Day 134, 22.5 miles
Today was kinda’ weird. I was excited so I hiked fast. Then I was sad and I hiked slowly. I listened to my music. Then I was happy and I danced down the trail. What a goof. It doesn’t matter out here. No one judges. There are no worries. Joyful. Carefree.
We have only 19.5 miles to the monument, then another 8-9 miles to hike in to Manning Park Lodge. Last one to Canada wins.
Again I am so fortunate with the weather. Lovely temperature and no rain. Oh, I saw the fattest marmot. He must have been old. He waddled down the trail and onto the rocks below. He didn’t hide. It looked like he couldn’t find a hole big enough and it seemed he didn’t care anyway.
Running-Back and I reached the monument at 4pm, August 23rd. There was no one there. It was peaceful. I wasn’t overly emotional. I just felt content. I’ve thought about this moment for months. It is now and I am here.
We hiked on another 2-3 miles and found a few of my Vancouver hiking peeps at a tent site called PCT Camp. Yay! It was Wiki, Shabu, Midnight-snacks, and GQ. They hiked in to meet us. They brought food too! I love my hiking buddies! We all camped together, my last night outside. For now.
I know you love me. I know you care. I can feel it. I have felt your love every day. You have been with me every step, every mile. I have felt your presence and positive energy propelling me forward and keeping me safe along this magical trail. I am grateful to you.
You are my friends, family, West End Yogis, Wednesday hiking peeps, Thursday night gals, school friends, and the wonderful community that I live and work in. Thank-you. I love you.
And you are complete strangers who have helped me along the way and given me advice and encouragement. I am so grateful to you. I feel very blessed.
The Pacific Crest Trail cast it’s spell on me a long time ago. I will always be spellbound by it’s magic. I hope you feel the magic too.
……gear review. Stay tuned.
trail whispering - moonshadow 
Dear Moonshadow,
Congratulations on making it all the way to Canada. I read each of your blogs and greatly enjoyed them. Thank you for posting.
Jan
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Thank-you Jan. I’m humbled.
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Congratulations. I’ve so enjoyed reading your blog and followed you most of the way and will certainly miss reading about your travels. Jill Spear (a friend of Frances)
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Thank-you so much. I’m pleased you have enjoyed the adventure too
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Thank-you Jill. I’m so pleased you enjoyed reading the blog.
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Congrats, I really enjoyed following you along and living vicariously through your posts.
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Thank-you Matthew. I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. Cheers! Moonshadow
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Thank- you Matthew. It has been a wonderful adventure. The hike and the blog!
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I can just see it…. Dancing down the trail to the finish… With this on your head… And what a finish it would be ….
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Haha! Nice hat! Thx Vibe. Happy Trails to you. Thx for following along and for your encouragement!
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I am one of those complete strangers (referred by your Aussie buddy Shepherd) following you all the way and enjoying every day of your adventure. My daughter, Swipe, and her husband, Tradja, hiked the PCT five years ago, so it was like old times for me, especially since I had followed Shepherd last year and Toots Magoots the year before that. Thanks for all the smiles.
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I am so touched. Really. I enjoyed connecting with you Mary, and others, through this blog. It’s been really wonderful for me. I am very pleased you enjoyed following along.
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Sally – I am one of the complete strangers that read every word you wrote of your journey. I loved your blog, looked forward to the daily messages that one was waiting to be read. Your stories and photos were fantastic. Congratulations, and I look forward to whatever else you post!
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I am so touched! Thank-you Deb! I will miss this connection I have with you and other kindred spirits. Cheers, Moonshadow
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Thank-you Deb! I enjoyed writing it and I’m thrilled that you loved it! I will have to go on another adventure so we can continue our blog relationship! But for now I need to rest and make money again. Boo.
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High Five! You are an inspiration. Following along was pure joy.
Pearl
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I like that word. Joy. Thx so much Pearl for your constant interest and encouragement. Cheers. Moonshadow.
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yah, yah, yah. You’re home safe and sound. yah, yah, yah
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Yay, yay!!
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We are so blessed to have you, so willing to share all the beauty and blisters. You are a wonder
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Oh yes. The blisters. And the beauty. Thank- you.
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What can I say… It was a huge pleasure following you. Stay strong, be happy!
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Thank- you. You too Paulo.
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Thank you for sharing your adventure. The inspiration I found from your writing is to keep the goal in focus, manage expectations , adjust when necessary, and be in wonderment and gratitude.
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Thank- you for all your encouraging comments and for coming along. Cheers!
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Sally, I followed your blog daily and it made me feel I was out there walking with you…but I know I could never keep up your pace. Amazing writing and equally amazing pictures.
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Thank- you Caroline. Hope to see you soon. xox
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Glad you made it home safely. I loved reading your blog and lived vicariously through your trail reports. You could publish this as a book! I have been listening to a great audio book called AWOL On the Appalachian Trail, and your blog is just as interesting. I have very bad feet so I can only hike for a couple of miles, but have so much admiration for you doing this. Your kids are so good looking!
Happy Trails, wherever life takes you now!
Lynne Good
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Thank- you Lynne. I want to read this AWOL…? I’ve never heard of it. I was thinking about learning more about the AT. I will start there. Thanks so much for your kind comment.
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I have followed your journey from Day 1. Congratulations on what I see as a monumental achievement.
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Thank-you Linda. 🤗
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I have also followed your journey.So much emotion along the trail. I love the way you laid it all out there. You seemed like such a timid hiker in the beginning, like it was a bit unnerving being out there alone (I think it would be) at first, but by the end of your trail, you seem to have really gained so much confidence. Thank you for taking us along on your journey.
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You are right. As I learned I became more confident. Thank-you Karen for following along.
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Thank you for a great blog. I followed you from day 1, and chec ked out the great plctures even the yellow legfrog.
Waiting for you to write your book on the adventure. Followed you on venture’s site. Good luck on your future endevers.
Bill
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Thank-you Bill. Yes, I am missing the trail and considering another adventure.
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Congratulations cousin Sally ( moonshadow ) l have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and stunning photos. Would you walk that trail again? Hope you have plenty rest.
Angus xx
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Thank-you Angus. Maybe another trail…
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Finally catching up on your blog. Great work, proud of you. Cheers Shepherd
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Are you still planning on doing a gear review. It would be quite interesting for those of us planning a PCT thru hike. I know you must have a lot to catch up on at home but if you are doing a gear review, I’ll keep checking.
Thanks
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Thanks for the great blog…the photos were amazing as was your story. It was an incredible, inspirational journey and I really admire what you did. Congrats!!!
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Hi Sally, it was nice to meet you today. Thank you for sharing your blog and adventures with me. Very interesting and inspiring blog and great pictures. I have shared with my son and his girlfriend who I know would love to do this hike one day. Hope to see you again.
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