Miles hiked today: 19
Total PCT mileage: 39.6

After eating a Kick Off provided breakfast of cereal, fruit, brownies, and orange juice, Hamburger, Gypcgirl (from Australia), David (a young man from Sacramento), and I departed Lake Moreno about 7:30 AM. Our destination was Cibbets Flat campground 13 miles North. We discussed going further depending on how we felt and what time it was when we got there. I pulled away on the first long hill and never saw Hamburger or Gypcgirl again. I saw David for the last time as I was leaving Boulder Oaks Campground.

The day was hot, but I was making good time. I arrived at Fred Canyon a little after noon and joined a group of about 20 hikers cooling off under a grove of trees. I had my lunch and filtered some water. After resting a couple of hours and still no sign of the others, I decided to continue on.

The rest of the afternoon it was a slow steady climb. Toward the end of the day as I topped out on a ridge above Long Canyon, I looked back and could still Lake Morena to the distant south. It was at this spot that I had my first Verizon signal strong enough to call Joyce.

 

Day two and day three were spent at Lake Morena County attending the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off (ADZPCTKO). Days were filled meeting past, current, and future hikers; and attending ADZPCTKO events. I attended presentations on Desert Hiking, Overuse Injuries, Water/Snow Report, Bears/Food/Fire, and Mountaineering Skills. Friday night they had the ADZ film festival – 13 short films submitted by past hikers that were funny and/or entertaining.

I also met and spent some time with Ron and Karen Burke who hiked the PCT in 2008. Karen is the sister of Greenville friend, Greg Meyer. It was nice meeting them and picking up some additional pointers for hiking the PCT.

There were about 750 people at the ADZPCTKO. About 300 are planning a thru hike, the rest are past hikers, future hikers, vendors, and folks from the PCTA. It was an awesome experience. Everything is free for thru hikers.

My tent site

The adventure has begun!!

After a very pleasant evening in San Diego, Joyce drove me and Detlief “Hamburger” Korner to the trailhead this morning. Detlief is from Hamburg, Germany. Detlief commented on line in one of the PCT forums that he needed a ride to the trailhead and I told him we could help out.

One of the Company Commanders from my Battalion Commander days made the 2-hour drive from Pasadena to be there to send me off with our Battalion colors. I had not seen him since 1988. It was really special. Thanks, Jeff.

The weather was cold, windy and rainy. We quickly signed the trail register, took the ceremonial photos and headed north at 8:04 AM. Because of the weather Joyce’s and my goodbye was way too short. It was hard watching her drive by a few minutes later.

 

Tonight will be the last night I sleep in my own bed for a while.  Joyce and I leave for California in the morning.  I find myself a bundle of emotions as I am packing the car for our trip to  San Diego.  Last night, Joyce invited our Greenville friends out for a Retirement/PCT KO Party .  We had a great time.  Food was catered by “Skin Daddy’s BBQ.”  The wine and beer flowed freely as I said my goodbyes and answered a thousand questions about the the PCT.  I was very touched by the pledges they made to my hike for “Honoring Their Service.”   We are blessed to have such good friends – in Greenville and here at Keowee Key.

 

One week from today, Joyce and I will depart for California.  (In 11 days, I will be on the trail.)  I still have a couple of projects to do around the house but, for the most part, I am ready.  Resupply boxes are packed and I am mentally and physically ready to start the adventure.

Our son Todd was up from Atlanta for the weekend and this evening we went to Saskatoon Restaurant in Greenville to have a family celebration of his and our Grandson Josh’s birthdays.  (Todd will be 39 next Sunday and Josh was 14 on April 6.)  As I went to take a shower before going out, Todd said, “Your days of hot showers are limited.”  I responded, “My days of showers period are limited.”

We had a great meal at Saskatoon as always.  As I was telling our daughter Carrie and her family goodbye in the parking lot, I realized this is the last family outing until October.  I am anixous to get started, but I will miss the love ones I am leaving behind.   I feel blessed to have the support of many friends, my family, and my wife Joyce as hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

The next entry should be on the road to California.