The Beginning

I titled this blog 'An Adventure for us All!' as I am sure many of you will be following this adventure (as I am)......from the comfort of our own homes. Two or three years ago Jack, Brad and Erik made a pact to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the spring of 2010. As I am writing this, the boys are on the Amtrak train in Tacoma, WA that left at 10:30 a.m. to take them to San Diego, CA. From there they will travel by bus to Campo, CA to begin their adventure of a lifetime. Or...the beginning of many lifetime adventures. Campo, CA is considered the official southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. It is less than a mile from the U.S./Mexico border. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,650 mile national scenic trail that runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. The boys are thinking it will take six months to complete. They have sold or given away most all their personal belongings including their vehicles. Most of us may leave town on a two week vacation and we are hassled about all the preparation. I cannot imagine leaving on a six month hiatus and all the preparation it takes. Erik and Brad stopped by last night to drop off a box that contained hiking boots and ice picks that I will ship to them when they contact me...and as they near the high mountain peaks that they will need to cross. The box also contained expensive walking shoes and maps that I will also ship to locations on contact. They are planning to go through three pairs of shoes each. Erik used our computer to print a special PCT thru-permit that is required to enter the multiple national parks along the way. He put the permit into a special waterproof sealed plastic bag the size of a wallet. The plastic bag contained money and his driver's license for identity. He carefully cut all unnecessary paper away from the actual permit. Every ounce counted. They will be carrying everything they will need in life on their backs for the next six months. The permit came with a letter from the PCT Association. It was left behind and I picked it up this morning to read it fully. It pointed out some dos and don'ts and the director who wrote the letter ended with, "Have a great trip and be careful out there! And don't forget to send us a photo or two of your adventure."
Yes, it truly will be an 'Adventure for All of Us!'