I am off to an incredible start! The flight to Bakersfield was on a small plane holding 18 passengers! I sat next to a guy named Ryan and guess what?! He actually hunts BEARS for fun! He was able to give me all kinds of advice and set my mind at ease regarding the wildlife out on the trail.  

I took a taxi to the bus station and sat down next to a lady named Gayle aka Mother Goose. She just came from the trail via the route that I am heading to start. She is a nurse and during her time off she hikes sections of the trail! She was a wealth of knowledge and such an amazing person!  

I am not even 3 hours into my journey and I am already having an amazing time!