I am 65 years old and perhaps that explains the general conversation that I am sharing below. If I were 20 years old I am sure the conversation would be much different. In the beginning this conversation would generally start when people would ask me when I was going to retire and what I was going to do. But then the word got around that I was planning on walking the PCT and so people would ask about it.
friend: I hear you are going to go on a hike
me: Yes, I am going to hike the PCT
friend: PCT?
me: The Pacific Crest Trail
friend: So it goes right along the coast then?
It is really quite universal that when Pacific Crest Trail is spoken, people hear Pacific Coast Trail and assume the trail is a nice walk on the beach.
me: No, not Coast trail but Crest Trail. It goes right along the mountain spine of the West Coast. It is about 60 miles inland from the coast or so. Don’t think beaches and lots of people, but rather think Bears, Ski Resorts, and wilderness
friend: Ah, right, so how long of a trail is that
me: 2665 miles or so from Mexican border to Canadian border
very long pause and blank stares for awhile………… the reality sinks in
friend: but…. how long is that going to take
me: probably around 6 months or so
another very long pause and looks of disbelief OR hysterical laughter
friend: No way, are you crazy?
This is followed by the expected series of questions about where do you sleep (on the ground), how about food (carry about 6 days worth and get resupplied along the way). what about hygiene (I’m expected to stink pretty bad). And then
friend: What is Lenora going to do?
me: Follow along in the car and stay in hotels for much of the time and meet me when the trail crosses a main road.
friend: No way, is she crazy? I mean, what is the plan.. how will you get together?
At this point I explain how the PCT, although a wilderness trail, does cross roads where you can hitch into towns or even goes right through or next to towns. (Julian, Big Bear, Yosemite, South Lake Tahoe are some examples). For most of the PCT this happens every 100 miles or so. I plan on walking for 6 days and resting on the 7th. Hey, if it was good enough for God, it is good enough for me. I have tried to arrange to be at a major road or a town by Saturday night of each week (sometimes earlier and will have 2 days off). For most of these hopefully Lenora will be there and we will stay in a hotel and I will get to clean up and go to Church with Lenora.
friend: Why are you doing this?
me: To find out more about myself and my relationship with God
That is the short answer but there is more to it and I will explain the more in the next post. But I figure most people are not interested in hearing the more at this point
friend: Well…… good luck… how can I follow your progress
me: I’ll let you know as soon as my daughter (Martha) tells me how people can get to these posts.
By the way, the honest answer to the “are you crazy” questions is an unqualified yes. But I think there are degrees of crazy and I’m sure we could be crazier if we worked at it.