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

Oregon Down, Washington to Go!!!

I received a call from Teddy last night ~ he has officially completed the section in Oregon.  Woo-Hoo.  He was picked up this morning by trail angel Lloyd Gust, and driven to Bend, Oregon where he will wait for his buddy Patchwork, another wonderful trail angel.  Patchwork will collect him and drive him from Bend up to The Dalles, Oregon.  This is a major town where he would have been able to catch a greyhound bus at 12:40 am and travel overnight for 8 hours to Pasco, Washington to meet up with our family.  Enter next trail angel Leah Christman.   She has offered to drive 2+ hours from her home to The Dalles, Oregon to collect Scarecrow so he is saved from a 4 hour delay in the bus station, and an 8 hour bus ride to Pasco.  Instead, because of her kindness, he will be with her and our family by tonight, get a great night's rest and be able to spend a fun family filled weekend with the Christman, Jump, and Ruthkowski families.  I have to admit, I am sad we won't be with Teddy as he enjoys our family, but I am so grateful and appreciative for his opportunity to do so.

Until Next Time,

The Thruhiker's Wife

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

And Off He Goes...

Scarecrow's departure was a success this morning.  A good night's sleep, a nice pancake breakfast with the kids, last minute packing, checking weather and trail conditions, some quick pictures taken, and we were on our way to the train station.

With several minutes to spare, which is unlike the Warrens, we said our goodbyes and Ted hopped aboard the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica, where he will take the air train to JFK.  His flight will depart at 1:00 pm today, and he will arrive in Seattle around 6:00 pm.  Dan Jump, one of the Jump Trail Angels, will be picking him up and bring him back to the Jump house for the night.  Teddy will be on a greyhound tomorrow morning, heading down to Oregon to begin the 172 miles he has to complete there.  I will post when I know exactly where he is starting, and in which direction he will travel.  His first choice will be to walk northbound from Crater Lake to Sisters, Oregon.  In the last update of conditions, all looks great for travel.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Waldbaum's in Center Moriches, NY.  While Teddy was hiking last summer, some of the ladies took an interest in what he was doing, and continually asked about him and offered support and well wishes.  When they found out he was returning, two of the women, Rose Hudak and Mary Firemark, put together a "care package" of treats for Teddy to take on the trail.  It was a very thoughtful, kind gesture, and we appreciate your generosity.  So here is a huge THANK YOU sent out to our trail angels from Waldbaums!!


I want to close this blog entry thanking everyone for their well wishes, goodie bags, cards, prayers and support.  Teddy and I had a wonderful discussion about all of you ~ we are very lucky to have the network of family and friends around us, cheering him on as he completes his PCT dream.

Until Next Time,
The Thruhiker's Wife








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3rd Time is a Charm...

A week from today, Teddy will step back onto the trail and complete the last leg of his PCT journey.  It has been a very emotional, frustrating time for him to say the least.  I would like to clear this up for those of you who are not sure what and why this is happening.

When Teddy stepped off the trail last November, he left the mountains of Oregon and Washington with 2+ feet of snow, making the last 350 miles of his journey impossible.  We had always planned for him to go back this summer and complete the pieces he had not hiked.  There are 172 miles in Oregon, spanning from just past Crater Lake to a town called Sisters, and 180 miles in Washington spanning from Skykomish to the monument in Manning Park, just over the Canadian border.  In total, Teddy had missed 352 miles.

We planned a wonderful trip out West, for early July, where we would visit with family, and at the end of our visit, would deliver him to the spot where he had stepped off last November.  All was in place, and on Tuesday, July 10th we drove up to Skykomish with the Jump family to send Teddy on his way.  If there were ever someone watching over Scarecrow on his journey,  (and we feel there is every minute) , they were certainly present that day.  We arrived at the Skykomish Post Office to retrieve his food package that he had sent ahead of time, and met with the woman who worked the counter.  She remembered Teddy when he had stepped off the trail back in November.  She informed us that a thruhiker had just come down that morning from the mountains where Teddy was headed, completely panicked and defeated as there were 6+ feet of snow up on the trail, making it impassable.  Teddy knew exactly how he had felt, as he had bailed when there was 2 feet of snow last fall.  Of course a million things were running through Scarecrow's head ~ was the hiker experienced or a novice? Was it as bad as he said it was?  Does he chance it and go up anyway or heed to the warning given by the postal woman.  After having a wonderful lunch with the Jumps at the Skykomish Diner, thinking about and discussing his options, Teddy thankfully decided to accept this divine intervention as a blessing.  You see, we would never have had access to the trail conditions up on the mountain where we were dropping Teddy off.  If that thruhiker had not come through that morning with the report, we would have dropped Teddy off on a trail that would lead him up to where he had to step back onto the PCT.  He would have been stuck in 6+ feet of snow, while we drove the hour ride back to Redmond. 

We all got back in the car and drove back to my family's home in Redmond, where Teddy decided to contact his trail angel in Oregon.  He would plan to travel down and complete the section from Crater Lake to Sisters, and then make his way back up to Skykomish in a few weeks.  We thought, not only would there be less snow south of here in Oregon, but in a few weeks, the snow will have melted in Washington as well, making for easier travel for his completion.  He called Lloyd Gust, who immediately remembered Scarecrow from their meeting last fall.  They discussed what Teddy had wanted to do, which was take a greyhound from Washington to Portland, and then Portland to Bend, have him pick Teddy up and bring him to the trail and send him on his way.  To Teddy's frustration, the gentleman explained that although he would be more than happy to accommodate his request, he had just that morning rescued two thruhikers from that portion of the trail.  These hikers were experienced, had GPS and the proper equipment and still got stuck, as there were 6+ feet of snow up on the trail.  We could not even believe what we were hearing.  Twice in one day, there was divine intervention sending us a message that Scarecrow did not belong up in the trail at this time.  Again, we would have never had access to the conditions of the trail if it were not for the hikers being rescued THAT DAY!

Teddy made the tough, heartbreaking but safe, smart decision to not attempt to finish at that time.  I reassured him that he would get it done ~ it just wasn't the right time.  I am so grateful and appreciative that he listened to the warnings and chose to fly home instead of risk his safety.

Which brings us to today ~ a week before his departure.  He will fly out on August 21 to our family in Washington, and be driven to the trail head the next day to begin.  His backpack and hiking stick are ready to go, already in Washington, and he is excited to finally put this last piece of the trail to rest.  He estimates it will take him about 26 days, with a few rest days in between.  He will be in the mountains at the optimal time, where there is always the least amount of snow.  My prayers and positive energy are for a healthy, safe, enjoyable journey through the last chapter of Scarecrow's PCT adventure.  

I will update everyone as I hear from Teddy ~ I want to begin this last chapter with a huge thank you to all who have supported Teddy through this journey.  Your love, prayers, and encouragement are what is giving him the strength and positivity to get this done.  

Happy Trails, Scarecrow... enjoy the last leg of this wonderful, exciting journey.

The Thruhiker's Wife

Best Stop Yet on the Pacific Crest Trail

A HUGE THANK YOU  goes out to the Jump and Rutkowski families for hosting Teddy for a few days while he rests, refuels, and gears up for the last part of the trail.  Teddy arrived Wednesday evening after being picked up by my Aunt Mary and Uncle Willie Rutkowski, who drove from Post Falls, Idaho (about 209 miles) to get him.

They greeted him at a pancake place right by the trail, where he had arrived just a bit earlier and ate a great meal while he waited.  He said he also went to the local gas station and bought them a car air freshener, in case the "hiker funk" was too much for them to bear.  They were so gracious - they did not open the air freshener.










The car ride to Redmond took about an hour I believe - it is 39 miles from the trail.  It probably felt so good to just be able to sit and have conversation with people at this point, let alone wonderful, loving family who were excited about his arrival.  As you all have heard, he made it safely and had a wonderful visit.  They feasted on homemade lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and lots of great conversation.  Teddy said he felt at home the second he walked in the door.  He continually said, "this is such a great family. They are good people."  Did he have any doubts?? I mean, come on... it's AUNT MARY and her family.  I just knew it would be exactly what he needed at this point in the journey. So, let me introduce these good people to you.

the Jump Trail Angels

Pictured at the right, is the Jump family.  From left to right, son Tyler, mom Beth, daughter Melanie, son James, and dad Dan.

Teddy had such a good time, bonding with family, and truly interacting with people for the first time in 5 months... He said even the idea of waking up in the morning and being able to say "good morning" to someone was a huge deal - he has been on his own, with the exception of a few weeks with Not Ryan, Tog, and Evil Goat earlier in the trail... this family time was by far, his favorite time on the trail.

the Rutkowski Trail Angels

Pictured left, are my Aunt Mary and Uncle Willie Rutkowski.  Beth's parents.  They have spent the last few days giving Teddy love, encouragement and support for his last 15 days out on the trail.  


While visiting, Teddy got to enjoy some kid time as well.  This is right up Teddy's alley - he is one big kid himself... He got to share some of his Snickers and Reese's while packing up his supply boxes.  I wonder what the kids thought about this hiker guy's eating habits - all they saw were piles of candy bars and trail mix piled up, separated into different days of food that he would mail up the trail - I imagine it would be any kid's dream...

And this little cutie, James, spent alot of time with Teddy.  He sat with him on his lap while we skyped, and Teddy said he would follow him around while Teddy was packing up, and say "can I help?" they even caught some reading time together, sitting by the fire place... thank you to the Jump children, for giving this daddy who misses his kids more than anything, some fun, loving kid time.  He loves you guys. <3

So, after several days of being pampered, warm, dry, and rested... Teddy is heading back out onto the Pacific Crest Trail.  My Uncle Willie is driving him back over to Snoqualmie Pass this morning, and he will hike on to the last part of this long journey.  I got to talk to Teddy this morning, and he said it is POURING.

But he is in high spirits - he said, "this is typical weather for here, and I am ready to go on."  He has his new rain jacket, and 15+ sleeping bag from REI to look forward to, both providing the best protection for him as he travels through the Northern Cascade Mountains, and into Canada.


I am sure this is bitter sweet for Teddy - he is

clipart via google images

sad to depart from this wonderful, loving family - but he is now headed to the end of the trail, and onward to HOME.  The kids and I have maintained a countdown from the day he left - there are only 17 days left until Teddy will get on a plane leaving from Portland, Oregon and fly home to us.  For all of you who have asked, his flight lands in MacArthur Airport in Islip, at 5:20 pm on the 15th of November.
Until Next Time,
~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~