Out of pocket...sorta

 29 March, 2022 (Tues Night)

    Miss Kristi has has had a plethora of experiences that are wonderful, filled with good people, community, good friends, and challenges. 

    Let me first tell you that I am the one that has been on vacation for 10 days. Part of that was going to St. George with Kristi and Ryan to introduce Ryan to Grandpa Moe and Grandma Marilyn. Kristi also wanted to show her Gramps her gear, and talk to him about her plans. He is very important to her and seeing him was just what she needed before her adventure. We went back to SS Sunday the 20th of March, so she could be on the plane Monday (21st) morning at 8am.

Goodbye for now...

Parting is such sweet sorrow. 

   Then I came home fore a few days and started her blog and prepared to head back to St George and then on to California to attend Cassi's Baby Shower. Which was very fun. Then back to St. George to stay another night at Grandpa Moe's and then home. I am back at work now so blogging should be caught up soon. 

    Let me give you the sweet and condensed version of what has been happening with our Fearless Fannie Pack Hiker. (She hasn't got a trail name yet so I'll float some by you). She has made several friends. Who is surprised? Kristi has never met a stranger and she is so kind, inclusive, and fun that people gravitate to her happy demeanor. To say Kristi is a people person is an understatement. 

So happy to have her reflective umbrella

on super hot days in the desert sun. 

Gorgeous views, peace, and beauty.

Kristi has 'Cowboy' camped a few nights which means she has not pitched her tent but opted instead to camp in her sleeping bag under the beautiful stars. Yes, I had my reservations about this since she is hiking in the desert, knowing that creepy crawlies love warm places to snuggle in the cool of the desert night. However, I have learned long ago that my fears should never become my children's. If I have strong feelings about something I will discuss it with them, but my kids know that they can get answers to their own prayers/revelation for their lives so when they feel strongly about something I usually acquiesce, get on board and become their biggest supporter and advocate. She actually really liked it, slept well, snug as a bug in a rug. The only thing she reported was that the dew from the morning had made the outside of her sleeping bag wet. Which she later threw over a fence in the sunshine to air out and dry. No creepy crawlies to be found. PTL

    She has met an elderly gentleman who is on the trail alone too, his name is Bill. And she has passed him with concern at leaving him happily sitting at the side of the trail. The next day she caught up to Bill as he had gotten up very early and had passed her before she got moving the next morning. One evening when she decided to cowboy camp he also decided to too so they camped near each other. She said she slept like a log. 

    Let me explain a little about the Pacific Crest Trail. The hikers have to have permits to hike. They only allow so many hikers to attempt it per year. There is a lottery for these permits and many are left out. But Kristi not only got a permit, she got the precise date she wanted to leave. They only allow 50 hikers a day to leave the Southern Border. So the trail is not like a ghost town. There are 50 people who left the same day as Kristi, and each day after until the end of the permits. So Kristi will see many people, and have oodles of opportunities to meet new friends, to hike and camp with them. They call them 'tramilies'. 

The bright orange GPS in her chest is a locator kind of like

back country skiers use. It's called a Garmin InReach GPS. 

The cost runs around $350.00 plus a monthly fee. 

I can ping her location whenever I choose, or I get a message 

when she sends me her location. It has brought me some peace for sure.

If she is in a life or death situation one push of the button

summons the helicopter and medical team to come get her

immediately. The cost is a mere $20,000. if they are summoned.

If one is looking for peace...here it is. 

   When Kris arrived at Mount Laguna she hiked to town for a shower, food, and met up with the Physical Therapist she'd met earlier on the hike who worked on her shoulder, even doing some cupping on it. I was on the phone with her since she had '1' bar, and could hear when she walked into the Cafe, several people called to her and invite her to eat with them, offered her come by their campsite to charge her phone and battery chargers. Etc. So far everyone is happy, inclusive, and ready to help each other, as they all have the same goal. Canada! One day she ate with three people from the Netherlands. Those who know Kristi will smile knowing our girl is in her element. The hikers are charged to camp at many of the camp grounds. For instance in Mount Laguna it was $30. for a site with electricity and $35. for a site with water and electricity. Kristi just paid to pitch her tent and that was $5. Showers, laundry, hot meals, are all extra $$$. If you feel so inclined and would like to do something nice for our FearlessFannyHikes ...her venmo is @kristidodge Thank you SO much. 

       

There was a big storm that came in on Sunday the 27th of March, so Thurston's picked Kristi up from the trail and took her home for a hot shower, warm bed, and amazingly wonderful food. The hikers are allowed, even encouraged to take 'zero' days and many stay in motel's, or are picked up by friends and family for a day or two before dropping them back off to continue their journey. We are SO thankful for Ted and Jane Thurston since it decided to SNOW too. Pictures forthcoming. Hiking is not free, nor is it cheap. Some stay in nice hotels once in a while but most. like Kristi, will opt for the cheapest ways to travel. If you have a hiking product or gear company and would like Kristi to use it to test or advertise it just message me and we will see that it happens. 

Many friends and family members have expressed interest in hiking portions of the PCT with Kristi. And or bringing her home with them for a 'zero' day or two. Nothing is quite as encouraging or uplifting to the hikers than to have guest hikers come along for a day, two, or a week or two. Or just to pick her up on a Sunday to take her to Church. I am sure her stories, and gratitude will make it worth your while. We have ways of tracking her but also we can plan accordingly and she can let you know where she will be and on what day. I will not be posting her exact whereabouts on social media, real time. If I post a mile marker it's been a while since she's been there. Safety first. But it will give you a general idea of her progress. 

    Again thank you to the Thurston family for their kind generosity to my ThruHiker, may God place blessings on your heads. ;) 

    

    

    

Night one...meh!

 23 March, 2022 (Tues night)

   I spoke with Kristi as she was turning in for the night. Setting up her tent went well albeit a little scaddywompus.  But she was content with how setup went and was anxious to cook a ramen meal that she and Ryan had meticulously made adding dehydrated meat, veggies, and such. She was alone and no-one was camping close to her. But she was happy with how far she went and the events of the day.

The PCT trail. 

Kristi Dodge adventurer. 

   When I spoke to Kristi this morning one of things most pressing on my mind was, how did she sleep? She is tough but likes her sleep to be quiet, dark, and noiseless. So here is a picture of her tent. 

This is an ultra-lite tent. I'll insert the name and specs

of this tent soon. Let's suffice it to say that it weighs ounces

not pounds, the fabric is extremely tough. 

Kristi researched everything and the reports on this tent were

fantastic with veteran hikers saying they'd had this tent

for a few years of rough hiking and still this tent had zero tears. 

Also, with her stuff sac it becomes this tiny 

cylindric orb that fits in the bottom of her pac.

However light this space age fabric is, it is also very

transparent and I knew this may lead to some sleeping

issues as our beautiful moon that gives light to the night

may pose a problem as it shines into her tent.

   I was correct in my assumptions, and the moon had her improvising with a jacket over the eyes. Also, there were adjustments with her sleeping bag and air mattress. All in all she was able to get a little bit of sleep. I'm sure she will find more and more ways of rigging things so she can find the best way to get comfortable so she can get some good rest soon. 

   She reported that her dinner that she made was super delicious and she was glad for the nourishment. She doesn't eat much, and said she had leftovers for her noon  meal. She snacked on a banana from the Thurston's, fruit snacks, and other little treats. 

    FYI- Ready made dehydrated meals are between $9.00 and $16.00 depending on the meal. So Kristi has purchased many dehydrated fruits, veggies, and meats, and she and Ryan (her boyfriend) have spent hours and hours in the kitchen of my house making their own at about $3.99 per meal. They made over 100. They were packaged with mylar bags complete with oxygen depleting packets. Yes, we know that won't be enough but we definitely wanted her to eat them for a while to see if she likes them, if her stomach could tolerate them, or if she gets sick of them. So for now her report that it was delicious is good, very good.

   I have laughed as people have asked how I am doing. With a smile I have explained that I'm great, but my house looks like base camp threw up in it. Here are some pictures:

Preparing meals and still smiling. 

Hygiene items.

Special clothing right down to the socks. 

The wool socks on the left, NOT the anklets on 

the right, those are staying. 

Making re-supply boxes.

A view of the re-supply boxes.

   Since Kristi cannot carry everything she'll need, she has re-supply boxes that will have different items in them as she progresses through her journey. For instance, there is no need for her to carry ice crampons, and snow gators through 700 miles of California desert. Ryan or I will send these boxes strategically ahead of her so when she gets into towns along the PCT there will be a box waiting for her. The post offices along the PCT have been doing this for years and they charge $10. per box to hold them. She even has her own duct tape with duckies on it to easily identify her boxes. She is actually amazing. 

  Tonight when I talked to her she was planning to 'Cowboy' it which means she is sleeping under the stars tonight, no tent. Let us pray. ;) 

   

Pacific Crest Trail...The eagle has landed and she is walking!

Jane Thurston, Kristi, and Ted Thurston

These are Emily's parents (Kristi's favorite Mission 

companion and dearest friend) They picked her up at

the airport yesterday, treated her like royalty, and

brought her to Campo this morning. We are so thankful

for Jane and Ted and their gracious, thoughtful service.

The wall between Mexico and the USA.

Kristi with her pack on ready to go.

 22 March, 2022

  This is the beginning of my blog, but not the beginning of our story. I am sure the telling will unfold like a great novel, or maybe not. But like John-boy Walton, Jane Austin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Lucy Maud Montgomery I was born to write. Like the afore mentioned I think my best writing is when I try to capture the moments that I know, what feels right and true, that which inspires, encourages honesty, integrity, and great faith. I find joy in writing about those who have influenced me, but especially those whom I love. 

   Thus this blog is born today because I will be blogging about the adventures of may daughter, Kristi, who just embarked this morning on the adventure of a lifetime. She is hiking The Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican Border to Canada. She will endeavor to hike each step of the mind boggling 2,650 MILES of her journey. 

   Kristi is an incredible human. She is an inspiration to me and so many others for various reasons I will touch on as this journey of hers unfolds. But to those she has touched from places such as Texas, Utah, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, California, New York, and places in between I will do my best to keep the promises made to keep you informed, and to try to give you a glimpse into her tenacious adventure. 

At the southern terminus.

Looking North towards Canada.

She's WALKING!

Saw a few people. This is Papa Bear he and his friend 

live in CLEEF and were there offering water, and advise

to NOT push too hard at first. A guy from S CA named, Tran,

is trying to do 15+ miles his first day. 

Pretty little creek. 

This was not her stopping point today she went further.

But I just wanted to show you that we can 'ping' her at

any time and find exactly where she is. This brings this 

Thru Hiker Momma a LOT of peace. 

  Well, Kristi has stopped for the night, pitched her tent, is eating, and has had a wonderful day. The wind blew most of the day but it was sunny and fair. All said, a terrific start to her first day. Now...I hope she can sleep. ;)