Pictures Worth 2,315 miles...

Thank you TOMMY for the great haircut

Today, November 15th, was the original day we were supposed to be picking Teddy up from the airport.  Due to the hazardous weather and subzero temperatures, his journey was cut short, and we were reunited with him 12 days earlier than anticipated.  Just over a week has passed.  It has been a busy week.  A week of joy.  A week of chaos.  A week filled with football games, show and tell, family dinners, unpacking, bike riding, quiet time, story time, lots of eating, and reconnecting with family and friends.  And a trip to the barber.  Yes.  Probably the most necessary event over the last week. First the beard came off, and then all that hair.  All of that hair that protected Scarecrow from the elements along the PCT.  Glad  you are back, Teddy.

We have been so happy to hear about all the stories and adventures that Teddy has gone through, as well as look at the amazing photographs he took while on the trail.  So many pictures that capture the beautiful, breathtaking landscapes that Teddy hiked through... desert, snow covered mountains, and almost everything in between.  We have put together a video - a pictorial journal of some of the most beautiful, memorable moments and places that Teddy has seen while away on his trip.  A way to see what Teddy experienced, though his eyes, his camera, his love of hiking.  You will get to see some of his highest moments - and some of his lowest.

Unfortunately, I am not too tech savvy to work around rules and restrictions and the blog video was blurry when viewed on a large screen .  I have tried to correct it as much as I can, and have included a link for youtube.  This link will have a clearer video with no music (as per youtube and their copyright regs)  SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION :)

Video Journal of Scarecrow's Journey

My family was blessed in so many ways by this whole experience.  Most importantly, we got to feel all of the love and support surrounding us as we all watched Teddy's journey unfold.  We are truly grateful for each and every one of OUR trail angels that provided us with trail magic along the way - this wouldn't have been such a wonderful experience without each and every one of you.  Thanks for coming along for the hike.  May all of you trails be happy ones...

Until next time,
~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

Music in the video by the following:
"The Story" by Brandi Carlile
"America" by Simon and Garfunkel
"You've Got a Friend In Me" by Randy Newman
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts
Video Journal of Scarecrow's Trip

♪ Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign ♪

created by Angela Kropp

Our day had arrived.  With very little sleep or calmness since the news of Teddy's arrival home set in, we began our day yesterday with much excitement and anticipation of the hours yet to come.  The moments we had only imagined for the past 5 months.  They were going to happen now.  Today.  The kids went off to school, and I made my best efforts to gather myself, our house, and our life over the past months - I did not know where to begin.  Laundry still needed to be done.  The house still needed to be straightened.  Welcome home signs still needed to be created.  The lawn still needed to be cut.  I never made my haircut appointment.  The jeeps needed to be cleaned out.  For a short while, I started to panic and stress that everything would not be just right for Teddy's arrival home.  The phone rang - it was 8:00 am, and I had already begun my panic several hours earlier.  Teddy was calling - just hearing his voice, and the excitement of him telling me, "I will see you later today", immediately put things into perspective.  I was going to see my husband TODAY.  I formulated a plan as we were speaking.  It was almost as if his energy was traveling through the phone and fueling the pen as it wrote down my list - my plan of attack.  I hung up feeling focused, driven and filled with strength to implement my plan.  My plan was simple.  Be ready to welcome home my husband.  Be ready to receive a man who has been away from his wife, two children, family, friends, and regular life for five months.  All of a sudden, some of the things I was stressing over became insignificant.  My whole day's atmosphere changed from stress and lack of time to a wonderful, excitement filled day of preparation and anticipation of Teddy's arrival.  I immediately began tracking his flight, which allowed me to be informed of exactly where he was and exactly how much time I had left to complete the "stuff" that needed to get done.  The laundry got done, as did the straightening of the house.  More trail angels enter the picture as my mom came by to help straighten up and share her artistic ability, and my dear, supportive friend, Angela Kropp, the creator of Teddy's amazing PCT hiker tee shirt came over with a nice lunch and created beautiful welcome signs for us to hold at the airport.

Angela, my mom and I painted this sign

Things all came together for me, with outcomes exceeding me expectations.  The only thing that mattered now, is that I was ready to welcome my husband home.  Finally.  I left at 1:45 pm, collected the kids and set off for the airport.  Yes, I got there WAY EARLY... an hour and a half earlier than his estimated landing time.  It's ok - I had plenty of time to hyperventilate over the thoughts of finally seeing Teddy after all this time.  Plenty of time to imagine our reunion.  Plenty of time to have my heart race at the thought of hugging him.  Plenty of time to have tears of joy falling at the thought of him reuniting with his strong, patient children.  It was an emotional hour and a half - one where I could not get a full breathe in at all.

created by Ken Beck

Many of our friends and family gathered at the airport to show their support for Ted's arrival.  Some of my strongest support over the past few months came from the family and friends standing beside me at the airport.  My brother Kenn created the sign at right, originally to hang off the overpass of the Sunrise Hwy, but the wind decided otherwise, so he brought it to the airport for Teddy to enjoy.  Jagger, Dakota, her boyfriend David, our cousin Cathy, my brothers Thomas and Kenn, my mom Ruth, Pattie and Derrick Grieco, Valerie and Christi Raia, Mike and Angela Arasa, Colleen and Mr. Conn, and Darien Maginn, our wonderful photographer all gathered, waiting anxiously, as we heard the announcement of Ted's plane landing.
  

created by Angela Kropp

Each minute that passed on the arrival board felt like an hour, but as people walked down out of the gate, I approached an older man, and asked pretty abruptly, "Were you on the flight from Chicago?" After answering "Yes", and giving me a strange look, my heart began to beat right out of my chest, knowing that any second my husband, my hero, would be walking out of the arrival gate.  And there he was.  Scruffy, thin, hungry, but happy, proud, and loved.  The photographs that Darien took captured those precious moments for me, and I will share as soon as she passes them on to me.
Until then, I want everyone to know that the amount of happiness, relief, pride, courage, support and love that surrounded us all was like nothing I have ever felt in my whole entire life.

created by Ruth Beck

We have Teddy back home.  You have your son, uncle, nephew, friend.  My children have their dad.  I have my husband.  We have Scarecrow back home, safe, healthy and happy.  The upcoming entry of our blog will give you a view into what Teddy has endured through the past 5 months.  A pictorial journal of the struggles he endured, the triumphs he achieved, and the life he has lived away from all he knows.  A beautiful ending to this chapter of a wonderful story that I was honored to tell.


~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

~ FLIGHT INFORMATION ~

After 155 days, the day has come... 2 weeks earlier than we thought... Many of you asked about his arrival home, so here is his flight information.

via google clipart

Teddy is flying home tomorrow afternoon, November 3.  He will land at MacArthur at 4:15 pm.  Any and all are welcomed - he will appreciate everyone's love and support as he accepts the bittersweet ending of this journey.

~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

via google clipart

It's Time to Come Home.

An expected call from Teddy this afternoon brought some unexpected news.  After hours of deliberating with himself, Teddy has decided to step off the Pacific Crest Trail and come home.  The decision he has made was a difficult one, but a necessary one.  Upon leaving Snoqualmie Pass, Teddy encountered nothing less than 12+ inches of snow, 20 degree weather, and fewer and fewer opportunities to thaw out before continuing his next day's mileage.  This hiking trip transformed from completing a thruhike to surviving the elements, which are getting progressively more dangerous with each passing hour.  In speaking with my family in Washington, they reported a severe winter storm heading into the Northern Cascades over the next 10 days, which is right where Teddy was headed.  So, in our emotional conversation, Teddy asked for my support in his decision to step off the trail and of course, he has it. He always had it.  After 2,476 miles hiked and 155 days away from his family and friends, Scarecrow is heading home.

Teddy was picked up at the Skykomish Post Office by Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore - Trail Angels on the PCT that are well-known in the hiker community.  Their website http://www.dinsmoreshikerhaven.com/ was sent by another trail angel named Alan Artman, a.k.a. Patchwork who has been in touch with me about assisting Scarecrow in any way he can, after meeting with him earlier in the trail.

I am currently awaiting a call back from Teddy on his next move - he will make his way back to my family in Washington and then fly home in the next day or two.  I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to every single person that has been involved in this journey - I know and appreciate that Teddy (and I) will have your continued support through the next part of this bitter sweet journey.  We will keep you posted as things unfold - I know and love how much everyone is dedicated to and supporting Teddy's dream through reading this blog.

♪ We Are Family ♪

After finishing my entry on patience and waiting, I was pleasantly surprised with some updated photos from my trail angel families in Washington.  These are wonderful moments that I am sure Teddy will cherish forever, so THANK YOU!!

Beth Jump, her dad, and Scarecrow... this wonderful union of family would not have been possible Beth, without your love and support ~ thank you. xoxo

my Aunt Mary Rutkowski, my father's sister, my husband's trail angel... we love you and are so grateful for all that you are and all that you have done for us. xoxo

My Uncle Willie, (Mary's husband) and their son-law Dan Jump... thank you for hosting and transporting... this would not have happened without the love, generosity and kindness from you guys. xoxo

After driving the 40 miles back to the trailhead at Snoqualmie Pass, Teddy puts his 40+ pound pack on and gets ready to go...

Uncle Willie, and his granddaughter Melanie Jump say their last goodbyes to Scarecrow after a few days of much needed family time.  Thank you for all of the fun, love, and support you gave to my husband. xoxo

Aunt Mary, Melanie and Scarecrow... I am sure this was a difficult goodbye for Teddy - he was so touched by spending time with such wonderful family members who just met him, yet loved him like they knew each other forever...  xoxo

Along with his hiking stick and backpack, Teddy is carrying away with him wonderful moments and memories made with family that will carry him through the rest of his journey to the end of the Pacific Crest Trail.  

xoxo

Teddy ~ Everyone's prayers are for you to have a safe, happy, healthy journey to the end of the Pacific Crest Trail... enjoy the rest of this adventure... we cannot wait to hear all about it.  Happy Trails, my love... XOXO

~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

Waiting...

All things come to him who waits - provided he knows what he is waiting for. - Woodrow T. Wilson

Among the things that were rejuvenated while staying with family, was Teddy's cell phone strength.  He decided to go through the miscellaneous pictures that he never sent to me while out in the woods.  He came across the one below of him sporting a red bandanna.

head gear worn to deter hunters from shooting

It is worth mentioning, because three female cyclists approached Scarecrow with this bandanna while in the woods back on October 1.  They seemed concerned that he would be hiking in the woods with no colorful alert to others on the FIRST DAY OF HUNTING SEASON.  He accepted their gift, and wore it - thank you, cyclist trail angels, as it kept him safe from humans thinking he was a bear wandering through the trail.
So, we wait anxiously for Teddy's next update... I have our collection of stickers waiting to mark his location on the map, the computer is waiting to accept the next entry of the story, the kids are waiting to share their latest endeavors, my phone is waiting for the next pictures he will send, our friends and family are waiting to see Teddy and hear all about his journey, and I am waiting... Yes, I know exactly what I am waiting for... I am waiting to have my husband home again, safely, to love, enjoy, and live our life... it's been a long five months of waiting... but according to the English proverb... good things come to those who wait.

"Waiting" by Green Day

~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~