Someone asked me the other day if I was going to write a book about all of this. Honestly I figured that would be part of the grand plan. There were thoughts of a short documentary as well because it has the potential to be visually interesting enough for such a thing. But as I hike on, fatigue and time work against me and I doubt that anything will ever come of this other than pure week to week entertainment. Which is fine with me.
Getting video and photos of myself were far easier when I had plenty of time to work out a photo, no one around, and few people around to watch me ‘do what I do’. It’s rather awkward when people are staring at me in a gown trying to create some form of art. I suppose I work best alone, and didn’t fully realize how difficult that would be out here on the PCT. The best moments are candid and random, and mostly happen when others are met on the trail. But, I can’t get those moments on camera, it’s too difficult to carry on a conversation and ask to document it at the same time. I often wish I had someone along to get these great moments, but alas, it’s just me out here. There are plenty of stories to tell and retell, but I’m not sure how great they’ll all be, when told on paper.
Last week, while hiking through the Sierra Nevada’s, I started encountering more and more people headed in the opposite direction. Many of these hikers are going SoBo (Southbound) on the JMT. The John Muir Trail and the PCT share the same trail for a few hundred miles and those out traversing the trail are fun and friendly, often greatly amused by encountering the mustached man in white…
I’d like to continue with a future in thru-hiking fun, but will need to figure out where the finances will come from to make that happen. One of my many plans I’ve dreamed up – The Triple Crown One Man Wedding Party !! I can hike the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) next in a tux (I need a break from dresses already LOL… And it can be technically challenging and slightly backwoods) then hike the AT (Appalatian Trail) in Bad Bride’s Maid’s Dresses – It all sounds fun, but this hiking thing is expensive, and as reality often sets back in, I’ll be heading back to Newport to see if I still have a job at the Steel Fab Shop where I can’t run off every six months to take half the year off. Who knows, but I’ve completed 1/3 of the PCT now, and my mind is often off wandering….
I have actually come up with another of my brilliant ideas for the PCT NEXT year, but I’ll have to keep this one to myself – it’s too good of an idea and could steer my future if I can figure it all out. That’s the beauty of hiking – Plenty of time to think, when the scenery, or elements aren’t overwhelming me.
