Meeting Notes for February 12, 2025: John Field – Hiking the Pacific Coast Trail

| February 16, 2025 | Meeting Notes

President Joyce called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 pm.

Woman singing.
Ingrid Sheldon was the song leader at our February 12 meeting.

Past president Greg Stejskal provided our inspiration by describing Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address on March 4, 1861. He highlighted the significance of this event, noting that it occurred during a time of great uncertainty and tension in the United States. Seven states had already seceded from the Union, and the country was torn over the issue of slavery.

Greg noted that Lincoln pleaded for the Union to hold:

You have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve and protect and defend it.

I have loath to close we are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection, the misty cords of memory stretching from every battlefield and Patriot grain to every living heart and Hearthstone all over this broad land will yet swell with the chorus of union when again touched as they surely will be by the better angels of our nature.

Ingrid Shelton then led us in song, a takeoff of “The Good Old Summertime,” guests were welcomed, and birthdays celebrated. Then, President Joyce announced the passing of Tom Kauper, a longtime Rotarian and law professor.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Man holding microphone.
John Field recounted his experiences along the Pacific Coast Trail.

After an introduction by Tom Millard, John Field, son of member Michael Field, shared his life-changing experience of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a 2,650-mile trek from Mexico to Canada. He discussed his preparation, including planning, gear, and navigation, using the app Far Out. He also shared his experiences with the social aspect of the hike, meeting many people and forming a trail family. He highlighted the beauty of the desert, the challenges of resupplying, and the importance of towns for restocking and gear maintenance.

John described the diverse landscapes he encountered, including the desert, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Cascade Range. He also shared his emotional journey, highlighting the joys of the hike, the camaraderie with fellow hikers, and the stunning scenery. During the question-and-answer period, John compared the difficulty of the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail, stating that the latter is generally considered more challenging.

The meeting ended with our recitation of the Four-Way Test.