I safely arrived to Southern California Friday night with Jenny. Amanda and Aubrey picked us up from the San Diego airport and brought us back to their precious little home in Encinitas. I don't think I've ever really experienced Southern California before. Life is so different here! I can totally see why people love it. I woke up to so much bright sun and could not stop smiling as we walked through the little beach town. Everything was SO close! There is definitely this super chill vibe where everyone seems to not have jobs and just goes surfing everyday haha.

We had breakfast at Better Buzz Coffee and ate the most delicious first meal. We ordered an acai bowl and some avacado toast. Everything tasted so fresh and healthy.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing at the beach but DAYUM, it gets hot fast! I was like dying after thirty minutes. I tried to get into the water but the cold made my leg pain and numbness more intensified, so I couldn't get in the whole way.

Surfer people walking by. I've been living in crocs for the past week, it's been ok.

The sun really drains you, so it was nice to get a feel of what it's going to be like when we're hiking in the desert. Pretty much the hottest time of the day is 11-3, so if you can try to get most of your hiking done before/after that, it is the most ideal. And you just can siesta in between when you find shade.

I have to admit, I've been feeling pretty sad all weekend because I've had bad pains down my leg from just walking around town with no weight. So last night I decided to fill my pack full of the 8L of water, 4 days of food and all of my gear pushing at 37 lb (which is not exactly ideal since my max load for my pack is 35 lb). We walked to the bluff for sunset and to my great surprise, I felt really good. There was just a slight numbing/tingling down my leg but that intense pain was not there. There was still that pinch on my back and felt the pressure of the weight on my lower back but it was bearable. After that, I was starting to regain a little more hope for Monday.

Walking down the Pacifc Coast Highway in my full thru-hiking ensemble.

Amanda and Aubs took us to this little lookout over the bluff to see the sunset that overlooked the coast.

The view was so beautiful and the weather was so perfect. My heart and legs were happy.

Jenny took this pic of me looking out over the Pacific Ocean.

I am overwhelmed by everyone's support and encouraging words in these last few days. I am so grateful to have so many people cheering me on! Everything still does not feel real to me yet but am starting to get a little nervous knowing tonight is my last night in comfort. But I am so ready to do what I love most: walk forever, live outside and meet likeminded others. But also ready to face a lot of my fears and discomfort in so many different situations. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as we head out bright and early tomorrow morning since I will be needing to take many breaks and go slow.

Life is still so weird right now.