Well 2020 has come to a close and with it hopefully we near the end of this pandemic. Most people we know were excited to see the end of 2020, as most will always view this past year as one they would rather forget. The life changes that occurred in regards to social distancing, donning masks as we leave our homes and not being able to spend precious time with family and friends definitely made for one of the worst years anyone can remember. Not to mention the terrible number of deaths that were caused by COVID-19. Amy and I somehow got lucky enough to avoid much of this as we completed our dream of thru hiking the PCT. Being isolated in nature allowed us to live our lives as close to normal for 6 months of the year, which we know was very unique compared to the general population of the world. So we both will look back on 2020 with mixed emotions.

Amy, for Christmas, made me a special video as she compiled all of the pictures we had taken together and put it to music. Definitely, was one of my favorite gifts as I can turn it on and be transported back to a very special place in my heart!! We have been home now for almost four months and are fully integrated back into life and work, but there isn’t a day that goes by that neither of us day dream of the trail. We both long to be back out there but know right now it isn’t something that we can make happen. It is funny to see how our views of thru hiking have changed since arriving back home. Immediately after the completion of the PCT, I think we both felt that completing the one thru hike would be enough. However, with time we feel the strongest pull back to the trail and the desire to take on the challenge of another thru hike burns inside. We have been tossing the idea around of giving the CDT a try maybe in 5 years. There will have to be a lot that falls into place but if we can make it work I think we both would jump at the opportunity to live life on the trail again.

Last month we continued to get interest regarding our hike. We had a local magazine, SouthBay Magazine, come out to interview us for an article they plan to put in their upcoming February issue. Not sure we deserve all of this attention but it has been fun, as it allows us to relive our journey over and over.

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and a very safe New Year! Here is to a new year and a new chapter in all of our lives.

Brian (a.k.a. Link)

P.S. A few of the readers had asked some questions regarding cooking and our meal plans while out on the trail. The answers to these questions are lengthy and specific to each reader. We have tried to answer those by responding to your comments but in case you didn’t see that, please feel free to contact us, using the contact tab of the webpage. I can then provide you a more lengthy detailed message. 🙂