First zero day1 in Julian, a small town in San Diego County. It was founded for the purpose of housing those who came to prospect for gold and other valuable natural resources of which California – along with neighboring Arizona – was very rich in the late 1800s.

We already knew Julian was a very hiker friendly place, but we experienced it firsthand. Not only the snack of apple pie and ice cream offered to all the hikers, but also a dinner in a Mexican restaurant that an American couple decided to pay for us because we are Italian, came from the other side of the ocean to hike and explore their country2. A gesture of friendship and kindness that left us stunned and wordless, and for which we can only be thankful 🙏

Free apple pie, ice cream scoop, and soda for every PCT hiker.
Free apple pie, ice cream scoop, and soda for every PCT hiker.

Yes, I’m finally eating a salad. And no, I’m not wearing a trash bag, but it’s close. Very windproof and lightweight.
Yes, I’m finally eating a salad. And no, I’m not wearing a trash bag, but it’s close. Very windproof and lightweight.

  1. A “zero” means a day with no progress on the trail. A “nero” means “near zero”. ↩︎

  2. Or perhaps because we Italians are often revered for the culture and cuisine mastery we represent around the world. These are clichés, of course, but we all think by stereotypes at times. ↩︎