Dear Pacific Crest Trail (2023)

Dear Pacific Crest Trail,

I have not forgotten about you. I hope you have not forgotten me. You were once such a consuming thought. Never in my life have I given so much of myself to a dream. Never have I poured so much energy into something. I spent countless hours researching, training, saving, and planning. I talked about you to anyone who would listen. I shared my dream with anyone who seemed to care. You were my north star. You were a constellation brightening the darkest night. Everyone I met in Los Angeles and everyone who followed my story online knew it.

Family, friends, and total strangers rallied to support my dream. They offered to mail me food boxes on the trail. They went on practice hikes and backpacking adventures with me. They donated to help fund this dream of mine, and they even helped purchase gear. I have never felt so loved, supported, and encouraged in all my life. I may spend the rest of my days chasing those feelings.

In an instant, my dream vanished. Three days into my journey, a global pandemic sent us home. In an abundance of caution, it was the right call. Sitting in a cabin in Mt. Laguna, a mere 30 miles from the Mexican border, we watched the news. Airports and borders were closing. Government agencies were begging people to stay home to slow the spread. Businesses were locking their doors. Eventually, the…