Flight – Monday 22.04.2024
Today my flight to the USA was on the agenda. Early in the morning I left the accommodation and took the shuttle bus to the airport. There I handed in my luggage at the counter and waited for the departure.
With a delay of almost 1 hour, it started shortly before 1 p.m. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep that much on the 11-hour flight this time because it was just noon. So I spent most of my time watching movies, listening to music, etc.
Around 3 p.m. local time we landed in San Francisco. Here I had to change trains to get to San Diego with another plane. First, however, the entry into the USA was still on the agenda. At the first officer I presented the passport and my visa. After a few questions, he then sent me into a back room, where another questioning by a second officer took place. Apparently the first of my plans wasn’t that convincing, but that didn’t really surprise me, since I have neither a job in Germany, a return flight ticket or friends or family I would like to visit and still want to stay here for 5 months.
But the second officer was quite nice and really interested in what exactly I was doing. After I enlightened him about my project and showed my permit, he only wished me a nice trip and I was able to enter the country.
After that I picked up my luggage and had to give it up again. A short time later I was already on the second plane to San Diego, where we landed at half past eight in the evening.
From here we took the bus to the city center. Around 9 p.m. I finally arrived at the hostel. So far I’ve been on the road for almost 24 hours.
After a short shower I talked to other guests for a few more minutes and then soon went to sleep exhausted.
Even though I had to go to the second interview when I entered the country, the journey actually worked without any problems and I was happy to finally have arrived in the USA. As I later found out, more people from the hostel had to go to the second interview, which is probably not so unusual with a real visa, at least if you can’t really prove that you want to leave the country again.
Jetlag – Tuesday 04/23/2024
Even though I slept late, I was still broken in the morning. My body still has to get used to the 9 hours time difference.
When it comes to breakfast, I notice the difference to my previous trips. There are eggs, coffee and pancakes here that you can easily make yourself. Since I haven’t had pancakes for a long time, they taste really good and so I was happy about breakfast, even if, unlike Europe, it looks very one-sided.
During the meal, I’ll find out from a few people where I can best change money because I still had euros and would like to swap. I quickly realized that nobody here actually exchanges money and everyone just withdraws (why did I even bring cash with me?!?). So I didn’t really get any smarter and after the meal I made my way to a bench.
Unfortunately, you can only change money here with an account. At least the young lady was helpful and showed me on the map where I could find a currency exchange office.
After that, I took the train to the mall where the store should be changing for money.
A short time later I got there and was actually able to change my money. Now that I was standing right next to a supermarket, I bought some things on the trail for the first few days. Unsurprisingly, this time, rice, pasta and tuna found their way into my bag again.
With the purchases I then made my way back to the hostel. In the meantime it was already 2 p.m. and I actually got a little tired, which is why I took another little nap there.
In the evening I went out to eat tacos with two others from the hostel in one of the many restaurants.
Aircraft carrier – Wednesday 24.04.2024
Today I woke up at half past seven. I went straight for breakfast and made pancakes again.
Later I made my way to the port.
There I walked along the water for a while.
Then I decided to visit an aircraft carrier that had been converted into a museum. Supposedly one of the main sights in San Diego.
In fact, the huge ship was very interesting. Even if it looked big from the outside, it looked even bigger from the inside. In the interior there were older fighter planes and various veterans who had worked on this aircraft carrier explained very extensive details of the different aircraft, instrument, missions,…
In between, I’ll have a typical tourist picture of me, where I first realized how narrow such a plane actually is.
While I was looking at the many switches and levers, I realize how complicated such a plane is.
Overall, I learn a lot of interesting things about the ship and the various planes.
When the aircraft carrier was first used against Japan in World War II, the average age of the 4000 crew members was just 19 years old and some with just 3 weeks of training, the young soldiers were sent to combat missions, in which often only a few aircraft have returned.
After this first introduction and a short film about the most famous battle of the ship, I looked at the different rooms. I passed the command center as well as the canteen, the post office, the laundromat and the machine factory. I became aware of how many people really work on such a ship and that a large part of it has to cope with everyday things.
After that I looked at the planes on the runway, from where I also had a good view over the city.
After more than 3 hours of sightseeing, I left the ship again and made my way back to the hostel. There I cooked for lunch and then made my way to a larger park in the city.
Actually, I was hoping that I could see something about the city from up here. Unfortunately, since that wasn’t the case and I didn’t want to go to the zoo or anything else, I didn’t stay here for long either. At least I could see a few squirrels.
Back in the hostel I planned the next day and then soon went to sleep.
Tomorrow I’ll leave the hostel and make my way to an elderly couple, who takes in hikers every year and where I’ll probably meet people who will start with me.
Continue to Scout & Frodo – Thursday 25.04.2024
Today I got up early again and made myself breakfast. While I was eating my food, two Germans came in, who also looked like wanderers in terms of their clothes.
When I asked her what they had planned here, it quickly turned out that they also wanted to run the PCT. As they told me, they set off on Sunday and thus a day later than I. We talked for some time about the trail, our equipment, previous experience and about hiking in general.
After a while I wash my dishes and say goodbye to them again to set off.
I packed my things and left the hotel. By train we went to the bus station. There I got into conversation with another hiker who had just been on the PCT for a few days.
After a short conversation, I had to get on the bus and drove on to my current accommodation.
Around 10 a.m. I arrived at Scout & Frodo, an elderly couple who had already run the PCT and recorded hikers every year.
There I am greeted directly by a volunteer who will show me around the property and explain various things to me. After that I meet the first hikers directly and talk to them.
Most of them start a day before me and I’ll probably meet some of them again on the trail. The conversations are very interesting, since there are also very different types of people here. In addition to US citizens, there are also Canadians who run home, so to speak, French, Austrians and of course Germans too.
In the evening, Scout Line Dancing teaches us which is quite funny, and later there is a dinner together. Afterwards, stories are told about the trail and explained what we should pay particular attention to. All in all, it’s very fun and I learn a lot of interesting and partly important things.
When it gets dark, we all go to sleep. We are accommodated in community tents, where everyone spreads out their sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Logically, everyone has everything to stay in the garden and the warehouse is quickly set up.
Final preparations – Friday 04/26/2024
Tomorrow it’s finally starting and so today is the last day to make preparations.
At 7 a.m. breakfast is already available.
After that, some start throwing the last things out of their backpacks and packing everything up. I watch how some of them look through the entire contents of the backpack again in order to save a few pounds.
After that there is a group picture in front of the house and soon the first hikers will be picked up today and taken to the trail start with a shuttle bus.
When they’re gone, I wash my clothes and go shopping with other food. After lunch I also start packing my backpack and throwing out a few things again.
All in all, I now have a base weight (hiking poles, cap, cell phone,… in my backpack) of 8.5 kg. I also have food for 4-5 days and start with two liters of water. According to the latest information, there is currently a lot of water in the desert and so I shouldn’t need more than 2 liters to run. Overall, I get almost 11-13 kg, which I should be able to carry.
At noon I drive with others to an outdoor shop in the area and freshen up my equipment again. For my hiking sticks I buy a snow attachment and briefly replace my headlamp. Instead of a battery-powered one, there is one with a battery that I can also charge via USB. Otherwise my equipment should fit so far.
Back in the accommodation, I meet new people right away and over time other hikers keep coming.
Towards evening the new people will also be introduced to line dancing, then there will be dinner again and we will listen to interesting stories again.
The further the evening progresses, the more I am looking forward to the start tomorrow. In the meantime I feel a positive nervousness and can hardly wait to finally tie my shoes, put on my backpack and start walking.
Tomorrow it’s finally starting for me!
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