The Final Frontier, Manning Park Resort

Santa Barbara Airport. Mile 0. 7:30am and 

Manning Park Resort, mile 2669

Big surprise!  Flight delayed for 2 plus hours due to fog in SF. My daughter is always reminding me how horrible flights going in and out of SF are. Now it's a matter of getting my very tight connection in SF to Vancouver. Lots of anxiety, running and almost tears! They did open the locked door to my Vancouver connection and I was able to board.  This is why we would stick to walking and birds should be the only one's allowed to fly!  Kevin might have the right idea?

It's hard to believe this incredible journey is coming to an end. I will miss so many parts of the PCT, but will so enjoy having my husband back home. They write books about "re-entry" for thru hikers, but I feel like Kevin will do just fine.  He is very fortunate that he doesn't have to go back to work and can slowly get back with the "real world."  There is lots of cold beer, cheese-Mac casserole in fridge and Michael's exquisite bottle of champagne on ice, all awaiting his arrival. Bodie will most likely have a cardiac arrest and life will assume its chaotic and crazy pace. 

Now our only rather BIG obstacle is getting him back into the US. It was a rather stressful last week as the USPS lost my overnight Express guaranteed next day delivery of new shoes and more importantly, his Canadian entry permit!  Lets just hope the Canadian's reputation hold true and we get back to the US without too many questions as how he arrived!  I spent hours on the phone with the PCT, the Canadian border patrol, Jonathan, the postman from Stehekin (where the packages did finally arrive - 1 week late.). Never in my life have I broke out in hives, but there's always a first time for everything. Amazing what the body does when in stress. Aside from the anxiety of knowing he is walking with duct taped shoes and no legal entry into Canada, washed out final leg of the PCT, I do believe he's going to MAKE it!

Where do I begin with my thanks.  First, and most importantly to the wonderful community of the PCT. There is no best seller that describes this amazing network. The trail angels, the trail magic, the trail towns and their outpouring of hospitality, the resupply spots - small gas stations, small inn's, little liquor stores, sandwich shops - all of these kind people that have allowed the hundreds of resupply boxes to clutter their small business for a short period of time. Then there are the hikers themselves. With all their cute, funny, weird, and interesting trail names. I realized I don't know one hikers real name!  I had NO idea how wonderful all of these people would be. For some reason you go into this with the expectation that the hikers will be a little strange?  Homeless sort of bum like?  My husband would be the exception to the rule, Really that's what most people think. How could someone in their right mind just set off for 5 months and walk from Mexico to Canada?  So WRONG. My world has been made a better place since I have been able to be apart of this trail. I was so fortunate to be able to do the trail magic in the California sections early on. Warner springs where I picked up Shane, Aqua Dulce, Tehachapi, Walker Pass, Red's Meadow and finally my most amazing 3 week road trip through the Northern California section ending in Etna. Through all of this I was so happy to support Kevin and have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. The PCT will always be a special part do our lives and we will definitely give back what we can for all the trail has given to us. We are already planning our trail magic for next years class of 2014 and a few days of pampering at Walker Pass. We are also excited about joining John Lyons as part of his volunteer trail crew outside of the Etna area next year (if we can get a spot! Popular volunteer group). If I lived in a trail town, I would open my house as a trail angel in a heartbeat. 

Then there are all of our friends, and people we have never even met. Many that are following the blogs and the great support and words of encouragement they have provided. My family, my bestie with her wonderful goodies and constant sanity checks, friends that supported Kevin with goodies and trail support (Jackie and the Martin, the Beardsmore's, the Phelp's, Greg and Tom, Pat, Terri and Shauna). My morning Dog park friends who followed this journey so closely and showed so much care and support (Joe, Mary, Lisa, Peter, and Michael) without you every morning, things didn't look so grim. Dr. M, who was right there with medical advice following the knee ordeal, Trout Lake Abbey, their staff and especially Brother Kozen.  Bonnie, Casey, Erin and Danny for helping out with Bodie, which means so much to me.  Jeanette and the Lance trailer - the ultimate trail magic through N. California! Rik and Paul (BeeMan), the ultimate trail enthusiasts!  Counted on them for so much emotional support. Special thanks to Jim, Otis and Joe for helping with my "surprise!" And then there is Shane,  Kevin could have never started this journey without him. Together, father and son started this adventure. It was one of the most emotional goodbyes Kevin had when Shane left at Warner Springs. I'm sure I've forgotten many specific names, but you all have been more than wonderful. 

The weather has changed here in Canada.  The huckleberry bushes are turning red and the Larch trees are turning yellow. Fall is in the air and time to finish this walk. 

So one more blog left with "Chief's" story from this last leg. In Manning Park Resort, which by the way, is quite nice, with my walking man and can't truly believe we are heading home TOGETHER!  Taking the coast starlight Amtrak home from Vancouver. Sleeper car with the works. It's all about relaxing. Keep looking for invite to party!  Coming soon in mid October. 

Chief's wife

Chief with Kiddo at Northern terminus

For Gerilyn and Rick