blog post week 10

Response to “One Last Piece of Apple Pie”

I was just finishing up a quick hike when I inadvertently entered the parking lot of a small gas station in the middle of nowhere.  I had decided to take a quick hike on my long journey, as I had been so sedentary and knew that there were beautiful hikes around here.  The quick four mile hike I took provided a wonderful break from the days and days of driving that I had endured. 

As I walked through the parking lot I noticed a bright sign advertising apple pie.  I was famished, and started toward the entrance.  As I walked towards the gas station, I passed a woman, who paused, looking me up and down, and fixing her gaze on my hiking boots.  “Are you hiking the PCT as well?” she inquired. 

“The what?” I asked.

“The Pacific Crest Trail. It runs from Mexico to Canada.  A woman in there is doing it and I was wondering if you were doing it as well, as you are wearing hiking boots and all.” 

I laughed and responded that I had only done a four mile hike, and was definitely not capable of embarking on a hike from Mexico to Canada!  She told me that the woman she spoke to inside the gas station was hiking the PCT solo, and commented on how dangerous that must be.  I agreed.  I had been told throughout my journey how dangerous it was for me to be traveling alone as a woman.  But hiking the PCT solo as a woman is probably infinitely more hazardous, and it took some real guts to do it.  I wondered what motivated this woman to embark on this journey, and considered asking the woman I met if she knew.  But I felt weird asking that question, and decided against it. I would just have to wonder about this mysterious woman without ever knowing her story or meeting her.