Today my sister for whom I hike would have turned 56. But she passed away in 1998 from breast cancer, a disease that also took Hot Pocket's mother when Hot Pocket was just a high student. Hot Pocket and her husband, Bloodhound, hiked with me on the PCT in 2007. I consider them good friends and I always enjoy their company and their funny sense of humor. Both engineers, they have now settled into careers in Boston, MA but continue to train. Hot Pocket is an avid cyclist and rides to and from work no matter the Boston weather. I was excited to learn that today I was going to get to spend this day with them in Cincinnati. Hot Pocket's cousin is getting married tonight at Paul Brown Stadium. But this morning, Bruce and I picked them up and we walked a nice brisk pace from Newtown, OH to Loveland, OH on the Loveland Bike Trail which is somewhere around 12 miles. The Loveland Bike Trail is part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. The four of us had a fun lunch afterwards at Paxton's Bar and Grill in the beautiful outdoor setting in downtown Loveland. I cannot think of a more meaningful way to spend my sister's birthday. Bruce and I entertained them in our home for a brief time and then drove them back downtown. Getting together with hiker friends is exactly what I needed to motivate myself 100% physically for my upcoming CDT hike.

Your memory lives on Cheryl. Your life was celebrated today by me, Bruce, Hot Pocket, and Patrick.

Isn't that what spring is all about?