Date: 2003-01-12
To: Josephine Saddle in the Santa Rita's
Miles today: 0.0

Today was an excellent day for hiking. We hiked 6.5 miles in the Santa Rita Mounatians to reach Josephine Saddle, about two miles I think from Mt. Wrightson. Wonderful hike! We saw pink grass, lots of great views, and a spring that flows out of the ground. It was beautiful. The day was clear and cool and dry and perfect for hiking. I did this 13 miles no problem, but carrying only about 15 pounds, most of it candy and oreos to share with the other six people on the hike! I don't buy that stuff unless I'm going to work it off! I took some pictures with my new digital camera which I will try to download later. I haven't gotten that far in the instruction manual yet.I met two people on this hike who have actually done sections of the AT - many sections. Wolfgang and Mitch shared some of their experiences and offered some sound advice. Both are very experienced hikers, which was very evident when they started talking about places they had been. Some of the most interesting people I've met are hikers and I can't wait to meet many more on the AT.I read Moose's journal today. He responded to mine so I wanted to read his and it was really good. I recommend reading it if you haven't already. He is also beginning his hike in March 2003, only two days ahead of me so I'm sure we will meet. He used a quote in his journal from Yogi's PCT journal and that quote made me start thinking about how fortunate I am to have the support I have.Yogi's quote deals with people who are not long distance hikers not being able to understand why we do this and often making comments that suggest we have wandering lifestyle with no focus. I began to think about all my family, friends, and even acquaintances who know I am going to hike the trail and what they've said to me. Not one has said I am "lost" or "wandering" or without focus. I've been called brave, daring, adventurous, and lots of other cool things, but never anything negative. At least, I think the people who called me crazy meant it in a positive way! I feel very fortunate that even though my family and friends may not have this goal themselves, they have never tried to discourage me from accomplishing my goal to complete the AT. I am beginning to realize not everyone is so fortunate to have that support.I believe I could possibly have the greatest dad in the world. My sister's and I often share secrets when we are all home for Christmas and the twins shared one with me while I was home this year. I think I asked them what my dad said to them about me hiking the trail and they told me. He said to them that he doesn't understand it, but that he guesses there is no way to talk me out of it. He never said this to me, nor did he try to talk me out of it. Instead, he said he would pray for me to finish and that he didn't know what else to do for me. Later he gave me a check. I think if I were not hiking this hike he would have saved that check for some other Christmas. Only he really knows that. Anyway, my point is he wants me to finish and accomplish my goal even though he doesn't understand it. He said he would read my journal, so to my three sister's, one of you has to print it out so can read it! My sister's are all helping me in some way to complete my journey, and for that I am very grateful. They lead busy lives, but are still willing to invest time and energy into my journey.I think there are people who begin the trail not really knowing why they themselves are hiking it. But they figure it out along the way. Others begin the trail with a very specific goal or reason, and may reach a certain point before they finish where they realize they got what they came for and have no need to finish. That is the most important part of a long distance hike - to get what you came for. Same reason as going to Wal-Mart, only you don't have to wait in line.