We're Off!

(Jan)
What a way to go! It's hard to beat the train. The view is awesome, the ride and seats comfortable and spacious, and the cost about a quarter the cost of a plane ticket, all without the indignity of a strip search! (For that matter, any kind of inspection). We are both enjoying this train travel such that we've sworn off airplanes.

We're starting one week later than we originally planned and our itinerary is topsy turvy but it should take advantage of the better weather in each state and allow the snow to melt in the Sierras before we tackle the 13,000 foot passes.

Our backpacks weigh too damn much but the most we could eliminate yesterday as we prepared to leave was a total of two pounds between us. When we actually get on the trail, we'll add several pounds more when we fill our water reservoirs.

We'll arrive in San Diego in the middle of the night (1:50am) tomorrow, will spend a couple of days there, then head for the trailhead to begin this mammoth trek on Michele's (my daughter) birthday, April 22. (Happy Birthday Michele!) We'll hike about 650 miles (as far as the foot of the Sierras), then hop back on the train and take it from Bakersfield to Ashland where we'll begin our trek through Oregon and Washington. From the Wa-Canada border, we'll train travel back to Bakersfield and complete our journey thru the mighty Sierras.

Here are some sights from the train:













Mike and Jan