I am Michael Plunkett and I wanted to take an opportunity to start off his journal. First, I would like for you to know that Darren has now made it to his first campsite on the PCT and I am sure he has already found friends on the trail.
For those who don't know, Darren has been living with me and my wife (Anna) for the past few months here in Denver, Colorado. He is a part of my family and I have been so grateful to have him here staying with us. His consistent positive attitude and love for life (and the outdoors...it is Colorado!) has made our transition to our new lives that much easier. I don't think we can thank him enough for deciding to come out here and join us on our adventure. When he finishes, I hope he decides to come back and stay with us for a little while longer.
If you haven't yet, please go to the About Me page and read a little about why Darren is completing the PCT. Darren is known to wear his heart on his sleeve and the past few years have truly been tough. As he hikes this trail, I hope you join me and keeping him in your thoughts, keeping him in your heart. Hiking can be healing to the soul and the connection to nature is one of the many things that makes Darren the happiest. And I know how ever far he gets will help him heal.
Here's to you, Darren. It's probably only a mile, mile and half to go.
And to end with a quote Darren from today:
"Wander a whole summer if you can. Thousands of God's blessings will search you and soak you as if you were a sponge, and the big days will go by uncounted....The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly imortal" - John Muir