PCT SOBO DAY 135 – A trail gift

Day 135

Start: Campground, mile 2587.5

End: Dirt road, 2615.1

Miles driven: 27.6 miles

There are only a couple more days of the route left! The boys and I woke up and hit the road just as the sun began to rise. It was another cool morning that quickly warmed up once the sun was well established in the sky.

Today we had a special gift waiting for us in a hidden place, but first we had to get there. The trail took us to a scrub-covered desert mountain. I led the way up the last steep section before our next water source and just as I was picking up speed, I had to stop dead. I had swallowed a fly! I coughed and coughed on the side of the trail until my eyes filled with tears, but I still couldn’t feel anything in my throat.

I let the guys pass me and continued at the back of the group, apparently trying to cough up a lung. We finally reached the water tap and sat down to have our second breakfast. I spent the first 5 minutes coughing until the fly finally came out. Sweet relief! Now I wouldn’t take it for granted that the trachea is free of flies.

After our break we continued on and reached the 2600 mile mark. We were so close! Thinking about the 2,600 miles I had walked so far, it seemed surreal to be standing here. From the snowy trail of Washington to the scorched mountains of Oregon to the majestic mountains of the Sierra, he had come so far. And my journey was almost over. In many ways I was more than willing to give up hiking, but in other ways I wanted the adventure to continue.

Well, at least we had a few more kilometers to go. Finally, the boys and I found our treat of the day: Helix Brewery beer! Yes, Shaggy and Peaches had hidden beer in a tree for us and we found it! A couple of guys drank theirs on the spot while I packed mine for later.

The day dragged on a little. I was pretty hungry, so I was very happy when we stopped for dinner at The Outpost in Mount Laguna. A very hiker friendly burger joint, we were welcomed warmly and had an excellent meal. It was sad to have to leave such a warm environment, but soon it was time to find a place to camp.

We didn’t have to go far, maybe 1.5 miles, before we found a flat spot where we could fit everyone. We were all full and happy. There was no better way to end the evening.

And that’s a day in the life of a PCT SOBO hiker!

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