Day 148 - CANADA!!! The End...

Mile 2643.7 to USA/Canada Border - 6.4 miles. Distance from Mexico 2650.1 miles.

It's done. At 9.15 am on Friday 16th September 2016 - US time - I reached the USA/Canada border. From a factual perspective it was a brief jog down from our camp via Hopkins Pass & Castle Pass where we briefly joined the Pacific Northwest Trail. From an emotional perspective it was an unusual experience. I'd never actually thought about the finish as my mantra had always been to tackle one section at a time & never consider the bigger picture as it would do my head in. However since crossing into Washington I've known I should get there provided the weather behaved. So where there might have been ecstatic euphoria I felt a touch sad. My life as I've known it for 5 months was about to end. All those people that had become part of the trail family would become strangers again (something I will try & not let happen).
But I won't euologise or use this entry as an epiphany, epistle or even an epitaph.
Tiptoe & I shared a couple of swigs of the red wine box we had carried since Stehekin. The whisky we brought in Snoqualmie would have been better on a cold morning but we'd already polished that off on the frigid nights earlier. The coolest part of our time at the border monument was having Muffin & Pacer turn up unexpectedly so it was photos all around

The border is quite defined in the photo below as I dropped down in the last 100 yards

We eventually dragged ourselves away from the monument for the 8.8 mile walk to Manning Park where I enjoyed a shower etc
So what now?? I've finished 1 to 2 weeks earlier than original guesstimates so I've got some time to fill before leaving LA next month. While I would love to get back to loved ones, family & friends I know I'd kick myself if I didn't take advantage of the time here. So it's on the ferry tomorrow to Port Angeles to have a look around the Olympic Mountains.
I'll say goodbye to Pacer tomorrow after Tiptoe & Muffin left earlier (although I've issued open invitations to these & many other hiker colleagues to visit our wonderful country). Thank you so much for the messages of support through this blog & emails - it was tremendously important to me. Have I learned anything?? Time will tell on that one but I have a list in my head of things that I will focus on. The trail put me out of my comfort zone but with persistence, patience & the right amount of planning (not too much) anything is possible. Luck also played a huge part.
A book?? I'll give it some thought but I'm not sure what interest there would be as my story is not unique.
I am looking forward to getting back home & touching base with many of you. I'd better find a way of generating an income as well!!!
I said I wouldn't eulogise so will stop there. A terrific adventure in a magical part of the world. I've been a lucky man.....and it's been a privilege that I won't forget. Until I see you in person....Kia kaha....Weta