On the Pacific Crest Trail

Have you seen the movie Wild with Reese Witherspoon? If not, it's a must! The movie is based on a true story of a woman, Cheryl Strayed, who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. ALONE. That movie made me drool over the life I crave - the outdoors, the mountains, the trails and the FREEDOM. I wish I was brave enough to go hiking like that alone... but I'm definitely not! But WOW! GOOD FOR HER!

Nanette and I hiked on the Pacific Crest Trail on June 26th. Just seeing the sign made me giddy with excitement!  "I'm on it!! I'm on it!"  Yeah!!  I want to explore a lot more if it because our 8 miles was just a teeny, tiny, milli-fraction (is that a word?!) of the 2,659 mile trail!

And speaking of the trail, I follow a blog, Free Outside, written by Jeff Garmire, who is from Vancouver and who is currently - as of this post - on the Pacific Crest Trail (in fact, he's almost finished with it!), recently finished the Appalachian Trail and will soon be doing the Continental Divide Trail! (I actually hiked on this trail too, going over the Continental Divide, when I was a teenager.) Jeff is doing all three trails - in their entirety - in 9 months! Oh... and he happens to be supporting Suicide Prevention too!!

We encountered lots of different terrain, plenty of ups and downs, more than enough sunshine, and a crazy amount of spiderwebs. Gillette Lake is beautiful and the view from Greenleaf Overlook is spectacular!  The weather was perfect when we started but became very hot before we finished. The temperature was 90 F and heat like that can quickly cause dehydration and zap the energy right out of you. Nanette has an issue with overheating - something she is trying to find a solution for - and the last couple of miles were quite uncomfortable for her, so much so that I had to pour water over her head a couple of times to cool her off. We definitely need to get this figured out. More salt? Pack frozen water bottles? More hydration tablets?

It was another great hike with a great friend and a very peaceful day spent with Mother Nature. I love this new life of mine!

Catherine Creek Trail - Columbia River Gorge

THIS is what FREEDOM looks like!

On June 19^th we hiked on the Catherine Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.  I love going out to this area of the Gorge because it is usually warmer and dryer than our area.  When in need of sunshine… we go East! 

This trail was easy to walk on and follow - unlike some questionable ones we've been on! The uphill climb started almost immediately and we never did so much as a tiny dip down while heading to our turnaround point at the top.  Of course that meant the second half of the trip was all DOWN hill, which is sometimes harder than the uphill climb.

We started out in the trees but quickly came upon a wide open field where there was nothing but SUNSHINE, dried grass/flowers, and GORGEOUS VIEWS!  As great as our phone cameras are, they just don't do the area justice. (I really have to get my camera out, dust off the cobwebs, and start clicking that shutter again!)  

After our hike – because we were in the area (good excuse) - we made a side trip to the tasting room of the winery we recently became members of – Naked Winery!  As members, we get complimentary tastings, six bottles every three months, discounts on extra purchases, and a whole lot more! We enjoyed the day’s tastings (we had to “rehydrate”, you know!), snacks and the relaxation before heading out the door with our June bottles.  Of course we did a little extra shopping too.  Such fun!

Moving On

First and foremost… I’m happy!  I have adjusted to “single life” and I am enjoying every minute of it! I love being my own boss and more so, love not having a boss!  Ha!  Wooohoooo to being single!  My divorce was finalized in January. Divorce and leading up to it was absolutely horrible. If it had to be this way (which obviously, according to him, it did...), I am just happy it is over with and thankful that chapter of my life is behind me. Too much pain.  I am now in a much better place.  I have gained my independence, peace of mind, and happiness!  I am smiling once again, laughing and feeling carefree!  You never really realize how dark your days are until you emerge on the other side of the situation and see the sunshine!

With my new life have come many new adventures!  J  I have gone back to the days before marriage... before parenthood... and resumed what I loved most at that time… HIKING.  I have traded the pavement (marathon training) for the soft (although sometimes very rocky) trails of Mother Earth.  I love the great outdoors – the mountains, trees and fresh air!  Walking has always cleared my head but walking in the mountains fills my heart and soul.  It’s a great place for me to be!

Nanette aka Bullseye also gave up pounding the pavement.  She’s out there hiking with me and enjoying the same great adventures!  Backpacks, hiking boots, trekking poles, gaiters… sounds like fun, doesn’t it?!  It is!  And it’s only going to continue to get better! 

In April we climbed up to Angel's Rest and then futher up to Devil's Rest.  

We also hiked in Forest Park a couple of times starting at the Leif Erikson Drive North Trailhead...

I'm far behind on blogging but there are many more pictures to follow.  :)  There is SO MUCH BEAUTY out there!

Happy trails!  Happy me!