This is an illustrated hiking journal (paintings) done each day of a 5 month journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650 mile long trail which runs from Mexico to Canada.



I have always dreamed of doing a long distance hike, however, having four children t raise, I did not have the time needed to participate in such an endeavor. Nevertheless, I manged to hike for one and two week sections, discovering that I loved the activity of backpacking as well as the spectacular scenery.



My dream became a reality with a simple phone call in January 2009. My dentist was retiring and she had the same dream as I had! On April 22, we took off for San Diego and the southern trail head.



The journal was not premeditated; it simply grew out of the experience. After walking an average of 25 miles a day, setting up camp, cooking and eating dinner, I settled into my sleeping bag, head lamp turned on. Now was the time to sum up the day. It was quiet and these moments were mine.



The Buddhist injunction "KHA SHER LAMKHYER" of "Whatever arises, carry to to the path" sums up my experience on the trail. It means to abandon preferences, integrating all experience beyond accepting and rejecting. This is a gift from the trail...that of being present.



I hope that you enjoy these pages as much as I had creating them. They have not been changed in any was' in other words, straight off the trail.



Namaste!