Getting Started

I woke at 4 am not really getting much sleep as it was.  I forced myself into bed at like 9 pm... the anticipation was just killing me!  I could feel myself being reactive and not in any glow-y nice way.   I must have woken every 30 minutes. I could hear Becky and Travis whispering.  Under my blanket... I was so aware and awake!

I knew my nerves would kill me. So sleep it must be.

I packed up my bag as much as possible, throwing the entire thing in a bear box to eliminate the need for pulling Chapstick, vaseline and cliff bars out in the dark, at the quiet campground.  Water bladders were filled. Lunch, made.  All I had to do was get dressed, get the camera ready and get going!

I was expecting us to be on the trail at 4:45 am, but when all was said it done, it took 45 minutes just for everyone to be almost ready.

I put my pack on for the first time. Water, Camera, Pole and all. OMG. It was HEAVY.

And the temperature was cold!  I'm glad I grabbed my hat and gloves before I headed out the door on Wed.

Raymond, Becky's dad, graciously agreed to drive us to the trailhead eliminating the need to find parking and then an additional walk.

Shannon & Me in the back of my car

We all piled in, Shannon and Me in the back and Raymond took us as far as he could... about 200 feet from the trailhead. Not far... but knowing what we had ahead of us... and what was already on my back, it was annoying.  

The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step.  We stepped. And we smiled!  This was gonna be GREAT!