Good Morning!

A lot of things have happened since my last blog post… Vasquez Rocks, Casa de Luna, the 500 Mile marker, Hiker Town, walking along the L.A. aqueduct and through a wind farm, finding a baby Bobcat and only being 140 miles to Kennedy Meadows, “the gateway to the Sierra’s”! 

As the excitement builds, I find myself feeling more and more like a thru-hiker as each day passes.  The transition period from working in the ‘real world’ to walking for 5-6 months is one that takes time, both physically and mentally.  My body is embracing this hike; and my mind has slowly begun to following suit – I am feeling better each day. 

I’ve been fortunate to have good friends to hike with, and meeting new friends along the way.  I know from my A.T. hike that connecting with people is a big part of the enjoyment I find from an undertaking such as this – there are simply so many people, with such different backgrounds and all various reasons as to why they are out here.  Lots of A.T. Veterans (previous Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers) but lots of individuals who are attempting their first thru-hike.  And the best part of meeting new people? I get to listen to their stories – and learn more about them, and myself in the process.  

We’ve experienced a fair amount of trail magic too.  Some wonderful people like the Andersons, Hiker Town; these individuals who open their home and hearts for hikers as they slowly move north on the trail. Trail Angels that have picked us up and taken us to town, or back to the trailhead, other individuals who stop to talk, even hike with us to get a better understanding of what we are doing and why.  When nothing but goodness surrounds us – it’s easy to understand why this experience is so contagious. 

Weather has been as interesting here as it seems to be around the U.S. We’ve seen most all of it and even heard horror stories about people going missing, or calling for help off a mountain because of the cold, rainy, snowy areas and higher elevations.  We have not had what we expected with the extreme heat, and are very thankful even with some cold and windy nights we’ve been blessed with good weather.  There are days we’ve had when it’s tough to keep cool, or stay warm enough – the constant battle of taking layers off and putting them on is always fun… Regulating the body temperature isn’t always easy, but it’s just another piece to this wonderful experience of being outside and in the elements. 

I’ve still been fascinated by the area around us – it has been quite beautiful in its own way.  Everything from sandy desert-looking areas to mountain ranges with giant oak trees.  The plant life around here is pretty interesting too – some of the native species of plants seem to endure a lot of extremes; windy conditions, drought, heat, snow, no water – but all seems to make it along just fine.  Trees and Shrubs can help cut down the wind at night and is always a nice find for a good camping spot.  My tent has been working relatively well, but there are times where I have to reinforce the guy lines with rocks because it’s so windy out here.  And as for the rest of my gear, everything seems to be holding up well.  

I am still missing my family and Glen and Sam and my friends, but am managing well.  Glen and Sam will be on the move in just a few short weeks and are certainly excited about the new home and getting settled before Glen starts her job.  Glen may even have a quick trip to CA to see me sometime in the near future too! 🙂 

I’m progressing through this experience slowly, but am taking note of all the things that are surrounding me.  It’s been a slow crawl back to that peaceful place I found on the A.T., but I am remembering to find that peace in my daily steps on the trail.  I think much like life, it can be easy to fly past things and not notice them for what they truly are – smelling the roses is important, not just out here; but in life however we choose to live it.  
Step outside, climb a mountain, smell a flower, touch a tree, listen to the birds, float in the wind, watch the sunrise, experience life as it is unfolding around you; you won’t regret it – find your happy place and share it with others! 
As Always – I Appreciate Your Support and Love – 
Casey 

  
                                                          

 

   
   

Good Morning!

Team Aqua-Jelly-Sticks; (Aqua-Man, Turnip Jelly, and Chopsticks) is posted up in Palmdale California after fighting through some nasty winds, rain and sleet and maybe even some hail.   

Things seem to be going well; my feet are doing better – blisters have subsided, and the tenderness is beginning to finally wear off. My mental state is also strengthening as each day passes, I’m beginning to let myself fall into the thru-hiker mentality.   My friends have also helped me with this – as this hike is different from my last – it has presented some challenges that I have been battling internally, but am finally letting go of what I cannot control and enjoying this experience one step at a time. 

The area has been beautiful, I can’t say enough about the changing beauty around us.  As shocked as I have been with all the landscapes, I think I’ve been most impressed with the big trees and even somewhat smaller mountain ranges we’ve been walking through.  The sierras are coming… Slowly but surely, and as our excitement builds, we are happy to be where we are because of the weather which seems to be so off-season for us right now.  

Yesterday, when we arrived I took a walk down the street to eat lunch at in-and-out burger and met a couple, Jim and Cheri Davis.  They asked me to join them and talk with them while we ate.  To say the least, the time spent with them was a blessing, and spoke very loudly to me.  I am feeling blessed even in the absence of my family and loved ones, and reminded of the most important things in life.  

The support I am receiving from all of you back home, friends on-trail and the hiking community has been wonderful.  I am thankful everyday – 400 + miles down, let’s start making a dent in those fundraising goals!
Here are some photos below that range from Cajon Pass to Acton/Palmdale CA. 

                      
                 

Good Afternoon,

So far, we’ve walked about 342 miles.  Now sitting at a truck stop .4miles off the trail.  After a breakfast and lunch at McDonalds, and a bit of resupply, we have a 27 miles stretch without water to get into Wrightwood. 

  

  

 See the Golden Arches?  🙂 

We are doing well – the problem I’m having is the pads of my feet and remaining blisters, or constant re-forming of blisters.  Other than that – I am in good spirits.

    

    

  

  

  

  

 

This Trail has been much more challenging for me out of the gates than that of the Appalachian Trail, I’m thinking because of the physically demanding mileage because of the water needs.  

I’ve also found lately to be missing Glen and Sam tremendously, all of the events that have and are happening – along with my direct family.  It’s been a bit of a different hike for me this time around, and the realization of just how much it means to have wonderful people in my life.

   
                 

   
    

I must apologize for the timeliness of my updates – it’s been a bit more difficult than expected.  
Thank you all for the love, support and interest in my hike.
Casey Aqua-Man Owen

Good Morning!  

I am now in a place where writing my first blog entry after my hike began makes sense.  It’s been a tough beginning for me – believe it or not.  Standing on a scale that read 275lbs. before I left Bob Reiss’s home in San Diego, helped me understand just how out of control the weight gain had gotten in my life.  As of today, 266 miles hiked, and 20lbs. Lighter, my feet are finally beginning to feel hardened and ready for the next 250 miles.  

The terrain has been quite impressive and really surprising.  I was expecting a much different place – but the growth of several plants, cactus and even trees in the higher elevations.  Not quite what you think when you hear desert!

I’ve had to work through multiple blisters, tender feet, chafing, shin splints and extremes in weather.  I’ve seen snakes, beetles, spiders, rabbits and some bears trapped in cages at a private zoo that trains animals for movies.  

I’m having fun, enjoying the challenge and appreciating meeting people; lots of past AT Thru-Hikers out here too.  I couldn’t do this without the love and support of all my trail family – and loved ones back home.  

Currently I am getting a ride back to the trail and won’t have service much longer so I wanted to post this while I could.  Please click on the link at the bottom of this page to see some photos I’ve posted to my Facebook page.  I will update again very soon with some additional photos.  

Thank you all for your support and love – it truly means the world to me. Please pass this on to your friends and family to help me achieve my goals for financial aid for ALS and Mental Health!  

Much Love~
Aqua-Man

Good Morning!

Currently, I am sitting in the San Diego airport anticipating Bob Riess’s arrival to pick me and a fellow hiker up as he will be hosting many hikers as he normally does this time of year.  We will be departing his home first thing in the morning, and I will then officially begin my thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.

What’s going through my mind right now?

I’m excited, anxious – and a bit overwhelmed..  I’m thinking about family, my loved ones, the special woman and her wonderful daughter that are in my life.  I’m thinking about the internal transformation I am about to once again go under.  I’m thinking about water – oh how Aqua-Man loves and needs his water.  I’m thinking about my pack weight – too much, too little?  Just enough –

I’m thinking about how amazing it was that I randomly ran into a very influential person in my life at the airport and was able to spend time talking with and catching up with during the flight to San Diego.  I believe that to be Trail Angel #1..  A great start to an adventure I am so thoroughly looking forward to begin.

So now – the blog is alive – this is officially my first post…  I hope you can enjoy this experience with me – and help spread the word about my hike – help me and the organizations I am supporting to raise awareness and financial aid for A.L.S. and Mental Illness.

Thank you all for your love, support and for joining me on this incredible adventure.

* Donation Pages are located on the left side of this webpage. (Please take a look) 🙂

Signing off for now~

Casey Aqua-Man Owen ~