Teddy checked in on the evening of June 5, and has reported he is doing great. He has been averaging 20 mile days, give or take a few, eating his ramen noodles and granola just as planned. Today, he was up by 6, and on the trail shortly after, trying to make up some extra miles to maybe run into civilization soon. He had walked 24 miles and was out of water, and had decisions to make. He had a choice of getting water out of the creek near by, and using his purifier drops, or he could hitch into a nearby town and stock up on water there.
As he was flipping through his trail guide book, he said a ladybug landed on the map of Julian (the town he was thinking of hitching in to). He took this as a sign. He explained to me - being that I love ladybugs (yes I carry a glass one in my pocket at all times), this ladybug made him think of me, and that he needed to go to town and call me to check in, and he could get water while he was there. He proceeded to walk the trail towards Julian. Along the route is a place called Scissors Crossing, where the trail meets up with a road that will take you to the town, which is still 14 miles away. As Ted came through Scissors Crossing, he came upon cases and cases of water, labeled "For Thruhikers". This is what hikers know as "Trail Magic" made possible by Trail Angels. Trail Magic can take on many different forms - hidden supplies of water, people handing out candy bars, food, or other necessities to thruhikers along their trip. What a pleasant surprise for Ted - he would not have to wait until getting into town before re hydrating himself. He helped himself to the water, and then because of that ladybug, continued into town to check in with me.
As a side note, Teddy has been planning this trip with the help of a book we ordered titled "Yogi's PCT Handbook". Yogi is a past thruhiker who wrote a book of helpful tips and hints to help future hikers on the trail. Ted read this book, including the part about hitchhiking into towns for resupply purposes. Well, never did she mention that some of the people who offer the rides would be as strange as the guy who picked Ted up. As odd as he was, Ted was grateful for the lift into Julian where he got to call and talk to us, shower, eat, resupply food and water, get a comfy night's rest, eat a huge breakfast, and get a lift back to Scissors Crossing. It is here, back at Scissors Crossing where he will continue on with the trail, the ladybugs, and hopefully some more Trail Magic.
The Thruhiker's Wife
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