Next Up? Flip Flops

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

Let me introduce you to Jabba - one of the Warrior Hikers who Scarecrow is traveling with.  I want to thank him for the pictures I "stole" from his Facebook page to share with Scarecrow's family and friends. I hope you don't mind, but there are several of your pictures in this post. You guys look great.
So, after the hikers returned to Chama because of the impassable trail conditions, they met up with amazing trail angels named Blake and Leslie Holleman.  A man named David Lopez, who is the Warrior Hike contact person put the hikers in contact with Blake, who is himself a 20 year Army Vet.  Thank you for your service, as well as your generosity and kindness towards all of the hikers, which include my husband who you know as Scarecrow. He has said you both are wonderful, generous people who have been instrumental in helping these hikers move along to plan B - flip flopping up the trail to Wyoming where the conditions are less treacherous at the moment.  If I understand correctly, Blake and Leslie live in Pagosa Springs, which is where the hikers were supposed to walk to, but because of too much snow, they had met up with Paul, who kindly gave his time and generosity while the hikers were in Cumbres Pass, and then drove them to Pagosa Springs.

I am thinking this is the ride from Paul to Pagosa Springs ?

THANK YOU again, Paul, for your kindness and trail magic. While in Pagosa Springs, the hikers had to recalculate their route and plan of attack.  They stayed with Blake and Leslie, and I am sure Scarecrow was ECSTATIC because it was here that he got to enjoy the Rangers hockey game when they won the Eastern Conference Trophy.

The hikers stayed with these trail angels for a day or two, I think, and then headed to the Pagosa Hot Springs Resort for one more day of rest before traveling North to begin a new leg of their journey.

As I mentioned earlier in a post, the maps Scarecrow is using, lists alternate plans for hikers when weather is stopping them from continuing on their route.  The hikers decided to take one particular route that would involve them driving up to Wyoming and hiking Southbound to another point on the trail. Eventually, they will return to where they exited the trail and hike that part at a later date, when some of the snow has melted. As of Sunday evening, the hikers were renting a car and driving to a town further up North in Colorado to Theresa Martinez' home.  If you recall, she was introduced to you back in my post titled, "Hiker Friends".  She is heavily involved with the CDTC (Continental Divide Trail Coalition) and has been very helpful in keeping these thruhikers on track.  From Theresa's house, which I got word they arrived safely to this evening, they will depart tomorrow morning and drive 6+ hours up to Wyoming and pick up the trail first thing Tuesday morning.

via google images

So, although flip flops are the furthest thing from Scarecrow's foot gear, there will be a lot of flip flopping along this trail to complete it, due to the weather conditions.  Scarecrow has promised to send more pictures once he arrives in Wyoming.  In the mean time, I am going to post several that I took from Jabba - you can check out his story HERE - I follow this blog now, as it gives me updates on Teddy even when he cannot call home.  Huge score for me!! Thank you Jabba.

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

I love these pics of you Scarecrow - it looks like you are traveling through some beautiful parts of this country.  I hope you are taking a lot of pictures.  Most importantly, you look safe and happy. I want leave you with this quote I found - it is exactly what we were talking about on the phone this evening :)

 Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Onward from the Scorching Desert towards the Snowy Mountains

Feeling full and rested, Scarecrow hiked out of town and saw some amazing terrain.

These pictures show exactly what I would imagine the desert is... hot, dry, rocky and absolutely beautiful.  Scarecrow is using his GPS and map books to navigate through the trail, and has over 800 miles behind him now.  Check out his progress here where is Scarecrow now?

lunch break in the desert

Teddy said some of this part of the trail he has to "road walk" which is taking a toll on his feet.  In his latest care package, I sent him another pair of shoes, his shoe spikes, an ice ax, heavier winter gloves, shirt and pants liners and of course, more snacks.  He is heading into cold, snowy weather and up into the San Juan Mountains... BRRRRR.

You can see here, that in just a few short days, he went from hot desert heat, to cold, chilly snow. He is now at higher elevations, looking freezing on Mount Taylor.  Just a bit of info on this location - Mount Taylor is a stratovolcano just Northeast of the town Grants, New Mexico.  What exactly does that mean?  It is the highest point of the San Mateo Mountains and the highest point in the Cibola National Forest.

He has experienced his first snow fall and said he is so thankful for his wool cap from Jagger that keeps him toasty warm during this section of the trail.

I am happy to see he is still smiling and when I spoke to him yesterday, he was in excellent spirits.  We ordered snow shoes for his upcoming trek into the mountains, and his hiking friend Jaba, was a huge help to us in doing this.  I got to speak with him on the phone about which shoes would be best - THANK YOU for your assistance, and your service.  Jaba is part of the Warrior Hike - you can check these men and their story out HERE.


Scarecrow is headed to Chama, New Mexico.  He will arrive there by Friday or Saturday to resupply, collect his packages, and get ready to close out the mileage in New Mexico and enter into Colorado.  For anyone who has asked, I am posting his next mail drop here.

Theodore "Scarecrow" Warren
General Delivery
PO 87520
Chama, New Mexico  87520

Many of you have sent notes and letters of encouragement, well wishes and even treats for him to enjoy.  EVERY SINGLE THING is so appreciated by Scarecrow.  A piece of home and thoughts from family and friends goes a LONG way.  THANK YOU.

doesn't look like summer is coming here...

Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Thank You For Your Service...

Scarecrow's latest selfie

"The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree."  ~ Thomas Campbell

This post is actually part two of the latest information that Scarecrow has sent.  As he continues through New Mexico, with hundreds of miles behind him, he is continuing to travel along side other hikers, sharing this amazing experience.  He made it to Pie Town, where he, Ducky and Hikeaholic caught up to a group of thruhikers who belong to the "Warrior Hike".  I have provided a link for further information about these brave men and their mission.   What is the Warrior Hike? He sent a picture of a few of his new hiker friends during an event in Pie Town. As you can see if you click on the link I have provided,

War veterans participating in the Warrior Hike

there are events sponsored by various veteran posts along with the CDTC for these brave, strong men who are thruhiking the CDT.  I believe Scarecrow met them while many of them gathered at a trail angels's house known as the "Toaster House."   According to a 2013 thruhiker, Wired, a woman named Nita owns the home, but does not live there.  She leaves it open for hikers for no charge, and hikers can make a donation which she uses to maintain this trail angel service. I think this picture of the group on the porch is from this hostel.  I am sure I will hear about it if I am incorrect. LOL  This place, along with the Thomas family, were what Scarecrow was referencing when he spoke so highly of the trail angels and trail magic he got in Pie Town.

Ducky & Scarecrow in Pie Town

 

Toaster House

This first stop at the "Toaster House" is where Scarecrow met the Warrior Hikers. Looks like quite a group there - fun was had by all and Scarecrow is once again blessed and grateful for this experience. (I apologize to the hikers if I have these photos mixed up.)

Thruhikers galore! Scarecrow all the way on the right!

 

More trail magic amongst trail angels was had by Scarecrow and the others as they met the Thomas family.  As in other blog posts by hikers, the Thomas' live about 15 miles outside of Pie Town and allow hikers to get water from their tap.  Some may not realize what a huge deal this is, but considering hikers do not have a regular, clean water supply, this is GOLD for them.  From what Teddy described to me, the Thomas' have converted their garage into a place for hikers to convene, eat and even receive a phone call.  I know this from personal experience, as last Tuesday, I called the number back from where Teddy had called, and a gentleman answered.  I asked for Scarecrow, and he handed the phone over to Teddy, and we got to chat for a while, with the kids even getting to call when they arrived home.  Moments like this are priceless for us, as we do not get to speak with Teddy whenever we want, as there is hardly a signal.  So, THANK YOU to the Thomas family for allowing us to connect with Scarecrow while he was at your house.

Thank you Thomas Trail Angels

Thank you Thomas Trail Angels

These are some of the candid pictures that Scarecrow sent of the thruhikers just hanging out, getting a well-deserved rest while receiving TRAIL MAGIC from the Thomas family... THANK YOU.

Grateful thruhikers at Thomas' House

Scarecrow told me he and Hikeaholic were invited to a BBQ that was being prepared for the Warrior Hikers, by the local Veteran post. Even they, as hikers, became trail angels for Scarecrow and gave him trail magic in the form of great food, great company, and he even scored an invitation to a golf outing on Mother's Day.  Apparently, a man who attended the barbecue invited some of the hikers to golf at the local course.  I am not sure if he owns it or works there, and I apologize for the lack of accurate details here. Needless to say, Teddy had a wonderful time.  In researching these fine gentlemen who in their own journey, have reached out and touched Scarecrow in such a positive way, I found one of their blogs, which led me to his facebook page.  A HUGE thank you goes out to The Real Hiking Viking because I located a picture of Scarecrow during his golf outing. I hope you don't mind but I shared it to my blog page.

photo from The Real Hiking Viking :)

  As you can see, it was so windy during their outing.  Teddy said the flags were at a 45 degree angle.  I asked how he did, and he said he did okay in the beginning, and then just had Hikeaholic just put a 6 after each round.  Thankfully, it was not a competitive game, and just one for fun and relaxation.

In closing, I want to thank each of you participating in the Warrior Hike for your service to our country first and foremost.  The sacrifices you have made for our country priceless, and I pray that you find the support and healing in this hike that will bring you peace and health as you transition back to life here in our country.  There is not a time that goes by that my husband, daughter, son and I do not give thanks and appreciation for all you have given up so we can enjoy all that we have here in our lives.  May God Bless each and every one of you.

With respect, love and appreciation,

The Thruhiker's Wife