After the memorable encounters with Serena, Mary and her partner Jude, I left Acton energized. It’s incredible how meeting other women of color thru-hikers uplifted me to continue hiking up the desert hills in the afternoon heat when most hikers avoided. The fog rolled in and again protected me from the intense heat and sun for two days! Once down the mountains into the flat and the sun, there was the famous California aqueduct that we follow until hitting the Tehachapi Mountains. It was ironic that I see water and the water pipe but had no access to it. The desert section continues to challenge me in a good way – remembering that water is life and careful planning to have just enough to make it through. The section ended by going over Tehachapi Pass where we have one of the largest windmill farms in California. 

Appreciation: Ron, a dog walker, for helping me to get to the trailhead in Agua Dulce and taking the lost iPhone I found on the trail so I don’t have to carry the extra 6 ounces till I find an Apple store! Jim, a trail angel, to help me get to the Tehachapi post office for resupply. Injinji and Patagonia, my corporate supporters, for sending me new pairs of socks and a new trail shirt to Tehachapi. 

Best learning: the trail is asking me to be present. I just need to answer the call with every step my way. One of my purposes of this journey is to heal from societal trauma of colonization in my spirit, my mind, my body so that I can help our communities and our world to do the same. Many folks asked me what that means. The first thing comes to my mind is to remember and restore the connection to my body, my mind and my spirit. I think colonization wants us to forget and ignore that connection. To stay connected to ourselves I’m using this time on the trail to practice mindfulness and being present in the moment. It took me about 500 miles to realize that the trail itself is always asking me to be present for every step I take! There are rocks, sticks and uneven ground that I need to pay attention to prevent tripping and falling. Ants, stink bugs and caterpillars are constantly crossing the trail. Butterflies rest. Lizards play a chase with me often. If I’m not careful, I could’ve stepped on them. Poodle dog bush and poison oak, both are poisonous plants, are on the trail. If I look away, even a little further, I noticed that I miss my feet and the trail calls me to be back in the present moment. I also learned that multitasking is no. As I walk, I put sunscreen on or do something besides walking. I almost always tripped over things so I stopped multitasking. The trail is teaching me what it takes to practice being in the present moment. All I have to do is to notice and acknowledge what’s right in front of me and move my feet. Right, left, right, left, right , left… and so on multiple thousands times a day. That’s how all I have to do. It is so simple, yet difficult practice. No wonder why so many cultures use walking as a way for spiritual practice. 

Care: there are many different types of care I can talk about and at this section, I want to talk about self-care. Self-care is very important on this journey as a way to not only prevent injuries and take care of my body and spirit. It is also an essential practice to stay connected with myself. I have made self-care as my priority and ritual, starting from the moment when I wake up until the moment I go to bed. I spend 15 minutes, if not more, in the morning and evening to appreciate my feet and body by stretching and exercising. I have a specific way to put socks and shoes on. Foot care happens throughout the day. I burn Japanese moxa, dried mugwort, on pressure points to stimulate energy flow. I eat well (I’ll talk about food another time since it deserves a dedicated note). I drink plenty of water when possible. I do breathing exercises on trail. These small acts of self-care gives me an opportunity to talk and listen to my body. My body is a temple. The temple needs a good care-taker for my mind and spirit to inhabit. 

Disappointment: didn’t see the 500 mile marker. I heard that it was in the burned area so the marker burned down when the fire came through. I’m disappointed to see how much things are left behind on the trail. I found and picked up sunscreen, bandanna, sunglasses, iPhone, M&Ms, candy wrappers, plastic bags, etc. Including myself we can all practice more of mindfulness and leave no trace.

Exciting moments: I have been smelling French fries from the day one of this journey and finally found the plant that gives the smell! 

Seeing the sunshine after two days of fog! The fog on the second day was so thick that my tent was wet and I was soaked on the trail. When I came out of it and saw the sun, I was so excited to soak up the heat and dry out everything. I noticed that our threshold of comfort is so narrow – we want to have the sun but not too much. We like fog but not to the point of being soaked. I’m so awe in seeing animals and plants just doing fine out here. Then I thought, of course, they have way more seniority than we humans do on this planet and have been figuring out how to co-exist with changing environment.