Base Weight, Food and Other Info

My DIY bag

I'm relatively new to backpacking and distance hiking. I'm also on a tight budget and dislike mass consumerism; so I try my best to up cycle and recycle as much as I can everyday. It is a very conscious choice that I am happy to make from an environmentalist's perspective.

These are the items that I carried for my first solo trip, 73 miles of the PCT.

First solo hike: PCT mile 444.1- 517.8

During my recent visit to Los Angeles, I decided to take a week to walk part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail or "PCT" while I waited for one of my daughter's school performances to happen.

After having lived there for over 15 years, I thought I had seen enough of California. Until now.
This land is amazingly beautiful and diverse. After a week of debate, research and getting feedback from experienced PCT hikers on FaceBook, I decided to tackle the last bit of section "D" and some of "E" for 3 reasons:

1- There are no dog restrictions on these sections, which means my little Booboo (aka "One Gallon") could come along.

Walking the Old Zoo trail

Yesterday BooBoo and I hiked the old zoo trail and a bit more, about 9 miles altogether. It was a rainy, cold and muddy morning. It was perfect for hiking.

It almost brought tears to my eyes, to walk in some of these places where my mind still sees my little girl running eagerly, playing and laughing when we used to homeschool while living here. She also turned 15 yesterday, which made this hike even more significant for me.

Leaving the Boxed Room

It seems like this blog should be named "Never home instead".

I am going on a journey again. Only this time I am taking my home with me.

Shortly after I came back to FL, I purchased a home in a small suburban town about an hour away from Orlando. The house is solid, of cinder block construction, decorated with cedar and stone siding. Wood and stone reminded me of the forest and the place where I longed to be. It was love at first sight. There is a small patch of tall bamboo that sway with the wind in the side yard and well established palm trees in the front. It has a small backyard that resonates with life after a storm. At night, when I look up to the sky, I can see bright stars shining against a pure dark background, with black silhouetted branches of tall trees framing the view. Almost nightly, I hear an owl's hoot and I am treated daily to countless greetings from birds and insects that share this space with me. Although it sits in a small lot, it has enough earth around it to someday be able to provide me with plenty of food and nourishment.

Heading back to FL

Well, it has been about two months since I posted my last update. As you could tell back then, things were not going as well as planned.

As you know, a large part of my reason for moving here was to provide my daughter with an opportunity to attend a top notch public school in a small town surrounded by beautiful nature. Being recently divorced,  I was hoping to start working on a career outside of the home while she attended school.