Walking in Stillness

To change the world, you have to express what you are feeling freely.

2011-11-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

In Philosophy 1+0-1 you will learn about the nothingness between standing opposites.

Your own True Nature is Upon the Path of Your Very Own Interpretive Trail.

Bring Backspace Forward, and there is nothing left or right/write to type.

Everything is a matter of Life when death is forgiven and accepted.

When black honestly touches white.... the colour in life is felt and created.

The airy fairy must learn to land gracefully and walk lightly to truly ground magic upon the earth.

One’s Truth rises and falls with each breath.

The weather is always fine when you live and move within the eye of the storm. One then stays centered by not crashing into the turbulence that is outside the zone.

I-MAGI-ne an outcome without doubt, and the belief in MAGIc will make it happen.

May all dark and dusty closets be opened for a perpetual spring cleaning.

The world sparks brand new when the moment is ignited.

A true MOM is Here Now in the birth of the MOMent. She is attentive and receptive without distractions.

You give your power away when you don’t vote for your self. You are the winner of every election when there is no competition.

Choose Everything, or life goes into default.

Unquote your words so that they may be set free from the grasp of time. Nothing has to be sentenced to be repeated over and over again.

Shaking your head in a no manner to that which resonates as true is linear and horizontal based. There is then a sense of time and progression that follows rules and guidelines that are based on what happened in the past. One makes decisions on what they think instead of how they are feeling. However, when one lives a life by saying Yes with a nodding of the head to your passions without letting such energies pass you by, then life takes a vertical leap of ascension where each moment is unique and one of a kind. One then floats upon the air instead of being pressed to the ground.

The freaks must set them selves free to sing their excellent songs of geekdom.

May that which is alien within you disclose its self to the world.

Hide and seek is becoming a boring game. Nothing is ever out of sight when you decide not to close your eyes and miss anything.

May monopolies go bankrupt through the withdrawal of all external funding. You are on the Money when you invest in your True Self.

Light has no speed when you no longer anticipate its arrival or watch it fly by you. The Light of the Moment is Always Here beyond time. When it is experienced, One is Enlightened and lit up with a sense of innate knowing.

Light or Information is stored and put on the shelf or lost in the back of the mind when one is truly not available to see it. It is warehoused in the underworld until is remembered, uncovered, transformed, and set free.

Your presence and essence lingers or imprints its self in the energy field or environment that surrounds you. Leave the best of your self behind for others to come and bathe and bask in.

May your still waters become a bird bath for those who wish to wash and cleanse their wings in preparation for filing a unique flight path.

You are a remote that can change the channel of perception in any instance or circumstance.

Where art thou? Art is here and in the now where each stroke or breath of fresh air paints an inner canvas that can not be replicated or counterfeited.

My Life is an Open Book whose pages are unbound by a Storyline.

One has perfect immunity when there is no longer any personal rejections.

Let the light you see release your inner rainbow.

One often seeks out tools of divination until they themselves become Devine.

White-Wash the brain so that it no longer dirties the mind.

External Response dissolves as one becomes internally and therefore eternally Responsible.

When Humans Doings learn to come together without cause, effects will give Way to Human Beings.

Beneath the scars of our past is a mislabeled door named scared whose entrance leads us into the sacred.

It’s a conspiracy that the Kings Men have no interest in putting Humpty/Dumpty (Ying/Yang) back together again. They didn’t like him sitting on top of the wall in a place without boundaries. However, maybe Humpty Dumpty doesn't have to put himself back together again when he looks beyond the concept of a broken shell. He has in the Now, between the Yin and the Yang, become the yolk of life where his insides are open for all the universe to scramble with.

The soul is a black hole whose gravity attracts the light or spirit of the moment to be exposed and celebrated as a swirling dance as it returns to the other side to where its journey began.

If you involve yourself within deeply, one evolves and expands outwardly rapidly. If one is in a rut or stationary pattern, one devolves into a lesser, or rather, denser form.

One often becomes violent when they lose their heads and one’s crowning violet way of experiencing a royal life.

Crown Your self King and You will find within Your Self the Queen of All Your Dreams.

When WE become PONS on a game board, then WEaPONS of deconstruction are created and used against us All.

If one is not living a sacred life, one is then scarred and scared to death.

Everything is Important as All arriving energy is imported.

Walking In Stillness…….. Where My Dreams Always Come True

2011-11-16T17:54:00.001-08:00

Before going to bed I asked for Inspiration to come my way through the lucid dreamtime physical sleep hours.

In my dreams I am on a bus, and I am being brought to a long distance trail system high in the mountains. As in real life, I walk back and forth across the continent freely. I come across a kindred spirit who is a premier world class hiker. His name is Lint…. someone I know in real life from the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. I feel in good company with this soul who knows of no fear or barriers while immersed within Nature. He holds nothing back. He is big yet walks lightly. He embodies his craze and lives the stories he tells. Together, we arrive at a waterfall that stretches across the landscape where water also springs unbound from beneath the surface. I climb up the waterfall, that which delivers new spirit, to a higher perspective. I am refreshed with a new outlook by embodying a brand new feeling that is delivered from above.

I suddenly come to a town along the trail that wasn’t there before. It reminds me of a mining town. It is big with old buildings made of brick. Therefore, the structures they create seem more permanent and long lasting. However, I am with Lint and other hikers in a mobile home refuge where one usually rests and resupplies. I say to Lint, there must be a supermarket here so that we can resupply. However, Lint replies….. this town has no supermarket and there is no need to resupply. I say…. good thing I have a lot of food already. I later come to realize, we…. the long distance hikers who are free to move beyond our fears and limitations are actually in the mining town for those who are really hungry to feast from us and are own unique sense of unlimited energy. We who walk with ease and a sense of grace are nourished by connecting to our true Nature in this One Moment beyond time and space. People live and work in mining towns high in the mountains and surrounded by wilderness so that they can stumble upon and discover something precious deep and hidden in the shadows and caves of their psyche. By entering their realm of finding something that they believe is hidden, our energy slowly breaks their engrained patterns and scarcity driven belief systems so that they too can one day rediscover the beauty of natural resources that are ever present….. where true wilderness always shines when it is connected to.

I now find myself taking a shower within the mobile home. I am an extension of that mobile home, where I feel at home and take my home with me with every step I take. When I take showers I become relaxed and I am baptized by water that is cleansing and yet strong, but soft and fluidic… penetrating deeply and making everlasting impressions upon the earth. Suddenly I feel myself peeing in the shower where water flows through me and instantaneously comes out of me so that my unique use of the water….. or spirit….. flows in and out of me without delay where water or spirit is not hoarded, repressed, or stored for later approval. I therefore meet the new spirit of the cosmos head on and release such gifts back to the earth so that it can absorb the essence from a unique channel or conduit that it not blocked or damned by the tension created from fear.

Later, after hiking through the forest, taking alternative routes that others fail to recognize….. I find myself in a meeting in Nature with People who seem to Manage the Trail System of Life. Therefore, this is a meeting to discuss my True Nature. I suppose you can call these managers my angels. They help to deliver the Way that is unique for each individual. I hear my lower petty self talking to them about Lint who I say is sponsored and endorsed by their company and is therefore graced by their presence. They then are responsible for delivering new Spirit or Raw energy to be integrated into the earth by taking new trails in life. I petition them to sponsor me instead of Lint. My detached Self who witness’s this crude display sees that the attitude that I am taking or expressing is faulty. I instantly see that we need no external sponsors to grant us special status, or where we have to earn or convince others to gift us with unlimited funds. When we are responsive to our Self or to the feelings that we invite into our lives, then we are instantaneously connected to infinite abundance. We each therefore commission ourselves to live a life filled with art. These angels don’t sponsor others. They are a reflection of my inner self where I have given my power away by wanting something that is outside of my self, which is therefore representative of the Life that Lint lives. I can’t take what Lint naturally has. I can only step into what I naturally am. I then begin to live within the abundance and fluidity of ever-present spirit that I attract, as if continually swimming and floating in the exchanging currents of the earth. However, instead of following an established trade route, I create my own channel to the heavens thereby creating new trails upon the earth that have never been mapped out before.

Reinterpret the World Now

2011-05-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

Life doesn’t have to be a matter of fact.

In Reality,

Every Moment is Up for

New Interpretation.

House Warming Presence

2011-01-28T15:18:00.001-08:00

……..You are all so Dear to me………

Open Up Your Roof So The Light Can Come In and Allow You to Grow!

2010-12-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

Ding...........................Dong

The door opens

From the space in between.

Summon Your Pleasures without Seeking

2010-09-19T22:13:00.001-07:00

The landscape swallows me Up

And Now she sees herself with virgin eyes.

Reflections Come to Us When We Invite them to Play

2010-09-11T23:07:00.001-07:00

When we went up into the North Cascades near Leavenworth, Washington

to visit some friends,

I had asked if they had seen any bears yet in the area over the summer.

They said no, but I thought this would be a great place to see a bear.

The next morning while I was outside reading a book,

around the corner came this bear cub smiling at me.

As you know, this is September and this bear is no more than two months old.

Many cubs are already seven months old at this time of year.

The mom was no where to be seen.

The cub was eating grass and then munched on some potatoes and other compost in the field.

Stacey offered the bear some blue elderberries.

The cub seemed to try many delights,

but didn’t appear to be overly hungry.

The cub was a true explorer,

unafraid of us and the unknown.

It seemed to be ok on its own for now.

She may not survive the winter alone,

but she is living her Life Now on her own terms.

Her life isn’t influenced by time and outside dreams.

And with the time that she does have,

she will have the most unique experience available for a bear her age.

We also noticed she had a deformed right rear leg.

It was twisted in an odd direction.

Stranger yet, two days earlier I hurt my same foot……my right rear limb.

And don’t forget…..my name Bernhard translates into strong bear.

Had I just attracted an energetic counterpart into my field of experience?

I am truly happy for the cub.

It is free and is living from an open heart.

She is living forever beyond time in this Moment,

and will be remembered by me always.

AT, PCT, and CDT Photos Posted On Facebook

2010-08-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

You can view our 2010 photos of our 2,500 Mile Journey through the Appalachian Mountains at the following Links:

Appalachian Trail Photos Part 1
Appalachian Trail Photos Part 2
Appalachian Trail Photos Part 3

You may also view our 2009 Photos of our 2,650 Mile Journey from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail at the following Links:

Pacific Crest Trail Photos Part 1
Pacific Crest Trail Photos Part 2
Pacific Crest Trail Photos Part 3

Our 2003 Photos of our 3,000 Mile Journey from Canada to Mexico through the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide Trail can be viewed at the following Links:

Continental Divide Trail Part 1
Continental Divide Trail Part 2

Journey with Us 1,200 Miles in 2004 from Olympic National Park to Glacier National Park following the Canadian Border upon the Pacific Northwest Trail. These photos can be experienced at the following Links:

Pacific Northwest Trail Part 1
Pacific Northwest Trail Part 2
Pacific Northwest Trail Part 3

Absorb some of California's Coastal Scenic Beauty as Stacey and I hike extensive portions of the California Coastal Trail:

California Coastal Trail ~ San Francisco to the Oregon Border Part 1
California Coastal Trail ~ San Francisco to the Oregon Border Part 2
California Coastal Trail ~ San Francisco to Monterey Bay Part 3
California Coastal Trail ~ Monterey Bay to Santa Barbara County Part 4

Happy Trails to All, Always!

Puppy Love

2010-08-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

There's this little puppy around Here that is constantly excited and running around from place to place and from object to object. But what is interesting is watching what objects she decides to pilfer and investigate. Why one shoe over another shoe? Why this article of clothing versus that article of clothing? Like puppies, we collect things which are symbolic and metaphorical that possess a particular field of energy to it. They mean something to us, whether the meaning is conscious or unconscious. By possessing these energies, they too possess us, and we begin to develop traits that help to define our unique personalities through the everyday associations we create and maintain. These objects then also have our energy and issues imprinted upon them depending on what sort of thoughts we are directing and incorporating into these objects.

Animals sense and see these energies. We do to, but we often repress such feelings and sensations. The little puppy is, therefore, developing a unique personality based upon what objects it is attracted to. With each shoe it chews, it gains traits based on where the shoe has been and what it has passed through. You can say the dog smells this, but the smell takes the dog on an astral journey of exploration. It is having an adventure as it gnaws beneath the surface of the hide. To the dog, the past is not hidden. Therefore, over time, this little puppy will begin to develop traits and issues directly associated to the personal energies and people that it has encountered throughout its lifetime.

What objects and people in your life help or hinder you in defining what you perceive to be your Self in everyday life?

Attain the Level of Your Satisfaction!

2010-08-05T15:34:00.001-07:00

Celebrate your discomforts

And then Rise

To where you are capable

Of embracing your Intentions.

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 35

2010-02-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

From Hart's Pass we had a mere 34 miles left to reach the Canadian Border

The weather was perfect that allowed us to slurp up the views as well as the mountain fresh spring water.

At Rock Pass we ran into a few mule trains transporting deer hunters for the season that was about to open.

At Woody Pass the scenery burst open to fill our Eyes.

In the photo below, we could see Canada straight ahead of us.

To the west we had awesome scenes of North Cascades National Park and the towering Mount Baker which I can see outside the window from here in Ferndale, WA.

What a perfect way to end such an epic Odyssey.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail can truly allow One to live their lives to the fullest.

There I am along with Three Fools Peak. It feels good to be a Wandering Fool.

Stacey and I had hiked through the Pasayten Wilderness from west to east when we hiked the 1,200 mile long Pacific Northwest Trail that starts on the Olympic Outer Coast of Washington State and ends at Glacier National Park in Montana.

I love hiking so much, that it truly has become a vocation.

At Hopkins Lake and Pass we have only five miles to go.

So we begin our descent to the finishing line.

The border actually has a clear cut marking the boundary.

It is September 13th at 8 a.m. and we have found our conclusion that leads us into a new beginning.

We had just hiked about 2,700 miles over four and half months time.

But we truly found our Home with each carefully planted step on the Trail of Life.

Thank you for sharing our adventure with us. We hope this inspires you too to venture outside the box of Normalcy. Life is truly an epic Journey.

Part 1 ~ Enter Here

Our 1ST Pacific Crest Post can be accessed Here

Where we began our 2,700 mile journey at the Mexican Border.

Happy Trails to Everyone,

Always!

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 34

2010-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

We entered North Cascades National Park with the sunshine on our backs.

At the Stehekin River crossing we took a bus down an isolated dirt road for five dollars to Stehekin which had lodges, a bakery, a small store, and a restaurant.

At the restaurant we were spoiled with a feast because the chef and waitress had hiked this year from Mexico to the beginning of the High Sierra's. We last saw them just after Kennedy Meadows and here they were near the end of the trail providing us with sustenance. Their names were Jackass and Molasses.

Our gear was totally soaked and our feet were steaming coming off of the mountain. A good handful of us hikers had very numb feet as a result. Many of us were to take an extra day off in this sanctuary.

We then crossed Rainy Pass at Highway 20 which one could take into Winthrop, WA where Stacey and I lived for a couple of years. I had chosen this isolated mountain town because it was so near to the PCT which I was so much in Love with.

We were very familiar with these trails because we often visited them over the years. From Cutthroat Pass we continued on to Granite Pass below.

We were now just east of North Cascades National Park on the leeward side of these glaciated peaks. It was drier over here and the deciduous sub-alpine larch tree could commonly be enjoyed in these parts. In the fall the needles turn bright orange and yellow before they fall off for the winter.

We then made our way into the Methow drainage where the headwaters to the river we so often frequented begins its course.

The Paysayten Wilderness and Canada was just ahead.

Pika's and Marmots whistled and cheered us onward.

We have been here many times exploring before.

Tatie Peak is just ahead. There are old gold mines throughout this region.

At Hart's Pass one can drive a dirt road up from Winthrop to enjoy the mountain splendor.

Looking to the West we can see the mountains that lead to Ferndale and Bellingham where we currently reside at.

Part 35 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 33

2010-02-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

We spent two nights in Leavenworth where we resupplied to walk the next hundred miles to Stehekin, WA on Lake Chelan in North Cascades National Park.

We sent a package ahead General Delivery to the post office of Stehekin which would supply us to the end of the trail.

It rained on and off for three days. We were totally drenched.

It snowed on us in three different locations.

The trail through the Glacier Peak Wilderness has been somewhat in dis-repair for several years because of a massive flood that wiped out many of the vital bridges across some deep ravines and rivers.

Even though we couldn't see Glacier Peak, it was wondrous to float along with the clouds.

There was an alternate route around Glacier Peak because everyone talked about the Suiattle River crossing since the beginning of the trail in the desert. But most of us were going to hike through this section of trail anyway, because there was a log crossing that made the route doable.

The trail crew had put in a good handful of new bridges.

However, some were not so desirable.

Before the infamous Suiattle River crossing we had to manage our way across the Milk Creek Drainage. Some of the trail had been wiped out so they were blasting in a new trail with explosives.

But first we had to play in the Snow. The date is only September 6th. Hikers typically have until early October to finish the length of the trail before too much snow accumulates in the High Country.

And there's Jim who we hadn't seen since northern California.

Milk Creek was a mess. Some hikers went miles down stream to cross a bridge. We saw another group just above us rock hopping between giant boulders. I found an easy crossing at this juncture.

There must have been a hundred trees down between Milk Creek and the Suiattle River. One tree even shredded the top of my already deteriorating go-lite pack.

We made camp just in time for it to snow again. Everything was totally wet. We placed plastic bags around our feet to bring circulation back into our feet. It took an hour to stop shivering. One group stayed an extra day here to wait out the rain and the snow of the following day.

And here is the infamous Suiattle River crossing. I actually walked across it. It sounded like about 50 percent of those who walked this way opted to scoot their way across.

Ah, but then the skies opened up and we were to have great weather all the way to the Canada. But it was all good to experience whether it rained or shined.

Part 34 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 32

2010-02-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

At Snoqualmie Pass we resupplied between a gas station and a small store.

About 12 other hikers were bottle-necked here to enjoy the restaurant and services. We ate lunch and dinner at the best place in town. The energy is high when hikers tell of their tales upon the trail of life. And there were eight of us that night for dinner. Many of them stayed on and shared a room in the adjoining hotel. Gotta keep on eating.

Stacey and I, however, continued on into the smoky mountains ahead.

A fire was out of control in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. They were letting it burn till the rains or snows put the fire out naturally.

You can see below where we were officially detoured 24 miles to avoid the spreading fire.

The detour took us into a steep canyon that was very brushy. A horse-back rider had to turn around because it became to difficult for them.

When we got to the bottom of the valley, a fire crew was coming up to clear the newly declared PCT alternate route.

We rounded Cooper Lake and followed up the Cooper drainage where we ran into a feast of Chicken of the Woods growing on a tree. If we would have brought a stove, we vegetarians would have made a meal of this shelf fungus.

There's "Birdman".

We were to see the same group of close knit hikers to almost the end of the trail. We would hike at times together and would often see one another between resting areas.

Back on the official PCT, we made our way to Stevens Pass and Highway 2.

Many hikers were following a guide made by a person named Yogi. She neglected to mention the village of Leavensworth, Washington which was about 35 miles east of the pass. It had everything a hiker could dream of. It was a German Style Town with a Bavarian Style theme. Most hikers were hitching westward only about 15 miles to Skykomish with a limited amount of services. The hitch to either town was equally easy.

Stacey takes in a scene of Glacier Peak ahead of us. This was to be our only view of this towering mountain. Winter weather was soon approaching.

Days of rain and snow were about to put out the fire behind us.

Part 33 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 31

2010-02-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

We followed the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park.

Mount Rainier actually has a trail circling it called the Wonderland Trail. It's about 95 miles long ~ if any of you are interested in a lengthy, but not too lengthy adventure.

It felt like we had the entire mountain chain to ourselves. Where were all the adventurers?

Crystal Mountain Ski Area was to be seen in this section. It is very accessible to Tacoma and Seattle, Washington.

Mount Rainier is a whopping 14,411 Feet tall.

...Just Incredible...

Here in the Norse Peak Wilderness we were only up 6,000 feet in elevation.

We ran into the coldest spring of the trail at Crow Basin which gave us brain freeze.

At government meadow there is a free snowmobiler's cabin that hikers and recreational enthusiasts can stay in. But we kept on trekking towards Canada.

We camped at a small pass and it seemed to rain on us all night long. However, when we broke camp we walked around the corner and everything was dry. The trees were only ringing out the moisture from the clouds that streamed through the pass.

As you can see, we were leaving National Forest Land into an area that has been heavily logged. But we never really saw much of it because we were always walking in the clouds.

We did, however, continue to eat 1000's of blueberries. We also ran into a special Ultra Running event where participants ran/hiked one hundred miles in something like 32 hours. They had field stations set up every seven to 10 miles. They were so excited to see us. They gifted us all the food we could eat which included fruits and vegetables, energy drinks, and just about any power food you can think of. We were awed by their generosity and vigor to explore the great outdoors both through the day and the night.

At Mirror Lake, the skies opened up in time for us to enjoy our approach towards Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass.

Part 32 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 30

2010-02-18T12:49:00.000-08:00

We continued our journey along the Knife's Edge with fantastic views of Mount Ranier.

The Goat Rocks Wilderness has some of the best views of the Central Cascades.

I just read that Mount Ranier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams may share a common magma chamber in the earth making them all intricately connected siblings.

Can you see Stacey walking the Knife's Edge?

We saw yet another wildfire to the north east of us. We had one more big fire before us.

It's August 26th, and there are still awesome colours to be found high in the mountains.

We met another thru hiker named Doug for the first time. His feet were giving him a lot of trouble. He was walking fast because he had to finish by a certain date. From my experience, and what I see in other hikers around me, when we push forward wanting to be somewhere other than here and now, we are more likely to get injured because we build up a tension within ourselves.

The tension gets aggravated because we then walk day in and day out in a tense fashion living within the mind upon a future date. The best advise I can give about hiking a long distance trail is to literally take one step at a time feeling your way along in the present moment. It is truly where optimal health lives and exists.

Another example of this is what happened to me at this point in the trail. When we stopped to eat, I found myself eating way too fast as if I wanted to get the calories in and done with. I was in the process of inhaling a twizzler and a chunk of it got lodged into my windpipe. It wouldn't come out no matter how hard I tried to hack it out.

I had to live with it in there till it dissolved a few days later. I was in a psycological hurry to eat and move onwards which creates more discomfort in the long run. Therefore, be here now, in whatever you do.

We resupplied at White Pass and spent four hours soaking up their amenities. This was our first Washingtonian ski resort along the route.

Here we talked to Squatch who was an expert in Big Foot. He creeped out Doug and Lucky Larry with his many stories which kept them from sleeping too well during the night.

We ran into a herd of Roosevelt Elk that used the trails heavily along this stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail.

In the above photo we entered through the imaginary boundary of Rainer National Park. Mount Rainer's Native American name is Tacoma.

Part 31 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 29

2010-02-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

From just below Mount Adams, we got our first great views of Mount Rainier in the near distance.

We would be later be hiking along Mount Rainier National Park's eastern boundary.

Fields of lupine adorned Mount Adams.

We crossed this raging creek on a make shift bridge that often gets swept away. (below)

No matter the angle, Mount Adams truly shined with its Majesty.

Stacey and I continued our daily feast on Huckleberries and Blueberries. It was a bumper crop year. We must have eaten many thousands of them over a few weeks time.

After Mount Adams we entered into the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

In the bottom photo we saw a group of over 80 Mountain Goats grazing upon these expansive meadows near Cispus Pass.

Washington's Central and North Cascades are known for their rugged scenic and sculpted beauty.

I personally never tired over the views of Mount Adams.

Where were all the people who were missing out on this magnificence. We did see a handful of hiking and camping parties in this area though, but nothing compared to the time I hiked through here in 2001. There must have been hundreds of people scattered everywhere that particular year.

The next morning we had to walk over the very icy Packwood Glacier. The ice proved to be hard as a rock and very steep. So we descended below and around it to spare ourselves from a potential accident.

A lone Mountain Goat crossed our path just ahead presenting us with the symbol that this wilderness represented, showing us a sign that we were truly welcome here.

With simply awesome views of Mount Rainer, we traversed The Knife's Edge, which was so perfectly and aptly named.

Part 30 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 28

2010-02-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Before reaching Cascade Locks we had an incredible sunset that Stacey played her flute to.

To the left you can see Mount Saint Helen's that erupted back in 1980. To the right was our next Volcano along the Cascade Range that we would explore. Her name was Mount Adams.

We said our grateful goodbyes to the scenic beauty of Mount Hood and descended into the Eagle Creek Drainage.

Can you see Stacey standing next to the waterfall. There was a tunnel blasted out behind the falls. The energy of all the water and its many falls in this drainage was astounding. It felt like we were in a temperate rain forest. It certainly felt good to enjoy the habitat that we knew so well once again.

Essentially we descended from 6000 feet all the way down to 240 feet at Cascade Locks where we rested and re-supplied.

We crossed the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods. The trailers and campers crossing the bridge gave us inches of clearance to spare. When we stepped into Washington State, we were each given a gift of fresh fruit from a local road side vendor that enjoyed the idea of such a pilgrimage across the west coast states.

Southern Washington State allowed us to reacquaint ourselves with the lower elevation habitats along with some of its clear cuts that Washington State is also famous for.

The Columbia River begins in Canada and snakes its way to the Pacific Ocean through the cities of Portland , Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The city of Hood River is just up River which is famous for Sail Boarding.

Western Hemlocks, Douglas Fir, and Red Cedar greened up the forests that we knew so well.

Here Stacey is sizing up Mount Hood.

The Indian Heaven Wilderness lived up to its Name. We then walked east to the western slopes of Mount Adams.

Trail angels left their mark at this watering hole with samples of Mountain Dew and Beer.

Mount Saint Helen's to the west of us lost 1,300 feet of its top and much of its northern slopes. It doesn't hold much summer snow or glaciers anymore.

Circling around Mount Adams, we noticed her letting off some steam in a few places.

Part 29 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 27

2010-02-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

Mount Jefferson lifted one's Heart with her scenic splendors. We met some Pacific Crest Trail Volunteers who were cutting fallen trees by hand that were blocking forward progress on the trail. Overall, there were probably still a few hundred trees we had to climb over or go under along the length of the entire trail.

Mountains such as these collected and created their own clouds and weather.

Gigantic gullies washed down glacial melt and debris to fertilize the lands below.

Each angle of the mountain had a completely different personality profile.

The above photo is of Mount Jefferson from its Northern Flanks.

We found snow to walk through in the middle of the summer. The mountain directly ahead is Mount Hood at an elevation of 11, 249 feet.

We enjoyed the refreshing Timothy Lake as well as the many recreational boaters who were camping along her pleasant shores.

Mount Hood, above, had summer skiing on its southern slopes. It was fascinating to watch people all geared up in their winter clothing in late August.

The slopes for skiing were on the snow pack to the far left in the above photo.

Here Stacey is enjoying Mount Jefferson from just below Mount Hood. It took us two full days to cover this distance.

We sent a package to the Mount Hood Timberline Lodge where we enjoyed an awesome dinner with "Ice Axe".

We ran into some PCT section hikers who excitedly took our pictures as if we were celebrities. :)

At the lodge we also talked with a gentleman that we were to later see doing trail work on Mount Adams in Washington State. We truly live in a small and very interconnected and beautiful world.

Power from Columbia River dams cut through the landscape to provide electricity for nearby Portland, Oregon.

Tomorrow we would take a full day off at Cascade Locks, the gateway to Washington State. From the Columbia River we had less than 500 trail miles of walking left. We were soon to be in our very own backyard mountains since we currently reside near the Canadian border, which was our ultimate destination.

Part 28 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 26

2010-02-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

We entered the Three Sisters Wilderness of Central Oregon. The walking in this state is gentle and smooth and the miles go by quickly.

It's easy to walk 35 miles a day here and some ambitious souls push 40 mile days to break personal barriers and to go beyond self imposed programming.

Fields of lupine and "dirty socks" had opposing but broadening and awakening effects upon the senses.

It was too cloudy to get a really good look at the three peaks known as the Three Sisters. But the scenery was always tantalizing. There is an unlimited amount of stimulus to sort through and absorb.

We learned from some local hikers that the highway at McKenzie Pass opened up yesterday, just in time for us to hitch into the town of Sisters.

Obsidian Falls lived up to its name. Just above the falls was a rich deposit of black obsidian which was an ancient collection site for Native Americans, who used the rock to create cutting utensils and arrow points.

The subalpine zone is always rich with a balanced energetic harmony that fed our bodies with unseen food. It opens the doors and gates to feeling deeper in relationship to Nature and one's personal environment.

Miles upon Miles of lava flows now layed between us and Mount Washington in the near distance.

Along with Mount Washington, we could even see the volcanic peaks of Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson.

Yapoah Crater was at least 400 years old, but it looks as if it could have spewed ash out just yesterday.

The lava rock was a maze of flows where strong and durable trees and brush were able to claim new niches in seemingly rough conditions.

Before McKenzie Pass I made a wish to find an easy ride into Sisters where the driver would even possibly let us spend the night at their home. It sounds like wishful thinking, but as soon as we reached the Observatory at the pass, a couple with their dog who had just gone fishing pulled up at the parking lot and asked us if they could help us. Jane and Jim said they had hiked the PCT back in the 70's when it was virtually unknown. We asked if they could give us a ride to town and if they knew of an inexpensive place to stay. They then invited us to their home where we spent two wonderful nights resting and regenerating. Jane and Jim even gave us the keys to their truck to use in town. Ice Axe spent the first night with us, and on the second night we brought home with us another hiker from New Zealand. Just imagine a world where everyone was as wonderful and loving and trusting as Jane and Jim. (Above is a photo of the Sisters from Jane and Jim's home.)

What this trail proved over and over again to me was that if I stated what I wanted in a concise and clear manner, the result would manifest and arrange its self to happen quickly. No kidding, really. Believe, and it shall happen. When we use our words percisely and wisely all of the time, its like they become the code to the program that we are running here in the physical world. Many of us use thoughts and feelings that cancel each other out, or which keep away from us the things we intend to happen in our lives.

At Santiam Pass, there were plenty of goodies and drinks left by another trail angel from Bend. After passing Mount Washington and Three Fingered Jack, we finally had extensive views of the Three Sisters that we passed under several days earlier. All around three fingered Jack and to the north towards Mount Jefferson, an extensive fire burned thousands of acres not too long ago. We were now three-fourth of the way through Oregon, and Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, and the Washington State border at the Columbia River would soon be in our sights.

Part 27 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 25

2010-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

We woke up above the fog that permeated the Diamond Lake area. Other hikers behind and below us in elevation had a wet morning from the fog dripping from the trees.

Mount Thielsen was in the clouds yesterday, and today the scene opened up its splendor to us.

We walked into two south bounders and we exchanged information about the potential opportunites to come. We heard that Highway 242 at McKenzie pass was closed because it was being repaved.

We would see and spend time with "Ice Axe" and "Day Late" till the end of the trail in northern Washington State. "Ice Axe" lives in the Santa Cruz area where I spent about five years of my life. He was one of the most cheerful and enthusiastic souls that we met on the trail. He truly found heaven on earth by finding his way through the wilderness that is within.

You can see how perspective changes by looking at Mount Thielsen which was now a days journey behind us. Crater Lake and the remnants of Mount Mazama are seen on the right side of the photo.

Diamond Peak just ahead appeared to be another volcano that lost its head in a fit of anger.

We were now to descend to the cool waters of Summit Lake. Did we mention that we often would not bathe or take a shower for weeks at a time. I wore the same clothes for four and half months. One really gets comfortable with all aspects of one's being.

Climbing up towards Diamond Peak we get a good look at Summit Lake behind us and the faint outline of Mount Thielsen.

Here at Diamond Peak we decided we were going to shift gears and make it to Willamette Pass before dark so we could order a pizza at the ski resort which is only open on the weekends. "Day Late", who we first met in the High Sierra's, would be our dinner companion.

Just as the restuarant and resort was about to close, Chuck Norris, Billy Goat, and the PCT Van arrived to give us a ride to Shelter Cove Campground where Road Runner and his wife Peggy had reserved a spot for thru-hikers. We enjoyed the wonderful meals they cooked in appreciation of our common Love for the long distance trek. They fed us well and we had wonderful conversations about those who had the lust to hike as a vocation.

Chuck Norris even had a hiker box in his van for us to re-supply from where the goodies come from those who have sent too much food ahead for them selves.

This region was a mecca for front and back country fisherman.

The clouds, however, arrived again to obscure our views of the towering Three Sisters where many weekend warriors became intimate with her volcanic soils. Huckleberries were now a staple to our diet as well as the blue tongues and fingers that accompanied such feasts of delicious delight.

Part 26 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 24

2010-02-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

From the Oregon border we headed basically due east towards Mount Ashland.

Showers and clouds cooled us down from the excessive heat.

I spent three days in Ashland at the local Youth Hostel while Stacey flew home to buy a new car under the cash for clunkers program. She has a brand new Soul.....a Kia Soul, that is. Her car dealer joked that he sold a priest a soul just other day.

When we arrived in town, we were talking with a women at a coffee stand when a mysterious lady pulled up to us and ran from her car. She said, "you guys are Pacific Crest Trail Hikers, right?" We nodded yes, and she handed us an envelope and went running back to her car. It was a 12 dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant where the gift was labeled for a PCT Hiker, whereas the issuer was labeled as being from a Trail Angel.

We were given a ride back up to Siskiyou Pass by Chuck Norris and Tigger from the Youth Hostel with the official PCT Van. "By the Book" also joined us, but he soon had to stop because he contracted giardia which eventually took him off of the trail.

We found ourselves walking through many lava flows near Mount McLoughlin with "Buck 30".

The ridgeline through the Sky Lakes Wilderness gave us views of Klamath Lake and kept us moving through our last swarms of mosquitoes.

As we approached Crater Lake National Park, the regional weather and climate began to shift. Along with mountain rain showers, we suddenly found ourselves in 50 and 60 degree temperatures. We re-supplied at Mazama Village and stuffed our stomachs at the all you can eat Annie's Creek Restaurant. Our bellies nearly exploded.

The next morning we walked to the rim of Crater Lake and had a fancy breakfast at the Crater Lake Lodge.

The awesome views of Crater Lake were coming and going as clouds rushed in like a raging river and waterfall at the northwest side of the Lake. The winds were truly whipping and the wind chill blasted below freezing temperatures at us. It went from very Hot to very Cold almost overnight. However, it was always just right.

Crater Lake National Park was battling about 40 small fires from lightning strikes that occurred while we were staying in Ashland.

Wizard Island is a volcano within a volcano.

Imagine Crater Lake having several more thousand feet added to it where it was once called Mount Mazama. Mt. Mazama blew its top off 7,700 years ago.

We said goodbye to the views and walked into the clouds.

In the park we ran into our first south bound Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers.

We probably saw a total of ten in all, over the next couple of weeks. I wonder if any of them made it in time to beat the big snows in the High Sierra's.

At the junction of Highway 230, we found our last cache of water on the trail. It was so cool, that we really didn't require any additional water through this waterless stretch. In the morning we would be enjoying views of Mount Thielsen.

Part 25 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 23

2010-02-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

From Etna Summit, we soon entered the Marbled Mountain Wilderness.

In the afternoon we could see in the distance that there was a very smoky fire happening near, or on the trail. We were worried if we would be able to get through the area, since there probably was not an alternate route to Seiad Valley 54 miles ahead.

Luckily, the fire was not out of control but was indeed burning directly on our route. However, in the morning hours, the smoke and flames were subdued by the cool temperatures of the evening and the early morning mountain dew.

There really was Marble in these sculpted Mountains.

Buckwheat and Indian Paintbrush dotted the terrain. We saw new types of flora seemingly every single day.

The air quality was indeed still very smoky from Trinity Alps fire.

Many more fires were soon to come.

We were passing through this hot and parched country just in the nick of time.

From 6000 plus feet in elevation we rapidly descended into the deep Klamath River drainage with an elevation of 1,371 feet.

As we approached our next re-supply town of Seiad Valley, Stacey noticed she had blood in her urine. We were both worried, so we had to hitch into Happy Camp to the west to see a doctor at a Native American Health Clinic. The doctor said she was only excessively dehydrated which often causes bleeding into the bladder. However, she did give her antibiotics for the trail in case the situation flared up.

We then took the day off at Seiad Valley where they have the famous pancake challenge where only a few hikers have ever finished eating their massive and fluffy portions. We opted to skip the pancakes for a standard meatless breakfast. The temperatures at the neighboring campground reached 106 degrees in the shade for the hottest part of the day.

Early in the morning we ascended once again from 1,300 feet back up to 6000 feet.

On the way up Stacey almost stepped on a greenish looking rattle snack. It scared her and she scared it.

Not too far from the rattlesnake, we almost then stepped on a clutch of new born Mountain Quail along with its mother. They were directly on the trail, and we could even touch them. They were not moving a muscle. They were totally cute.

Clouds were beginning to build up on the horizon, and to the east of us we saw the blackest clouds we ever saw. The lightning strikes after sunset were spectacular. However, new fires sprouted throughout the region.

The next day we finally arrived into Oregon. We were excited to have another chapter of the Pacific Crest Trail completed. There were now 1,700 miles behind us, and we had less than 1000 miles to go till we reached the Canadian border.

Part 24 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 22

2010-02-12T02:15:00.000-08:00

Stacey and I seemed to have gotten some sort of stomach flu for twenty four hours. We both had a rough night and our spirits were diminished.

The next day we ran into Jim who ended up with the same 24 hour bug. Perhaps we all caught the same strain in Castella a few days earlier.

We trudged ahead sluggishly and slowly both gained our momentum and strength. However, our thighs and hips were sore for two days.

It made me wonder if one has to adapt energetically to serpentine soils where the ph of the environment is higher.

Mount Shasta receded more and more into the distance, but we would be seeing her for more than a weeks time to come on our approach to Crater Lake in Oregon. We were basicly making a giant U-turn around her.

The Trinity Alps Wilderness radiated seemingly enhanced beauty that recharged our inner batteries. To the west of us we could see some towering glaciated peaks.

Interestingly, cows graze up here at 7000 feet.

After Carter Meadows Summit we entered the Russian Wilderness.

The contrast between the geology and the vegetation brightened and widened our eyes and views.

The Russian Creek Drainage showed evidence of horses from the Backcountry Horsemen Association that rides into the deep wilderness to cut and remove downed trees that keeps the trails in tip top shape.

In the drier valley below we could see the vicinity of Etna which was to become our next resupply station.

At Etna Summit, the rides were few in the early morning hours. However, Tigger from Florida arrived with three hikers from Etna with the famous PCT van. We saw her and Chuck Norris last in Kennedy Meadows well over a month ago. The van has the signatures of all the Pacific Crest Trail Hikers that enjoyed the presence of these road and trail angels.

Although Etna was only seven miles away, it took almost 45 minutes to drive into town because of the windy nature of the mountain roads. We then ate breakfast with Tigger who is now hiking the Florida Trail with Chuck Norris. We then resupplied and received a generous ride from a local who went out of his way to drive us back up to the summit.

We rose back up into the Marble Mountain Wilderness on route to Seiad Valley on the Klamath River 56 miles to the north. And so the life affirming journey continued........

Part 23 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 21

2010-02-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

From 100 degree temperatures in Castella on Interstate - 5, we resupplied and ascended several thousand feet into Castle Crags State Park to the cooler temperatures of 80 plus degrees.

Out of the dense forests of the lower elevations, we climbed up to touch the sensations of scenic metamorphic wonders.

The soils in this region are alkaline in Nature. Its the flip side of our acidic nature that is prevalent in many climates. Unique soil conditions exist to provide for specialized flowering plants, trees, and brush that only grow in this section of northern California and southern Oregon

We were to see about five black bears up to the Oregon border and even evident signs of cougars on the trail. One cougar roamed the Pacific Crest for at least three miles before detouring to the brush. We later learned that a few hikers were even lucky enough to see a mountain lion in person in the depths of this mountain wilderness.

We were to travel 100 miles north to Etna Summit in three and a half days.

Many of the springs in this section had insect eating pitcher plants growing from the precious seeps which were adorned with a spectrum of varied wildflowers.

There was a large forest fire to the west of us in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

We could see its smoky residue for the past week lingering in the air.

The deer we saw in this locale seemed miniaturized and stunted in their growth.

We could see the trail before us extending seemingly into infinity.

The geology of the landscape was both volcanic and metamorphic in nature. One moment we could be stepping on granite, and the next moment we could be moving with an ancient basalt based volcanic flow.

Even Mount Shasta looked like a different Volcano as compared to previous days and angles as seen here upon a high ridge to the west of it. What one thinks they see, is truly a relative experience based upon one's positioning in life. Paying attention and respect to each data point truly brings one to Life as we are constantly seeing life through new Eyes.

Part 22 ~ Enter Here

Guest Author on Evolving Beings

2010-02-10T15:22:00.000-08:00

For those who may resonate with this,

I am a guest author on Evita's "Evolving Beings" website.

The article is about re-integrating the Holidays,

That are embedded in Time,

To this Moment beyond Time.

When we can reclaim that which we project into a Calender or a Schedule,

We can all find the freedom and the Liberty

To feel brand New and fresh right Now.

We can truly Live from our Hearts

When we learn to feel in relationship

To that which presents its self

As we take each step through life.

We can become and merge with the Sunset, as well as the Sunrise,

And all moments in between.

Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 20

2010-02-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

With Mount Shasta in sight and with the cool temperatures of the early morning hours, we followed our course towards Burney Falls State Park.

Massive lava flows spanned the entire valley floor.

The refuge of Baum Lake cooled the touch of the red skin as Stacey swam with the White Pelicans.

Burney Falls was a natural wonder in that a quarter mile up stream there was absolutely no water in the creek bed. If you look closely at the water fall, at least a quarter of the water being released from the earth is springing out directly from the sedimentary layers. All the water that you see comes from an underground river that makes its way to the surface in this region. It dumps 200 million gallons of water a day, which amazingly includes California's dry summer months.

We took a full days rest in the town of Burney which coincided with Stacey's Birthday. A nice couple who knew the unique look of us vagabonds on a mission went out of their way to take us back up to Burney Falls.

We crossed over Lake Brittons's Dam which we were later told had fires raging along its shores.

"By the Book", above, shows off the PCT Hiker tan. With temperatures broiling, Rock Creek became a hiker haven with over 8 of us taking the plunge.

With our largest convey yet, we hiked together till nightfall where a friendly fire bonded us all together.

Mount Shasta became luminous and accented by flowers such as Fireweed.

Open views like this were actually not too common, since most of the mileage in this section was witnessed in the depths of the dense forests.

It seemed as if people were hiking more together in this section as a larger group to sustain and uplift the collective energy. The heat was taking a lot out of the average thru hiker. This area was a burn out zone for some. Injuries were beginning to flare up. Many seemed to be getting deep blisters, especially around the heals of their souls, and the skin of our feet was already very heavily calloused. After having spent, day in and day out, feeding on scenic views such as these, one had to often pay more attention to their inner worlds of unprocessed thoughts and feelings while in the forest canopies. Therefore, people began to wind down physically, and wind up emotionally or mentally. Many occupied themselves with the stimulus of other hikers to avoid draining their personal batteries.

At this point along the Pacific Crest Trail I had already lost 20 pounds, whereas Stacey lost around 12 pounds. I started the trail at 156 pounds and was currently at 136 pounds in this region. If you added the weight of my pack, I was still carrying a collective weight of 156 to 160 lbs. My intention was not to lose any weight for the length of the trail. The interesting part is that I gained the twenty pounds back in Oregon and Washington, and finished the trail at the exact same weight of 156 lbs. Overall, Oregon and Washington was a lot cooler, and the walking was less strenuous without the extreme ups and downs that California offered so much of.

This section ended with resupplying at Castle Crags State Park in Castella along the I-5 corridor. We re-fueled :) at this gas station, and next door there was a post office for those who sent packages ahead. However, a good handful of the hiking crew hitched either into Dunsmuir or Shasta City north of this climbing meca to rejuvenate their spirits.

Part 21 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 19

2010-02-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

Fresh from our breakfast in Chester, we trekked towards Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The Washington Lilies reminded us of our ultimate destination to the North.

This part of northern California is dry and often receives forest fires. A fire errupted along the route in this vicinity near Old Station from lightning strikes just a few weeks after we passed through this region.

Above is Boiling Springs Lake which is a reminder of the potential activity that Mount Lassen still has to offer.

Geyser's, fumarole's, and steaming mudpots accent the landscape.

An Austrian couple owns and operates Drakesbad within the park. They are super supportive towards the thru hike experience and offer discounted gourmet meals to help refuel the spirit. Left-overs tripled our portions and filled our bellies.

From Drakesbad, the owners called Old Station a days journey ahead, to let Firefly and Fire Walker know how many new hikers to expect at their luxurious encampment and retreat. These trail angels have all the bases covered making everyone feel like they are extended family. Interestingly, Fire Walker was born in Alameda and worked and lived most of his life in Oakland, California as a fire fighter. I, on the other hand, was born in Oakland and grew up in Alameda. We must have surely crossed paths before.

Temperatures were now over a hundred degrees in the shade. The treeless Hat Creek Rim struck fear into the hearts of many. There were two water caches to supplement one's water requirements and to help temper one's over heated attitudes.

This region is extremely volcanic and has many lava tubes to explore. The above is Subway Caves and the temperatures in this pitch black cavern felt like they were in the fifties and were a welcome contrast to the outside heat.

We enjoyed the vast beauty that Mount Lassen offered from many angles.

Ancient Lava flows textured our perception.

And we walked into the night to take advantage of the cool temperatures. Tomorrow, we would have the shade of the trees again with new and ever-changing forests to explore.

The scenic baton was now being transfered over to Mount Shasta. Soon we would begin our trek westward towards Shasta's southern flanks where we would cross Interstate 5 and begin our march northward again into Oregon via the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains. There was certainly a new flavour to the Moment each and every day.

Part 20 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 18

2010-02-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

From 6000 feet in elevation we decended to the middle fork of the Feather River at 2,900 feet. At these lower elevations, the latest fear that needed conquering for some hikers was the ever prevelant poison oak. I never met anyone on the PCT who ever itched from its skin rash, but its presence screamed in some people's minds.

"Too Obtuse" enjoying the views of the Feather River Crossing.

We climbed back up to 5,000 feet through densely wooded forests.

I had to sew and repair my back pack on the trail a couple of times.

Most packs don't last more than 3,000 miles. One often can send them back to the manufacturer in exchange for a replacement pack, since they have lifetime warranties.

It's amazing how one's gear wears out so easily, but the body just keeps on going and regenerating as many hikers are now walking 30 miles a day.

Our next stop is at Beldon Town at 2,310 feet which lies directly on the route of the PCT. We were surprised to run into an outdoor rave in the center of the town. They were playing techno music in three different areas, and their similar sounds overlapped to create a greater beat.

The whole scene reminded me of the Hotel California, where anytime of year you can find it here. Everyone, including the staff, was wasted on just about any drug you can imagine. The county sheriff poked its head into the Town and most of the bar emptied out within a minutes time. This place was hopping. It turns out they have the same party every weekend for the entire summer. People from all over the country and even Canada come up here to dance the days and nights away.

In Beldon, we spent the night at a trail angels bunk house. Laurie and Brenda were awesome hosts that picked us up from the raging party and delivered us to their safe haven. In the morning they even cooked us all breakfast and swapped trail stories. After resupplying at a local RV park, we ate breakfast again at Beldon Town before ascending into the Cascade Mountains. The Sierra Nevada's were now a part of our history.

Mount Lassen was now the newest peak that we set our eyes upon. It's last eruption occured back in 1915.

On July 12th, we reached the Pacifc Crest Trail's halfway marker announcing to us that we have already hiked over 1,300 miles.

The next morning we hitched a ride with a Canadian seasonal bird biologist to Chester where we resupplied once again and had a wonderful small town breakfast next to Lake Almanor. A PCT hiker's Mom that lives in Chester found us sticking our thumbs out and she graciously brought us back up to the trail where "Too Obtuse" replaced us in the vehicle to enjoy his turn in town.

We were now entering Lassen Volcanic National Park and the resort of Drakesbad was to provide us with a grand meal that we are certain to remember for the rest of our lives. The support the local public provided us hikers was a wonderous Highlight for the entire Journey.

Part 19 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 17

2010-01-30T16:14:00.000-08:00

From Donner's Pass, our internal compass was now set for Sierra City, a mere 41 miles away. We would be there by the afternoon of the next day.

Sierra Buttes is the next biggest geological feature along the length of the trail, just above Sierra City as seen on the Horizon from the above photo.

It's as if we were now following an ancient and modern string of volcanic extrusions all the way to the border of Canada. Some mountains erupted long ago, while others are steaming to this very day.

After enjoying the views of Sierra Buttes, we hitched a few miles into Sierra City. Often our rides are filled with long talks about how to be able to get away from the entrapments of society to walk such wonderous long distance trails, what the logistics entail, and what kind of light weight gear

people are pursuing and identifying with these days. Going Light is a metaphor on so many levels which anyone can embrace.

These small towns have country stores such as this one which sometimes doubles as the post office. We extended our supplies here to hike 92 miles to the next on-route major road town of Beldon.

At Sierra City, a lawyer by profession by the name of Sleuth, rented a room at the Buckhorn Hotel which is on the top floor of a restaurant/bar. All of the hikers that were passing through this particular week had a comfortable place to recooperate. There must have been 15 to 20 wayward warriors bunking out here....some for several days. People washed their clothes, ate big meals at restaurants, and watched movies on satellite televison. Sleuth offered this luxury in exchange for the stories and the feelings that the hikers were experiencing, because she too was planning a thru-hike in 2010.

The next day we climbed up to and around Sierra Buttes and we certainly had great views of this mountain for days to come.

There were many high mountain lakes in this region with some medium and large sized resorts below us catering to the outdoors-person.

On a few occasions we crossed paths with some round trip day hikers coming from these resorts. They must have been hiking at least 10 to 15 miles to enjoy and align themselves with these ridge line vistas.

This region definitely was more volcanic in nature, and held much more heat in its soil than in the granitic world we recently left behind us.

Flowers were an everyday treat and buckwheat was now in fashion.

Long Lake and Mount Elwell in the distance.

One of the things about a continuous hike is that you are always flowing with change. You may see a particular landmark for days or weeks at a time, but one's point of view and reference to this object in space is always changing. Its a metaphor for life, where if we let go and travel with the flow, one will always be seeing life and one's environment with fresh eyes. One can then see that every point of view is unique and important which emits a feeling to be experienced. In essence, it is what we are here to do....to feel the moment that we immerse ourselves into. By feeling the object of our attention, we come into resonance with Life its self.

Keep on trekking forward in the Now!

Part 18 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 16

2010-01-28T19:22:00.000-08:00

With an unseen force pulling us forward, we strided towards Donner's Pass near Interstate 80.

Views of Lake Tahoe brought memories back of my teenage days when I used to come up to this basin from the Bay Area to go skiing every winter. These were the mountains that I saw paradise within as well as with the Swiss Alps where extended family invited us into their homes. Without knowing the mountains as an adolescent, it makes me wonder if I would have ever been attracted to this monumental trail.

We walked above ski resorts like Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley where they once held the winter olympics.

Gigantic alpine fields of mule ears were blooming everywhere.

Being surrounded by birthing blossoms brings additional Joy to walking through Nature.

Moderate Summer Temperatures were beginning to settle in. The mosquitoes were becoming less frequent.

Ahead one can see why the interstate and the railroad built their routes through this territory.

These were our last views of Lake Tahoe as we make our way to Donner's Pass.

This will be our last closest look at the snow fields of the Sierra's. Soon we will be immersed in 80 to 100 degree temperatures.

The habitat is once again about to make a major change.

At Donner's Pass we borrowed a cell phone and called Pel-Mel and La-dee-da; two PCT Officials whom we met back at the Saufley's who were helping out with the hiker refugee camp for an entire week. Pel Mel had invited us to visit her in Truckee at her mountain cabin where we had great conversations and perhaps the best home made meal of the entire trip. It was just like Thanksgiving, and the Pacific Crest Trail truly provides many many thankful Moments. Gratitude settles in and becomes a way of Life and Living.

Part 17 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 15

2010-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

Free from Snowbound passes, we entered into a new hiking realm where spring was still emerging while within the summer.

The world that surrounded us spoke Volumes. It's gentle energy danced with our essence changing how we perceived each moment of the world to be, forever more to come.

The idea of Leave No Trace is a myth. As the earth imparts her energy into us, we too modify the earth with just our mere presence. By feeling wonderful, and by just appreciating the views, we send love into Nature and the Earth, uplifting her state of Being. Our energetic presence imprints the environment. Have you ever been into a room that felt angry or negative? These energies are created by the information we send out with our minds. Therefore, if we flow with beauty through the outdoors, we give back and reinforce the beauty to the earth. So in essence, we should make the earth better than it was before by leaving the best possible trace of us that we can. We can restore the earth to a lighter mood by giving the best of ourselves.

The eastern flanks of the Sierra's are very dry since they are neighboring the High Desert Country. The rain and snow taper off here as the low pressure systems release most of their moisture content on the western slopes till the energy is able to rise more fully above the mountains, where it no longer needs to become lighter to continue moving eastward.

Blue Lake and Upper Blue Lake was bustling with a wide spectrum of recreational enthusiasts. The mountains were now acceptable and open to the average back-country lover.

However, the more you spend time in the mountains, one's back-country becomes one's front country which can be explored and reveled upon at any time of year. Civilization then seems to feel like the back-country.

Elephants Back (Above) and the Carson Pass area (Below) brought us to the junction with the Tahoe Rim Trail that circles the amazingly beautiful Lake Tahoe. We had hiked this 165 mile trail several years ago which actually got me home sick to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. And here I was once again, but with new eyes to see it from a totally new and envigorating point of view.

At Echo Summit, we hitched a ride into South Lake Tahoe for two nights of extraordinary comfort. After 1,100 miles of hiking in running sandels, I traded them in for some running shoes. On July 4th, we hitched twice to return to the summit to celebrate our personal independance that the long distance trail helps one to re-discover. Below is a photo of Echo Lake Resort and the portal to the Desolation Wilderness.

Echo Lake was a playground for Log Cabin enthusiasts who could either walk a trail around the lake to their homes or could boat to their front doors.

Lake Aloha, above, certainly lived up to its name with its loving beauty that is imparted into one's eyes and soul.

The Bounty of the moment was harvested with every breath we took. You too can explore the infinite details of life from differing angles. Returning to the Wilderness is like rediscovering life as if seen through a child's eyes for the very first time.

Part 16 ~ Enter Here

Beyond the Rising and Setting Sun

2010-01-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

I close my eyes and the sun sets.

I open my eyes and the sun rises.

If I never close my eyes,

there will always be the Light

Beyond the time of day.

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 14

2010-01-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

Yosemite is filled with intricately carved granitic domes and peaks. We could smell a fire on the gentle winds that was scortching the lower elevations. Fire is often a problem PCT hikers have to face as they begin traveling into the dry summer weather. In some years, hikers have to skip entire sections because of trail closures issued by the Forest Service.

Crossing creeks and rivers doubles for cleaning one's socks and shoes, or sandels, in my case.

Dorothy Lake Pass is seen ahead which is the northeastern border of Yosemite National Park.

Just after Dorothy Lake we will no longer be required to carry our mandated bear cannisters. We were never checked for our thru hikers permit either for the entire length of this 2,700 mile trail.

Entering Toiyabe National Forest we make our way to our last big snow crossing near Sonora Pass.

This area is the northern end of the High Sierra's, where the elevation typically drops from 10 and 11,000 feet to 8 and 9,000 feet. The snow will only be patchy for the next hundred miles or so till it entirely disappears for the rest of the summer season.

We saw several deer up this high running ahead of us on the trail. They seemed to have the diet of a mountain goat at these elevations with sparse vegetation.

As you can see, after Kennedy Lake the snow starts tapering off dramaticly. Even the afternoon thunderstorms would begin to vanish.

The contrast of seeing and traveling through snow everyday will be missed. I truly love these high mountains at this time of year.

Looking back into Yosemite National Park for the last time, we enter into a world of higher mileage hiking days with less elevation losses and gains. We are still on top of the world, because we are in the best possible endurance shape that our bodies could actually feel.

We can now see our route for hundreds of miles to come with no obstructions. At Sonora Pass there were several hikers waiting to go into Bridgeport for a hotel and to resupply. A sister of one of the hikers had rented a car and brought up goodies to the pass to share with kindred spirits.

Looking back at Sonora Pass, you can see the snow bowl we slid down from on our butts. For a couple of hours as we rested at the pass, we could see each hiker sledding their way down as we each said good bye to the High Sierra's in a fun and flowing unique way.

Part 15 ~ Enter Here

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 ~ part 13

2010-01-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

From 10,900 foot Silver Pass, we descended through sinking and softening snow. After a mile of hiking I could see a junction sign sticking out of the snow. I had noticed other hikers foot prints going in the wrong direction towards another valley to the west. We were to travel slightly east to Sqauw Lake. It turns out two seperate hikers at different times took the wrong turn that particular day and had an additional round trip of four miles to take to get back to the offical trail. The photo above was taken from Tully Hole the next day.

In the distance was Yosemite National Park. But today we were to finally enter the perimeter of civilization at Red's Meadow next to Devil's Postpile National Monument. Here we found ourselves the opportunity to have dinner at a restaurant before taking an empty Bus up to Mamoth Lakes the next day. We heard a story from other hikers who took this shuttle when the bus was crowded with tourists. The squimish one's had to hold their breath and plug their noses at the curious aroma's that the hikers had built up since their last showers a week or more ago. We spent two nights at a Motel 6 where dozens of hikers were resting and resupplying to begin their next leg towards Tuolmne Meadows. Mamoth Lakes had everything a hiker could imagine including free bus service throughout the local community.

It was now June 24th and it was summer time. We were beginning to see more foot traffic from section hikers coming into the high country to go fishing and to enjoy the grandeur that Nature has to offer. We also came across Ancient Brit, a thru hiker from England who we first met at Kennedy Meadows. When he rests, he is known to take off his clothes and drink tea in the sun absolutely nude. I am sure he delivered some shock treatment to the weekend hikers in search of the freedom that Ancient Brit apparently found.

Here at Thousand Island Lake we were entertained by an Osprey that caught a fish to bring back to its nest.

It was now mosquito season and certain areas at certain elevations were swarming with these pesky little creatures. It seemed like a productive year for them too. We were to deal with mosquitoes and their attacks frequently on and off into Oregon. In some places you couldn't sit still too long because they would propel a hiker forward to keep moving. Some of these insects didn't seem to know what insect repellment was supposed to do.

This is a view from Donohue Pass at the southern border with Yosemite National Park.

At Tuolumne Meadows we added to our supplies to trek the next 140 miles to Echo Summit above Lake Tahoe. There must have been about 15 thru hikers enjoying the additional calories from a fresh breakfast. In places like these, its interesting to see everyone bottle-necked together, because once you are out on the trail, you may not see anyone for hours or even days. In the back country we often seem to be evenly spaced out.

In Yosemite, one often comes in contact with mule trains resupplying back-country camps where those who want to have it all can have it hauled in by mules and horses.

The Tuolumne River and Tuolumne Falls were nothing less than perfect. Yosemite has some of the best waterfalls in the region because the water is often cascading down smooth granitic rock.

Then as if we opened a secret door we found ourselves on the old Tahoe Yosemite Trail. It was as if only Pacific Crest Trail hikers could see this door and walk into a mosquito buzzing world.

We felt envigorated by everything. One's senses come alive as if they had been dormant for life-times. Hiking everyday feels totally natural as if the body were designed to migrate and explore. When one begins to ease into living in the outdoors for months at a time, one feels compelled to rejoin the rhythms of Nature at every opportunity. When you taste freedom, there is no going back into an isolated cell of our own personal making and choosing. There is only expansion to savour and enjoy.

Part 14 ~ Enter Here

My Destiny

2010-01-17T00:59:00.000-08:00

What am I destined to do or become?

This has been a question I have asked many times over the years. And from my dreams, I now realize I have been given the answer many times without truly knowing its meaning until now.

Do you ever get reoccurring dreams? I must have had this dream a few times over the years, but the other day, I finally got its message and I am sure I will no longer dream it again, because I am beginning to live it.

I am in a marshy swamp and there is a lightweight balsam wood type of bush plane. I help to get it back in the air and the plane goes very slow and is able to ascend vertically very easily. As I walk through the water I look to my left and I see through the winter trees without leaves that there is a gigantic and heavy weight plane on a concrete runway. I see through leafless and winter staged trees because the feeling from such a scene is one of being asleep or unawakened. It’s a jet cargo plane and its design is actually quite unique, something that could possibly exist in the future. In my mind I can see much of its detail. I used to wonder if it meant I was to think bigger or to carry a larger load. However, now I know better. I am walking in Nature and through water which is a symbol of spirit for me. The plane I helped to ascend was light and was in relationship to nature, since it was a bush plane. This I now know fits my persona and personality type. It feels good versus something that needs a heavy concrete runway. I find it better to have the freedom to land and fly just about anywhere.

I then find my self walking into an airport and there are thousands of people standing in line next to the storage hangers. I am not sure what they are waiting for. However, now I know that the people are stagnant and that they are waiting when they can be experiencing what they are feeling without having to follow other people's parameters or guidelines. A small propeller plane like a super cub suddenly lands in and around the crowd. The pilot needs refueling but doesn't know where or how to do so. He doesn't feel comfortable trying to find the fueling station in the crowd. I point to where he needs to go, but he won't do it. So I get into the plane and take the controls and drive the plane through the crowd to the fuel depot. He fuels up and is able to take off by himself. To me this means I am to help those who can help themselves, but are stuck for whatever reason or fear they may momentarily have. I am therefore to help people how to feel energized, and how they can overcome their fears and blocks in life. It makes sense that I didn't help the people who were standing in line. They wouldn't be able to hear me or understand what I would be trying to describe or convey. Many people are on the verge of finding themselves, and sometimes they just need a little help so that they can get off of the ground once again.

These days, most of my spiritually related dreams have water as a symbol within them. In the past, I used to be on a train. Sometimes, I was the conductor, sometimes I would have to transfer at stations, and sometimes, I would leave the train to go and explore. A few times I even almost crashed into other oncoming trains. I was wondering why I didn't have them anymore, and my conclusion was that I am beyond the layed tracks. I feel I have transcended my karma and I am no longer on a fated path. I can walk anywhere I please which is seen through many of dreams dealing with flight and flying. I have found my path of destiny. And what is that exactly.....? Its nothing exact at all. It’s what ever I want to feel and experience in the Moment. It doesn't matter what I do. All I have to do is to feel alive and express my self in any way that may arise. This is truly a sense of liberty and it is an essential aspect of freedom.