Scarecrow's Triple Crown Homecoming!

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

It has been almost a month since Scarecrow arrived home to his family and friends.  It has been a whirlwind to say the least.  Let me rewind and share with you some of the highlights and happenings of Scarecrow since his completion of the CDT on September 23rd... the day he became a Triple Crown Hiker.

To arrive home to us from the finish line, Scarecrow had to travel from Canada back into the United States, via a hitch from a couple named David and Melissa D'Angelo.   I had shared an email they sent on September 24t.  I will repost this from an earlier entry:
An email entitled "Greetings from a Scarecrow Hitch" came through today:

Hi,

I wanted to let you know my wife and I had the pleasure of picking up Teddy this afternoon just south of the US/Canada border. Please wish him once again our congrats on having just completed the Triple Crown. While he may have been stinky on the exterior, it was quite clear he's awesome on the inside. We had a great opportunity to talk before dropping him off in East Glacier. It was fun to hear about his adventures. We hope that when you and your family get to visit Glacier, that you'll enjoy it as much as my wife and I have.

Wishing you all the best,

David & Melissa D'Angelo

PS: Once I get the photos off the camera, I'll send you a photo from an overlook we took while driving with Teddy to East Glacier.

THANK YOU again to David and Melissa,  and thank you for getting Teddy safely to his destination.

Once back in the United States, in the town of East Glacier, Montana, he would catch a train in the Amtrak Station to Spokane, Washington.  This train would arrive at 3:45 a.m. where our family trail angels, Willie and Mary Ruthkowski, would pick him up and bring him to their house about 45 minutes away.  While enjoying comfort of family, Teddy got to rest, visit with two amazing people and have the best waffles he had ever eaten.  As a matter of fact, a waffle iron is now on our purchase list because of Aunt Mary's recipe.  

Scarecrow visits with the Ruthkowski trail angels

After a few hours of catching up on Scarecrow's adventure, it was time to be driven to the Spokane airport for a flight to Denver, Colorado to begin his journey back across the country to New York.  A huge thank you goes out to Aunt Mary and Uncle Willie for the pick up and drop off from teh Amtrak and airport, along with the meal, company, love and support you continue to show me and my family.

After a safe flight to Denver, Scarecrow stayed in a local motel overnight in anticipation of his early morning flight (6:00 a.m.) to New York, via a layover in Maryland.  I am sure he was just as anxious as his family to get home after all of that traveling.

While Teddy was plane hopping on Southwest Airlines, some of his biggest supporters gathered at the airport to greet him as he arrived.  We were all excited and nervous to see Teddy.  I also was lucky enough to have Darien Maginn there with us to capture the anticipation, happiness, excitement, love and support that was waiting for Teddy as he disembarked the plane.  She, as most of you know, is the amazing photographer who joined us for Teddy's last homecoming from his PCT adventure.  Thank you so much for your fantastic work and for capturing these very important, exciting memories for me and my family.

Cathy, the kids and I made posters to greet Scarecrow - I was happy to have something to hold onto as I awaited the sight of Teddy turning the corner.  As we waited, with each person exiting the plane and walking through the gate, my heart began beating faster and faster.  He was basically the LAST one to come through the gate to greet us, but as soon as we had a glimpse of his tall, thin frame coming around the corner, excitement was everywhere.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

We were clapping, waving, and I was crying of course.  Pride, relief, happiness, joy and love filled the airport for Scarecrow as he turned the corner and came through the door, walking stick in hand.  He looked so much thinner, and much hairier than when we saw him last!! It's a DONE DEAL - he left on his journey and returned a TRIPLE CROWN HIKER.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

As anxious as everyone was to see Teddy and congratulate him, the kids and I were able to give a first round of hugs and present him with our own version of the crown he has worked so hard to achieve.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

 

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives, celebrating these amazing moments with us, being there with and for us, and sharing in our joy and happiness as we cheer Scarecrow on towards his goal.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

Thank you to everyone who came to the airport to greet Scarecrow as he arrived home.  And thank you Darien Maginn, for capturing these moments - you were right on point with his homecoming AGAIN.  I loved putting together this comparison of your amazing work from the last two trails.

photos by Darien Maginn Photography

We were headed home to begin our homecoming celebration.  

Grateful and appreciative for the support,

The Thruhiker's Wife