wandering chardonnay

Not older…better.

Went an hiked El Cajon mountain today, the El Capitan Trail. I really needed to be out there. I had a really tough week, a lot going on right now. Nothing terrible, just stuff I don’t want to deal with, or rather shouldn’t have to.
It was a great hike, it’s a challenging trail. As a friend once said “that trail has as many up’s as down’s”. With 4000 feet of elevation spread over close to 12 miles, it just is.

20161202_115955
I’ve done this hike before a couple of times, it’s good training and I like to torture myself! Most clearly I remember the first time, it was terrible and I was unprepared. I thought how tough could it be? (The trail guide said difficult, duh) Well I didn’t make it to the top that day. As I came back down (& up) I was having leg cramps. I thought I might die or my legs would fall off. (Either would have fine considering the pain.)
Hindsight being 20/20 I should have had more water and training. I had to move as the parking lot gates locked at 5 and my car was in there. I passed on a ride down with the ranger, pride and all. I made it down, eventually, in a world of hurt.
Anywho, it was good today to make it to the top and back in record time (my record) and no pain. Well nothing a hot bath won’t fix. Mostly it felt good to leave my troubles on the mountain and know that I’m better than I was!

Music’s at its best when it has a purpose. ~EV

Hiking

Let’s talk tunes….

I figured I should get a jump on adding music to my mp3 player. I currently have about 200 song loaded, that is not enough. When I hike alone (which is most of the time) music is super important. Music can make me fly through the miles, change my mood and get me out of my head, if only temporarily.

You may or may not have noticed I’m a huge Pearl Jam fan. I’ve used lines from their songs and titles (and other artist) as blog titles. I gave my mp3 player to a friend before the PCT, said hey put some music on there…..I ended up with a whole bunch of Modest Mouse! Great travelling music he said, and it is, sorta kinda. My other big mp3 filler is DJ sets. These are great because they are a mix of really pumping tunes. They aren’t just any sets either, they are sets that I’ve danced to live. I love how it conjures up feelings/emotions/memories and pushes (read:dances) me up the trail.

Favorite (crush miles) Playlist
Tina Dico -Count to Ten (Pumpkin remix)
Weather- (Pumpkin)
Jonny Quest – JQ – 320
Pearl Jam -Porch- Live from Mansfield
Robot Heart – Scumfrog BM12

Then there is the singing! You think singing in the shower is awesome? Well, singing here so beats that:

That’s me about to take a bow after a premier performance!!

So many people have found me dancing/singing along the trail it’s just ridiculous. But a girl has to express herself. (that being said I do wear earbuds, you know trail etiquette)

Favorite (sing it girl) Playlist
Anita Baker – Body and Soul
Martin Sexton – Glory Bound
Kelly Clarkson – Walk Away
Janet Jackson – Lonely
Seal – Love’s Divine

So I’m looking for some more tunes. Thinking about going old school 80’s maybe some R&B! Gotta any suggestions?

Have wine will hike

Hiking, Life, Uncategorized

From time to time people ask me about the name chardonnay. I give people the side eye who ask if it’s my real name. No. It’s a nickname, cycling, playa and trail name. Typically I only use my given name at work. I started using the name back when I was cycling, I liked carrying Chardonnay on my bike for adult beverage stops. When I went to TTITD it just felt right to use chardonnay as my playa name. When I found out about trail names I was certain what mine would be. And yes it is chardonnay with a small c!

Did you know Chardonnay is the most diverse-and most planted-white wine grape in the world? Full bodied, bold, beautifully crafted and quite mature…..I identify with all those descriptors. See chardonnay is more than a nick/trail name, it’s my alter ego, a better version of me.

wine-register — Signing the register……Chardonnay and mashed potatoes!

When I hike I pack in (and out) Chardonnay in cartons. I’ve even had it shipped in a mail drop (thanks Leslie) to celebrate at the PCT northern terminus. Bandit wines and Wine Cube (easy to find at Target) are great for hiking, they are lightweight and can be recycled. They also have Merlot (what up Brenda) and Cabernet Sauvignon which are great for day hiking and camping. But when I thru hike I tend towards Chardonnay. Pack up some cheese and Nut Thins crackers and boom, instant motivation to get to camp!

Even got to do some wine tasting on the Appalachian Trail (Delaware Water Gap). Checkout The Renegade Winery out of Stroudsburg, Pennslyvania great wine, good people!

chardonnay everyday……happy trails!

20160820_181853_resized — Chardonnay in Gatorade bottle…….Babybels and crackers, classy.

High on a Mountain Top

Hiking

Went for a great hike this weekend. San Gorgonio 11, 503 feet, the tallest mountain in Southern California. We took the Momyer route up 15 miles of, well up. We had 5 in our group and picked up 3 more all of us camping at the summit.

The first part was steep and the younger crew tore out. Actually we all went at a pretty good clip through the first part, that would catch up to us later. It graded out nicely and the clouds and cool breezes made for great hiking.

The part that got me was the last haul. We had to carry out water about 6 miles to the summit. It was alot as we wouldn’t have water again until three miles down the next morning. Plus there seemed to be numerous false summits.

I so glad we finally made it, and beat. And super happy I was wearing my brace no ankle issues. Now since I left a good portion of my camping gear back in Michigan, I was making due. Borrowed a huge 2 person tent from a friend, thing took up half my backpack. But once I set it up in one of the rock formation wind breaks I was balling mcmansion style! With no puffy jacket I just wore multiple shirts and my super kitty sweatshirt! It got down to 36, brr, but at least it wasn’t super windy as it can be up there.

After enjoying some wine and cheese and catching the sunset I slipped into my sleeping bag. It’s a 20 degree bag so I was toasty in there. But I used a cheap replacement sleeping pad. Don’t do this. Not a good night sleep AT ALL. Luckily the view was amazing. Crawled out of my tent in the middle of the night and enjoyed the bright moon shining on San Jacinto an the city lights of Palm Springs and Hemet. It’s so eerily quiet up there after being in the city.

After a restless (thirsty) night, i woke and made a half cup (last of my water) coco and coffee. Forgot me oatmeal (not that I had water) so I ate two handfuls of peanut M&M’s. It was a 10 miles downhill so I saved my protein bar for later.

We took the Vivian Lake route down. BTW I would recommend this route up its shorter and nicer. There were a ton of people coming up that morning. Chatted wit some nice guys out from Arizona at the water source. They had run into the same Ranger we had the day before. The Ranger was putting the fear in everyone about the fires.

Anyways we made it down in pretty good time. Even after little sleep it was a good hike down. Even got in some trail dance party!!

So I’ve gotten 3 of the six pack of peaka done. San Jacinto, San Gorgonio and Mt San Antonio(Baldy). Just have Mt. Wilson, Cucamonga Peak and San Bernardino to go!

A change is gonna come

AT, CDT, Hiking, Life, PCT, Uncategorized

Hey everyone!! I know it has been awhile since my last post. I finally got back home to California and needed to get a job ASAP. I have a very long to do list, car registration, place to live, find 2nd job and still maintain a social life. Don’t even get me started on the CDT to do list, so-many-details. So I’ve been busy with life.

I have written a couple of posts, they are hanging out in drafts….I keep changing my mind, I’m wishy washy like that. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of writing a post on race & diversity. I just don’t know, one must choose their words carefully when dealing with said topic. That and everyone is hypersensitive right now. People have asked about being a solo black female on the trail. With almost 4000 miles of hiking under my shoes, I have to say race has not been an issue.

My whole life I’ve participated in activities that were mostly white. That’s just my life. From hockey cheer-leading (yes we cheered on the ice, I get that question so often)to skiing to road biking. I’ve never let participants race determine if I was gonna give something a try or deter me.

Of course I’d love for more African Americans to experience the joys of being in nature. It’s good for both mental and physical health…and just plain fun. I’d also love to see more representation in ads and magazines. But until that happens. Make A Plan and go for it! (I’m talking to you people of color) Every camp out doesn’t have to be a epic adventure, maybe just an over night. Represent! Take a buddy with you. Please don’t wait until you see someone who looks like you before decide to go. Just go. You can do it. African American clothing designers, how about some hiking gear! I enjoy answering backpacking/hiking/camping questions, lay them on me. I’ve had this blog since what, 2014 and still people are like ‘I couldn’t find any African American hikers’. I was inspired to thru hike by just reading some blogs by some tough ladies who tackled many a trails. They were all white btw.

On the PCT I hiked with some great…. people (yes mostly white people). We hiked and talked about our families, hopes, dreams and silly things. We all want the same things, but most importantly we talked, that’s where it starts. See when it comes to race on the trail…..let me put it this way. When you are cold, got miles to go, scared, and trying not to slide off the side of a snowy mountain; your trail buddies skin color isn’t really important. You just make it happen….together.

Freedom of the road (trail)

AT, Hiking

Most posts like this begin with ‘it is with a heavy heart….or I am sad to say’ but not this one. Ahem.

Nope….I am HAPPY to say I am getting off the trail!! I’m not quitting, I’m just done. Honestly I’m just over it, for now, really. So grab a beverage and I’ll explain.

So hiking up Mt. Greylock (the highest peak in Massachusetts) I was moving at a snail’s pace. Not because I was tired or in pain, I just had zero desire or motivation. If you’ve read between the lines of my posts you might have picked up on this, or not. My last post took forever to write because I kept trying to put a positive spin on it. Question was who was I trying to convince?

Don’t get me wrong, this has been one heck of an adventure. Had such fun, in camp and in town….but on the trail, not so much. I met some real characters out there and learned some lessons. Like, it’s important for me to make decisions based on what I feel and need not based on what others think/believe I should do. It’s my journey after all.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams…..but remember the map is not carved in stone.

The things I’ve seen and done on the AT I won’t soon forget. People showed so much kindness and generosity. The miles I’ve completed and memories are many. But I set out to conquer the AT, which no longer seems that important to me, at this time. Turns out life adventures aren’t all or nothing, you know.

On the PCT I wanted all that came with being a thru hiker, the good/bad, highs/lows. I was getting to Canada no-matter-what. See, to complete a thru hike you have to want it, from within. This time around, my want meter was at a strong meh.

Now, Kathadin is still waiting….. and I will get there, eventually. Things tend to happen as they should, right?

At the moment I’m on a train, headed west (what a novel way to see the country)….researching the CDT(Continental Divide Trail)!!!

Story is not over yet……stay tuned.

Where’s my motivation

For those of you keeping track….I’m now in Massachusetts! If there was a sign for CT to MA I missed it, guess I was enjoying the scenery and sweating. Man is it toasty, making the green tunnel (the trail is pretty much always under tree cover) nice. But the bugs have kicked it up a notch. Not a fan of insect repellent but the itching is maddening.

Seriously, I’m getting to the point in the trail where i just want to hurry up and be done. Some days i feel like I’m just trudging through the woods, trying to get to the next camp site. Just trying to stay motivated and positive becomes work. I forgot how much your feet hurt at this point. (Forgive me feet) Did have a great night hangin with the boys last night. Being around other hikers certainly helps morale. I’ve been hiking daily alone. Somehow my slower pace has put me in between the packs. Climbing up then having to pick my way slowly down steep jagged rocks is taxing. (Ankle concerns make me move more cautiously)

With only about 600+ miles to go things are gonna start getting more challenging. Guess it’s time to dig deep. A thru hike is never all rainbows and butterflies, I know that. However being dirty, tired, in pain and stuck in your own head for hours is well draining. And yes I’m a tad bit home sick, which is unusual for me.

Must keep focused on the light (or mountain) at the end of the tunnel. One step, one mile, one day at a time. It’s all part of the experience. I’m coming Kathadin….albeit slowly, with all the gusto I can muster.

Small world

AT, Hiking

So Pinkie Chick had her own little adventure! I had attached her to my pack shoulder strap, at some point i looked down and there was nothing but the string she was attached to!

Sad day indeed. I certainly couldn’t go back, as I had no idea where it might have come off. So I headed on to camp. Now normally I’m on trail by 6:30 a.m (more or less). But I decided to sleep in the next morning. When I did get up I hobbled down to the stream to get water for coffee. Shooting Star was there filtering her water. I’ve seen her on trail but we had never met. Just so happens the couple that drove me into town a week earlier to get my shoes, they were in town to see……… her!!

She says ‘ hey you’re chardonnay, I have something for you!’ Guess what she pulls out? Pinkie!! Someone found her and passed her along in hopes she would catch up to me!! So it pays to sleep in!!

pinkie

Bye NY…Hello CT

AT, Hiking

For some reason I thought the rocks would stop after Pennsylvania or at least New Jersey, nope. New York has plenty. My ankles are killing me.

Things are different as you move further north. Not just the lack of good sweet tea, but southern hospitality is so over. Asked a guy for a ride…..he just rolled up the window, seriously. Just as I was about to give up on NY a cyclist rides up. I told him I needed a ride to town 12 miles away and I need to be there in less than 2 hours before the post office closed. He couldn’t help with the ride but he gave me a giant awesome bagel filled w/cream cheese! (He had hiked the AT in 2012)

bagel

While I was eating my bagel I ran into Edna & her husband. They were more than happy to give me a lift to town AND back! So I got my package (new kicks) and was back on trail in no time. (Oh they were from Pennsylvania, just sayin).

Got sweet camp spot that night on West Mt. I could even see N.Y. City. Wish I could get pics but on my camera phone it just looks dark. But here is the spot!

tentny

Then I got to hike thru the Trailside Museum & Zoo (yep the trail goes right through the zoo), before crossing the Hudson River. It was kinda funny the looks I got from people in the zoo…..even though there was a Thru hiker display!! Slow Sunday hike today to give my ankles a break.

Ran into Two Peas, and met Tink and Addie as we huffed up the mountain. Hiked the next to days with Tink & Addie (she got a trail name pretty quick, she earned it doing 17 miles right out the gate, awesome!). Those ladies were fun to hike and hitchhike with! After our State Park camp/shower I had the best hike day.

Took us a while to find out way out of the park. We debated just bushwhacking our way up a hill, then came to our senses. Addie said that morning in camp ‘I could really go for a hot breakfast’. Seven miles later….boom, trail magic! Grrr was making hot bagel, egg & cheese sandwiches right at the shelter!!! He liked my kiwi tail, I had 2 sandwiches!

After that we really breezed through the miles. I parted with Tink & Addie and did 8 more dance miles. They are getting off trail tomorrow and I am headed into Connecticut. I’ll miss those two.

(Me checkin out the view, wet socks/shorts hangin off my pack, geez)

Well New York really brought it. But time to move on…a new state will be good for morale. Oh and Kathadin is waiting!!!

People who need people

AT, Hiking

So the trail is nothing if not about all the people. I’ve met people from around the world…a lot of Germans and Canadians. But certainly a bunch from right here in America. I’ve been trying to take more people pictures (when I remember). Less views, more people as it really is the people you remember most.

I’ve hiked the last week with a married couple from Florida Two Peas, they’ve been on trail since February 14th! They are really nice. That’s a lot of love to be able to spend that much quality time together.

Then I hiked for a while with Tink and her friend Marilyn (she’s just out for couple of days with Tink who is flip/floppin like me). Great ladies from St. Louis. Tink can really keep a good 3 mph pace…even up hill. I love it…it really challenges me to hike faster & better.

Met a lot of SoBo (southbound) section hikers to today. One guy trail name 44, hiking Connecticut to West Virginia, told us a lot about this sections history. And a nice couple (I forgot their names) that tipped us off to warm showers and free camping at the State Park. So after 5 days I got a shower!! Man what difference a shower makes. Now if only my clothes dry by morning! Yea, trail life.

Can’t forget Topknot, from Austin, I was hiking with him for a bit. He is a great hiker and doesn’t mind sleeping in! But he got off trail to see Ke$ha in Philly! He’s so awesome he got a selfie with her! He’s a fan! Now there’s a side trip!