The school year has finally come to a close and I am able to focus my attention onto my hiking preparations. I am finding that I am getting a little anxious and the clock is moving incredibly fast- and slow- all at the same time. I am looking out over my garden in my backyard and wondering how in the world I am supposed to answer the question that I will be asked on the trail. “Why are you doing this? Why are you hiking 442 miles across the High Sierras across snow with a 30+ pound backpack?” As I look out over my garden and think about my life I don’t have a solid answer that I think someone would expect to hear. I am extremely happy, I have the two most amazing and supportive children and an incredible family! My friends are seriously off the charts with awesomeness and to say they are supportive of this hike is a complete understatement. So why do I want to do this? I have a superficial answer right now and that is simply “Because I can” which sounds so selfish and lame. The truth is that I have been hopping around across lily pads of curiosity for a few years now and have found that each time I make a leap I find myself staring into the heart of something else that I discover I am passionate about pursuing. Dektown Cellars come about in that fashion; my writing, painting, and gardening all came about because I looked across the pond and had to know what was on the other side. That is the purpose of this hike. For me to find out what is on the other side and then I will be able to let you know what I discover along the way.