There really are no words to describe the feelings that come with walking nearly 1700 miles from one end of a state to another. What I feel everyone must understand is that California really feels like three different states. There is the hot, dry, sandy desert of Southern California; The kick-in-the-ass snow walk of the Seirra-Nevada Mountains; And the seemingly long tree tunnels and Dear infested rolling hillsides of Northern California. All three had two things in common. First they all had incredibly breathtaking views which I don't imagine would ever get old. Second, they all had the ability to, and often did kick my ass, each in their own way. Fortunately all without any lasting injuries.
Thru-hiking thus far has been more than I could have hoped for. The character of the people, which in some was what made the trail so colorful and in others, had changed quite noticeably from the day we all took a step away from the Mexico Boarder.
I don't know if others were having as good of a time as I was or if they could get past the fact that they had to walk 20 miles in a day (I struggled with this early on) and just enjoy the simple freedom that comes with walking a Long Trail. But I do know that this whole experience is one of very few in my life where I would, out of nowhere and with very little thought, develop a massive grin on my face and a feeling of happiness (similar to smiling at a pretty girl and her smiling back at you) and be in a mindset to actually notice it.
