Trail angels and new experiences

Well after a few last days of little sleep and lots of hectic last minute prep, I now find myself in San Diego and about to start my hike tomorrow AM. Not sure when it's all really going to sink in... maybe as I drift to sleep in the middle of nowhere under a tarp after my first day of hiking..

Yesterday I did get away for a little bit to enjoy a great low-key BBQ with some friends from work at Dave's place and came away with an awesome hitchhiking sign thanks to Mel's artistic hand! I've said that hitching was an aspect of the trip that I'm not exactly crazy about but with this sign she drew up for me on my Tyvek ground sheet, I actually can't wait to try!! :) I'm betting it's sure to make the process of getting rides SO much easier.









Trail angels are what they're called and they are anyone who helps a hiker along in their journey through some generosity, be it big or small. Thank you Dave and Mel! :)

And more Thank you's go out today for sure!

Pomy and Shanna for enthusiastically offering to take me to the airport at 4:30 in the morning! Not just merely awake for the duty but both happy to be there to do it and send me off - feelin the love :)

To Reggie and Elizabeth for a great day here in San Diego!!! Picking me up from the airport, running me around town to help me take care of some final errands, treating me to lunch, making me yummy homemade cookies, letting me crash at their place tonight, and being up for dropping me off at a pair of PCT trail angels' house ("Scout" and "Frodo") tomorrow AM for the ride to the trailhead! Above and beyond to say the least.... So kind and generous. Even got to take a ride in and then drive home Reggie's sweet Harley sidecar motorcycle! Gotta love the new experiences the trail brings your way :)









And lastly, but most certainly not leastly, a shout out to Peter who's renting my place while I'm gone and helping out by sending my maildrops out!!! While moving in today, he apparentlly even managed to squeeze my car into my small garage along with the motorcycle, something I wasn't able to get around to and wasn't completely sure was even possible - here's to all his years of experience living and parking in New York! :D One less thing to worry about - having to have the car moved twice a month to avoid street sweeping tickets :P

Gotta love Trail Magic... Haven't even seen the Mexican border and my journey's been full of it ;)

Thank you all!

Tomorrow, the hike begins :)
Fool

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Location:Oceanside,United States