How Do I Say Goodbye to My Best Friend?

Hi Trek Tramily,

We all know saying goodbye is the hardest part of leaving. Some of us say, “I’ll see you soon” or “I’ll be back before you know it” to help ease the discomfort.  The truth is no matter how you slice it, saying goodbye sucks. Saying goodbye to my favorite people, things, and my favorite pup is one of the hardest parts for me as I embark on my trail journey.

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying

I am an emotional person to say the least, and thus I have all the feels all the time. Leaving behind my home, a renovated short school bus that has become one of my favorite places on earth, will tug on my heartstrings. I am hoping that my new sleeping pad and cozy quilt from Therm-a-Rest will dull the pain. Saying goodbye to my friends and family is always a tough one, but being able to send them my coordinates via my Garmin inReach Mini and chatting with them when I have cell phone service makes leaving a little easier.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

The one creature who will cause most of my tears and heartbreak while traversing the PCT is my best friend, my loyal lady, my sweet Isabella (AKA Izzy). She will turn twelve while I am on trail and I am going to be a hot mess without her. To give this audience context, two hours away from her feels uncomfortable let alone five to six months. My bond with Izzy is a unique and special one. Izzy has been with me through the most trying seasons of my life. She has comforted me, licked my tears away, and cuddled with me on the coldest nights.

Best Friends Fur Life

I was lucky enough to have my fur baby since she was 8 weeks old. Izzy has lived with me in six different states, gone to work with me at an organic vegetable farm, an art studio, and a tech company. She has walked/camped on the AT and maybe one day she will get to prance along the PCT. She has lived in a house, an apartment, and more recently a school bus. To say she is a well rounded pup would be an understatement.

The Three Stooges

The guilt of leaving her again in pursuit of my PCT adventure is sometimes hard to bare, especially as she gets older and needs a bit more looking after. I am beyond grateful that my twin brother and sister in law will be her caretakers. They are the only ones I trust to take her, plus they also have two long haired dachshunds named Louie and Luigi to keep Izzy company.

Home Sweet Home

Leaving behind your old life, closing a chapter, entering into a new season. However you want to say it, change is difficult and sometimes scary. The older I get the harder it is to leave behind the life I have built. It was particularly hard to leave our winter home this year and Izzy’s newest friend Boufard. Bus life in Massachusetts is tough in the winter as all state parks are closed and parking anywhere is practically impossible. We were lucky enough to have a wonderful couple host us for the winter, meeting them felt just like trail magic. They had a few reservations at first, I mean we do live in a school bus in New England, and to most folks that is a bit strange. We will be forever grateful for the chance they took on us.

Teamwork Makes my Dream Work

Hiking a long trail is in my opinion would be practically impossible without my team of friends, family, and fellow hikers to keep me on track. To help me in times of need and most importantly watch over my beloved pet while I am away. This post is a preemptive “Thank You” to all the folks I know and to those I have yet to meet. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, sincerity, and compassion. I can not wait to head out to the trail knowing my fur baby is safe and my team, both known and unknown, has my back.

Until next time…happy hiking.

Pistol