PCT 2023 - The Day After the Last Day

Manning Park, BC to North Bend, WA (Via Downtown Vancouver BC)

"Scarlett", Wingman", "Runningbird", and "Bluebird". (L to R)

The super nice thing about the T@B 400 compared to my old trailer is it is so quick and easy to get rigged and back on the road after an overnight stay. We woke slowly and had breakfast and coffee and got all packed up before getting over to the lodge for our agreed on 0900 rendezvous with Scarlett and her mom Bluebird. After getting all the gear in the back of the truck, Scarlett plugged in a destination in downtown Vancouver to my cell phone and then jumped in the back seat with Beau and Runningbird.

It was a two-plus hour drive to Vancouver but it was enjoyable conversation with just a bit of translation from Scarlett for her mom. Bluebird had started hiking in China and finished her mountain training and doing all her prep work in California before starting out on the PCT at the starting at Campo. She did almost all of the hiking and planning pretty much on her own. Scarlett took off time from her job to finish the last miles of the North Cascades and into Canada hiking with her mom. What a great accomplishment! With the trailer tagging along behind us, we made our way into downtown Vancouver. Scarlett wanted to show her mom around Vancouver for a bit before taking a Lyft to the airport.

After fair-wells, Peggy, Beau, and I worked our way to the US-border crossing at Blaine. Big mistake! Next time we'll know better and take the detour to Lynden or one of the other crossings east and avoid the "goat rodeo" at Blaine. During the long wait and then the rest of the ride home gave us plenty of time to discuss the final days of the trip. There really was no letdown having finished the PCT. It was a great accomplishment and experience for both of us to check off the list. Since we had already started the beginning journey of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), it was an excellent transition. The CDT will have its own variations and challenges, but we're off to a great start!