Trail Tale #1

(Post trail tale about the beginning of my journaling journey, and an unexpected interaction with a stranger!)

I want to share a story/experience that I had when I was on my way home from the PCT. My best trail buddy Jukebox (Taylor) is a writer and journaled every night on trail. She inspired me so heavily. When I was at the Seattle airport with my mom, I walked into a store, seeking something I can't even remember, and stopped in front of a beautifully arranged shelf with many journals. I quickly grabbed the prettiest one and a pack of pens, and as soon as I settled on the plane, I began to spill it all. It was October 12, 2025, 6 months and a day from my start date. "Holy shit I hiked the PCT" I wrote. I remember writing until I started getting motion sickness but kept going anyways.

While I was still going, I noticed the man next to me pulling out a book. He was maybe 35 and wore a gray suit. He had a computer on the seat tray and ordered a coke with ice. It looked like he only read one page and then in one hand he closed it shut. Loud enough to hear it through my headphones. Me being naturally curious, I felt his energy that was seemingly frustrated. I looked over at the book cover and sure enough, it was one I recognized. In fact, it was one of my favorites. Atomic Habits by James Clear. A classic personal development book. I've read that book physically many times. I also listened to it a many times on trail. It's a fantastic read. The kind of book that will change your life. It's funny how a few words on some paper can alter your brain chemistry forever. I have always found that fascinating.

His bookmark was only a few pages in. I asked "Not much of a reader eh"? He looked at me for a second, that look you get when they realize a stranger is talking to them. He chuckled and said "I am only 15 pages in and it's already exposing me". Internally I laughed because I remember that feeling. The call out you chose to hear with every turn of the page. The exposure of realizing you're not living your life the way your expectations and standards say you should be. It's humbling. A man whom you've never met just tearing you up. I remember that all too well. I told him it was one of my favorites and that every page is an opportunity. He asked what I meant and I responded with one of my most prized quotes that's directly from the book. “Every action you take is a vote towards the person you are becoming, and the book shows you how to get to the poll booth”. Or something like that. He laughed and said "Who are you, Ms. All Knowing"?

I was a few days off trail, writing in my new journal, and thinking about what I just accomplished, knowing he had absolutely no idea. Nothing about my 6 month journey across the country, suffering, enduring, living. I felt all knowing in that moment, but instead I giggled and said "No, I just really like that book, noticed you only read one page and closed it in frustration. You should keep reading, maybe it’ll change your life".

The flight was almost 5 hours long. We didn't speak for any more of it besides that exchange. But he watched me write every once in a while. I didn’t mind. He had no idea what I was writing about, and I would never see him again. The last hour of the flight he finally picked the book back up and started to read. He turned the page 18 times, in 45 minutes. I kept a tally in my journal. Page 33. Ah the section about identity. He closed the book in one hand again and laughed.

When I got up and grabbed my bag from above, I looked at him one more time and said another favorite quote from the book. “True behavior change is identity change, have a good rest of your day. And enjoy the book”, and then got lost in the line.

I still think about that trip back home, and I hope he finished it.