Day 1 and change...

It's Saturday now. The plan was to get up early on Thursday and hike the first 20 miles back to camp. The "get up early" part happened, but the hike got delayed until almost noon. Apparently, most people don't like to hike in the rain if they don't have too.

The rain let up just before 11 so Nugio and I packed up the essentials and the folks drove us to the beginning of the PCT (photos to come).

After photos and hugs, we headed out. Stopping for photos, pointing out various sites, and checking the map to quickly became the norm.

We got passes by several folks (usually while stopping to take photos) got to meet John T., couple guys from Jersey who are section hiking, and Paint Your Wagon who was carrying ALL his gear for the entire hike! I'm curious to find him at hear just how much he sent on ahead!

Made it to Hauser Creek (15 miles) around 6:30. Stopped for a sock change, throw some tape on the balls of my feet, and a quick snack before the 1,000 ft climb out of the canyon and the final 5 miles back to camp.

Around 7:30 stopped to finish off the third liter of nuunerade (tm M. deVreize), threw on the head lamps and beelined it for camp, shower, food, and tent.

Barreled into camp around 9ish. Checked in with the folks the heading for the camp showers and hot water. Did I mention it was cold out? I reluctantly left the hot water as the promise of hot food was waiting for me. Gluten free spaghetti (my parents are AWEsome) filled me up and I headed off to bed to sleep like the dead.

That was Day 1!

More to come :-)

At Lake Morena

Enjoying warm food and good company. Will head out to hike the first 20 miles tomorrow!

Heading out!!

Hey all,

There is so much I've been wanting to post and just haven't had the time so I'll write a bit here and add some photos later.

First, I wanted to say Thank You and good-bye to all my co-workers at Partners In Care. You all gave me a wonderful send-off and it's still a little weird that it's a weekday and I'm not sitting at my desk chatting with everyone. Take care of each other and we'll all go out for a drink when I get back.

Over the last few days, I've flown down to California, spent time with friends and family, and worked hard to get my pack as light as possible.

As of right now, with a full pack and a weeks worth of food, I'm at 40lbs. I'll be adding between 8.8lbs and 13.2lbs of water while hiking in the desert. So, a max pack weight of 53.2 lbs! Think I'll be doing some trimming while at the kickoff party. :-D

And today the folks and I are packing up and heading down to Lake Morena. I'll be hiking the first 20 miles tomorrow, then spending the next two days getting to meet and hang out with 275 other thru-hikers. A HUGE thank you to the organizers of the ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off) for giving us hikers an opportunity to get to meet each other as well as previous year hikers, future hikers, Trail Angles, and vendors who all want to help all this years hikers have a successful journey.

But before I leave, I want to give three cheers to everyone who has supported me and the JDRF. Whether via donations, encouragement, support, or all three, this hike would not be possible without all of you.

And so, I dedicate the first 20 miles to all of you. Each step will be supported by your thoughts, prayers, and overall amazingness.  Your words of encouragement will be the "wind at my back". Your caring will keep me calm and focused.

Thank you all and happy hiking!

Meet JDRF Bacon...

Juliana's aunt (and my roommate) made me a JDRF mascot...JDRF Bacon! She even documented JDRF Bacon's training for the Really, Really, Really Long Hike for the Cure! Watch. Laugh. Share!

And to learn more about Bacon...go to What Do Bacon Do?. You can even make your OWN Bacon!

Jacob

My cousin Jacob has Type 1 Diabetes so I asked him a bunch of questions about his diagnosis and living with T1D.

Me: Who has gone above and beyond to help you that you want to give a public 'Thank you' to? Jacob: His name is Rob Yates. He helped me when I was down. His wife had diabetes also before she passed and he shared how God helped her. He helped me answer questions like “Why me God?” Me: What is the one question you get the most when you tell folks you have Type 1? Jacob: What is the difference between type 2 and 1? Me: What question just makes you want to smack someone? Jacob: What are you not allowed to eat? Me: How have you handled the diagnosis and all the comes with it? From the first shot to today? Jacob: I take it as it is. I try to manage as best I can and treat every mishap as a learning experience Me: What do you want people to know about living with Type 1? Jacob: I can eat anything I want too, I just have to make sure I have the correct insulin coverage for it. Me: What is the funniest story/joke/etc. you have about Type 1? Jacob: What not to say to the parent of a Type 1 child. (Video) Me: What support have you received from JDRF and other organizations? Jacob: How to manage with sickness etc....basically advice Me: What one piece of advice would you give to parents of newly diagnosed kids? Jacob: Depending on the kids' age, do not be over protective and emphatic. Try to not make the them feel different, the disease is just another part of their life.

Juliana

My friends niece. Juliana is a vivacious 2nd grader who was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).

Her family put together this video to share what it's like living with T1D.

Please help us find a cure for Juliana and everyone living with T1D. Make your donation today.

The "Competition"

My friends niece. Juliana is one of the amazing kids that inspired me to make the JDRF the focus of my fundraising.

For the last four years, Juliana and her family have joined thousands of others in the annual Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes fundraiser. They have raised over $35,000 to help the JDRF find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

On May 20th, when I'll be passing the 300 mile mark on my hike, Team Juliana will be taking their own strides to help the JDRF.

Of course I want to meet my goal of raising $2,650, but the ultimate goal is to raise as much money as possible so one day a cure can be found for Juliana and everyone with T1D.

Please make your donation today.

Team Juliana - Beat the Bridge