Born in a small rural town in the Catskill Mountains, NY, I moved with my family to Florida when I was 7 years old. My love for the outdoors had already been established, but it soon shifted from the mountains to the ocean. I started surfing at the age of 17 and never looked back.
My interests have since shifted and evolved with my environment, but I always want to be outside. It’s where I can meditate, find space for myself and recharge my creative energy. From volunteering and working in the Florida Park Service to my attempt at thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (hey, I made it halfway at least) I’m always driven by a sense of adventure and profound respect for the natural world.
I’ve been painting since I was 18, and have never taken a formal painting course. My college education in graphic design laid a stronger foundation for my personal pursuit of fine art and independent artistic expression. No matter what I have to do to support myself financially, communicating through art will remain my lifelong passion and pursuit.
I have noticed that you may be contemplating a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, starting from the southern terminus at Campo, California.
Taking public transportation is one option to get to the trailhead: = Bus from the airport; Transfer to the trolley; Then transfer to another rural bus at El Cajon Transit Center to ride to Campo or Lake Moreno.
This is very troublesome. It takes from 5 to 6 hours, and if the small rural bus for the final leg is full, you have to wait for the next one (perhaps overnight). One final leg bus route only travels on Monday and Friday to Lake Morena, which is 20 trail miles from the PCT start trailhead.
The other final leg bus route has four daily trips (Monday through Friday only) through winding rural roads to Campo, with only one of the four buses going on through to Lake Moreno. Even dropping you off at Campo you are still 1.5 miles from the trailhead.
My wife and I supplement our retirement income by giving rides to PCT hikers going to Campo or Lake Morena. We can pick you up at the San Diego Airport or the Train Station or Bus depot dowtown.
We will deliver you and your backpack directly to the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail (1.5 miles from the highway, some over dirt roads) with a four wheel drive vehicle. OR if you want, I will deliver you and your backpack to the ADZPCTKO in the campground at Lake Moreno.
The charge is $80 for one or two people, split two ways is only $40 per person. I will try and get you a riding partner if the date and airline schedules permit, coincide within, say 2 hours, arrival time of each other.
For 3 or 4 people the charge is $90, split three or four ways is ony $22.50 or $30 per person. Again I will try and pair up, tri-up, or quad-up with other riders if you are willing to wait at the airport or train station for a couple of hours. Trip travel time is 1.5 hours to Lake Moreno or the PCT Trailhead.
I know that this seems expensive, but consider that it is a 3+ hour, 130 mile round trip for me from downtown San Diego, and the gasoline (petrol) prices in San Diego are some of the highest in the United States..
If interested-please e-mail your arrival date(s) and contact telephone number to make the arrangements. I will be offering this from around 1 March through 15 May.
This service is in no way endorsed or sanctioned by the PCTA or the ADZPCTKO, their staff or vendors. It is my independent idea only.
Happy Trails– mlimon@aol.com
I appreciate your offer but already have a friend taking me to the kick off and border. I will keep your contact info on hand just in case.
Stephen!! I wish you a safe, happy, and mind-blowing hiking experience. I know your skills will take you successfully to the end. Thinking about and you I’m so excited for you!! It feels like just yesterday we were driving through a FPS truck though O’Leno and you were day dreaming the idea of just leaving everything behind. –Stacy
“Keep close to nature’s Heart….and break clear away, once in awhile…climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir