Councilman takes a hike

La Conner Town Councilman Jacques Brunisholz offered to resign so that he can fulfill a lifelong dream to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this summer.

He had handed in a letter of resignation, but the council decided to place the letter on file and grant him an extended leave unless something comes up that requires a fifth member.

Brunisholz said he will be leaving immediately to hike the trail starting in Southern California. He said he could be gone up to five months walking the trail, which extends 2,650 miles from the Mexican border to Canada. The trail could take him into deep forests and over the glaciers of the Sierra Nevada as well as the Cascade Range.

Brunisholz, who retired last year after more than 30 years as a teacher at La Conner High School, said he does not expect to be in telephone or Internet contact most of the time he is gone.

Thousands of hikers – and equestrians – travel the trail each year; though some take it for only a few miles.