Lone Wolf - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2012

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The Sound from the train window

Home at Last! My last entry.

The first night in a real bed is rough on me, I usually find sleep around 0300, last night was no exception. Perhaps i should have just setup my mattress and bag. Anyway I slept in late, 0700 hrs, packed my gear and got ready to catch the 1130 hrs Greyhound. The receptionist at the desk assisted me in purchasing my ticket online. There were about 10 of us thru hikers waiting for the bus. Collector and BeHope were among them. We all congratulated each other in a general feeling of euphoria. We had done the great trek, sweated, hurt, worked, we're treated to amazing sights and experiences, felt the generosity of strangers where we needed it and met one another. The experience is in each one of us now and we are bonded by it. The ride was nice through low mountains then into plains with towns and farming. We stopped at about 5 towns on the way to Vancouver. The second stop was the longest so everybody that didn't have a ticket could buy one. The extra time allowed me to get a quick pita for lunch. In Vancouver the bus stops at the train station so it was very easy to walk over to the Amtrak window and get a ticket. Riding on Amtrak is very relaxing and fun, just what I dreamed it would be and exactly what I wanted. Watching the landscape slowly past by punctuated by the occasional lonesome sound of the engine's whistle, I really do love this way of traveling. Lots of older folks here that are vacationing, most seem to be coming home from an Alaskan 14 day cruise. Sounds pretty nice cruising to Alaska.
Passed through customs quickly. I'm In the dining car now and we are along the Sound, a beautiful crimson sunset with ferry boat lights sailing to Anacortes and a sliver of a moon over the islands, so wonderful to be coming home.
The rest if the ride is in the dark, quite and restful. our train pulled into Seattle, I can see the space needle lighted like a welcoming torch. I promptly get a cab and arrive home at 1045 hrs. Those old boots are the first order of business to get 'em off my tired feet. Then a toast to a great adventure with some of my favorite Scotch, Laphronaig.

Just a thought in 2669 miles I never once needed to light a fire. I saw many hikers that felt they required a campfire, seems like a waste of effort to me for this trek.

I put together a small list of my hiking data:

PCT Data:
Total days 154
Total Hiking Days 129

Total Hiking Days for Each State:
Ca Hiking Days 88
Or Hiking Days 18
Wa Hiking Days 23

Total Days in Each State:
Ca Total Days 104 4-17 to 7-29
Or Total Days 21 7-30 to 8-19
Wa Total Days 29 8-20 to 9-17

Zero Mile Days:
Ca 0's. 16
Or 0's 3
Wa 0's 6
Total 0's. 25

Miles per Day:
Ca mpd 19.3 1698 miles
Or mpd 25.4 457 miles
Wa mpd 22.4 514 miles
Overall mpd. 20.7

Goodby all, i enjoyed sharing my adventure with you, I hope you enjoyed it.

Entry 148 of 148
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