From Work Boots to Trail Runners (Soon!)

My last week of work started like most do… alarm, struggle, wake up. Before I know it, I am climbing stairs to an unfinished unit that was turned into our jobsite office. My (soon to be former) coworker greets me with a big hug and a, “it’s your last week here! I can’t believe it. Are you excited??”….

Between my screens at work I have kept a sticker of a view looking out from inside a tent – a reminder of what I have been working towards.

Of course I’m excited!

I’m beyond excited. Nervous. Doubtful. Confident. Scared. Ready. Not ready. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions. If I think too much about it, I can feel my chest inside start to tighten. I’m leaving the comfort of a roof over my head, my stable job, my fur babies, my bed, my family and friends to live out of my backpack for 6 months. As much as I prepare, I don’t know what the trail is going to throw my way and that’s a lot of unknowns. And it is all approaching so much faster than I thought. 

I’m just a little over a week before stepping foot on trail and starting my trek. While I am a little bummed (scared) to be leaving my comforts, the support from those around me has been beyond positive with a (hint) of sadness. Many have said that I am brave for putting my life on hold to do such a thing, wish me luck and ask how to follow my journey. Others have told me they wish they had taken the time to do something like this and/or enjoyed life a little more before time passed and it became busy and full. All think I’m some degree of crazy.  All wish me the best and remind me to stay safe and most of all, to have a blast. 

Bittersweet feeling setting my hard hat and vest aside for awhile.

A week from today…

I will be dropped off at the Union Station. I opted to take the Amtrak down to SD Old Station instead of being dropped off at the terminus. There are so many people I would have liked to come and drop me off but it’s just not possible. So easiest was a central location where I could say my “see you in 6 months” from to everyone. After arriving at SD Old Station I will be hopping on the PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle. The shuttle will be making a few stops before coming to a campground where I will stay the night. My journey starts the following morning, bright and early, assuming I don’t stay up all night with the nervous jitters. 

Mandatory overhead gear layout picture

My final week…

Will consist of me heading back home to spend a few days finalizing stuff – resupply boxes, snow gear, lounging and cuddling with my fur babies, catching up with friends and trying not to overthink of my start date fast approaching. A few days later, I will be heading back to Los Angeles to spend time with family and hopefully catch a few friends. 

I don’t know…

….(Here we go again with the I don’t know)…

What exactly this last week of city life is going to throw my way. I can only make the best of it, make memories and take lots of pictures with those around me. I don’t know what trail life is going to throw at me. It’s impossible to try and predict what is on the trail waiting for me. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to post, and I can’t promise that it will be more trail update focused and/or more of this emotional, mental word vomit. I am trying to be as real as I can be, and the trail will make me want to puke my thoughts out. 

I can’t wait to share what trail life becomes to me.