Start: 0700 - Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
End: 1700 - near PCT mile 262
Miles (today): 20.5 (0.5 PCT; 19 alternate; 1 off)
Miles (cumulative): 280.5 (206 PCT, 69.5 alternate, 5 off)

Two great things happened today.

The first (and best) great thing was encountering several Trail Angels, which was completely unexpected since we were off-trail. (Hmm, maybe they should be called Off-Trail Angels.) After stopping at Jason's for water (he wasn't there so I left him a thank you note) we started walking on a road mostly used by ATVs.  It wasn't horrible - we could almost pretend we were just on a really wide trail - but being the weekend there were a lot of Jeeps and dirt bikes to beware of.   Anyway, at one point a car stopped next to me and the rear driver's side window opened.  I walk over and am greeted by a little boy, Landon, who told me there was water and snacks up ahead for us hikers.  So cool!  I gave him a fist bump.  :) His mom told me there was also a little book for us to sign.  At the house we spoke to Kirk, Landon's grandfather, and he said it was all Landon's idea.  Wow.  Thank you so much, Landon! You really made our day!

The second great thing was that we made it home (aka back to the PCT) after hiking 20 miles today.  One thing is for sure - surviving all the road walking makes me appreciate being back on the PCT so much more.  I feel like I can breathe again.

We saw a lot of Jeeps and dirt bikes on our way back to the trail.  After watching a caravan of about 10 jeeps pass me I thought, "I just don't get it - what's the fun in following another Jeep around all day?"  Then I thought, "They are probably thinking the same thing about me - they probably don't get why someone would walk around with a 30+ lb pack."  Then I laughed because my next thought was, "Actually, I don't even get what I'm doing sometimes."  Just like HYOH (hike your own hike), LYOL (live your own life). 

Overall it was a pleasant day - I really enjoyed walking amongst the Joshua trees, they made me happy.  I reflected quite a bit on how generous people have been and how amazing it all is.  Even some of the people off-roading stopped to ask if we were ok and if we needed water!  

My primary reason for hiking the PCT was the challenge it presents.  However, I also came to the trail looking to separate myself a bit from people, to clear my mind, and to just be.  (I was starting to become someone I didn't recognize - I stopped smiling as much, I felt stressed all the time, and my road rage was off the charts.)

What I now realize is that the people are what help make this journey so special.   It reminds me of a Christopher Pike book I read as a kid (I loved reading his books!).  In the book, the main character learns about how powerful kindness is after her death- she is shown how even the smallest act of kindness lights up the entire universe and makes it more beautiful.  Little Landon and everyone else we've met have made the universe a very bright and beautiful place.