Dave (Shoeless Joe) also joined us. They made the beginning of my adventure so much more enjoyable. Thank-you both for the support and camaraderie. Additionally, Sheena is hosting me for a little R&R on my trip back home as I write this. Thank-you again Sheena. A thank-you to all the Warm Springs trail angels who man the community space and grill. It was a great place to end our first section of the PCT. Many thru-hikers on the PCT were my companions for a day, a week or even a month, enlivening the adventure. Pockets was the first. The quiet, intelligent and spunky young Alabaman, joined me after my niece left and provided good company well into the desert. I will never forget her Superman T-shirt and lilting gait. We endured wind and ice storms, desert heat, and she, troublesome thigh muscles. She was an amiable hiking partner. Thank-you Pockets. (Hugs, Cracker Jack, and Cowgirl joined us later for a few days - thanks to them too). Bob S., my friend from high school was a surprise angel. I hadnt seen him in 25 years and yet he met me twice in the desert to support my hike. Once for a short hike and a second time to treat me and Pockets to lunch at the Paradise Cafe. He then shuttled us to Idyllwild to avoid a small fire detour and join an unexpected beer-brewing party. It was all beyond the call of duty and a very pleasant bit of trail magic. Thank-you so much Bob. (I also want to thank the ex-pct thru-hiker who hosted the beer brewing party and put us up for the night - Bones.) All throughout my journey, many online supporters were following, commenting and sending along words of encouragement. Some were family and some were close friends. The greatest majority, however, were just acquaintances, such as old high school friends, or complete strangers, courtesy of trailjournals/rangerjan. I cant tell you how much it meant to me to get these tiny messages. It felt like a whole family of trail supporters was clinging to every detail of my adventure and living it vicariously with me. I wasnt really alone out there. So thank-you one and all. I know Ill miss someone, but Id like to acknowledge my regular online supporters: Sara C., Bert C., Kim S., Carol B., Nan E., Andrea A., Jack L., Tom K., Gail S., Terry D., Anne C., Dave R., Jim R., Huck W., Mary H., Mike F., Valerie A., Wendy A., Luanna B., Cheryl W., Andy B., Nick T., Sheena E., Richard F., Sally D., James T., Sandy L., Sheryl H. Trail angels Ziggy and Bear run the first hostel on the trail that long distance hikers encounter. Pockets and I rolled into this madhouse of trail kindness #679 and #680. The day we were there, more than 80 other hikers also arrived, some staying, others just stopping for sodas and a break. Because its the first, in the harsh desert and ideally located, it gets overrun by grateful trekkers. Most thru-hikers are still on trail this close to the beginning and most stop here. Im sure this place sees the greatest numbers of hikers in one season of any of the hostels along the trail. Thank-you Ziggy and Bear for the shade and for all you do for us mangy wanderers. The Saufleys and the Andersens also deserve my gratitude. The corporate efficiency of the Saufleys and the counterculture kitsch of the Andersens, both unique, both wonderful, were oasises in the desert. I enjoyed both and want to thank them for their unfettered kindnesses. Big Bear Hostel and HikerTown took me in too and I also want to send my thanks their way. Many other hikers after Pockets shared the trail with me and I will remember you guys for years to come for your companionship. As I transitioned from the desert to the Sierra, Bright Eyes - the feisty Canadian, O. G. - the consummate gentleman from South Carolina, and Puddin - the quiet gentle soul New Yorker were my off again, on again trail companions, sharing a camp or a laugh and adding so much to the quality of my adventure. Bright Eyes and I tackled mighty Mt Whitney together, leaving under headlamp in near dark and climbing to the top of the world. I will never forget that day. Thank-you, all three, for sharing a bit of this existence with me. The first of several old California friends to meet me along the trail with a resupply and trail magic was Bruce R. We worked together and lived together almost twenty years ago. He met me at Walker Pass with my resupply and then took me, Bright Eyes and Indy to Ridgecrest for more food and trail magic. Despite just having undergone an operation, he was there eager to help me. Thank-you Bruce and also thanks to his wife Chantal, who made us a wonderful lunch. Small things are so much appreciated on epic, but grueling hikes like the PCT. Really going beyond the call of duty were other old work friends from California, Mary H. and Bruce V. Not only did they bring me a 7 day resupply package, they packed it miles over Kearsarge Pass to meet me at Kearsarge Lakes. Avid hikers themselves, Shadow Face and Data Duck (their trail names), gave me a needed boost for the rugged trail section through the Sierra Nevada. Sometimes just seeing old friends can be so uplifting when one is long on trail. Thank-you for everything Mary and Bruce. Though I had met them several times before, it wasnt till after Rae Lakes that I hooked up with Dawn Patrol and Star Rider, along with their friend Ethan, to do most of the Sierra together. They were ideal hiking companions, willing to share themselves wholeheartedly in the journey. Deciding to slow down together, we conquered a pass a day through the most beautiful country on the entire PCT. It was a magical few days of beauty and companionship. Some hikers are loners, shunning trail companions. Dawn Patrol and Star Rider are the opposite, embracing fellow adventurers, and I was the recipient of their largess and kindness. I really wanted to share the most magnificent part of the trail with someone and they proved to be the ideal hikers to form a Sierra fellowship with. Thank-you to you both and to your friend Ethan too. Approaching Mammoth, I hooked up with the one hiker with whom I would share the greatest number of trail miles - Kokopelli. The quirky, wiry Vietnam vet proved exceedingly companionable and I think were it not for him at a critical juncture in my hike, I might have given up (first serious foot pain - plantar fasciitis). He and I shared days off and many miles through much of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. I owe him a lot and no amount of thanks could repay his company. Kokopelli, you are the man. Thank-you my friend. There were many other hikers that I wanted to thank for just being there on the trail. Not so much for what they did, but for the pleasure it gave me to share small moments with them on the trail. Thank-you to all the kindred spirits who shared the PCT with me in 2014. Here are a few: Homegirl - quiet and determined. Just John (aka Dullness) - sorry I didnt see you after Warner Springs, hope your hike went well. Pan, Laugh Track and Magic Stick - always full of youthful enthusiasm, made me wish I was still young. Vestibule and Rolling Boulder - popping up to brighten my hike time after time, and maybe helping me design a Passivehaus. String Cheese - fellow wilderness caregiver, wish we had hooked up more on trail, a sweet soul. Lighthouse, Mung, Karaoke, Indy, Cheeto Jackson - all too fast for me, but Im glad to have shared the trail with you, if only briefly. Free Heels and Two Feathers - though only knowing you briefly, I felt an instant friendship. And there were so many more. Thank-you. As I was leaving California and approaching Oregon, good friends and excellent trail angels Wendy A. and Gary A. came to my rescue. After initially meeting me for camping and dinner at Castle Crags, they came right back when wildfires finally impacted my hike, extracting Homegirl and myself from the approaching conflagrations. I had planned only a single day off at their home in Ashland, but ended up staying three and experiencing so much gracious hospitality. Not only did they pick me up in smoky Northern California, they pampered me for three days, then returned me to the trail only to meet me again at Crater Lake. And there the magic continued with a tour around the lake including lunch and then a great grilled dinner at camp for me and Kokopelli. It was all too much, way way beyond anything I had anticipated. Im glad to have skipped forward around the fires just so I have a reason to come back some day to do that section and see such great friends again. Thank-you again Wendy and Gary for all you did. By the time I reached mid-Oregon, my old hiking buddy Speedbump (Bert C.) had arrived on the scene ready to tackle the remainder of the trail with me. It was great to have my long-time hiking companion on board. Weve done so many trips together and his company was a tremendous boost just when I was entering the closing stretch of my grand adventure. We did the Three Sisters, Timberline Lodge, Eagle Creek, Cascade Locks, Mt Adams, Mt Jefferson and the Goat Rocks. He hiked with me well into Washington and I was extremely grateful to be hiking with him. I cant thank him enough for all the days and great experiences we shared. To have shared this with one of my oldest friends was priceless. Thank-you Speedbump. While transiting Oregon Speedbump and I were able to enjoy trail magic courtesy of another old work friend - Mike F. He and his wife Helen extended their hospitality to us, but not until Mike and his son Eli had driven to meet us at Breitenbush Lake. Unbeknownst to me, the road there was horrible and their car took a beating. We took a different road back, which was better but hardly smooth. Mikes trail magic for us was tough for him and his son, but he endured it without complaint. We had a needed resupply and rest break at Mike and Helens house in Silverton before continuing our trip. Thank-you Mike, Helen and Eli for your kindness. This is the kind of thing that makes long distance hiking so special. These trails extract the best from people who live near them. Once in Washington, we were handed into the care of my oldest friend - Huck W. Along with his friend Jerry, he met Speedbump and me at Trout Lake with our resupply and assorted snacks. It wasnt long before he was driving us to the cafe at Trout Lake for burgers and their famous Huckleberry milkshake. Though brief, this trail magic was great. Huck and Jerry had to drive four hours, one way, to get there. Just another example of going above and beyond for a couple of wayward travelers. Speedbump and I would see Huck a few days later at White Pass for even more magic. This time a day off at his house in Auburn. But this would hardly be his last kindness as he returned me to Snoqualmie Pass to meet Kokopelli and hosted me at the very end after my hike was over (for three more days while I recovered from a brief illness). All in all he and his wife Cyndi showered me with care when I needed it most. Saying thank-you is wholly inadequate, but thanks for everything. You are two of my most special people. Once Speedbump left, Kokopelli and I began tackling some of the hardest trail sections on the PCT. It was fortunate that another hostel and more trail angels also lay ahead in Washington. The Dinsmores Hiker Haven was the last hostel and of course we availed ourselves of their hospitality at their home near Skykomish. An unpretentious place, the Haven has everything a hiker needs before attempting to wrap up a thru-hike. Though I had little contact with the angels, I had a sincere feeling of gratitude. They offered a simple place for rest and refreshment. Thank-you. Ive already recently recounted the story of how Kokopelli and I ended our hike and the magic of Camper Dan. But let me just say thank-you again to Dan. Having him waiting there when we emerged from the wilderness was a godsend. It was a fitting conclusion to an adventure overflowing with trail magic and all manner of kindnesses. Last but not least, my friend Dave took over where Camper Dan left off and Kokopelli and I spent a relaxing few days with him at his duck pond paradise. It was a perfect place to unwind from a 2600 mile adventure and we did just that. He graciously shuttled us around and gave us free reign in his guest house. He also helped us wrap up loose ends and treated us to a great dinner out. Bravo Dave - thank-you from us both. I hope to get back someday for another visit. As I write this, I am on my way home to Michigan. During the aforementioned three day visit with Huck and Cyndi, I took a quick side trip to Moscow ID to visit my nephew Nethaniel and niece Lenora and their new babies Elodi and Eleanor. They were only five hours away and I considered it just an extension of my post-hike R&R (Included are a couple of pics for my family). After that I was off to Denver for a quick stop at niece Sheenas house, coming full circle from last April when I met her here for the trip to the Mexican border. Sheena, you are the best - thank-you for all your support and for having such an open adventurous spirit. The slow unwinding process of reentering civilization is well underway. Walking is still kept to a minimum, resting and relaxing to a maximum. My body and especially my feet are gradually regaining there old pain-free ways. And soon I would be home. One last thank-you goes out to my brother-in-law Bill. He will be at the train station in Grand Rapids to fetch me home. Unfortunately my sister Kim was unable to come as planned because my mother took ill this morning. It isnt the way I hoped to come home, but considering all thats happened over the last few months, I still felt extremely fortunate. I talked to my mom an hour ago, and though under the weather, she seemed ok. Hopefully its all nothing. So that ends my rambling thank-you note. If I missed anyone, sorry. There were so many to thank on this adventure. Without all the support, it wouldnt have been half as enjoyable, if possible at all. So to one and all, a last round of thanks - THANK-YOU. I get by with a little help from my friends. ~ John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 00:12:59 +0000
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