Busted Magic in Tehachapi

As of this morning I am at mile 567, and I am now in a town called Tehachapi. I am feeling strong, but so tired, my body is more tired than ever before. Yesterday, I hiked 25 miles staring down at the ground stabbing my trekking poles as hard as I could into the sand just to keep my balance against the Mojave wind, which is nuts, totally nuts! The wind exhaustes me and hiking in it day after day has worn me out. My past few days have been spent hiking along the California Aqueduct, the Mojave desert, and  the miles and miles of sand, wind, and heat. In the middle of this harsh, dry, hot place there is so much magic, so much love. The group I am hiking with is great! I met all of them about a month ago and already we share a lifelong connection and friendship, I am not so sure that there is any other situation in life, where one can say that. This istant connection among thru hikers make me think about the loyalty and friendship a dog offers their owner, they dont judge you, or care about the past, all they do is love you, and stick by your side during the bad days and the good days, thats what thru hikers do for eachother. The magic given to thru hikers by other hikers is awesome and the magic strangers off the trail give to us is nothing short of amazing! Thank you to all of the strangers that have left water caches hidden miles from towns in the middle of nowhere for us, left us apples on the side of the trail, taken us into their homes, given us rides, showers, beds, given us wise words of wisdom and encouragment. Thank you!! This has been a very humbling lesson for me, the best part of the Trail is truly the people. The desert has a certain type of beauty, a beauty that I was not aware of until this Trail. It is a place where coyotes sing all night, a place where everything is just trying to stay alive against the heat and wind, a place that welcomes each day with a colorful sunrise, and a place that echoes humans go home. No matter how hot, waterless, windy or miserable I am out here, there is always something beautiful.  The ants scurry around me all day, the lizards run in and out of  my path, the rattle snakes sneak out of holes and through plants, and the sun beats down hotter and hotter as the days rolls on. I feel strong now, I am getting used to lonely 25-28 mile days and I am looking forward to the Sierras, I feel content out here, and I believe that this is where I am suppose to be for now. I have learned more in the last month out here than I have learned in the last year at home. Hello to everyone is Summit County, hello to my family, I love you guys!

Please check out my fundraiser for CASA of the Continental Divide by visiting my "Thru Hike for CASA" Facebook page!