Today marks my last day in San Diego at the hostel. I enjoy one last pancake breakfast and talk with the guests before checking out. The hostel is kind enough to allow me to stash my bag for a few hours while I enjoy the sights of San Diego one last time. Balboa Park is within walking distance, and it would be a shame to miss an iconic piece of San Diego. I make the half hour walk up the hill and I’m struck by how huge the park is, I think it would take 45 minutes to cross the park on foot.

As I approach the park, I see a massive stone bell tower, the Una May Lowe Carrilion. I’m lucky enough to get there at midday to hear the bells chime. The bell tower has 100 bells inside, after chiming midday, it then plays a series of three beautiful symphonic melodies, each one about two minutes long. While the tunes play, I walk up El Prado to a water fountain with views to the East. Way off in the distance, I see mountains through the haze, and I can’t ignore the fact I’m going to be there in just a few hours.

On the way back, I pick up a sub from the Mona Lisa deli to take with me to camp tonight. At the hostel, I have one more chat with the guy in reception, the hostel and its people are so cool that it actually feels a little sad to leave. I lose my airport shirt and jeans, they will find another home in San Diego, somewhere.

At the station, my 3 hour journey to Campo and the PCT Southern Terminus begins. After 45 minutes on the train, I see a group of about 5 people waiting for the final bus, they are clearly hikers. I join the group and start talking to everyone there, of course the first two people I talk to are a pair of Aussies!

We ride the bus 2 hours out to Campo, nerves are high and the scenery becomes more mountainous, and more desert the further we drive.

Finally, the bus drops us in Campo. As it disappears down the country road, the silence of the desert presses in on the group. We walk to the local store for last minute food supplies, and then walk about 15 minutes up the road to Camp Lockett Equestrian Facility. Here we spend the night settling in, getting to know each other and waiting for tomorrow, it’s certainly going to be quite some day.