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| 1000 MILE MARK (PCT is 2,650 miles total) |
Not much to report this time. I rarely hear from him since he has no phone service. I just continue to get the pre-set messages via satellite - morning, mid-day and night. So I know he's alive and well. No weather events or injuries. He's just enjoying this beautiful part of the PCT. He hikes about 25 mile days from dawn to dusk and keeps up with the younger hikers. They stop and take time off to go into towns to eat, he bypasses the towns and keeps on moving. He leaves his boots on and sloshes through the water crossings and they stop and take off their boots and cross in sandals. Next thing they pass him again and then he passes them when they stop. He calls it leapfrogging.
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ONE MORNING THESE TRAIL ANGELS (Patty and Maurice) HOLLERED AS HE
WAS HIKING BY, "HEY, WANT SOME BREAKFAST BURRITOS?" |
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| HIKERS ENJOYING SOME TRAIL MAGIC (chairs even provided) |
He has met several Trail Angels. This is how someone described Trail Magic in an article I read on-line "It can be a moment of extreme beauty, feelings of connectedness or a remarkable wildlife experience that becomes trail magic when a hiker really needs it to continue." Dick says, to him, Trail Magic is when he's hiking along and hikes by someone cooking and offering him food."
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| MY BROTHER, JOEL, RELAXING AT THE CAMPGROUND (Photo by Wendy) |
One special time of Trail Magic was when my brother and his wife drove their pickup camper 90 miles from their home in Newcastle to meet Dick at Echo Summit, where the trail meets hwy 50. They took him to a campground on south Lake Tahoe for two days and treated (fed) him royally. He needs to be fattened up. He's looking a bit thin.
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| Had to share this photo of a PCT HIKER NEEDING A LIFT |
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A BLAST FROM THE PAST: Photo taken 1979. When my brother, Joel, was around 15,
he traveled with us several summers to different National Parks. This was a backpacking
trip in the Grand Tetons. (Looks like Dick is carrying most of the gear).
Joel still doesn't like backpacking but loves the National Parks. |
Meanwhile, I'm staying busy here at home. Lots to do here (work and play), although I do miss my best friend and handyman. One day while I went biking, I returned home to my friends mowing my yard. Thank you again Kyle and Joe - I appreciate you.
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| BEAUTIFUL WHEN IT'S MOWED! |
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| THESE TWO WORKED WHILE I PLAYED! (YOU ARE NOW OFFICIALLY PART OF THE SUPPORT TEAM) |
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| BOO HAS THE RIGHT IDEA IN THIS HEAT WAVE |
Just before sending this, I noticed these photos came across my email. Must be his phone has a connection! I'm assuming these are views of Lake Tahoe and the trail.
.....and as the happy hiker would say, "Keep Smilin"!
Gaunt and thin but a happy camper.
Posts
Hi Gaila,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I always enjoy hearing about what you two are up to. Dick is tough. How does he find the energy to do that? My son, Gary and I are flying to Reno in a couple of weeks to visit relatives. We will probably go to Lake Tahoe. Love it there! Won't do any hiking. I am getting lazy in my old age! Thanks again for keeping in touch. Sonia Rust
Doing what Dick is doing is the real way to keep young. All activities, all the time, all outside....Good for Dick. Rocky just returned from Peru this morning....she had a great trip would consider moving there. She is basically and old Hippy at heart Peru is that kind of easy going place to her. I on the other hand would move back to the ocean in a moment. Do you want to buy a hotel?.....Love ya guys.......Mike
ReplyDeleteLake Tahoe would have hijacked me from the trail. More power to Dick for leaving the lake behind. Great pix. He does look likes he needs a wee bit fattening up ;-)
ReplyDeleteEd
Awesome, glad to hear you are both doing great and the happy hiker "keep smilin" Dick is doing what he loves. Might see you at the Dutchman
ReplyDeleteGlad to help!
ReplyDelete