Community - Monday, April 14

The idea of preserving large tracts of public lands in their natural state was arguably started by John Muir. Others may have come before, but Muir's prolific pen and impassioned arguments moved public opinion and motivated legislation to create National Parks, National Monuments and Wilderness Areas.  These set-asides guaranteed future generations the opportunity to experience nature unspoiled. 
Part of the joy of traveling in these areas is the chance to experience solitude. Most of us have embedded ourselves deeply in our communities. We surround ourselves with friends and family and become immersed in their lives. But we also need moments by ourselves. Short moments of solitude, like when we lock ourselves in the bathroom and longer moments when we take a walk in the woods. 
Sally and I have always enjoyed the outcome of John Muir's work, especially the solitude found in a pristine meadow with no one around. When hiking we pick our routes and camping spots to intentionally avoid other people. It enhances our chance to see nature unspoiled, gives us the opportunity to connect uninterrupted and to find an inner peace.
Of course, our moments of solitude in magnificent places would be meaningless if it was our only existence. It is these moments in contrast to our lives embedded in friends and family that make them so special. We are so fortunate to have found such wonderful friends and neighbors in Toledo.  
When we embarked on the PCT we knew the physical work would be difficult, but from our experience meeting PCT hikers in the past we knew the social element would be different than our solitude seeking adventures. So we have embraced the idea of community on the trail and are immersing ourselves in the people we are meeting equally with the trail and it's route, beauty and wildness. 

After our long hours of front porch socializing in Mt. Laguna yesterday we departed at 6 this morning, a bit later than usual for us, but dragging ourselves out of a comfortable hotel bed to face a chilly morning delayed our departure. We had compared notes with several PCTers and found we had similar destinations so we expected and hoped to be camping with them later that afternoon. Sally and I hike a little slower than most, so our early start means we will most likely be passed later in the day. Sure enough, before long new acquaintances were slipping by us. After a late lunch (our fourth meal of the day) with Far Out, Backup, Evil Goat, and Kit, Sally and I headed out ahead of the pack as they chose to take an afternoon siesta. We had about three miles to our destination-mile 56.2, a campsite among the boulders just off the trail. We arrived about four thirty and were expecting Kit and Backup to arrive soon after. By 6 our small site was home to Roy and Sarah from Israel, Kit and Backup from Olympia, Tomo from Germany, Far Out from Boston, Ashley from Florida and Mike.  There is no way we trade their company for solitude. Our "community" has expanded and new friends were added, enriching our lives. 
Hiking the PCT is as much about community as it is about the route. 

A side note. Sally was not sure if her stamina would allow her to hike the PCT, so she was apprehensive to start. She set a goal for herself. If she could make it 50 miles she would feel pleased and at that time reevaluate whether to continue or not. Today she passed the fifty mile mark and is going strong. We monitored the GPS and took her picture fifty miles from the Mexican border, thumbs up, all smiles and ready to keep going.