In this chapter Maggie and I plan to hike the Pacific Crest Trail together. We would head southbound, and heard much pessimistic and daunting advice toward our plan. All the same, after a gorgeous winter in the desert was over, we left to live out of the truck for two months. Then we’d be on foot.

“Winter in Death Valley was cool with bright white sunshine. The air was clear and crisp, visibility was great. It stayed around 60 degrees most days, and having a summer in Montana where it was often 60 degrees in the day, the entire year felt constant. Maggie arrived on a cool December morning.”