This hike was not the easiest one for me. Not for any other reason, but that it was my first hike without my sweet puppy, Delilah. We were supposed to do this together. After her passing just a month before this; I made a promise to her to complete this challenge and to release her ashes at the top of each peak. At my lowest points during this hike, she helped push me further. She kept me going. And when I finally made it to the top, I completely fell apart. It all hit me at once that she is really gone. As I let a part of her go at the top of Cucamonga, my heart smiled thinking of all the hikes we shared together. I miss her every day. But I know she is meant to rest where we both call home… in the mountains.