Saturday – April 24
A day full of fun and fantasy – the hiker and others continue to gather. We Spend time cathicng up with old friends, meeting new ones and continuing to get better aquainted with other members of this years thru hikers.
The sheer numbers as well as the energy of this hiking community continue to amaze me. The sharing of knowledge, emotional support and food are alll uplifting experiences.
I entered the “innovative gear contest” with a pair of paper and film eyeglasses that the optomitrist give you afte dilating your eyes (to protect them from bright lights). Callling them fun, free, fashionable and functional as ultrlight sunglasses I actually won one of the prizes!! The most amazing thing was that one of Henry Shire’s tarp tents was left to choose as a prize, and its a 2 person model.
The dinner was a special treat, with burgers beer and wine. Other highlights included the southern cal water reports and an update on the Glacier Peak re-route, as wel as the dvd “walk”. And, of coure, sampling some of Marisa’s “birthday” wine brought by her parents as a spcecial send off – a 1978 Ironhorse Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!
The PCT may be a rugged trail on some days, but this was not one of them……
