Carole, There's Some Guy Here with a News Camera!

Upon arriving home, after some more hugs and cheers for Scarecrow, we let the dogs out to see if they would recognize Ted.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

Of course, Zelda, our ditzy puppy, wagged her tail and licked him all over.  However, she does this to anyone, including strangers, so it was not helpful in gauging whether or not the dogs would recognize him.  Rubi sniffed and walked away, as she should have, as the "hiker funk" was still in his clothes.  It was not until he whistled to her as he had done for years that she realized it was her master.  I think they missed Teddy just as much as he missed them.

More friends and family gathered to greet our Triple Crown Hero, We ordered some pizzas, expecting to just hang out and hear about Scarecrow's adventures.  What we did not expect was for two guys to ring the doorbell with cameras in hand ready to interview Scarecrow about his latest accomplishment.  Ted called out, "Carole, there is some guy here with a news camera."  I went to the door, and was asked, "Are you Corinne?"  I thought they got my name wrong, but I found out that our dear friends, Matt and Corinne Bernath, who were expected to arrive shortly at the house, contacted channel news 12 days before to alert them of Scarecrow's homecoming.  They were excited to interview a local resident with a positive story.  If you haven't seen the clip that I flooded my facebook page with, you can  CLICK HERE to see it.  We are so proud of you Teddy.

I love this next picture, but I am still trying to decide if Teddy is asking for the play-by-play of life in our home while he was gone, or the kids are telling him about everything they weren't allowed to do while he was gone...

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

Either way, we are so happy to have Teddy back home safely, with this amazing goal accomplished.  He is now  "Mastic Man", thanks to News 12, and our Triple Crown Hiker who had a dream and then went out there and achieved it.

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

 OLIVE JUICE SCARECROW

photo by Darien Maginn Photography

As you heard in the news clip, Scarecrow's adventures are NOT over... he will revisit the CDT in the summer of 2016, only this time on a bike.  He, and our friend Matt Bernath, will "Ride the Divide" so stay tuned.  Since this news clip he has spoken to several groups of children about his adventures, so I will post those events here as well.

Proud of my Triple Crown Hiker Hubby,

The Thruhiker's Wife

There's No Place Like Home!

The day has come ~ Scarecrow has made it back home to his family after COMPLETING THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL.  Teddy awoke very early Sunday morning, and with more help from our Jump Trail Angels, took a flight from Seattle, and landed in JFK at 8:00 pm.  He collected his backpack and stick, hopped on the Air train to Jamaica, and out to Ronkonkoma where Dakota, Jagger and I were waiting for his arrival.  Even though he was only gone for 26 days this time, we were just as excited to see him as when he was gone for 5 months.  I was happy though, he did not look like the Scarecrow we had greeted last fall.  He looks clean cut, happy, and rested.  We drove home, catching Teddy up on all our news, and he shared some stories of his last days on the PCT.

Of course, I cannot wait to get a hold of his camera to see all of the pictures he took from the last leg of his adventure.  They will be posted as soon as we can, along with the stories that go along with them.  I cannot say enough how appreciative we are for everyone's support and well wishes through out this journey.  Teddy and I both agree we are blessed to have all of you in our lives.

Congratulations Scarecrow ~ 2 trails down, 1 to go.  We are all so proud of you.

Happy, grateful, and blessed,

The Thruhiker's Wife

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

The Guy We Call Scarecrow

There is a mood, a feeling, an atmosphere around the Warren home these days.  I have been racking my brain to come up with a single word that could describe it accurately.  A word that could encompass all that the kids and I are feeling as we await the remaining 26 days until our hero comes home.  It has been 142 days since we have seen the guy we call husband, dad, brother, son, uncle, nephew, friend...

photo taken by NOT RYAN

In those 142 days, we have gone through the end of spring, the whole summer, and most of the fall season thinking about, talking to, dreaming of, praying for and missing our guy.  On one hand, I am thankful for all that we have going on right now to occupy our time - school, work, soccer, football, scouts, and every day life -  as it has kept us extremely busy, allowing the weeks to rapidly fly by.  On the other hand, the schedule we are keeping is quite chaotic and somewhat overwhelming.  So, all of this, jumbled together, is generating a semblance of eagerness and anticipation for us to sort through as we count down the days.  Each time we talk to Teddy, he gives us his new location - hundreds of miles closer to his goal.  Closer to the finish line.  Closer to getting on the plane and flying home to us.  These welcomed calls bring strong feelings of restlessness, waves of impatience, bouts of anxiousness and always an abundance of pride.  All of these emotions, these feelings, these words... they all bring me to one word they have in common - ANTSY.

According to dictionary.com. ants·y [ant-see] unable to sit or stand still; fidgety


There you have it - the description of our physical and emotional state as we anticipate the arrival of the guy we call Scarecrow.  We cannot wait to see him - yes, even his grizzly face and skeletal body.  We cannot wait to hug him tight - yes, hiker funk and all.  We cannot wait to have him home, to hear his stories, to see his smile, and hear his voice.  Yes, we are ANTSY.  There is so much to look forward to in the next 26 days, all coming from the guy we call Scarecrow.

~The Thruhiker's Wife~