Ziggy and the Bear's

Day 14, Mile 210

Just made it to trail angels Ziggy and the Bear's place. Wow what a set up! They have a tent to hang out in, bathrooms, sinks, foot bath, food, treats, and tons more all set up right outside their house for PCT hikers going thru. Tonight there are about 10 or so hikers camping out here. Very nice! Hiked about 20 miles and lost about 7000 ft in elevation today (poor knees). Yesterday hiked mostly in snow so it was slow going, only made it about 11 miles. Tomorrow back up in the hills.

Just want to say thanks so much for all your comments! It is so nice to get some words of encouragement. And no I don't have a trail name yet which may be a good thing cause some of them get pretty bad.

Idyllwild

Day 12, Mile 179

So after putting in two long 20+ mile days in a row and what seemed like mostly uphill I decided it is time to take a zero day. Zero day meaning no miles added or in other words rest day. But I have been walking around Idyllwild most the day so that has to account for a few mile but luckily I didn't have to carry my pack. Most of the running around entailed Post Office resupply box, laundry, misc odds and ends, and of course some fresh food. The wonderful thing about being on the trail is you can eat whatever you want with no guilt, in fact you lose weight. MMM Food!

The last couple days have been a push. I was approaching over 8000ft and concerned about a incoming storm that was supposed to bring a bunch of snow. So I hurried through the last section so I didn't have to fight the snow too much but sounds like the next section will be covered in snow anyway. May be slow going the next 30 miles, lots of post holing. Other than that still been meeting lots of people. Most with their trail names already. There are some pretty funny ones out there. Usually they get them if they do something stupid or have a certain personality trait. Like Soda cause he likes pop or Cookie cause he talks about cookies a lot (that is Chad by the way, how fitting and I wasn't the one who named him).

Derek

Happy Birthday Brother! Love You Phone not working but internet does so thought this would get the message to you. Call you when I can.

Warner Springs

Day 7, Mile 109

Yes! Passed 100 miles! Wow and I earned every step. It is hot down here! Water stops are definitely something to pay attention to. If you pass one up your next water opportunity may be another 25 miles or so. Thank goodness for trail angels though. I have been packing enough water to get me through to the known water supplies but sometimes if your lucky you will come across a cache of water out in the middle of now where (that someone has hiked in) that makes it just a little more comfortable to get to the next creek. There was even a cache of soda at one point and was very welcome after hiking half the day in the blazing heat. The last couple days I have had to get up around 4am to beat the heat and then nap in the afternoon during the heat of the day and then get a few more miles in the evening. 
The views and terrain have been spectacular, and might I add not very flat. I am finding the desert very interesting with all the different cactus and flowers. As far as wildlife I have ran across a few rabbits, lizards, birds (even a turkey), a few gardener snakes, and some cows. Haven't seen any rattle snakes yet but heard some other people talking about seeing them. 
I have found the people on the trail very friendly. The last 4 days or so I have been hiking with a couple folks that started around the same time I did. John, trail name Carrot from Ohio and Seth from Cali have joined Chad and I. We usually meet up around breaks or camp. Eventually they may go their separate ways but for now they have been good company as we all go the same pace.
Well gonna hang out in Warner Springs for the rest of the day to nurse some sore muscles and enjoy the hospitality of the local community center that set up some amenities for the hikers. (Burgers, pop, small supply store, Internet, and a hose outside to wash up) Yeah!
Side note: If you zoom into my spot map close enough you can see the actual pct route and not just a straight line between points.

Laguna

Day 3, Mile 43
Already southern California has exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be all desert like and flat and not a lot to see. But it has been beautiful and green with all kind of flowers in bloom and lots of rolling terrain and mountains. Today we got up to 6000 ft. So far we have run into quite a few people on the trail. Some more than once and you start to get to know who is going the same pace as you play leap frog between breaks and camps. Its pretty cool to get to know everyone and talk about where they are from and what their plans are. I have also been surprised by how many people I have ran into from other countries. So far besides a few sore muscles and just trying to get used to the heat, things are going great!! Having tons of fun!

One Way ticket to San Diego

Today Gator and I head to San Diego and then onto Campo tomorrow (the southern most part of the PCT on the Mexico boarder). From there all we have to do is start hiking north! Wow the last couple weeks have gone by so fast just trying to get everything ready. I have barely had a moment to sit and take it all in. But now I feel like I have had the huge weight of preparation and logistics planning taken off my shoulders. I will be putting a different kind of weight on my shoulders, about 40lbs worth. I am so excited to get started! Sounds like the weather has been pretty rought with snow, rain, and high winds lately. But the outlook for the next week looks good. Perfect timing!
Well thanks to all for your help in getting me this far with planning, logistics, supply boxes, transportation, technological support (David with map updates), and much more. Look forward to keeping you posted on our travels.

Less than two weeks

Less than two weeks and I will begin my trek. I have been approved to take five and a half months off from work, packed all my food boxes, and have most of my gear ready. Only a few loose ends to tie up here and there and I will be off.
With Scout (cat) and McKinley (dog) in good hands while I am gone I can breathe a little easier. Thanks Mom, Dad and Carla! And of course the Sullivan's with Sunny (Gator's dog).
I think Gator and I are both pretty anxious to get started. Initially our biggest worry was how much snow the Sierra's were gonna have and getting going too early. But it seems that the snow pack in California is lower than average and by far better than last years record snow pack. So hopefully the earlier start date of April 15 will give us an advantage and some time to adjust to the 20 miles a day pace. Most people start the end of April after the big "kick off party". I'm not sure I would be into starting a hike like a runner out of the gates with 300+ hikers. So I think I will be opting out of the kick off start date. But none the less I can't wait! Time to get this show on the road!