I found my Shoes in a Tree!

As the guys headed South, Scarecrow was excited that the bike route was directing them through a town called Lima.  Scarecrow had hiked through this town back in 2014 while thruhiking the CDT.  He had fond memories of this little town, one reason being it was a mail drop for hikers along the trail.  The Mountain View Motel accepted packages and mail for the hikers along the CDT, as well as cyclists riding the Divide.  Many hikers had new shoes sent to them at this location, and it was tradition to leave your old pair on the "Hiker Shoe Trees".  Scarecrow had left his worn out Montrail hiking shoes there, and when he returned to the motel over this past weekend, he not only found his shoes, but met up with Mike, the owner, who remembered Scarecrow from two years ago!

"Hiker Shoe Trees, in honor of the shoes that have walked the Continental Divide Trail, 3100 miles border to border

That was a very happy moment for Scarecrow.  While at the motel, the guys took a room, so they could not only rest, but fix up their bikes.  Flat tires are frequent, due to the gravel, litter, and other roughness on their tires.

much needed bike repair!

While staying the night at the Mountain View Motel, Scarecrow and MattyRedrock ran into two CDT thruhikers that were tent camping for the night.  Scarecrow knew all too well what that was like, and decided to give some trail magic to these hikers.  He went to the front desk, asked if there was availability, and bought the hikers a room for the night.  He said it felt so good to be the one giving the "trail magic" as he had been the recipient on so many occasions in the past.  The tow hikers, one named "Knees" and the other named "Homework" were very appreciative and I am sure well rested by morning.

 Knees & Scarecrow

Scarecrow & Homework

While talking with the two thruhikers, I am sure Scarecrow shared his Triple Crown stories with the guys.  "Homework" actually recorded a podcast about Scarecrow and his achievements.  Pretty cool, heh?

The guys were very happy to have finally left Montana and enter into Idaho. It seemed like forever that they were in Montana!

Montana/Idaho border crossing!

This sign literally marks the border between the two states.  They will only be in Idaho for a short time, before crossing over into Wyoming.  They were expected to reach there as of yesterday.  Of course, they are meeting people from all over the world, including a family from France.  The wife of the family took this picture for the guys.  "Merci beaucoup!"  The guys also met a woman, driving her car through the area, and the license plates were from North Carolina.  She also had an AT sticker, so Scarecrow struck up conversation with her to find out that she is an AT thruhiker, and is a trail angel for hikers along the Appalachian Trail.  Forgive me for maybe misspelling it, but Scarecrow said her name was Rayen Bird.  Awesome stories of awesome people they are meeting along the way.

Scarecrow ended his update with me sending this picture.  The guys LOVE when they see signs like this, as it means DOWNHILL riding for them.

We wish for you a smooth, downhill ride for the remainder of your travels.  We remain so proud of all that the two of you are accomplishing on this trip.  We are all cheering and supporting you guys to your destination! To see where they last checked in, click HERE

Until next time,

Corinne & 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

Trail Magic for Everyone

via The Real Hiking Viking, a.k.a. Jabba

I have to begin with thanking Jabba for this picture.  As you hike and receive trail magic along the way, your postings are like trail magic for Scarecrow's family.  So now for an update on this not-so-easy-to-follow part of the trail.

Scarecrow and friends have taken some more trail magic from Theresa Martinez from the CDTC and traveled back down to Cumbres Pass, where they stepped off the trail because of excessive snow.  They got back on the trail Sunday, and will hike northbound again to Pagosa Springs and beyond, which will "reconnect" their steps along the trail and fill in the section they had to skip.  Of course I asked, what were the snow conditions going to be like, only 2 weeks later? He explained, when they attempted it prior, there was fresh, deep snow 18+ feet deep.

via The Real Hiking Viking

Now, some has melted and it is packed down, so they will hike on top of the snow now.  The hikers are still sporting snow shoes, spikes and their ice axes, but at least they will complete it now.  As you can see in the picture on the right, Jabba is standing next to the depths of snow they will now be walking ON instead of IN. They are headed into the San Juan Mountains and thanks again to Jabba, here is a picture of what they will conquer.

via The Real Hiking Viking

We got to speak to Ted over the weekend for Father's Day and was able to share with him the trail magic sent his way by some of his loved ones.  Tracey, my real life twin gave Scarecrow a donation that helped to totally hooked him up with the unexpected traveling up to Wyoming for the flip flop.

It came at the perfect time and is much appreciated.
You continually give me so much love, support, guidance and friendship for which I am truly blessed. We have conversations all the time about the "nontraditional life" my family leads ~ I want you to always know that I value your opinion, welcome your advice, appreciate your support and am grateful for your love.  THANK YOU for the trail magic.

Some of you reading this blog entry may not know the next two trail angels, Mike and Tommy.  They have been cutting Ted's hair for years, and now take care of Jagger as well.  I am posting a link with their information before I continue - click HERE for an awesome haircut They ask every time we go in about Ted and his hike.  Well, this weekend, they presented me with a generous donation towards Scarecrow's journey.

Mike & Tommy from the Barbershop

Thankfully, Ted was in a town with a phone signal and was able to talk to and thank both of them for their continued support.  This too, came at a perfect time for resupply before going into the mountains. Although Ted and I planned for this trip based only on our own means, we are so appreciative and grateful for EVERY LITTLE PIECE OF LOVE AND SUPPORT that has come our way.  This trail magic manifests itself in the form of notes, calls, posts, pictures, donations of food, snacks and money to Scarecrow, time and assistance with life here while Ted is away... We both truly appreciate every single one of our trail angels during this amazing journey.  You are all a piece of Teddy's success.

Not many pictures were sent this time (as you can see I had to "borrow" from Jabba) but Scarecrow sent this one.  It was taken when they finished up the piece of trail in Wyoming before heading back down to Colorado.
And just an interesting piece of this story to share ~ the whole flip flop was a huge blessing in disguise, as the hikers agreed that if they were hiking in that piece of Wyoming as initially scheduled, there would have been NO WATER SUPPLY for them.  So, once again, we have seen and felt that everything happens for a reason and is unfolding EXACTLY how it is supposed to.  Hang in there, Scarecrow.  It has been 2 months already that you have been gone - you have met amazing hikers who are sharing this amazing journey with you and most importantly, you are safe and happy.  Happy Trails... we will see you in about 3 weeks.

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife

So Many Angels, So Little Time...

Ok, so the phone rings, with an immediate announcement - "Babe - I have 11 minutes to talk to you, so let me tell you what I need mailed out by Wednesday..."  It got pretty tricky for us, as I was asking a million questions about nothing to do with what he needed mailed out.  I felt it important to find out stuff for the blog - like where are you?? What mile marker did you hit?? How cold is it?  Did you know that there's 28 days until Halloween?? Where can we mail you goodies next?? All those answers, thankfully, came before we got disconnected, and I will share later in the blog.

Teddy was more concerned about telling me what he needed NOW - his sleeping bag liner, more water drops, another pair of shoes (I believe pair #5) and a GPS with all the coordinates of the PCT in the state of Washington inputted and mailed out by Wednesday.  Oh, and the maps printed out, double sided (to save on weight) sent too.

via pcta.org

Panic set in, silently of course, as I did not want to fall apart now, with 1800 + miles under my belt of holding it together, with the confident voice of "whatever you need Honey, I'll handle it" being sucked right out of me.

Enter in, MY trail angels... Uncle Ed - with one frantic phone call to Virginia and a nice conversation, Teddy's maps are being sent out tomorrow.  Just like that.  He has been following Teddy's adventure this whole time - maps are hanging in his office at work, along with pictures of Teddy's adventures along the way for all to enjoy... Little did Uncle Ed know that it would be him that keeps Scarecrow accurately on the trail, and not wandering through the snow somewhere.

via clipart

Another trail angel is my brother Kenn, although at the moment I am typing this, he doesn't know it yet... He will, this evening, have to help me learn how to turn on, make sense of, and program all of the coordinates into his GPS needed to navigate the Washington section of the trail through snow, and then be willing to part with it as I mail it off to my husband, who is expecting it later this week.  Let's hope that Montrail and Eastern Mountain Sports will be just as accommodating to me with my requests for them via phone...

So, Teddy is requesting all of these trail aids, because it is a realistic concern of his now, that the trail will be covered in snow in a few weeks or less, and he will not be able to navigate through without the half-mile maps and GPS.  There were already so many deal breakers for me along his journey that will cause me NEVER to attempt this hike, but the snow covered trail??  that cemented my decision for good...

We were upset to realize that Teddy missed some trail magic of his own sent from our wonderful family and friends... but, the wonderful people of Dunsmuir and Ashland Post Offices have agreed to forward the letter and package (thank you to Uncle Ed Utz and Carole Pentzel) that didn't quite make it there when Teddy did... Scarecrow - I hope you realize just how many people have helped US throughout this journey... trail angels are EVERYWHERE***

via google images

Yet another trail angel of mine, is my cousin Beth Rutkowski Jump.  Her, along with her husband, and children have agreed to open their home to my wandering husband for a day or two.  She will pick Teddy up  when he is about half way through Washington, at Snoqualmie Pass, bring him home, feed him, allow him to shower, sleep in a real bed, experience some family time, and then drive him back to the trail.  If that was not generous enough, she has agreed to accept any packages/mail for Teddy until he gets up there.  Their address is listed below.  Teddy should arrive there anywhere between October 21-26.  I cannot thank the Jump family enough for their generous nature and hospitality towards Teddy, whom they have never met, at a time in the trail when he will need a bit of TLC before the homestretch of 250 miles...

via google images

Teddy was able to call back this evening from a payphone at the Crater Lake Lodge with yet ANOTHER story of trail angels spreading their magic.  It was raining and lightly snowing today as Teddy hiked towards the lodge - that means he was freezing and soaking wet.  He was offered a ride up to the lodge, but because the lodge is actually on the trail, and he being a purist who will not skip a single mile, turned down the ride and continued to walk through the rain and snow.  He heard there was a fireplace and a payphone in the lobby, so he was determined to make his way there.  Upon arrival, he noticed two fully packed bicycles parked, and immediately found their owners near by.

via google images

A couple from Belgium, Collin and Vanessa, came to the United States to bicycle from Seattle, Washington to Mexico.  They got into talking with Scarecrow, and were amazed at his adventure of walking the reverse of what they were about to cycle though.  They shared a trail angel story with him, about a woman who heard of their adventure plans, and went right up to the counter at the lodge and rented them a room for the night.  Simply out of the goodness of her heart, and the admiration of the couple's undertaking - they found themselves with a room for the night.  They, in turn, extended their kindness to Teddy, and offered him use of their shower, and allowed him to lay his therma-rest and sleeping bag on the floor, instead of outside, in his tent, in the freezing rain and snow.

via google images

So, as I come to an emotional close of this blog entry, I will share what I got out of Ted when it was finally my turn to ask the questions.  He is happy.  He is cold. He is strong.  He is tired.  He is grateful.  He is currently at 1,838 miles in, with 812 left.  Any and all correspondence with Teddy should now be sent to him in care of my wonderful cousin:


Beth Jump
18104 NE 110th Way
Redmond, WA 98052

I am so truly blessed and thankful to God and ALL of the angels that have helped Teddy through this amazing journey.  There are many of you that I get to talk to and thank, but just as many that I do not...

via google images

 THANK YOU... THANK YOU... THANK YOU...

~ The Thruhiker's Wife ~

Lady Bugs & Trail Magic :)

Teddy checked in on the evening of June 5, and has reported he is doing great.  He has been averaging 20 mile days, give or take a few, eating his ramen noodles and granola just as planned. Today, he was up by 6, and on the trail shortly after, trying to make up some extra miles to maybe run into civilization soon.  He had walked 24 miles and was out of water, and had decisions to make.  He had a choice of getting water out of the creek near by, and using his purifier drops, or he could hitch into a nearby town and stock up on water there.
As he was flipping through his trail guide book, he said a ladybug landed on the map of Julian (the town he was thinking of hitching in to).  He took this as a sign.  He explained to me - being that I love ladybugs (yes I carry a glass one in my pocket at all times), this ladybug made him think of me, and that he needed to go to town and call me to check in, and he could get water while he was there.  He proceeded to walk the trail towards Julian.  Along the route is a place called Scissors Crossing, where the trail meets up with a road that will take you to the town, which is still 14 miles away.  As Ted came through Scissors Crossing, he came upon cases and cases of water, labeled "For Thruhikers".  This is what hikers know as "Trail Magic" made possible by Trail Angels.  Trail Magic can take on many different forms - hidden supplies of water, people handing out candy bars, food, or other necessities to thruhikers along their trip.  What a pleasant surprise for Ted - he would not have to wait until getting into town before re hydrating himself.  He helped himself to the water, and then because of that ladybug, continued into town to check in with me.

As a side note, Teddy has been planning this trip with the help of a book we ordered titled "Yogi's PCT Handbook".  Yogi is a past thruhiker who wrote a book of helpful tips and hints to help future hikers on the trail.  Ted read this book, including the part about hitchhiking into towns for resupply purposes.  Well, never did she mention that some of the people who offer the rides would be as strange as the guy who picked Ted up.  As odd as he was, Ted was grateful for the lift into Julian where he got to call and talk to us, shower, eat, resupply food and water, get a comfy night's rest, eat a huge breakfast, and get a lift back to Scissors Crossing.  It is here, back at Scissors Crossing where he will continue on with the trail, the ladybugs, and hopefully some more Trail Magic.

The Thruhiker's Wife