Break from the Storm
“Long Canyon”
0 blisters to date.
The Famous PCT Hiker Billy Goat
Second day out on trail with 3x PCT Thruhiker JZ
We are finally on the trail again! After a zero day to pick up a new iPhone and another two days waiting out an insane storm that blew through Lake Morena, we were ready to hike this morning!
I woke up to a tent decorated with green crate paper and a Happy Birthday song from sweet Justin. We hiked around Lake Morena for a leisurely morning stroll in a calm fog, watching the sunrise for the first time in two days and talking to new and old thru hikers getting ready for the three day Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off Party. We originally planned to stay for the party but due to our hold up we decided to continue hiking North.
Birthday “Cake” mix
Birthday Campsite
Attempt to block the chilly air!
Our day one border hiking buddy, JZ, joined us on the trail once and we were thrilled to have him. We learned many stories from the trail and shared good laughs with JZ. We parted ways at Cibbets road crossing where a dear friend Mad Monte picked JZ up to head back to the kick off party. He was a terrific hiking buddy, a triple crowned hiker from Pennsylvania who has also thru-hiked the PCT 3 times!
The hike today was gorgeous. Clear skies with a warm 60 degree sunshine. We caught up with a bunch of our new thru-hiking friends hiking southbound back to the kick off party.
A special moment on the trail was when Justin surprised me with a candle, glow sticks, and mocha mousse pie (dehydrated backpacking treat) and sang happy birthday to me.
About 4 more miles after saying goodbye to JZ, we settled down for the night under a picture perfect Oak tree and little creek alongside Long Creek Canyon.
With yummy food in our bellies we lay to rest listening to the wind roar up the canyon.
6 Comments
Deborah Ludewig · April 24, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Hi Birthday Girl and Justin! When you next have internet access please give me a call. I forgot one bit of information that I need in order to help you with “the gallery.”
Love you lots!
Mom
rosanna · April 24, 2010 at 4:59 pm
awww. very cute. happy birthday missy <3
DAD · April 24, 2010 at 7:06 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE FATHER WHO LOVES YOU. I’M CELERBRATING MINE BY CHECKING OUT YOUR PHOTOS AND SENDING THIS MESSAGE. LOVE YOU LOTS, WISH I WAS HIKING THE PCT TOO. KEEP NTHE PICTURES COMMING.
LOVE YOU
DAD
Tina · April 25, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Sweet, Justin! Happy Birthday, Missy!!
Kokanee · April 26, 2010 at 11:27 am
Hiya Swift and Buckeye! I just started checking your website today as we head back to GBOS this evening for spring session training. Thought about you a lot the last two weeks since we’ve had blizzards and are expecting snow (again!) this week. I’m happy to see that you are still in San Diego (where it’s warm) and not soggy in the mountains yet. Happy belated birthday Buckeye!
Kokanee
Stacey Espinoza · April 27, 2010 at 12:58 am
Justin and Melissa, Kind of a slow bumpy start. So glad you guys are finally on your way. Can’t wait to see the pictures. Happy Belated Birthday Melissa!! Keep those feet happy 🙂 Hugs to you both.
Stacey, Jake and Gracyn