Welcome

We are currently on another long distance hike, and the third leg of our "triple crown", the Continental Divide Trail (the "CDT"). Come along with us if you can - if not in person then by following our grand adventure via our "posts from the trail".  Check out our Flickr Photos, which we'll update periodically, and see it through our eyes!

Our Credo...

"Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Night Before

In a little less than 12 hours we will leave Tucson and drive to the Southern Cal, stash some water at Scissor’s Crossing and find a place to camp, maybe at Lake Morena. The goal is to be close enough to Campo to get an early start on Thursday.

In 1994, on the eve of my first PCT hike I remember being a little overwhelmed with the uncertainty of what was ahead. Could I really hike 20 miles a day? What would the Sierra Snowpack be like and how would I handle it? Would the streams be roaring so hard that they couldn’t be crossed? There was a general dread or “Fear of the Unknown.” It haunts all of us at every new adventure in life.

Now, I look forward to the PCT with far less worries about uncertain things. Sure things will happen that we don’t plan on. But there are no great unknown variables. In some ways this is very liberating. It frees the mind to focus on other things. I expect to be able to concentrate on the actual journey and stay more “in the moment”. I hope that this heightens the sense of surroundings. I anticpate not fear of the unkown but joy of the undiscovered. I hope to really be able to stop and smell the flowers along the way.

In fact, as I look ahead, I find myself not as excited by experiencing the wonderful scenery as I am excited about the unnexpected small momments of joy. The grandeur will be great of course, but I know where to expect it. The sunset is the unkown, the acts of kindness from trail angels and fellow travellers whom we have not met loom large in the pleasures yet to come.

So we are on our way…………..

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Clicking on any of these photos will take you to that specific photo on our Flickr Stream, where you can view these and many, many more photos from our latest adventure....or use this shortcut to all photos.....we hope you enjoy them!

People Shots

CDT20101_NMWCWMCDT2010_TheTrailCDT2010_NMWC-1Carrot After a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #3,768Carrot on the Trail stillCarrot takes a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #5.875Carrot on the TrailCliff Dwelling SignCarrot takes a PhotoCarrot Stream Crossing # 2,115

Scenic Shots

CDT2010-valleyCDT2010_yellowflowersCarrot on the Trail 3ScenicPotty BreakScenicCliff Dwelling Stream Vast DesertPrickly Pear 2Prickly PearPlateau at Sunset

Flora & Fauna

CDT2010_treesCDT2010_yellowflowersCDT2010-purpleflowersAngry MarmotFlora 3FloraBeaverButterfly 2FloraButterfly