Scarecrow's CDT Sendoff...

I want to thank everyone who came and visited Teddy before the big day.  The amount of love, friendship and support each and every one of you has shown us is so appreciated and our thank yous cannot even begin to touch upon our gratitude.  I am sorry to say I did not take my camera out to capture a fraction of the good times had by all. I have a few pictures from the day.

 These hero sandwiches and cold salads were made by Bagels 101 and were so delicious - thank you Brian Winters for an excellent job.  We also ordered some food from Mama Lisa's - as always, delicious and NONE left by the end of the night.  This was complimented by delicious donated foods like taco chili dip from Ginny and Chris, Buffalo Chicken dip from Laura Melfi, Spinach Dip from Karin Cavallo, more Buffalo Chicken Dip from the Gemelli's, chips and snacks galore from Tom and Kenn Beck, roasted chicken and dinner rolls from Jamie Pentzel, as well as the beer, wine, soda, lemonade and many generous gifts from our amazing well-wishing family and friends. The tables and chairs, along with the lemonade pitcher- stand included :) from Teddy's sister Dawn

created by Ruth Beck

A special shout out to my mom, Ruth Beck, for making this thoughtful cake of Scarecrow's hiking journeys.  It showcases the patches for each of the trails he has and will complete along with her creation of a triple crown patch.  From what I heard, the cake was delicious (peanut butter) and Scarecrow loved it.  The cookie you see in the picture was created by our dear friend, Corinne Bernath.  I was extremely excited to ask her for her delicious, beautiful creations for Teddy's party.  As you can see, perfection.  You can find her work through Facebook by searching "Corinne's Cookie Creations".  THANK YOU.

created by Corinne's Cookie Creations

This could be the longest blog post I could ever write, as the thanks goes on and on.  You read about Mike and Angela Arasa in a previous blog post,  with their generous backpack contribution, but nothing could top the support they showed as Mike walked into the party dressed as a thruhiker, post trip, with a Mexican and Canadian beer in hands, to acknowledge the borders in which Teddy will touch on this trip. Clever, thoughtful, and freakin' hysterical.

Our next thruhiker? Way to go Mike Arasa

Shirt by Angela, artwork by Dakota

Below, you will see a shirt from Angela Kropp, another huge support in our lives, who presented Scarecrow with a shirt signed by everyone with their well wishes and support.  The front design was created by Dakota - great job, babe.  As you can see, we were surrounded by so much love, support, and positivity for Scarecrow's CDT sendoff.  People traveled from near and far to spend time with our family - from out of state, as far as Virginia and Pennsylvania (and Huntington) LOL .  There were gift cards, a bag full of helpful hiking items from our friends in the cul-de-sac, cash, beautifully written cards and even Red Velvet Ice Cream delivered to Scarecrow.  I need to just conclude with a tremendous THANK YOU.  I will apologize here to anyone I have personally missed, or items I failed to mention.  The thoughtfulness, generosity and love is deep within our hearts for each and every one of you.

I will continue to post as frequently as I have information, thoughts and pictures of this amazing journey as it is unfolding.

Until then, know we are completely submerged in love, thankfulness and support with the deepest gratitude and appreciation for all of you.

The Thruhiker's Wife

Onward into Oregon!

So, Teddy called from Seiad, California - it is listed as 1,666.6 miles on the PCT map.  I thought the numbers were a little creepy until Teddy's sister Dawn looked up their significance in a numerology book.  According to the breakdown in the book, the 1 represents the message of "what you have focused on and prayed for has come into fruition" and the 666 signifies that he should "refocus from materialistic thoughts and wants to more spiritual ones"... (hmm... maybe like a safe and prompt finish to his journey...)
It was no easy task to arrive in Seiad when he did... Teddy ended up hiking a 41.8 mile day... yes, you read that correctly - over 40 miles in one day - it took him 18 hours.  I asked how he felt, and his response was "like I walked 41 miles... will probably never do that again."  He did say that the weather, terrain, and his strength was in alignment and decided to go for it.  I am all for whatever gets him closer to Canada...


While in Seiad, Teddy camped out in this park called Mid River RV.  This is a well-known place by thruhikers, as it is convenient and inexpensive.  While there, Teddy met up with a guy named Frankie who had his RV parked in the campground.  He got into talking and the guy was so interested in what Teddy was doing - he said, "Hold on - I am calling my sister to have her throw  an extra baked potato and some ribs on the grill - we're having a guest for dinner."  Teddy was "feeling the love", excited and grateful to say the least.

a scene from PeeWee Herman?

Hunger pains were definitely absent during this town stop.  Not only did he have a delicious BBQ with the Love family: Frankie, his sister Lori, and their dad Daryll at the RV park, but he attempted a pancake challenge that most thruhikers know about and look forward to upon arrival in Seiad. As you can see, he had his work cut out for him.  They serve you 5 one pound pancakes, and if you can finish them ALL, you get your photo taken and put on their "Wall of Fame" and get to skip out on the bill.
When Teddy called that afternoon, I asked, "How'd ya make out?"  He responded, "Not even close, and I will probably NEVER EAT PANCAKES EVER AGAIN."
He did get to pack up the rest of what was unfinished to take with him - as much as he will never want to eat them again, he did pay for those suckers and it was, after all, some trail food for the next few days.


After stuffing himself with pancakes, he headed out of Seiad, the last dot in California on the PCT map.  Yes - the LAST DOT.  This means, he will arrive in Ashland, Oregon by Wednesday the latest.  Let's recap just how amazing this is... he is FINALLY in a different state, 1,730 miles under his belt, and now under 1,000 miles left - YAY - we are in triple digits...


Teddy asked me to wait a few days for the pancake picture of him to be sent before posting on the blog - good thing I did.  A few more came my way as well.  He reached the Oregon state border Tuesday afternoon and was able to send his proud moment for us to see.

His backpack and walking stick have posed for a picture next to the sign I have been waiting for, for what seems like forever... we have conversations like "you ONLY have 460 miles of Oregon" or "the 500 miles of Washington will fly by."  After trekking 1,710 miles in one state, these other states will "seemlike nothing."
We all know they are not nothing, though... Scarecrow will be heading into the Cascade Mountains, with rougher terrain, and much lower temperatures.  He said it is already uncomfortably cold at night... good thing that grizzly beard is on his face... 


So tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28th, Scarecrow will pass through Ashland, pick up his goodies that are waiting for him, and hopefully be able to call me again with his next mail drop.  I will post it as soon as I know it.  Teddy did want me to thank everyone for their continued support through letters, well wishes, treats, helping out with Dakota and Jagger, Tina Vath keeping the fish fed, and patience with his wife as he continues onward into Oregon.




Until next time,
~The Thruhiker's Wife~