Camino de California

Stopping, for now....

2010-06-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Life is sure full of twists and turns...and for me it was the hard decision to end my walk early.

Try as I might, I couldn't ignore my injured foot and think that given a few days it would be okay. Especially with carrying a pack of 35 pounds, and that was after I off-loaded 10 pounds! The constant daily pounding of that weight for 7+ hours a day took it's toll.

While I am disappointed that I did not complete my trek, I am able to look back with awe at what I did see and more importantly the amazing new friends I made along the way!

Diane in Crescent City, who offered maps, advice and walked with me in my first days. The crew at Kamp Klamath (a great place for camping, salmon fishing and hiking) each one offering support and words of encouragement. The Geezers in Eureka/Arcata for responding to my calls, helping me find a motel to dry out, inviting me on one of their group hikes and even taking me in to rest my foot a few days. And all the others that briefly crossed my path.

And, of course, none of this would have happened without the support of my family and friends who sent messages and called to check-in making sure I was holding up.

Lastly, I owe a HUGE thank you to Jessiqa, for her diligent work on keeping the blog current with photos and stories as well as her own extensive documentation. You're the best....

So while I rest my foot and move through my emotions, I am also counting my blessings...of which there are many. Who knows, I may just pick up where I started, or do parts of the trail, or see what else presents itself. There's always something. ( :

May 28

2010-05-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

After much debate, Judy has decided that she is not up to walk to Lost Coast, so instead she will bypass this portion of the trip. The Lost Coast is one of the most beautiful parts of the coast but it is also very desolate with no facilities, food or water, for at least 7 days. Her Coastal Trail friends have advised that she not do it alone, especially given her recent injury. Instead she will take a bus to Willits and the Skunk Train to Fort Bragg. In the meantime, she is mending her foot and hoping that she will be able to walk on it again soon.

Bert has kindly taken Judy into her home for a couple of days.

"My temp home in Arcata."

Unhappy foot.

(updated by Jessiqa)

May 26

2010-05-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Still in Arcata, Judy is stuck in the rain. Fortunately or unfortunately she has a small injury and has been advised by a local podiatrist that she should stay off of her feet for a few days. Needless to say, she is disappointed about the setbacks but is hoping that she will be up and walking in the next few days. She will be hanging in Arcata for a few days with some new friends from the Geezer Walking Club. She has many times said how thankful she is for the kindness of strangers throughout her trip.

Arcata

2010-05-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

After a stressful change in plans Judy has decided to stay in Arcata for a few days and wait out the rain. The weather report has predicted rain through next weekend. Some of the locals have said there hasn't been this much rain in May for as long as they can remember. She did get to walk on Sunday and I caught up with her to shoot a little and walk with her. Here are some pics from the last few days.

Part of the problem and the reason why she will be taking public transportation at some points, is that there isn't a trail that goes all the way down the coast. Most of the time she is forced to walk along the highway or on busy roads.

Mike is riding to San Francisco. Judy has run into him twice, stopped along the way trying to stay dry.

She's smiling because she made it safe off the freeway.

Checking in, last name Kincheloe.

Home sweet home.

Staying in Arcata for a few days she is already making friends. A group called the Geezers Walking Club invited her out for a day hike.

"Some of the Geezers...."

This doesn't look like freeway hiking. I guess you just have to know someone, who knows someone, to know where to go.

(posted by Jessiqa)

May 21

2010-05-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

It has been raining off and on for two days and Judy has been waiting it out in her tent and where she can find shelter. In her last audio log she was proud to say that she is "now in Humboldt County." Here are a few images from the last couple of days.

"Miles to go."

"Hit the coast near Orick."

She has hit many obstacles including this one where the Snowy Plover Habitat has blocked her way across a spit. In more than one case she has had to back-track which has be disheartening.

Yesterday she walked for nine hours. Exhausted she didn't reach her goal by 2 miles. Her feet are blistered and she was tired. At times she is wondering why she is doing this. "Before it was my body, now I am in my head" she recalled this morning. The rain has been the biggest challenge today.

"Drying out."

"It's the simple things...."

She scheduled herself to stay in a camp tonight, but it looks like she is in a motel near Arcata.

(posted by Jessiqa)

May 19

2010-05-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

"This journey is about enjoying the gifts that are given me. The generosity of people has been amazing."

"It's raining today but at least I have been warm. Every piece of equipment I have has been invaluable. I am eating power bars and my legs are getting stronger."

The office at Kamp Klamath. Lisa and son.

"My new friends here at kamp klamath have offered to take me to Orick...they are worried about my feet and the rain."

I was on the phone with Judy this morning. She had these few things to say about the trip so far.
(posted by Jessiqa)

May 18

2010-05-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Day five and making herself at home. Fraternizing with the locals and even having a morning cup of Starbucks.......it's the simple things.

"Hey. I'm here with Doug. He's an exVietnam dude. He took me to Subway and now the local bar. Crazy." (5/17/10)

"Morning Starbucks......yum."

"Decided to stay here at Kamp Klamath another day to give my feet a rest and fix my back pack strap. .....About to do laundry and charging my phone and iTouch. Aaron, the owner, is really nice. They have 80 or so spots, kitchen, Saturday nite bonfire/salmon feeds, guided hiking, volleyball, outdoor decks...cool setup."

Minor surgery. She is resting today and staying off her sore feet.

(updated by Jessiqa)

May 16

2010-05-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Judy emailed me these images out today. She is on the trail walking in cool overcast weather just south of Crescent City. Here are some pics from today sent from her iTouch.

"I walked all this!"

"Photo of Enderts Beach. Awesome."

Today Diane Seard, a volunteer for the California Coastal Trail Organization, is walking with Judy. She gave lots of valuable information about hiking in the area, wild life and the best routes to take this year.

"Is this bear poop?"

"Tree on trail"

(posted by Jessiqa)

First Day

2010-05-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Judy started her quest for the Mexican boarder yesterday May 14th. Here are some images from the first day of the Camino de California. Judy walked 12 miles from the Oregon/California boarder to Lake Earl Road near Elk Valley Road. It was tough, as she is getting used to her pack and new boots. Here are some pics from Day 1.

Judy with her father Glen at the Oregon boarder.

Judy with her pack checking her map.

Only a few miles left. Crescent City is in sight.

"My dogs are barkin."

It was a good first day. Glen picked us up and brought us into Crescent City to eat an awesome Mexican dinner at Torrero's and then to sleep. She is heading out again this morning to walk the last few miles back into Crescent City. Staying at the Curly Redwood Motel again tonight.....(old retro motel made from one Curly Redwood tree!)

(posted by Jessiqa)

Time to start....

2010-05-12T22:41:00.001-07:00

Well it's time to start. Tomorrow, dad, Jessiqa and I drive up to Crescent City where we'll stay at the Curly Redwood Resort. This is a flash back to the fifties hotel, whose claim to fame is that it was built from one very large redwood tree. Crazy...

Camino de Santiago

2010-05-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

The Camino is what gave me the idea to give the Coastal trail a go. In 2008 I completed the Camino de Santiago crossing northern Spain from Roncevales (near the Pyrenees) to Santiago de Compostela (near the coast above Portugal).

My Personal Camino

2010-05-06T22:42:00.001-07:00

I have decided to embark on a 1200-mile pilgrimage along the western United States from Oregon to Mexico, traveling by foot, on the California Coastal Trail.

This journey will take me through a breathtaking backdrop of the California coastline. It consists of trail, road, and beach that only a handful of people have walked in its entirety since its inception in 1970. This trail is a work in progress due to sparsely marked trails, lack of detailed resource guides for the hiker, and land restrictions.

By accomplishing this feat I hope bring exposure to this untapped resource and motivate and encourage others to take advantage of the gifts we have in our own backyards. I aim to show that it is important to take on personal challenges and push ourselves out of our comfort zone both physically and emotionally. To show that we can push our limitations and it’s important to not become complacent. I hope to document information about the trail along the way to enable others to make this similar journey. By increasing the traffic on this resource and others of its kind it also has ancillary benefits in the communities that surround them in the form of revenue generation for the local shops and store owners.

So by making this small contribution of committing to the walk I aim to promote physical fitness and health, documentation and information, motivation and encouragement, which I hope will in turn lead to economic growth and awareness within our communities.