Family, Friends and Followers,
It’s that time of the year again and I’m getting ready to do some hiking! This will be year 3 on my quest to hike the PCT. It will be the first year that I start hiking without Donna.
As some of you may remember, in 2018 Donna and I started from the PCT Southern Terminus at the Mexico border – we were so excited!

In 2019, after Donna had recovered from a couple of knee procedures, we returned to the trail near Wrightwood (mile 370). This is where I had ended my hike the year before after Donna had left the trail at Big Bear City.

We had so much fun on the trail and each day was its own adventure. We were challenged physically, met other interesting PCT hikers and saw and experienced beautiful wilderness areas that most people never see or experience. Every day was about where the next water source was, what was around the next bend or over the next hill and where would we make camp. Looking back it’s clear that when we hike together it’s about “the journey” and not at all about the destination.

Unfortunately, Donna had to leave the trail each of those years because of knee problems. Damn those damn knees!!!
Over the last two years, Donna has has had two arthroscopic surgeries to repair meniscus tears, an injection of stem cells, an experimental procedure at UCLA to treat osteoarthritis and a series of three injections of Orthovisc. All on her right knee! And none of these procedures have helped! We initially thought the stem cells were helpful but once Donna got back on the trail in 2019 and stressed her knee with some mileage it became clear that it hadn’t helped enough. She is now scheduled for a knee replacement in September.

In both years after Donna left the trail I continued hiking northward. In 2018, I only hiked for about a week before I realized that her “two feet” were missing. Last year, I continued hiking for about a month. Each year I knew immediately that hiking solo was a different experience than sharing the trail journey with a partner.

A few months ago my oldest son Blake asked me if I was going to continue on the PCT this year. We chatted for a few minutes and I mentioned that I was going to try and finish California and make it to the Oregon border. He reminded me that life, including my PCT hike, should be about the journey and not the destination. I knew that!!! And suddenly it clicked … when I hike solo, I get focused on the destination – getting to the next camp, getting to the next town, getting to the next state. Thanks Blake!

So tomorrow I return to Sierra City where I ended my hike last summer. My focus is to enjoy the journey and to appreciate that at my age I can still get out on the trail and do this crazy hike. As my sister Melissa always tells me “stop and smell the roses Todd”.

Thanks for following!
PS: I can only update this blog when I get to a town and have WiFi so the next update likely won’t be for another week or so – I’ll be posting daily updates on Instagram @Trailwine
Stay well & enjoy the journey, Todd!
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Good luck and good health! Look forward to following your journey.
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Thanks guys!
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Thanks Peg!
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Fulfill all of your dreams. We can only imagine life without Donna on the trail will be very lonely. Looking forward to the next blog and the terrific pictures you share with everyone. Be safe
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Thanks you guys!
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Oh I hope Donna loves her new knee! Then she can hike too. I just turned64. Couldn’t go out on pct this March 16 for SoCal section hike. Then did big bear early June and found out I have a bad back. Hiking not the problem sleeping was nonexistent. I got off trail. Working on that now so I too can do the journey. Best of luck. You are pretty far already. Getting to parts of the trail I have not hiked. So fun. Looking forward to your updates.
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Thanks for following Cheryl! Good luck on your hike!
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Sounds like n adventure you are capable of.. Have a destination but smell everything. Sorry for the solo part. Stay safe and healthy.
Bob
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Thanks Bob – hi to Sis!
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Happy you’re on the trail again. Best wishes for a safe and for filling JOURNEY!
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Thanks Bob – good to hear from you – I’m still carrying Karen’s memory with me along the trail!
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Enjoy the Journey
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Thanks Tom – hope you and Karen are doing well!
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Enjoy the trail, Todd! Be safe! Since there are no roses along the PCT, remember to stop and smell the wildflowers! Looking forward to more blog posts with your beautiful photos. I will share it all with dad. Good luck! Love, M
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Thanks Melissa!
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Donna gave up her knees to hike this journey…you need to give up a bigger diamond ring when you finish…your a team!!! GO GET IT TODD!!!
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Thanks Doug – sorry we missed you on your recent OC visit – Donna says she has enough diamonds!!!! Hahaha!
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Have fun! Will enjoy following your progress
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Thanks Lynda – hi to Gary! Hope you guys are doing OK in Texas – it’s been in the news a lot these days.
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So excited for you, Todd! Can’t wait to read about your journey! Stay safe! Just remember that even though Donna isn’t with you, once she gets her new knee there will be so many new adventures to conquer together! God Bless!
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Hi Jerri – you are correct – that will help keep me motivated!
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Happy and safe trails, Dr. Miller! Your adventure is inspirational. I can manage Bommer Canyon, and I can imagine myself on PCT thanks to your narrative and images. Be well!
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Hi Ece – hope you are doing well – thanks for following!
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Enjoy the journey Todd! Looking forward to reading all about it
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Thanks Steph!
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Hey Todd,
Some people will do anything to get out of wearing a mask.
But I guess you wore one for enough years already.
Have fun
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Thanks Rob
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Can’t wait to follow along again! Stay safe. Tell Donna my knee replacement was the best thing I bet ever done!
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Thanks Val – I’ll tell her – hi to Dan!
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Message from GPa Lloyd….having lunch with Melissa today. We just read your first blog entry. “Hi Todd! I am enjoying seeing your messages and pictures on Melissa’s tablet. I feel confident that eventually you will make it all the way to the Canadian Border! Proud of you! Love, Pop
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Thanks Pop – I’m doing well – at Mile 1260 tonight (Wednesday) – beautiful views from Lockout Rock!
Sent from my iPhone
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