ADZPCTKO 2013

Well the Kick Off is over and I had a great time reuniting with old friends, volunteering, and providing trail magic for hikers with  Gone Fishing and we even got in some hiking ourselves. If you are considering hiking the PCT please include the kick-off. Getting to and from Lake Morena, if you are already on the trail is easy. Many volunteers help transport hikers so they can attend this worth-while gathering. The event provides great information, helps hikers network with other hikers and is a great motivator. Gone Fishing and I were ready to head-out with the class of 2013 and do it all-over again. After over 6 months of texting and phone calls it was great to see my hiking partner. Had it really been a year since we were just starting our adventure of a lifetime??
We coordinated with Max and drove he and 3 other thru-hikers from Lake Arrowhead to Gone Fishing's house for some grub. Then we headed to the Kick-Off. It was great being at Lake Morena once again. We settled in briefly and went to work helping the organizers who give so selflessly of their time and money. We met up with past friends and enjoyed the festivities. PCT 2012 Thru-Hiker Virgo put our class video together. He did an outstanding job. You can download it for free by going to : http://video.com/m/65233793.
Enjoy the Pics!

Reunited with Gone Fishing at the Kick-Off

 

At the KO: from Left to Right: Snort, Max, 2-Step, Joat, Heart and gone Fishing

Making Burritos for the class of 2013

Back on the trail after the KO 2-Step, Snort, Max, Joat

 

Trail Magic for the Class of 2013

 Then it was back on the trail for us too

 And fishing of Course

Coupled with some well-deserved R&R

from my HEART ;) 

 

 

Straight from the Heart...

What a Difference a Year Makes...

Today Mark flew to San Diego to start his trek of a lifetime. As I dropped him off at the airport I was filled  with bittersweet memories. Bitter only because it was not me leaving again this year. Sweet because I was given the chance of a lifetime last year on this very day and now Mark has earned the same privilege.   Like others who have hiked the PCT I think of the trail every day. Something triggers a memory and I am back on the crest. I feel  the heat at scissors crossing, hear the silence of the Sierras,  taste the sweet juicy huckleberries that I ate far too many of and stand in awe on the Knife's Edge in Goat's Rocks.  My hiking partner calls from behind to get my attention - Heart look what I found ... a beautiful  flower  tucked among the  greenery - don't remember seeing this one  before -

 It has been a year - so hard to believe. The trail has changed me, changed my life in so many good ways. It has made me stronger, more thankful, more patient.  It gave me the courage to admit I was very unhappy in my marriage and I needed to admit it to others once I could admit it to myself. My divorce was final in March and a great weight has been lifted and a joy has filled me like no other. We all walk the PCT for a reason but sometimes it is not for the reason we think. And often there are many reasons,  some of which we do not know at the start. If you are one of those arm-chair hikers, or want to be PCT thru-hiker but are holding back because of the logistics, or because you don't believe you could make it or could afford it or for whatever reason you may have,  just know that you will find a way if you really want to do it.  Just  do your research, plan and prepare to the best of your ability and you will have a great chance of living a dream, finding out what you are made of and having the pleasure of all those wonderful memories.

So where do I go from here??

Well yes I am divorced but I am still friends and business partners with my X. BUT  payback is hell!  This year is my turn to hold down the fort and do the work of 2 as Mark did for me last year. But  as I said in my message to you above - if you really want to do something you will find a way - so I will be reuniting with Gone Fishing for 2 weeks and we will both be at the kick-off come April 26. We will shuttle hikers to and from their destinations, hand out goodies, and  spread the magic.  So please let us know if you need help.  My cell is 281-770-0068 and my email is mindy.dunham@yahoo.com. GF and I will be doing some hiking and hope to meet other hikers living their dream. He has written a journal  entry which you can find by going to: www.trailjournals.com/stevefitch

Mark (trail name Max) will be journaling from the trail as he walks for heart disease. We are so proud of him for all the work he has done preparing for his hike. His journal can be found at : www.trailjournals.com/maxmin.

Happy Trails!

Heart-Full