PCT Day 118-128

Washington is beautiful! While I have enjoyed my time in both California and Oregon, Washington is my favorite. In my opinion it contains the perfect balance between green jungle like forests, crystal clear alpine lakes, and towering volcanic peaks. It is where I first stepped foot on the trail a few years ago so it will always remain special to me.

Washington seems to have a peacefulness in the air as well. While there is still much excitement to be on trail, you can tell people are starting to do more thinking to themselves. Everyone is thinking about how we are in the last part of our journey and it will soon be coming to an end. I am thinking about my family, friends, jobs and other comforts of ordinary life. I am also thinking about how fortunate I am to wake up everyday and my backyard be an evergreen forest stretching hundreds of miles filled with all sorts of plants and animals. I'm thinking about the memories I've made and all the friends I've made on trail.

One legendary hiker that many of us on trail have met is named Firefly. He said something that I have thought a lot about on trail which is, "Live in the present." While this is such a simple phrase, I think this is something that many of us both in our ordinary lives and on trail struggle with. As I get closer to finishing, I struggle more to appreciate everything around me. It is easy to think of all the food I can't wait to have when I get done or all the other luxuries I will enjoy. However, I think it is now more than ever on the trail that it is important to savor every moment and enjoy what I am surrounded by.

Despite being more remote, the trail is still full of trail magic. An older couple named Cowboy and Mrs. Cowboy set up practically an entire kitchen! They had for us pancakes, eggs, coffee, donuts, fruit and more. Everything they used, milk, eggs, fruit, came from their farm. Another family set up in a parking lot with yogurt, fruit, mimosas, bagels, and yard games. They even had Polaroid cameras which you could then include in the cards they had to mail to people.

Only a few more posts left! Until then I hope you enjoy this look into the beautiful state of Washington.

-Pickle