Mile 0 to 77.32, April 16th to 23rd

And we’re off! The first week of hiking has surpassed our expectations as we progressed through varied and beautiful habitats, from lush fields and pine forests through to the desert proper.

However, I would like to avoid the pitfall of only writing about the big picture: the huge scenery shots and massive miles traveled. My favourite part of other people’s journals is the home-making minutiae: what does your sleeping spot look like? What did you eat for dinner last night? What was the view from your tent door? This makes the story feel much more real for me.

That’s the purpose of this series, 150 Homes, which I’ll try to update once per week. Each day I’ll take a pic of our camp and describe our surroundings, sometimes focusing on the tiny details of long-distance living that might ordinarily be skipped in favour of the next huge vista. Please let me know if there’s anything you’re curious about and I’ll include it in a future post!

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Our first night on the Pacific Crest Trail was next to Hauser Creek, around 15 miles from the Southern Terminus. At least 20 other hikers had set up there and were conversing cautiously, still feeling out their new lives. Betty and I set up our tarp (the only one – everyone else had tents) a little way from the group. We felt too shy for much conversation. Aside from a brief window of non-biting mosquitoes, the night was cool and peaceful. #pct2017 #pctclassof2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:04pm PDT

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Night 2, and we were already getting royally sick of ol' tarpy. A guy-out point ripped half off in a light breeze and the stakes would not grip in the soft earth. Still, the view across the mountains above Lake Morena was stunning. Plentiful water on our route allowed us to dry camp at the top of a ridge. The sunset was thrilling. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:13pm PDT

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Night 3: Our first Cowboy Camp! Sick of the dang tarp, we took advantage of the glorious desert weather and bedded down under a tree. Some amazingly generous trail angels stopped by to give us all free pizza and beer, and we fell asleep at 9pm to the soft hooting of an owl. #150homes #pctclassof2017 #pct2017

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:20pm PDT

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Night 4: Betty's blisters were reaching crisis point, so we paid through the nose for a "rustic" cabin on Mount Laguna. The air was full of pine sap and mountain freshness, and the contents of this $130 cabin consisted of a bed and two bars of hotel soap. It was totally worth it. #pct2017 #pctclassof2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:24pm PDT

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Night 5: Laguna Campground, and a brand new Big Agnes Fly Creek UL HV 3-person tent. Poor old tarpy was sent back to base along with five pounds of gear we didn't need. The campground was lush and green, with a small lake surrounded by deliciously scented pine trees. We christened the tent Taj Mahal on account of its luxurious dimensions. Our sleep was blissful. #150homes #pctclassof2017 #pct2017

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:30pm PDT

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Night 6: a remote campsite next to a horse trough in a field riddled with ground squirrel holes. We woke at 5am and packed our things by the light of the crescent moon, setting off for our longest day so far (18 miles) as the sun began peeking over the mountaintops. #pct2017 #pctclassof2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 8:22pm PDT

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Night 7: after a brutal push through the desert, a kind trail angel drove us to Carmen's in the town of Julian. Carmen is a saint. She greeted us with hugs and free beers, then offered us the floor of her cafe to sleep on, along with free laundry and coffee in the morning. We tipped her generously and ordered mountains of her delicious food. #150homes #pctclassof2017 #pct2017

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 8:27pm PDT

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Night 8: our last night in Julian after a full "zero" day. Our tummies are full of pizza and beer, and our motel room is full of damp clothes that look just as dirty as before we washed them. #pct2017 #pctclassof2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Apr 23, 2017 at 8:30pm PDT

If you’re thirsting for the grand scenery, we’ll post many more pics to Instagram than appear here. You can follow us on the ‘Gram via any of the 150 Homes pics above. Happy Trails!

Tim