100

05.13.12 midday

Today, Mother's Day brought Amy and Allan to mile 100.

Congratulations!!

05.05.12 p.m.

The afternoon sun hanging high above casts long shadows.  

Funny sign encountered along the trail.

Having made it up the mountain the evening prior, our hikers arrived in El Rancerito/Laguna Mountain where camp was set and planned a 3 day stay while they awaited the arrival of their first package stop.

05.06.12 a.m.

Today proved to be a complete day of rest with no pictures (I think they slept all day into the next, hehe).

05.07.12 a.m.

Resting under the Ponderosa Pines

05.08.12 a.m.

Allan taking notes while taking in the mornings sun.

Enjoying the mornings meal with newfound trail friend Mark.

05.08.12 p.m.

An afternoon hike into the little town of Laguna Mountain to pick up their package at Laguna Mt. Sports and Supply...

and a little something to keep Amy warm on those cold spring nights.

Scouting around the camp area they find some interesting and large Grub

plus some penny pine cones (no room for that souvenir in the pack!)

 Our hikers settled in for the night as an early rise is important in beating the heat of the day that awaits them.

05.09.12 a.m.

Leaving the shade and cool of the alpine forest the backdrop reflects the altitude.

05.09.12 early evening

A 10 mile hike behind and hunt for tonights camp.

70 miles of the Anza Borrego desert still ahead.

05.10.12 a.m.

Back on the trails descent into the desert

In Loving Memory, memorial left overlooking the Anza Borrego Desert 6,000 ft below.

05.10.12 Late Morning

 

Desert brush lines the trail.

05.10.12 Mid Afternoon

A welcoming sight.

After a 7 mile stretch, water is filtered and replenished.

Having ate and rested, our hikers have 4 more miles to meet up with trail friends and camp for the night.

05.11.12 a.m.

Only 3 pics for the day as the scorching heat lended only to keep on the trail and make the 15.5 mile trek to the next checkpoint as quickly as possible.

So relieved to arrive here at the Stagecoach Resort

To grab some food and drink, have a good swim in the pool,

Then off to our cozy cots for the night.

05.12.12 a.m.

Allan and Mark chowing an early morning snack prepping for the days hike (it looks hot already at 6:30am).

13 miles to next water drop.  Hiking up Big Mt.

9 miles down 5 to go

Not much shade here

3:07pm hotter than...

thirsty as... well, you know.

After 14 mile of pure desert hell, a wonderful sign.

A trail angel water drop site.

Without these trail angels, the next water stop

would have been 24 miles.

Our hikers Christmas tree.

Another trail friend.

Week 2 and...

100 Miles behind them!

We are sooo Happy for You!!

Untangled Webs

Here is wonderful Etsy shop I want to share with you that offers truly unique pieces of art in the form of our eight legged friends, the webs they weave, dragonflies, flies, along with ladybugs and other creative works.  Metals and glass are transformed into these bright colored insects, webs, and delightful works of art.  Ellen was so gracious in allowing me to share some of her creations.  Take my hand and don't be frightened as I invite you to join me for a walk through...

SPIDERWOOD HOLLOW

Big Bad Bob is a blue and black colored spider measuring over 4" across.

This heart shaped spider web with green spider is sure to capture any arachnid lovers heart.

Add this little critter to a potted plant to create a wonderful conversation piece.

Perhaps a pink dragonfly is to more your liking?

 This hot pink, white, hunter green, and purple critter sits atop

a green frosted glass base.

With little white eyes and cherry colored bodies these Ladybugs and sure to entice a comment or two.

Allow beams of sunlight to bring to life this huge handmade stained glass corner spiderweb.

Imagine this beautiful spider web box atop your desktop.

Adorning this 4" web box is a lovely 3" iridescent spider painted in black enamel.

From large...

to small...

You know I'm not going to show you them all...

So you'll have to stop by Ellen's Shop...

SPIDERWOOD HOLLOW

to feast your eyes on more of her wonderful, unique, and one of a kind

handmade works of art!  When you do stop by, do tell her that...

Spidey sent ya!

No Quest Be That Of Dread

The journey up ahead 
may prove to be a test
lay steady on path lead
for this is your dreamt quest


The miles that you trek
of which are shared together
each and every step
will make you all the better


Every footprint that is left
may be windswept over time
but this journey you have chosen
be forever etched in the mind


The bond that you will share
shall grow on even more
because you both have dared
this adventure be forswore


The days be them of long 
your nights prove short and still
do keep each other strong
for this you must instill


It soon shall be a memory
gone faster than was tread
having pushed upon your boundaries
with last this to be said
for you will have proven yourselves that...


No quest be that of dread

NeverTooOld

On Our Journey

04.29.12

PCT or BUST!

05.01.12

Here are some photos from the first 45 miles of Amy and Allan's PCT adventure.  Although the beginning leg of the trail proved to be quite brutal, esp on Amy's feet, our hikers have managed to get through the first weeks trek.  Having transfered from one Greyhound bus to another, Greyhound failed to transfer their backpacks, so when they arrived in San Diego they were forced to delay the hop to Campo and the trail head by one night.  Thankfully, their packs arrived safely the following day.

05.01.12 p.m

Alas, the Mexican border and

the PCT head at the Southern Terminus 

monument.

They decided to spend the night in Campo California and begin their journey the following morning.

05.02.12 Midday

Over the first set of foothills and into the scorch

of the deserts heat.

Keeping cool through miles of sagebrush and cactus.

Meeting new friends along the trail.

05.02.12 p.m.

Reaching their first camp of the trail, all they can think of is a restful nights sleep.

05.03.12 a.m.

Prepping for the days heat and hike as the suns rays intensify.




Lake Morena in the distance

Descending into the valley of campers.

At last Morena, a welcomed site.










Enjoying a cool beverage with a newfound friend,







 taking in the simple comforts of a lawn chair in the shade, and...

tend to some sore

and blistered feet.










As darkness falls our hikers say good night for the evening

05.04.12 a.m.

After another restful nights sleep,
 our hikers are up and on the trail once again.

Lake Morena in the distance our hikers carry on

through desert marshes

and drying creek beds,

drinking water is a welcoming site so water reserves are filled in a cool stream.




Eager for rest and a nights sleep, our hikers take this shot peering through the top of their tent

05.05.12 a.m.

Dawn arrives and breakfast is being cooked

and served.

Back on the Pacific Crest Trail

and onward to Laguna Mountain.

Week 1 of the Pacific Crest Trail 2012