The last days of home

The last few days leading up to the end (or should I say the beginning?) have been an eventful few!

Before we set foot on the Pacific Crest Trail, we’ll take our feet from North Carolina to Indiana by car…then by car to Florida and finally by plane to San Diego. What’s with all the trips?

Well, we finished our goodbye here in North Carolina, but all my family and friends are in Indiana. We’re going there for a few days to hang out with people and then we’re going to Florida with my parents and brother for a beach vacation before the trail. We’re also only there for a few days, but I obviously wanted to spend some family time before traveling across the country!

However, let’s start a few days ago:

I was on my way to REI for my latest gear purchases, when BOOM. I blew out a tire. The lug nuts wouldn’t come off no matter how hard we tried, so my poor car had to be towed. All four tires had to be replaced because they were in very bad condition… Oops! I’m glad it at least happened. before Driving to Indiana!

We spent the weekend visiting my partner’s family in North Carolina and saying goodbye until later. His last day of work was May 2nd, but I postponed my last day until today! I figured if I opened the climbing gym at 5:15am and could take care of the afternoons until 4pm, I could save a little more money and still have afternoons to prepare. It’s a very, very long day each day, but I think it’s done something to prepare me for long days on the trail!

A little preparation in the afternoon: treating my equipment with permethrin!

Cinco de Mayo –

Yesterday I said goodbye to Kaboost’s sister and niece. We see them the most in their family, as we spent the last year living about five minutes away from them. Her niece ran out to give me one last hug and her eyes were quite teary. He definitely needed that goodbye hug as much as I did!

Yesterday I also said goodbye to my book club friends! We read The Only One Left by Riley Sager and it was a great discussion. I brought cookies for everyone and promised to represent Pelagic Beer & Wine in some way along the way. I mean, I go to book club there. and racing club… At least I’ll represent them with a hat! I also had a coconut Margarita beer to celebrate Cinco de Mayo… it was a 10/10.

Cookies at Pelagic Book Club!

Finally… saying the last goodbye.

Today I said goodbye to my coworkers at the climbing gym and goodbye to the sweetest child I have ever had the privilege of caring for. I got to be her babysitter for an entire year and a half, watching her grow from 9 months old to a toddler. I am so grateful for the bond I have created with her and will miss her dearly! His family has always been very kind and wonderful to work with as well. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Working on my final pre-trail crochet project

Tonight we will say goodbye to Kaboost’s father, who we have stayed with for the last month and a half since our lease ended. Then, we will leave the city tomorrow around 4 in the morning.

Honestly, I find it interesting that I have no nerves. No nerves… Well, that will possibly prevent gray hair for a few more years! I know that once we’re out there, all the pieces will fall into place. If we are meant to be there, we will be there. The Appalachian Trail taught me that in 2024. It taught me that I actually have very little control and that’s okay. If I have no control over a situation, I just roll with the punches until I land where I need to land.

I’ll probably do one more post about my family time and vacation leading up to the tour, then it’ll be time to start the actual tour posts! I can’t wait to share all the good, the bad, the exciting and the mundane with all of you.

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