If there was ever any time for me to post about family it would be now. I have spent the last two weeks healing a self-inflicted foot injury nearby the beautiful Kern River just below the Sequoia National Forest. Following a particular brutal stretch of the Mohave Desert I stumbled into a motel in Tehachipi with my amigo Coolbeans on Thursday June 2nd. While preparing for a refreshing motel shower I attempted to remove a stubborn piece of Luekotape from the ball of my right foot. I utilized the "rip-it-off like a band-aid" method only to realize that the tape had taken a 1/8inch layer of skin with it. I had a few seconds to give a wide-eyed stare at the flap of skin that I had just removed before the pain registered in my brain. After cursing at myself, the Mohave, the Gods, the PCT, and manufacturers of this adhesive tape I grabbed a dirty bath towel and duct tape to provide a makeshift gauze to absorb the pool of blood forming on the bathroom floor. I hobbled my way over to the local "Tehachipi hospital" to get what I thought would be helpful medical treatment. Even with a bandage and a description of the injury the "doctor" questioned what foot seemed to be the problem. In retrospect I should have examined his medical certification for any signs of forgery. After hiking to PCT mile 558 lying in a hospital bed allowing my mind to wander I dropped into a depression about my adventure, the friends I had met along trail, and my life in general.
Last real breakfast for a few days!
The Trail Provides. Luck would have it that my injury happened in close proximity to my Great Aunt Ellen and Uncle Jerry who lived in Kernville just off the river. I'd been in communication with her since the nearly the start of the trail and increasingly so due to their proximity to the Chimney Fire that threatened to close a portion of the PCT before Kennedy Meadows. She proposed I take some time off to heal my foot in Kernville at my Great Grandpa Jack's spare bedroom. I had only spent a small amount of time with them that is allowed at large family functions. I certainly didn't want to impose on anyone while my injury prevented me from being anything but a couch potato. I could not be happier that I took her up on her offer. I spent my two weeks off enjoying time with wonderful family members, meeting Cousin Rob & Christina and their children, cooling off in the river, walking through the Giant Sequoia's with resupply man J-Bird & Sunny, drinking beers with local rafters/brewery employees, and fattening back up from the kitchen of Grandpa Jack. I enjoyed all the stories and time I spent with these wonderful people. The craftsmanship of Grandpa Jack will leave a lasting impression on me (I have a few photos of some of his leather, bead, and metal work). A literal Jack of Trades whose life most people would be glad to experience a small portion of.
After some painful but necessary medical treatment from my brother Ryan & Dad plus the R&R in Kernville I feel excited to get back on the trail to hike through the Sierras. Hopefully if my foot will allow it, I can catch up to some of my "trail family" in a few days. A big thanks to all my family/friends that have been supporting me the along the entire trail! See you up-trail! Cheers!
Note: As anyone browsing my website may have already noticed, my writing takes a backseat to the photography.This is mainly due to the limited amount of "non-walking time" that I have on trail and my overly critical editing of my own writing.However, please feel free to send me any questions that you have and I can add some more information to the site.