Solo Spouse.

     As I emptied the content of my pack and my husbands pack onto the ground, I chuckled to myself. I should know everything I need. This should be like second nature to me. I was going backpacking without Sean for the first time.

     The morning came fast. Sleepy but excited I loaded up my gear and headed to pick up Zea. Zea is a traveling nurse that I work with in the NICU. She shares the same love for the outdoors as I do. This woman is a free spirit that carries a infectious smile on her face. After some discussion over how much our packs weighed, off we went up Highway 50 towards the Pacific Ranger Station. We got our permits and arrived at Echo Lake.

     We took the water taxi from Lower to Upper Echo lake. These lakes are connected by a narrow channel that remind you of Disneys Jungle Cruise ride. The water taxi drops you off about 2.5 miles up the trail from the Echo Chalet. Away we went into Desolation Wilderness. We were hiking on the PCT, Pacific Crest Trail, at approximately a thru hikers 1100 mile marker. Hopefully we would come across some thru hikers hiking from the Mexican to the Canadian border. I had only met two on the PCT. This was the time of year they should be making their way through our neck of the woods.

     We arrived at Aloha Lake mid afternoon. The weather was warm with a cool breeze coming off the lake. We set up camp and laid on the rocks soaking up the sun.  A old cypress tree stood weather bent and twisted next to the trail. Around it's trunk laid large branches that had been ripped off years prior. The trunk bore battle scares of the elements. I loved its character and wondered how old it was.

    A little ways up the trail I kicked back on a warm rock. Aloha Lake to my right. Heather Lake to my left. A sun bathing rusty red marmot chirped about ten feet from me. Delicate soft yellow wild flowers covered a 2x2 foot area just below my feet. Deep green weather worn trees scattered the landscape. Just coming into my site was a solo hiker. As he got closer he stopped and looked at a man made rock wall. After a few minutes he turned and continued up the trail. Clean clothes, new shoes and a freshly trimmed beard he stopped to say hello. Turns out he was a thru hiker named Chilly Willey. We chatted for a bit. He told me he was from Sacramento. He had spent his zero days with family and was back on the trail. We laughed about his clean clothes. He boasted how his mother could work magic on stains. He seemed truly appreciative of his clean clothes. Chilly Wiley had started at the Mexican border April 26th. He was headed for Velma Lake that day. We chatted for a bit and he was off.

    Zea had gone up the trail to Mosquito Pass. I headed back to camp. Along the way I came across a flat topped rock and some small rocks. I made a "Z" in hopes that Zea would see it on her way back. About the time I was making the "Z" two kids popped onto the trail. They asked what I was doing and I told them I was leaving a "Z" for my friend on the trail. A little while later Zea arrived back in camp. I asked if she had seen my "Z". She laughed and told me it now said ZOO. Those little turds changed my "Z" into ZOO. And....... this is how Zea got her trail name Zoo.

    

The next morning we decided to explore Lake of the Woods. On the map it showed a trail from Aloha that looped back up onto the PCT. I had never gone this way so we decided to go for it. Along the way we met La Loba. Shaved head and on a mission. She was also a thru hiker. We didn't spend much time talking but she was really nice and sparked our interest to meet more thru hikers. The trail to Lake of the Woods was far less traveled. It went up and over the mountain that separated the two lakes. As we dropped into the basin the trail disappeared beneath the water. We could wade thru or climb the granite rocks. We chose climb. Now if anyone knows me they know I can not climb. Zea scaled the granite rock and took my pack. She guided me up and HOT DAMN I made it. A little pumped up and at a new height, I enjoyed the view. Lake of the Woods is just that a lake surrounded by woods. It is somewhat sunken down protected by mountains. The wind is far less and the shade is far more than Aloha. We continued on the trail and passed some fantastic camp sites. This place is going to be a future destination.

 

As we connected back onto the PCT we continued to meet thru hikers. Buns and Autumn was a boyfriend girlfriend couple. Traveler came next. Every time we stopped and talked to them I could see Zea light up with more excitement of doing the PCT next year. Charlie Horse was a older gentleman that wore a hockey jersey. He was excited to make it to mile marker 1100. Thin Mint and J Walker came next. Both super nice and willing to answer all our questions.  Kung Fu was a funny one. We asked her how she got her trail name. According to her she carried a lot of water through the dessert part of the trail. People joked that if they ran out of water they could take hers. She replied not if I know Kung Fu. Kung Fu also intended on going skinny dipping at Aloha Lake. We told her how busy and cold it was. All I could think about was the Boy Scout troop camping at waters edge. They were about to get a anatomy lesson. As we continued down the trail we realized we missed the boat pick up point. Two and a half miles more to meet thru hikers. The trail was warm but with little climbs or descends. We passed many day hikers and started to be able to pick out thru hikers quite easily. At Echo Chalet we met The Better Half, Mr Noodles, Momma Squirrel and her husband who carried Tom the Tomato plant. Small world! They knew Zea's friend that was currently hiking the PCT. It goes without saying that most people you meet on the trail are good people. But there is something to be said about thru hikers. One day I hope to experience it.

 

I'm Okay!!! The name.

 The Name. The Myth. The Legend. Well really its my given trail name. I'm Okay!!! You have to say it at a higher octave to give it it's true sound. My husband and I have been backpacking together for many years now. This year we are training hard and taking some longer hikes. Longer hikes you ask? It is all subjective and I'm sure it will change as the summer progresses. These days "Longer hikes" refers to 12-15 miles of trail per day. We are fortunate enough to live close to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The Sierra Nevada Mountains has all types of adventures but in particular amazing trails. Sections of the PCT (or Pacific Crest Trail), have been our main focus. Weekend warriors we have been.

 Imagine its your second day of backpacking. Your legs are a little tired but loose. Today you will descend most of the terrain that you conquered the previous day. You've got miles to be covered. You make it to the top of the peak. The over look is amazing. Upper and lower Echo Lakes are little deep blue ponds in the distance. Patchy green trees and outcroppings of sharp granite litter your view. Its time for the descent. Trekking poles out. The crack of the loose rock beneath your rubber soles bring your thoughts back to whats in front of you. Stepping between loose rock and sharp dry granite pieces, your hamstrings talk to you about the previous days achievements. Your heading down a natural drainage portion of the trail. Big rocks, little rocks, loose rocks and tilting rocks. Its a go at your own pace day and I'm doing just that. My husband is stopped about fifty feet in front of me. Hes chatting me up as I make my way down and EEEKKKK!!!! Sand on top of granite and I'm falling down hill face first. Trekking poles fly as my upper body closes the gap between the granite. I catch myself but my pack transfers its load off my hips and onto my upper body. I am able to stop myself a few inches from hitting my face. I scream out of surprise I'M OKAY!!!!!!  After much laughter I am bestowed with the trail name I'm Okay!!!.

 I actually love this name. I feel like life gives you ups and downs. As long as you can shout "I'm Okay!!!" at the end of a day...  Then I would say that it was a pretty good day.


I'm Okay!!!