FROM THE AUTHOR: THE JOURNEY

The future begins with a dream... And what a wonderful dream it was! I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1996; to this day, memories of that life continue to make me smile. The sweet innocence of the unknown, the lessons still to be learned. How I yearn to feel those moments! I started on the PCT not fully knowing what to expect. It was the most challenging journey I had ever attempted.

The long expanse of the desert, the refreshing High Sierra, and the beautiful Cascade Mountains-nature became my home. Every night, I slept in different places, sometimes on a hill, in a valley, or on top of a mountain. I found myself seeking and finding special places, and treasuring the times when I could feel deeply. In nature, I saw more moments that in my mind could not be possible, and yet they happened. I remember the uncertainty, the not knowing of what would be. But, at the same time, as my knowledge increased and gave power, it also limited me. Knowledge created a boundary that at times became the border of my life. It was only by questioning what I knew and in doing difficult things that I could grow. Here I learned my four treasured lessons:

1. Take care of those whom you love.
2. Take care of your health.
3. Do not limit yourself to what you know. Try and learn.
4. Share your life. We are not meant to be alone.

I am glad that many continue to protect this most beautiful treasure. To the future!

A note about my trail name: When I started on the PCT, I met many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, most of whom had trail names. For two months, I hiked across Southern California with the veteran AT hikers, pondering what my trail name should be. We finally reached Kennedy Meadows and saw the movie Grizzly Adams. Next thing I knew, my trail name, "Gentle Ben," came into being, bestowed by the one and only "Rude Dog."