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Today was a day of thought. Woke up this morning and was slow to break camp. Ran into two cool brothers from florida, Ariel and Asaaf. Ariel had hiked the AT in 2001, and Asaaf had just graduated law school. We shot the breeze around lunch time and at the water sources. I had a craving for a burger or pizza and beer, so did they. I then changed my mind and decided to try a long hitch in idyllwild instead of hiking the 30 or so extra miles.

I then ran into the brothers at mile 151 just before reaching highway 74. They were going to push on five more miles. At the cache there I met Hike On (thru hiked last year) and Freespirit who drove all the way from florida to hike the trail from where freespirit was injured last year near highway 74. They were headed back to their car to get their tent when I asked for a ride into town. They kindly obliged, and even offered me a delicious banana. We talked of many things, but mainly about how planning goes out the window the first second you step on the trail, and that the best plan is to have a vague outline and a ton of flexibility in reaching your goals.

I wen to the pizza joint across the road from idyllwild inn and ordered a pizza and a beer. I then met and had dinner with oso loco and spirit eagle, a retired couple who have hiked the AT, PCT, and CDT. It was an incredible conversation, where they shared so much wisdom about hiking, trail life, simplifying your life, and traveling. I hope to be in their position when I am older, free to travel where my heart desires.

After much reflection, I realized I didn't have the heart to walk all the way to canada this year. At first I was kinda bummed with that realization, because I had planned and blabbed incessantly to all friends and family about it for over a year. But that thought didn't last long. I swung for the fences and instead of a homerun ended up on first base. I'm so glad that I actually tried this thing. What bugs me more than anything isn't not finishing, rather its being too scared to even take that first step. In that regard I consider the past two weeks a complete success.

I have such a great respect for all thru hikers and aspiring thru hikers that put leather to trail every year. The pct community that I was exposed to over the past two weeks, showed me a side of humanity that all too often is lost in the static. In my short time on the trail, I met many many people who go above and beyond caring for, looking after, and helping pct hikers. It's quite a thing to behold, a completely selfless community of people.

So my plans of a continuous thru hike are not to be this year. Who knows, it might be in the cards next year. I'll just see where the winds of change take me.

To all the people, family, trail angels, strangers, and hikers that have been apart of my short journey, I give my deepest thanks. May the trail never end.

Gabe

Entry 22 of 22
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