Coming out of Idyllwild, we hiked 23 miles. It was our biggest day yet. That night we realized we hadn't bought enough food from Idyllwild to make it to Big Bear City. So we had to make a stop about five miles off the trail in Cabazon. The shitty thing was thinking about walking those ten miles extra. We got lucky and hitched a ride. The funny thing about Cabazon is that both of the two rides were from locals that lived only minutes away from the PCT yet neither of them knew about the trail! Literally, it was right in their back yard. After the Cabazon experience we got back on the trail about noon, which of course, is an unbearable time to hike in the desert, so we had to wait 2 more hours until some nearby clouds covered the sky.

When we started walking again, both of us could really feel the 23 miles from the previous day (15.2 miles of them were down hill). We just put one foot in front of the other. We've gotten to the point of crawling on autopilot until something difficult comes up. Which was like, for me, losing my sunglasses and anything that climbed or descended a few hundred feet. For James it was the sore on the back of his heel that his shoe caused. (Yes, I know mine sounds pretty lame, but in my defense, blisters and foot pain are just an everyday occurrence). But we worked through it. One foot in front of the other. I mean it is ‘just walking’.... Right?

At our 16 miles waypoint, we saw the closest thing to a river we have seen this entire trip. But first, we had to drop the extra thousand feet we had just climbed so we could reach it. Sometimes I swear the designer of the trail was into S&M or something. We made it to the bottom and then we saw it…..A piece of paper with our new favorite two words; "Trail Magic". Off this remote trail was Brian or "Buck-Thirty". He shared with us delicious hamburgers! Yum Yum! Trail Magic can really heal your soul. The next day, totally refreshed, we we're ready to hike on to Big Bear City. Thank you, “Buck-Thirty”, for your gracious gift.

Big Bear City has been a real treat! When we stopped to do our laundry we met some locals, Jeff and Michelle. They had a PCT sticker on their car and when we started a conversation about the trail, they offered to take us out to dinner! We had pizza and talked gear! It was so enjoyable. They showed us around Big Bear City, which is a beautiful mountain town! We had a blast and felt so lucky to have met them. When they hike the trail in the future, we will be their ‘Trail Angels’ in Oregon!

Yesterday was my Birthday and we ended up staying an extra day to let the weather pass. It sure was a memorable birthday. When resupplying at the local market, we were offered a ride back to our motel! The hospitality of this town is almost overwhelming. The lady who gave us the ride rescues wolves. She invited us to her home to meet them. So on my 25^th, I “pranced” with wolves.

We loved Big Bear City! It felt like home. We are sure going to miss this place. But, its back to walking!

Idyllwild, 179 miles

So we made it into Idyllwild two days ago. We were on top of a mountain the night before we arrived and on top of that mountain we ran into ice, wind and rain. I thought to myself 'Is this really the desert? It sure doesn't feel like it.' It actually felt like home so we were easily able to make 20 miles that day. That night we found some trees that reminded us of beach shore pine and so we crawled under them and set up our tent. We were the only ones on the mountain that night that had a great night of sleep. Coming from the coast finally paid off because it sure has been working against me when it comes to the dry desert hikes.

When we finally arrived in town we thought we'd just stay a night, but the next morning we decided to take a zero day (no hiking involved). $3 a night to stay in the state park was just to good to pass up. Idyllwild is an adorable town in the mountains. It reminds me of the Bayfront but instead of ocean based art it has forest based art. But the one thing about taking a zero day is that you have to walk to every place you want to see. Man, this trip involves a lot of walking :)

Next stop is Big Bear which is 96 trail miles. We plan on getting there in about 5 to 6 days. First we have to go over Fosters Ridge which is supposed to have snow on it right now. We're a little worried about getting over it, it's really easy to lose the trail when you have to go over snow packs. My moto is we'll be fine. Even if we have to back track and go around we'll get down off this mountain and back into the hot hot desert in no time :(.... Man I never thought I'd say this but I like hiking in the rain better than the desert heat.

Well I guess we better get back to our adventure and start walking....

Root Beer Float
Yes indeed, a Hamburger with Bacon!!

Made it to Paradise cafe, an oasis for hikers 151 miles on the trail. When turning the corner to head down the road we ran into some awesome trail magic. At the kick off, we ran into a couple with a blue heeler that had mentioned they'd be on highway 79 on May 7th and 8th. And there they were!!!! With beer!!!! We threw off our packs and caught some shade.

Right now where waiting for our fill up, which entails a big burger. And then back on the trail for another 8 miles.

First 100 miles done!

So we arrived in San Deigo at 11am on the 25th and called our Trail Angel Girlscout (Girlscout got HIS name because thats what he was eatting the first day of the trail). In about 20 minutes GirlScout arrived to pick us up. We hopped in his awesome Honda Element and he took us to his house. From there we meet two other hikers Ben and Whitney (both from the Northwest) who were also hitting the trail the next day. Girlscout then drove us to the store for resupply and then to the trail head the next morning.

It didn't take long for me to get my trail name. I actually got it about 3 hours after we landed in a Wal*Mart. I misprounced Laguana as La-gana and everyone hear Iguana. Girlscout said "I sense a Trail Name...." and then 3 days later we ran into someone else who stayed with Girlscout and he had told them that story. So my name became Iguana.

James, on the other hand, got burnt on the back of the neck and while calling himself a redneck in the same instance got deemed Redneck.

I just don't really know how to describe the amazing hospitality of the PCT culture. It feels like James and I have meet some long lost family members or like we're meeting a soulmate time after time. At the kick off (which is a big party for thru hikers) we meet a lot of the people we'd watched on videos and youtube clips about the trail and have found a lot of confidences in ourselves by talking to them. People are just so positive.

And everyone is just so friendly on the trial. It's like an unspoken bond you form with anyone you see out there because their going through the same thing as you are.

We've spent a little over a week (with only 2 zero days at kick off) on the trail now and have done 110 miles. Not as fast as we'd like but our miles are getting up there. Yesterday we did our first 20 mile day and the day before that we did 18! So far our feet have been doing great! After buying some sock liners at the Kick off I haven't had a single blister and I've been able to get big miles without ibuprofen, which is a great sign.

Right now we're at Warner Springs, a hot springs resort in the desert. They provide a hiker discount and so our rooms we're only $16 each! Tomorrow we head back out on the trail at 5 am and try to make another 20 mile day.

Hopefully, I'll find another computer on the trail because it's been hard to post things on this blog. I'm hoping to set up a post holer account that we can upload from the phone and then just post the link on this blog. If that works then I'll post the link on this blog.
So far we have been able to update James facebook account on the trail but blogging has been nearly impossible. If you want to see videos just add James Fackler as your friend on facebook and you'll get some cool videos of us on the trail.

Well, I think thats it for now. So as for us.....we're just walking...

Thanks For All the Fish

So we are leaving to Portland today. Yep, it's really happening!

I think that I have to thank some very important people in this blog. If it wasn't for them, James and I wouldn't be going on this trip.

To Allison and Jared. James and I couldn't be more thankful that they agreed to watch our beautiful blue heeler, Shilo. Shilo couldn't be in better hands. In fact, she may enjoy her stay so much she'll forget us! Also for giving us a little room to put our guitars.

To Sabrina and Tim. They let us stay in their home for the last 4 months. We would be broke on the trail if we would have had to find a place to rent. Without them I would have to sell my classic 1974 bug. One of by favorite and most prized processions. James would also only have trail cloths by the end of our trip but with their graciousness they have given him a spot to store some personal items along with a few of my own. And furthermore, to making sure that we are safe out there and don't stumble into to may medical emergencies.

To Carol Lowe. We wouldn't be eating as good on the trail if Carol hadn't agreed to help us by sending our resupply boxes to us from the Logsden Stores Post Office. Thank you Carol, without your help my stress level would be at toxic levels.

To Deidre and Luke. They have also provided some space to store some things, but on top of that they have been great friends who have listened to my worried rambles and put up with our non-stop gear talk for many a nights. James and I have treasured our time with them these last few months in Newport. They are truly great friends.

To Kenny. Thanks for your company the last week we were here. Also for being our counselor and mediator. Thanks for getting James to work! Oh and I almost forgot, for making sure the Virgo is in good hands!

Last and not least Nick Glass. Thank you for driving down from Portland to pick us up, giving us a place to stay and then driving us to the airport the next day! I mean who could ask for a better friend. That is above and beyond the friend requirements. So yep, you're on our "We Love You ForEver!" List.

I know I'm forgetting someone but for now this is going to have to do. Updates coming soon!

Gear List 2011

This is just a start of my gear list. Somethings are not listed because James will be carrying them. I will be carrying most of the stuff that we need to have easy access to since I have pockets on my pack and he does not. I haven't got it all weighed out yet, but this is a rough idea of what we are pretty sure were taking right now. Enjoy

Gear List 2011!	Southern California		Sierra		N.Cali/Oregon/Wash
	Wear	Pack	Wear	Pack	Wear	Pack
	oz.	oz.	oz.	oz.	oz.	oz.
The Big Three
REI Flash 50		31		31		31
REI Sleeping Bag Sub Kilo W		32		32		32
Therma Rest W Regular		16		16		16
Clothing
Sunday Afternoon Adventure Hat 50+	3			3		3
Mountain Hardwear thermals
REI Microfleece
Mountain Hardwear tYuma 50+ UPF
REI Convertible 50+ UPF
REI Sahara Shirt 40+UPF
Tank top
Underwear
Fleece Hat
Glove Lining
Minimalist gloves
REI Element (waterproof)Pants				11		11
Arceteryx Packlite GoreTex Jacket		9.9		9.9		9.9
Footware
Brooks Ravenna ?	18
Keen Voyageur			24		24
Dirty Girl Gaiter	2		2		2
Patagonia Release?	11.5
Hiking socks 4 pair
Hydration
Nalgene 32oz		6.3		6.2		6.2
Platypus 3L		5.8		5.8		5.8
Health and Safety
Leki Speedlock Treking poles	15.8		15.8		15.8
C.A.M.P Ice Axe				7.3
Eye Care and Case		4		4		4
Toothbrush
deoterant stick		0.5		0.5		0.5
bear canister				41
Sunglass
Back-up eye glasses (maybe)
Extra contacts (2 backup)
Group Gear
Henry's Squall 2 (TarpTent)		34		34		34
Homemade Alcohol Stove
Titanium Pot 2l (2pots)		11.8		11.8		11.8
1spoons/1forks/1spork
2 Insulated cups		8.8		8.8		8.8
MSR Miniworks Filter		14.6		14.6		14.6
First aid kit
Batteries
Camera
Lighters
Alcohol hand sanitzer
Maps
Toothpaste/dental		3		3		3
Travel Sampoos for showers
Dr. Bronners soap
Dr. Scholl's
Iodine or Chlorine Tablets Backup
Misc. Small Stuff
iPod		3.56		3.56		3.56
Pezel Tikka (3aaa)		3.1		3.1		3.1
Wallet