February 19, 6:30 PM – Clackamas REI
March 5, 6:30 PM – Portland
March 17, 6:30 PM – Tualatin
April 9, 6:30 PM – Port of Cascade Locks
April 9, 6:30 PM – Port of Cascade Locks
April 21, 6:30 PM – Hillsboro
Registration required. Go to www.rei.com/stores/ Type in the store, and scroll down to "Find Events & Classes."
Is being felt everywhere these days.
Reese Witherspoon's film Wild (based on Cheryl Strayed's PCT book of the same name) opens in the United States on December 5, 2014. Yes, of course I am going. Out of curiosity. And because the trailer looks good. And because the movie was filmed largely in Oregon and partly in its State Parks, and the Columbia River Gorge (my new stomping grounds). And because even I am feeling a little bit of the Wild Effect. It turns out the effects are not all that bad!
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| A post-trail essay appears on the Pacific Crest Trail Association's new "Wild" page. PCTA Wild Stories |
I realize that I haven't posted in well over a year--and there are definitely a few things to catch up on--but I wanted to post now because I am excited to share that I will be giving another public presentation soon. And, for the first time, in the Columbia River Gorge.
I am teaming up with my cohorts at the Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Lock and Dam for a presentation on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 2 PM at the Bradford Island Visitor Center (access from the Oregon side.) Just shy of a week before Wild opens. Details to come.
I'd love to see you there, talk a little Trail, and give you a sneak peek into scenes to be on the lookout for in the new movie.
Until then . . . Bacon Bit
Great Class at REI tonight. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jammie!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIm sorry, I just wrote out a long comment, when to post it, and it vanished into cyberspace...
DeleteI will rewrite it and post it asap.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOk, Lets try this again.
ReplyDeleteDorothy (aka bacon bit),
I came to your presentation at REI clackamas a few weeks ago and have to say I was impressed with the honest way you divulged the knowledge you obtained during your time on the trail. I wanted to speak with you after the presentation but I couldn't bring myself to with out welling up in tears. See, I have yet to hike the trail, but I have experienced that moment when, like you said, the gears all click into place and your soul suddenly knows what must happen next before anything else in your life can move forward. I too experienced this moment at Timberline Loge. On july 4th 2014 I stood face to face with Timberline's PCT desplay. Though I'd passed by it a million and a half times as a child, it never captured me the way it did this time. At 30 years old, never haveing backpacked a day in my life, my soul spoke to me, telling me THIS was my next step. I, like you, decided to take two years for planing, preping, conditioning and practical "in the field" practice before departing. Thinging and talking about how badly I want it, always makes me cry.
The parallels between our stories moved me and hearing all the "little things" that got you through inspired me.
So now, here I am, planing out day 8 of my EPIC ADVENTURE and I remembered you had stayed somwhere like "Hiker Oasis" where the trail angles would be retiring soon, AND I realized I didnt think to write it down at the time. Was it "Hiker Oasis" or was it somewhere else?
Its sad to know that you will no longer be bring your knowledge of thru-hiking to the public. Though I know we must all hike our own hikes, you aroused something in the souls of the others in that room that night, I could see it in thier eyes... It is unfortunate that future adventurers will not grow from your experience in the same way, but I know they will hear thier soul's longing for the trail through another avenue. Keep HOYO, my dear, you really are a blessing to the hiking community.
I look forward to reading your responce soon.
~always longing for the trail~
future thru-hiker Abbi
Ok, Lets try this again.
ReplyDeleteDorothy (aka bacon bit),
I came to your presentation at REI clackamas a few weeks ago and have to say I was impressed with the honest way you divulged the knowledge you obtained during your time on the trail. I wanted to speak with you after the presentation but I couldn't bring myself to with out welling up in tears. See, I have yet to hike the trail, but I have experienced that moment when, like you said, the gears all click into place and your soul suddenly knows what must happen next before anything else in your life can move forward. I too experienced this moment at Timberline Loge. On july 4th 2014 I stood face to face with Timberline's PCT desplay. Though I'd passed by it a million and a half times as a child, it never captured me the way it did this time. At 30 years old, never haveing backpacked a day in my life, my soul spoke to me, telling me THIS was my next step. I, like you, decided to take two years for planing, preping, conditioning and practical "in the field" practice before departing. Thinging and talking about how badly I want it, always makes me cry.
The parallels between our stories moved me and hearing all the "little things" that got you through inspired me.
So now, here I am, planing out day 8 of my EPIC ADVENTURE and I remembered you had stayed somwhere like "Hiker Oasis" where the trail angles would be retiring soon, AND I realized I didnt think to write it down at the time. Was it "Hiker Oasis" or was it somewhere else?
Its sad to know that you will no longer be bring your knowledge of thru-hiking to the public. Though I know we must all hike our own hikes, you aroused something in the souls of the others in that room that night, I could see it in thier eyes... It is unfortunate that future adventurers will not grow from your experience in the same way, but I know they will hear thier soul's longing for the trail through another avenue. Keep HOYO, my dear, you really are a blessing to the hiking community.
I look forward to reading your responce soon.
~always longing for the trail~
future thru-hiker Abbi
Hello, Abbi!
DeleteFirst of all, CONGRATULATIONS on listening to that voice and to moving forward step-by-step with a hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. It is a huge undertaking, and no matter what happens, you deserve kudos for having the courage to take it on.
I also wanted to thank you. For coming to the talk, of course, but also for pointing out what I divulge during my talks. Right about the same time you wrote the above, another person at another talk said something similar. And it didn't strike me until you both said it that my talks are really how I've processed my hike. The talk includes some facts, but ti is mostly a reflection on the hike. In that way, it ends up being as much for myself as it is for all of you. I find I am still figuring out what the hike meant even now--and often in front of all of you. So thank you--for both coming to the talk and for taking the time to write.
As for the place where the Trail Angels are retiring, that is in Agua Dulce and the place is the Saufleys "Hiker Heaven." The local KOA will be stepping in to fill some of the gap left by the Saufleys closing; more info here: www.hikerheaven.com
And as for the talks, you are very generous. Thank you. It has been a blast to give them all this year, but there are new hikers out there, new stories to share. I've enjoyed this round, but I also feel like it is time to put the hike to rest. I'm sure I'll still give a talk or two on occasion, but it feels like time to move on. And perhaps take on a NEW adventure!
Best of luck in your planning and prepping. And enjoy every minute of the journey.
Dorothy / Bacon Bit
P.S. I had to smile when you said you thought about coming up to talk after the presentation but held back. I did the very same thing when I, like you, went to hear a PCT talk before my own trip. For myself, I found seeing and hearing from someone else just made the trip SO REAL--real and very, very possible. Totally overwhelming!
Hi Bacon-Bits,
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your blog. Thanks for all the effort! No need to publish this, but would you mind reaching out to me: letsgo@thelonghike.com. We have a northbound start date of 4/15, woot-woot! Would like to ask you a couple of questions via email. Thanks, Tim
Of course! And good luck and enjoy the hike!
DeleteI listened to your talk last night at REI on St. Patrick's Day and I just wanted to applaud you for a job well done. Very interesting and engaging presentation full of real experiences and advice. Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mackenzie! And thanks for coming out on the holiday. You were a great audience--it's funny, every group is distinct. The Tualatin group is memorable for all of the folks who stayed after!
ReplyDeleteDear Hiker,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rachel aka Blackwater. I'm planning on hiking the PCT next year. And I was wondering if you could answer some questions about your hike on the PCT after you've finished. I totally understand if your busy and don't have time to do this. We are all busy people and we all have busy lives. But if you do have the time, that would be great. Please just let me know and I'll email the questions. Thanks for your time. Hope you have a blast on PCT this year.
Blackwater
My first website:
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