As you read this we’ll be at the ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off event) after 2 days hiking initiation in the Californian desert. We’ll most likely be ready for a morale boost after our reality check! The ADZPCTKO certainly promises to provide that and more. It’s a cherished institution among PCT hikers past, present and future. We’ll hand over to the committed organisers of this event to explain what it’s all about…
βThe ADZ is about honouring those who strive to attain their goal. ADZ occurs at the beginning of the journey, not the end. It honours those who resign from the normal world and enter the zone of the long distance hiker; a zone of challenge and simplicity; of camaraderie and solitude; of effort, failure, and reward. We are there with them on the long dry march to Scissors Crossing, over the daunting cornices of the high Sierra and the long green tunnel. We are there when they attain their goal but we are also there when their feet are covered with blisters. We are there to encourage, to help you attain your goal, but mostly to honour you because you tried. It’s all about kindness. That is the ADZ, kindness. Humans being kind to other humans. Nothing more and nothing less.β (Taken from http://pct77.org/adz/)
It’ll be a rather special weekend celebrating the beginning of our big adventure but also our first year of marriage. Happy anniversary to us! We know the trail will test us and the vows we made to one another a year ago today will be very important in seeing us through. We’re hopeful that taking this journey together will strengthen our marriage. Go team Bear and Boy!
Here are the vows we made to each other a year ago today:
βWe sincerely promise to be honest and trusting, to communicate openly with each other, and to cherish, love and comfort each other with tenderness and affection, through life’s journey together, even when times are hard.
We aspire to live together as equal and different individuals, to be patient with one another and to respect each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
We aspire to always to learn from our shared experiences, and to build from them a full and loving marriage based on trust and on respect, forever sharing friendship, fun, laughter and adventure together.
We will stand beside one another as husband and wife, best friends and soul mates as we build our future and achieve our dreams together.β
Photography Raymond Lin
Dear Ali and Sarah, We’ve just toasted your first wedding anniversary facing West! We hope your day will be as joyful as your wedding day. We are so excited and interested when we receive your e mails or read your blog. Already you have such interesting things to tell us. Really enjoy the party and we hope you get good trail names! All our love muzzy and pops xx
Just one technicality. The map on the blog does not show your present position. Is there a problem?
Pops
Glad it’s going well. Happy 1st anniversary and what a way to spend it!! looking forward to more updates. xxx
Dear Sarah and Ali, we all will be celebrating your first anniversary today with family and will be thinking of you both as you continue “the adventure”. Safe journey and happy memories, love Mum & Pops xx
Dear Sarah & Ali, We were thinking of you on your first Wedding Anniversary and remembering that wonderful day in Scotland, with the sun shining (and rather a cool breeze blowing), the sheep in the field behind you, and the loch beyond that. What a happy wedding day! Your first anniversary has probably been another very memorable day. We’ll all be following your progress, and looking forward to hearing your latest news. Stay safe and enjoy your experience. Love from all of us. xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Ali & Sarah,
Wow! What an adventure you are embarking on. I hope you had a memorable wedding anniversary! I’ll enjoy reading the blogs and seeing the pictures.
Good luck!
Andy
Thank you so much everyone. We certainly had a memorable first wedding anniversary! π