TCT #48 -- Happy Trails to You

 

Wendy at Calaveras Big Trees,
South Grove (photo: Rebecca Andrade)

How do I say this?  After four years of tough, trippy, and tremendous adventures, and some enchanting "Trail Magic," the Tuolumne County Trailhead radio show has come to an end.  But first ... we need to finish our interview with Fia Lundgren, a Sonora local who through-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail last summer.  That's 2,650 miles in just over four months!  Give a listen to some stories!  If you're inspired but don't have the time to dedicate to a through-hike, remember the PCT crosses through our county, so it's pretty accessible to do a day-hike.  We recommended a few options last episode/blog.  You, too, can become a "PCT Hiker!"

The final episode also gives a whirlwind review of the previous four years, explains why the project is winding up, and highlights a few of my favorite memories of hiking with you Trail Heads.

Many, many people made the project possible, and I do my best to recognize and thank them all.  Here's an attempt at a thorough list:

• Park and public entity employees and volunteers including rangers, interpretive folk, archaeologists, and Search and Rescue volunteers:  Peter Wisniewski, Patrick Congdon, Mike McGraw, Hilary Maxworthy and her husband Jim, Lisa DeHart, Rebecca Andrade, Diana Fredlund, Curtis Kvamme, Molly Day, Joel Silverman, Pat Sanders and her husband Harold, Barbara Balen, Tyler Summersett, Kelly Leage, Stephen Johnson, and Leigh Spokas and Joe Manlove.
• Teachers and subject-matter experts:  Lisa Murphy, Erin Naegle, Glen White, Tom Hofstra, Jeff Tolhurst, Anke Husher, Ross Carkeet, Ron Good, Carlos Geisdorff, Shelly Davis-King, and Sean Osborn.
• Advocates and enthusiasts:  Seth Connolly, Jenna Levy, Caitlin Rich, John Buckley, Brian Kermeen, Ellie Routt, Anthony Castanos, Wesley Trimble, Jason Torlano, and Fia Lundgren.
• Artists and writers:  Diana Beasley, Buzz and Karen Eggleston, Cate Culver, Dave and Ilyssa Kyu, and Robin Eschner, who gave us permission to use her late husband Bill Horvitz's composition "Switchback" as our theme music.
• Other hiking-enablers:  John DeGrazio, Guy McCarthy, Karie Lew, Leslie Smith, Kathi Joye, Steve Weldon, and Lisa Mayo.
• A couple of personal heroes:  Kevin Gong and John Muir Laws.
• Old and new friends who shared their talents: Shelly Davis-King, Phyllis Ashmead, Sheri Betz, Corinne Grandstaff, Deborah Campbell, Patricia Harrelson, Barbara Balen, Rebecca Andrade, Gary Stockel, Brian Burns, Robert Swift, Vonna Breeze-Martin, Linda Emerson, Gay Hunt, Robert Stockel, Ann Thompson, and Amy McKinney.
• Family who provided moral support, suggestions, and more:  my son, Seth Zaharias; my daughter-in-law, Sabra Purdy; and her mother (and general manager of KAAD-LP 103.5 FM, Sonora's Community Radio Station), the very persuasive, creative, and energetic, Ellen Stewart.
• My husband, Dean Zaharias, for behind-the-scenes suppport, counsel, and so much more!

It's tough to say goodbye, Trail Heads, but thanks for all the great times out with the best people in the loveliest environment!  I expect to post to the blog from time-to-time.  I hope you will keep hiking!  Maybe I'll ... see you at the trailhead!

Here is a link to the final Tuolumne County Trailhead radio show:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gYRjen9kER6R0di8YndvU7XcRJvlMmIc/view?usp=sharing