Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...

After a safe landing in Seattle, a good night's sleep at the Jump house, some last minute shopping for supplies and some good byes to his Jump trail angels, Scarecrow hopped on the Greyhound and headed down to Portland, Oregon where he got a ride from a trail angel named Patchwork.  This wonderful man, whose real name is Alan Artman, was a gentleman Scarecrow connected with last fall about transportation while on the trail.  He remembered Scarecrow when he contacted him the other day, and was eager to help him get onto the trail. So, he picked Teddy up at the bus station Wednesday night and hosted him overnight, along with another hiker named Mango.  Thursday morning, Teddy got up, hopped on another bus, traveled most of the day across Oregon to a town called Bend.  He has had so much generosity from trail angels, and his journey has just begun.  While on board, Teddy decided to give up his seat so two elderly ladies could sit together and chat it up.  He ended up sitting next to a man named Robert Kennedy, who was a day hiker traveling back to his home.  Of course, conversation came up about what Teddy was doing and by the end of the trip, Robert went into his luggage and grabbed a bag of almond M & M's for Teddy to take on his trip.  Thank you for your trail magic, Mr. Kennedy.  Every little bit helps!!

Another trail angel, Lloyd Gust, picked him up and helped him get settled for the night in a local motel, and would be ready to collect him in the morning and drop him on the trail.  Finally!!!
Teddy's journey began in our car, to the train, to a plane, to a bus, to a car, to another three buses and finally a car.  Three days of plenty of mileage, but none on the trail.  Needless to say, he is very anxious to begin.

He was taken this morning, by Lloyd, from Bend, to the trail located at Santium Pass, where he will travel southbound towards Crater Lake.  I want to thank you, Lloyd ~ Teddy has said you are a wonderful, kind, generous gentleman and I am excited that he has met you and was able to request your "Trail Angel Services."


Teddy sounds great, and is very excited to finally get started.  As always, I will keep you all posted as his trip progresses.  Thank you all for your support and love!! XOXO

The Thruhiker's Wife

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.