Day 32: The End

Last night I hung out around the campfire with a couple PCT hikers while Replay snoozed away in the tent. As the night wore one, the group huddled around the fire grew more comfortable with one another and the discussions led to "what is next." I mentioned that we were getting off the trail near one of the ski resorts tomorrow and Ukulele lady, a JMT hiker who Replay and I had met when we were near Red's Meadow, mentioned she could give us ride. She was getting off the trail at South Lake Tahoe versus Truckee where we planned to get off. Our mileage for the day would be much shorter and her husband would be waiting for us. The thought of having someone waiting for us when we got off the trail was very appealing so I mentioned it to Replay this morning.

In true Replay form, she gave me the opportunity to think about how I wanted to end the hike. I could tell she was a "go" but I was on the fence. When Ukulele lady first mentioned it I was completely turned off. I honestly don't want this trip to end. Last night the group around me kept pressuring me to continue on with them. To be honest I couldn't and still can't imagine doing this hike with anyone else. The guys I met last night were totally fun and a great group. The dynamic and speed of my hike would be different though. They stay up late, leave late in the morning, party hard, and don't really stop to enjoy the lakes and vistas around them. Perhaps the reason I've enjoyed this journey so much is the fact that together Replay and I have had time to think, reflect and enjoy.

But getting back to the hike. After breakfast we headed out ahead of the pack. Within 30 minutes all 5 of them passed us shouting "we will see you at second breakfast." This made me laugh because Replay and I don't eat as much as the guys on the trail. I've lost a bit of weight and my legs are the skinniest they've ever been, but my stomach cannot handle all of the calories that my male counterparts are swallowing.

Sure enough around 10:00 we met up with the pack. They were gobbling snickers covered in peanut butter and tasty cake muffins! We snapped a couple of pictures and waved goodbye. Sooner than we expected we were at the end of the trail. I don't even think either one of us expected it! We took a couple more pictures of celebration and sat down to wait for Ukulele lady to catch up to us.

While we were waiting at the picnic tables the pack arrived. We gave them most of our leftover food and offered to empty their trash for them. We also mentioned that we might be able to borrow a car to pick them up at Truckee. All of their eyes sparkled when we mentioned a ride. The one thing I've realized while on the trail is that people are incredibly generous. Everyone you meet is willing to share food, offer a ride if possible, and offer advice. I really wanted to be part of the generosity and more importantly "trail magic." We will see if we can borrow Martha's car in the morning!

Around noon we were in the back of a pickup truck headed down to the shores of Lake Tahoe. Ukulele lady's husband didn't answer his phone, actually I don't think she was able to get a signal on her phone, so we stuck our thumbs out for a ride. Replay and I sat in the back of a pickup with 2 very smelly dogs while Ukulele lady sat up front with the air conditioner. Once at the bottom we immediately jumped in the freezing waters of Lake Tahoe and celebrated our accomplishment. Currently we are waiting for Ukulele lady's husband to arrive and drop us off in Truckee.