This was the day I had been waiting for! My parents were to drop me off in Campo, California, at the border of Mexico, to set forth on a very long journey, by foot, to Canada. 

I barely slept the night before, nor ate the morning of. The ride to the border seemed so much longer than it actually was. I really cannot even put into words, what my body and mind were going through during this car ride. 

When we arrived at the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, it wasn’t at all what my mind had created it to be. I suppose I imagined it to be like a rest area, or trail head. Paved road, last chance bathrooms, “Welcome to the PCT” sign, but none of this existed. It was merely a dirt road… a very bumpy one at that, and a table, with the everso friendly, Terminus Tom. Terminus Tom greeted us, showed us the trail registry, in which I proudly signed, and educated us on leave no trace (LNT). 

Of course we crammed in some photos at the infamous Southern Terminus landmark, and then… well then, I started walking, one foot in front of the other,and haven’t really stopped since. 

The anxiety, the fear, the nervousness… they all kind of disappeared more and more with each step. By mile one, all of the fear, anxiety, and anticipation had dissipated. It was as if a weight was taken from my shoulders; there I was, my true self, my happy self, in my very happy place. 

So there you have it folks. The journey has finally begun. The journey of 2,659 miles, which began with mile one.

Beginning weight: 152lbs

Beginning resting heart rate: 72bpm

I would like to give a huge shout out to my parents, Kevin and Linda, who let me take over their house the last month; let me store what little belongings I have in their spare bedroom; let me store my car at their house; came to San Diego to spend the weekend with me; rented a car to drive me to the Southern Terminus, to start this journey; shipping my resupply boxes as needed; and most importantly for their love and support. This is what unconditional love is, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I love you both. 

Lastly, a ginormous thank you to all my sponsors, my main sponsor being YAMA Mountain Gear, in which I am sponsored as one of the 2017 mYAMAdventure hikers (www.myamadventure.com), all my friends and family members who have supported me and encouraged me, and all those who donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) in support of my hike. Even though I met my fundraising goal, please continue to donate if you’re able. Simply click the link in my tab section! The work the PCTA has done, and will continue to do, on this trail is quite spectacular! Thank you PCTA! 

Will the start of this journey be all that I expected? Easier than I thought? More difficult? Stay tuned! See you in the trail!

Featured image taken by Mark Fry (www.motivatedtravels.com)