Sharon Thoresen grew up in Laguna Beach, California, which is how she came to know Eiler Larsen. She lived in the Washington, D.C. area for many years before returning to Laguna, where she now lives in the house she grew up in.
In 1930 Eiler Larsen set out on what is the first recorded attempt of what we call an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. He didn't make it in one year. He got a little distracted.