Mile 0-77.6

I feel like I am in some sort of time warp. Days are not measured by work scedules or school, but by milage and water sources. At the kick off party @ Lake Morena we had a water briefing with some Pacific Crest Trail Association members. Although we will not need to worry about snow this year (the sierra nevadas only got 30 something % if its average snowfall...it makes it a really rough first 700 miles of desert. Theres not much snow run off, river beds and streams that were once reliable are now bone dry. It definitely makes for an interesting hike knowing you may not get a chance to re up on water for 30 miles. And let me tell you water is HEAVY! It's a completely different way of life out here. So much of it has still yet to sink in.

A week ago today we started the trail. It feels like forever ago already. Partially because the landscape out here is like nothing we have ever seen before. One second you're on a ridge of a mountain with panoramic views of other 6,000-12,000 ft mountains, and and the next thing you know your coming into pine grove valley, and just when you think you're completely off the mountain youre right back to hiking back up it- except this time over red clay at your feet and cactus and aloe plants surrounding you.

Everyone was right when they said you can't think of it as "Mexico to Canada" everyday. WAY TOO DAUNTING. Right now we are in a small touristy town by the name of Julian somewhere in the Anza-borrego desert. Getting much needed rest. Yesterday and today have been rough on me...I think I got a 24 hr stomach bug or something. That coupled with 90 degree heat...it just wasn't safe or smart staying out in the desert today. After a failed 45 mins of trying to get a hitch we had given up. Michael got to close for comfort with a rattlesnake and then out if nowhere a car pulls over. It was Kevin...he had just gotten off the trail to attend his daughters graduation. Real nice guy. He drove us to Julian and we all got free lunch at Moms Pies just for being hikers! So nice!