A Few Days to Decompress...

After a 90 mile day, riding for 13 hours, the guys rolled into Steamboat Springs Wednesday afternoon.  This now being their final destination for this adventure, I am sure they were excited to just relax.  They logged a total of 1,664.8 miles along the Great Divide ~ WOW! That's awesome guys!

MattyRedrock was able to meet up with his uncle, who needless to say, was happy to greet him.

He is yet another trail angel along their journey, as he has put them up in his apartment for a few days until they fly home.  They secured flights back to NY for Saturday, so it leaves them a few days to wrap up some chores, like laundry, shipping their bikes home, and hopefully a shower or too before they come home to greet us!  I am hoping Scarecrow will revisit some of the great people and places he remembers from his CDT hike before he comes home.  Especially for our youngest trackers, Jimmy and Kiera Flynn, here is their CURRENT LOCATION

The guys are safe, happy and anxious to come home.  It's not usual for Scarecrow to be anywhere on his journey for days at a time, so he is anxious to be on his way.  We have been chatting over the past few days, and he is excited to meet our new addition "Luna" as well as relax a bit before returning to the daily grind of work.

This has been a wonderful, rigorous adventure for the guys ~ I cannot wait to see the rest of the pictures and hear your stories when you return home.  Safe flights for both of you ~ different flights into different airports!

Until Next Time,

Corinne & The Thruhiker's Wife

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Scarecrow sent a late night picture, entitled "Follow the Yellow Brick Road", but wrote: although we didn't have to go down this trail, I thought it looked cool with the Aspens.  

As they approach their new final destination of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in a few days, I am sure they are getting anxious to come home, see their family and friends, and rest.  We are looking forward to greeting you upon your return.

MattyRedrock is looking forward to hanging for a bit in his old stomping grounds of Steamboat Springs, visiting with some family and friends, so we wish you the best visit while you are there.  Scarecrow will have a shorter visit, as he is hopping on a flight Saturday afternoon to arrive home late Saturday evening at LaGuardia.  Safe travels and happy times to both of you!

With over 1,630 miles behind them, they are still pedaling for a few more days.  Their last check in was HERE.  Although the final destination has changed, I am sure the adventure was worth it, and the memories they have made will last forever.  All who are following, are so very proud of the both of you for what you have accomplished.  Who can honestly say they and a friend just got on a bike and rode almost 1,700 miles across parts of our beautiful country in about a month's time.  Scarecrow and MattyRedrock can!

Looking forward to your last few days, and seeing you soon.

With pride and admiration,

Corinne & The Thruhiker's Wife

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

As Scarecrow and MattyRedrock pedal through our beautiful country, time is pedaling along with them.  As they sit at camp at night, reflecting on their day's accomplishments, and look ahead to the next day's journey, they are beginning to calculate days left against miles left.

via dreamstime.com

They have traveled approximately 1133 miles thus far, so there still remains about 1635 miles of the 2768 mile route.  In looking back on the description of the Ride the Divide bike route, it says: Typical times to ride the entire route range from six to ten weeks.

With MattyRedrock needing to be back to work by August 3rd, the guys have decided to conclude their "Excellent Adventure" in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  In speaking with Scarecrow yesterday, although this was not an easy decision, or one they really wanted to have as their ultimate outcome, it felt like a positive alternative to just seeing how far they could make it, knowing they would not make it to Antelope Wells, New Mexico.  Scarecrow explained that they basically took on a longer ride than they had time for.  They gave themselves 5 weeks for a 6 to 10 week ride.

via reddit.com

Ok, so why Steamboat Springs? Why will that be the new destination of Matt & Ted's Excellent Adventure? The amount of miles they are averaging, coupled with days they have left, will drop them in Steamboat Springs.  It couldn't have worked out better for MattyRedrock, as this is like a home away from home for him and Corinne.  It is where he landed his first gig in radio, as well as proposed to Corinne.  He has family, friends, and many fond memories in this town.  Scarecrow also has fond memories of Steamboat Springs, from when he hiked through there while on the CDT.  I looked back on the blog to remind myself why he loved it there ~ TAKE A LOOK and read up about his stop in Steamboat Springs, back in 2014.

Corinne and I have already expressed to the guys how proud we are of their accomplishments along this trip.  They set out on quite an adventure, through rain, speeding semi trucks, many flat tires, swarms of mosquitoes, beautiful scenery, meals around the camp fires, meeting new people from around the world, and the making of some pretty awesome memories that will last them a life time.  We are looking forward to hearing about their least leg of the trip as they approach Colorado.  We will keep you all posted as "Matt & Ted's Excellent Adventure" continues.

As a little side note, for those of you who are already asking in your heads... Yes, Scarecrow will return to Ride the Divide, as he is looking forward to revisiting all of his favorite places along the Divide, from the mountains up in Canada, down to the deserts in New Mexico.  I am thinking summer of 2018, but you will have to stay tuned to find out more.  Thank you to everyone, for your continued support, prayers, comments and love for our guys as they continue along their adventure.

Until next time,

Corinne & The Thruhiker's Wife

Teddy the Trail Angel...

I received an email this morning from a woman who met Scarecrow on the trail.  I think you will find her story a bit familiar...

Scarecrow to the rescue

Hi Thruhiker's Wife,
I'm hoping this email works.  I met this wonderful gentleman on my way from Steamboat Springs, CO to Fort Collins, CO yesterday afternoon.  I was hauling a trailer with 3 horses, a goat and a dog and I blew a trailer tire a few miles east of Rabbit Ears Pass.  With the tire completely shredded, I wasn't sure how I was going to change it on my own when all of a sudden I heard someone call, "Hey!" And there he was.  He graciously helped me change my tire on a hot Sunday afternoon and I don't know what I would have done had he not been there.  Here is a picture he wanted to share.  It was a pleasure running into him and I can't thank him enough for his kindness! I wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his journey!  
Cassidy Kurtz, M.S.
Coordinator
Equine Sciences Program
Colorado State University


Scarecrow has been so blessed by the kindness and generosity of others along his journey, so he was happy to pay it forward and give to others.  Thank you, Cassidy, for sharing this picture and story with Scarecrow's family and friends ~ we love any and all updates we can get about his journey along the CDT.

Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

BEST Breakfast on the CDT

photo by Scarecrow

 One of the highlights of the CDT was being able to enter and hike through the Rocky Mountain National Park.  It would be a day trip, 25 miles off the trail, and would be the day that Scarecrow separates from Jabba for a portion of the trail.

We wish Jabba happy trails, with an abundance of sunshine and trail magic for his journey. In the mean time, the hike through the park was everything Scarecrow hoped for.

Rabbit Ears Pass

A sight for tired feet - Rabbit Ears Pass - we can see why it received its name.   This is the spot on the trail in which hikers can step off, hike or hitch a ride for the 20 miles into the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Teddy's plan was to wake up extra early to catch the ride into town.

 Unfortunately, Scarecrow stood for almost 2 hours before a nice gentleman stopped and picked him up.  Lucky for Teddy, the man was going into town to get his teeth cleaned right next door to where Teddy was looking to land in the town.

Our awesome friends, Matt and Corinne Bernath have family and friends in the town, and they recommended Scarecrow use a place called SKI HAUS as a potential meeting place.  Sadly, Scarecrow never got to meet up with the Bernath's contacts, but met a wonderful group of people at this ski equipment outfitter.  They were friendly, welcoming and helped Scarecrow gain his bearings around the town.

photo via Google images

Scarecrow was starving, and asked where he could get something to eat.  The staff at Ski Haus recommended a place called FRESHIES, which turned out to be the best breakfast so far on the trail.  Once the waitress came over to take Scarecrow's order, she got into talking with him and said, "You have to have a story." He shared his journey and mission of becoming a Triple Crown hiker with her, and after some questions, brought out the manager for more conversation.  By the end of Scarecrow's meal, it was decided that a photo would be taken, so the WHOLE STAFF came outside and posed for a group photo with our favorite hiker, Scarecrow.

wonderful staff of Freshies in Steamboat Springs

Scarecrow said the food and service provided by this restaurant was outstanding and recommends it to whoever comes into town.  THANK YOU to Freshies for taking such great care of Scarecrow for us.  While chatting it up with these great people, they shared with Scarecrow an event that would be taking place at the library this evening at 7:00 pm.  A woman named Jennifer Davis would be speaking about her experiences as a long distance hiker who currently holds the record for the fastest thruhike of the Appalachian Trail. Scarecrow decided, after getting his chores completed (resupply and laundry) and having a great meal, that he would attend this meet and greet/book signing event.

Jennifer Davis with Scarecrow

He was able to successfully meet and speak with this inspirational woman, who was labeled as an Adventurer of the Year in 2012 by National Geographic and author of several books on her experiences.  What a great time Scarecrow has experienced while in Steamboat Springs.  He then made his way to the Rabbit Ears Motel where he will get his much needed and deserved night's rest before heading back out on the trail first thing tomorrow morning.

Happy trails, Scarecrow, and may you be faced with nothing but sunshine and good weather, and an abundance of trail angels and trail magic on your path to Encampment, Wyoming.
Want to follow along? Click HERE to see where Scarecrow is now.

Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Beautiful Scenery and Some Trail Magic

photo taken by Scarecrow

These last few days have been filled with some amazing trail magic.  While on his travels, he has met up with some amazing wild life ready for their close ups. 

photo by Scarecrow

photo by Scarecrow

As Scarecrow heads north into Steamboat Springs, Colorado, he had a few grueling days of walking, and ran out of water along the road walk.  He was not in complete danger yet, but was beginning to get concerned about the distance he had remaining, coupled with the blistering heat beating down on him.  He was a bit relieved when he approached a vehicle pulled over on the side of the road with a flat tire.  Being the gentleman he is, Teddy changed the tire for the woman who owned the vehicle, and turned down the cash she was insisting on giving him.  Instead, he politely asked if she had any water available to give him.  Unfortunately, she had no water, but did have a bag full of ice cubes which Scarecrow happily accepted.  The thankful woman was on her way, and Scarecrow continued on his hike.  As you would imagine, the ice cubes didn't last very long, and Scarecrow was back to wondering where he would hydrate.  Well, he came across the best trail magic EVER.  A work truck must have dropped this gift off the back of their truck inadvertently, hours earlier. But never the less, Scarecrow was ecstatic to find an eight pack of Gatorade, still in the plastic holder.  He gratefully drank this warm Gatorade, that was baking in the heat for hours.

photo by Scarecrow

Now, with empty bottles, he continued on, not wanting to leave the trash behind.  You can see the bottles stuffed into every pocket and available space he had in his pack.  He became extremely happy that he kept these empties as he came across another trail angel.  A man who filled each of his empty bottles with water from a water container in his truck.  This water supply would be enough to take him into the town.  What a relief.

photo by Scarecrow

Scarecrow has said this part of the trail has been absolutely beautiful, as the wildflowers are in full bloom everywhere.  So, with fluids restored and some beautiful scenery, Scarecrow is headed to Rabbit Ears Pass, which is where he will then step off the trail and catch a ride into Steamboat Springs for a big breakfast, a resupply, a hot lunch, laundry, a shower, and a good night's rest.

photo by Scarecrow

photo by Scarecrow

Next stop, Steamboat Springs.

Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife