Dragonfly on the wind.

Sometimes, when I am feeling very tired- or that all is lost-- perhaps when life is just on that edge. I just happen to find a Dragonfly or several! It is always on that moment of CHANGE. I've had dragonflies of pure glittering gold land on me - as well as perfectly electric blue ones. They just seem to hover near while spirits are low- watching - waiting. When I see them I always smile, and in that moment I have realized I made up my mind . .. . just like that they are gone.

Maybe its silly - but I really believe these dragonflies come to me in times of uncertainty. I think they watch over me.
-I know I know . . . .
but still. . . . =)

Gear

What I will wear and use for 5 months on the trail.
There will probably be a few changes! 

SHELTER: MSR Hubba 1 person tent with rain fly and footprint - this is very breathable yet also warm and roomy. I can sit up completely without even being near to hitting my head.

WATER FILTER: Sawyer Mini -  Aqua Mirra drops

SLEEP PAD: Therm-a-rest Neo Air XLite Womens - worried about punctures but I have plenty seals.

SLEEPING BAG: Feathered Friends Egret Nano 20 this is so cozy I love it!

Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 8 Ladies.
Though I love my Keen Targhee 2 Ladies hike boots - They just feel TOUGH. My happiest times zooming around places have always been in my Nike Pegasus sneakers. - Knowing that I will be crossing a lot of creeks on the PCT - I'm going to go with Trail Runners. - Mostly because I don't want a boot that will take forever to dry.

-I will also bring a pair of Bedrock Sandals for camp chilling.

Socks/Legwarmers: Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light Mini Sock
I have two pair of these I will carry with me as well as several new balance ones I will mail to my friend.

Zensah - compression leg sleeve - cause I loved these after my half marathons.

Clothing:
This is challenging because my instinct is to pack it all! - The reality is. . . .I don't want to carry it all!
So I must realllllllly peel down to what is needed for a 5 months expedition and bounce box myself warmer items. Mostly I'm going for darker colors because they look less grotty over time than light colored tops and bottoms. Plus I'm just more comfortable in dark colors LOL.

Shorts: Black running shorts!

Pants: Runder Under Leggings from Lululemon. They are warm, wicking, have a continuous drawcord in the waist- are reversible- and keep me happy. 

TAGGART - North Face -- The waist is comfy and the material soft and breathable.

Shirts: Icebreaker Tech Lite T-Shirt

Icebreaker Sprite Tank.

Sun Protection: Columbia Silver Ridge Long Sleeve Shirt --- this shirt is stupidly small on me and I can't even button the crucial middle chest button. . . . But it feels nice - and I should have something to cover my arms . . . i have a pic trying to squeeze into this sucker . . it isn't pretty but I'll post it when I actually fit into it HAHAHA

Outerlayer Jacket: Arc'teryx Ceva HOoded Jacket- Womens

Underwear and Sports Bra: exofficio give-n-go underwear for the quick drying - and Champion Seamless Sports bra

Headwear: I have this ironman headsweats cap that is so breathable - I love it. - Also a midcap from headsweats that is a beanie that covers my ears.

-I also have a BUFF - which I will use as a multifunction type piece

-And finally a mosquito headnet as I hear the skeeters are brutal in Oregon lake country. . . wonder how they compare to the hummingbird sized ones here in Florida?!

Raingear:
ULA RAIN KILT for the bottoms.Patagonia Houdini
Mountain Hardwear light Rain Jacket- I can't remember the style but I wore it while hiking around Washington April of 2013 and it did the job.

Gaiters:  the short dirty girl gaiters for the desert.

Outdoor Research tall Gaiters for the north.

Gloves: Marmot Windstopper womens-- I might have to change these out for waterproof ones in the north.

Trekking Poles: LEKI Cristallo Speedlock Trekking Poles.- didn't realize they had 3 open extension spots- thanks to Remy and Risa for helping me un-noob!

Headlamp: Petzl headlamp I was given for Christmas from my dear friend Neel! <3
Leatherman - also prezzie from Neel!



More gear info when I gather more of it - and then of course gear tests by hike and camp with reviews and photos of trial and error!

 I didn't ask permission to use the photos but HEY I bought the product so I guess they wouldn't mind lol - plus i'm not selling stuff- just being a gear nerd to prep for PCT! Needless to say - here are all the links to the places I bought my items and used their photos from! =D
 Backcountry.com - bedrocksandals.com  dirtygirlgaiters.com - Featheredfriends.com -  Patagonia.com  lululemon.com - splits59.com  REI.com
Let the tweaking continue! oh yes and ula-equipment.com icebreaker.com columbia.com marmot.com

Day 2: I will not wear those shorts again!

The skies above Southwest Florida will be bathed in the orange glow of my burning shorts! Though adjusting to wear shorts for my hike today was a good call- these were just stupidly uncomfortable.
These were about 3 inch black board short style in a swim material. Though perfect for swimming and hanging out -- and temperaturewise fantastic. . they were just a BIT too short for walking. I spent 4 miles constantly adjusting.
- The quality of this walk however was far superior to yesterday as it was  5 degrees cooler at 86 degrees F with a nice breeze to boot!

I had some bounce in my step as I enjoyed the afternoon along the Myakka State Forest. There were Anhinga birds drying their wings and Snowy white Egrets on the hunt in the swampy waters.
Just 5 degrees cooler and it was a completely different experience!!! - I was really happy- yes still hot but not demoralized as I was yesterday.
The 20 lb pack felt good and solid - not a burden and it was over all a much more heartening experience.
I am hoping tomorrow will be even better as my body adjusts to daily pack carrying.

Feeling strong!

Day 1 Prep.: Pack Weight

I have several hiking/backpacking items already in my arsenal of items I'm thinking about bringing - which includes a really nice womens Osprey Atmos 50 backpack.
Until today - Everything has just been NUMBERS IN MY HEAD and WORDS FROM MY MOUTH.
I decided I needed to go see what I was made of because If I can't hack it in this flat terrain. . .I'm going to just die out there in the Mojave desert. . . Granted out west it is a different kind of heat - I just figured I would throw myself out into the worst conditions possible here in Florida and see how I do. . . .
Well. . .
Its a start.
12pm/August/Florida/ 91 degrees with 104 heat index/ No shade/ 8 miles.
This was the goal.

I started out pretty great!! - Loaded my pack up with exactly 20 lbs. . .  of jeans and water. I put jeans in there because I haven't gotten my tent or sleeping bag or sleeping pad yet. I just wanted to see what 20 lbs feels like. Man that water is heavy - - and it was only a tiny camelbak bladder. Not EVEN NEAR the 4 litres I plan to lug through the desert where there are 30 mile stretches between water sources.. . .
Down the road I went - warming up but feeling strong!

The road stretched out ahead of me dusty and hot. There was no shade along this path other than the occasional blissful cloud to pass over the sun. Its funny, when I'm out west the idea of NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY, is FANTASTIC!!!!!- Here in Florida it is MURDER.
My pack weight was evenly distributed along my back and hips, I was sipping water and listening to music. 4 miles roll around and its time for me to turn back!! YAY!!!
- I pulled off the trail for a moment to stand in the shade of a tree. By this time I am full on boiling- even feeling slightly nauseated because of the heat- and my lack of fitness the past few months.
One thing I always try to do is finish the distance I set out for-- just FINISH IT. If I were running, I would crawl home if I had to -but I HAD TO FINISH. . . . Today was not that way.
-at mile 5.76 with only a little ways back to the house and my glorious pool - I called Matt and asked him to come get me!~!
OHHHH am I such a WIMP!!! But I knew I went as far as I could go in this no shade 104 heat index August day!
Matty came and got me down the road and took me home as I was overheating and tallying all the changes I was going to make.
-There really is no better PREPPING for this hiking and backpacking thing other than getting out there and just doing it- making mistakes -- learning what works and what doesn't.

Upon arriving home from what I will call the Hot Jeans Incident, I literally dove into the pool with my dogs staring at me like a crazed overheating beast!

I drank plenty water along the way -but was no where near finishing my camelbak bladder- this makes me feel good about my hourly water consumption. As I was on task for my goal of 3 miles per hour. I will definitely change my attire. Though the drifit Nike capris were very comfy and have gotten me through many half marathons and 5k road races--- I need shorts.
Also better sunblock -and to REALLY scrutinize what I will bring on this adventure. . . . I know very well now what an added 20 lbs feels like and its hard going.
- Even though I didn't finish my goal of 8 miles today - tomorrow I will go out earlier in the day and try to see what I can do. This is my baseline in the worst heat Florida can hit me with.
 Even when I got home- I still felt strong bodied - just a little crazed and over heating. I probably could have gone the full 8 miles but I learned what I came to learn. -- and that is packweight REALLY REALLY matters- also getting up early to hike.
If I can condition myself to handle this heat- I think I can handle Southern California alright- even if its dry heat - at least my body will be trained to go 20 miles a day.

I will let you know how it goes!! Tomorrow 6 mile aim.
Earlier start.

The Pacific Crest Trail

Hello! After a fantastic and dreamlike roadtrip of Oregon, the California Redwoods and Mt. St Helens of Washington - I am completely in love with the Pacific North West!
We played in Portland - cruised down the 101 on the Oregon Coast hitting up light houses and beaches all along the way -- Hiked through Redwoods in Jedediah Smith. We were amazed by the painted hills and enjoyed the water falls of the Columbia River Gorge as well as peeking at Helen in Washington. A roadtrip to cherish for sure!

I find myself completely alive with nature and very much so enjoying the summer weather over there! I heard a few people mention to me about this epic long hike called the Pacific Crest Trail. - I thought --- cool . . where does it go? Then blam - another person mentions it- and then while in the airport flying home to Florida, there is a book on the shelf infront of me called WILD that is about this trail! -
I thought SURELY this is a sign . . . Okay read up on it!

This is a 2,660 plus mile trail that stretches from the Mexican border in California- up through Oregon and Washington ending at the Northern Terminus at the border of Canada.WHOA.
- Not only does it sound EPIC - it sounds very difficult as there are stretches of Mojave Desert -Snowy mountain passes - and elevation changes that this Florida Girl just isn't used to!
Yet somehow its in my blood now - and I've decided I'm going to hike this thing. It is more than a want- it is a NEED.
It will take 5 months of my life -but I can't think of anything better to do with myself than learn what I need to on the trail.
I believe it will be life changing.

SO -
Here I go- Prepping for the adventure of a lifetime!