I apologize in advanced that we have not been in touch the past few weeks via blog, Facebook, or phone. I have some good news and some bad news that I have to share. Lets start with the bad news: We are home. Yes, as in back in Connecticut....(AND THE PUNCHLINE IS :O....) Unfortunately, I am not joking. Basically Michael's foot injury became debilitating so we had to hike out the last week of May (the 25th I think??) So now that I've knocked you all off you all off your feet I'll tell you the good news! We do have all intentions to get back on trail in a few weeks! That is all permitting we can heal Michael's, and save more money as well. But our hearts are there -more so than you could even imagine- so we are going to do everything possible to make getting back on trail a reality.
If you are wondering why it's taken so long to tell all of you that we're home it's because we are heartbroken. Simply put, no exaggeration. Even though the circumstances were out of our control, we both feel as though we let you all down. I can't put into words how supportive, loving, and excited everyone was for our adventure, and now that it's in limbo it's a terrible feeling. I wouldn't expect any of you to make us feel un accomplished of course, I know better...my friends and loved ones support every decision we make...but it doesn't make it any easier.
It's funny, because before we started I had all these premonitions of what exactly the trail meant to me. I thought I knew but I truly had no idea. And even just that one month we were out there I got a good tasting of it. It was putting myself out there, completely out of my comfort zone, building confidence/knowledge/friendships...and most importantly myself. I can only treat others as well as I value myself. It's easy for me to be loving and caring of others..that was just in my nature from birth...but I've learned that to truly be selfless, to truly care and love for others, you must love yourself first. Of course that's not the first time any of us have heard that but it's the first time in my life I've understood it's true meaning. That alone has made everything worth it.
For *some* people it's hard, or even impossible to understand how thru hiking can have such an impact on the makeup of ones self; like the ones who ask me 'why I'd want to camp everyday' or 'how could I have fun' doing something like this always intrigue me. The best way I can describe it for you is first, stop thinking of it as a hike. Second, abolish the word hike from your thought process, because at the end of the day that really has nothing to do with it! It's just the catalyst for all the personal changes it summons. Trail life, ::sigh::, it's about personal growth, life experience, adjustably/''learning to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations,'' as Bikram says/, the opening up of ones mind and heart, proving to yourself that materialistic objects don't matter! Simplicity is bliss. Love, food, water, shelter, health... and yourself. Those are the things that matter in life. That's the true American dream. These fundamentals are too often walked away from in our society that's hypnotized by money, possessions, beauty, and status. My advice...just STOP. They don't matter. None of those things matter! They say only those who lose it all know the true value of life. And they are right. Fortunately, Michael and I suffered no loss, we made ourselves homeless and jobless by choice, and yet we gained so much. If you think it's easy for me to right this you are wrong. What do I know, a 20 year old girl who was raised from a loving family, how could I possibly know about hardships and value of life. Well you may be surprised that I have been through a lot in my short lifetime, and I am proud to say I've always believed myself to have an old soul. I am far from perfect and I too have been caught up on putting too much emphasis and value on the wrong things. But now I believe to have a much greater understanding on what makes me happy. I am not saying for any of you to sell your homes and run away to the trail. But there certainty is a lot to be said for it's mysterious ways of opening up your eyes to see just a little bit clearer. And I can vouch for that. So, to answer your question, yes. The trail was everything we dreamed it would be, and more.
Now on a lighter note, the physical trail itself was beautiful and untamed. Picture a dirt path 12'' in diameter running along mountainous ridge lines, fields of grass and wheat, hot red clay/sand, through epic pine groves, over snow and run offs, and then back to sandy desert again...and you have the PCT. Not to mention the excessive amounts of switchbacks it takes over mountain passes. A common joke is that if you're 1 mile away from your destination via how the bird flies (straight-line) it'll take you 20 miles of PCT to get there. Like I've mentioned before it was originally an equestrian trail which is why it never goes above and 8% grade.
We have a million stories to tell you, but this entry was more just to let you know we're home...for the time being. I'll be getting in touch with you all shortly :)
-Felecia
