2nd Start, 2nd Post

Bbbbbrrrrrrr. We hiked in a few miles last night so figured we had about 20 mi. to reach Timberline Lodge. We gave ourselves a nice slow  pace of 10 mi/day so no prob. Great news, we took our lunch @ our 10 mi. goal! Paul & Betty, we made it to Barlow Pass 24 hours after we all were there. We were feeling good so decided to push for a few more miles and have made camp @ 5pm. We estimate about 2 miles to the lodge. The trail has been really good. Steady but continuous climb. It's stinkin' cold, never over 48 & blowin' ALL day. So cold. Never took coats off & wished we had more. Misty but no rain.
We are doing good.
Love Us

First Post for Start #2

We are nearing Timothy Lake. Almost there. The butterflies are familiar.  It's 50 degrees...brrrr.
Should start about 6. I have a feeling this leg of the hike will be cooler.

Many thanks to Paul & Betty for taking us to our starting point. Yep, I'm nervous.
Mt. Hood is beautiful...finally found a campsite. Camp was made and us in bed on 40 minutes!
Until next time,
The Happy Hikers...

End of the trail...

Due to injury we are sad to say that after only about 120 miles, it is the end of the trail for us. We aren't sure what happened or just when, but Jeff tweaked his leg/ankle. We thought we could push through so started on trail on Tuesday only to find us barely making 4 miles in 8 hours on Wed. We didn't have enough water for that rate. I ended hwy hiking for help. We are disappointed, but happy for the experience and new friendships made. We have photos and stories to share-better than this blog! Our thanks to: Kei, Miriam, Bryan, Steve and Paul & Betty, and to all of you for your support & encouragement. We are still the happy hikers but are now also known as 'the Bald Guy' & 'PeeTree'
We love you!

Phone Call

*This is Kei updating again.*

I recieved a phone message from my parents (Jeff and Sue) that said they were at Crater Lake. They have had trouble with phone reception and batteries, which is why we have not heard more from them. They called at 12:50 pm at a number that says payphone, so they must still be having trouble. They said they were heading out from Crater Lake and not sure when they'd get a chance to be in touch next.

Short Update

Headed Seven Mile Marsh. Doesn't sound like we'll be escaping bugs!We do expect to find snow today. 

Water is short today. 

Will write more if possible. 

Love, Us 

Mosquito Hell

Have had no service or battery much the last day. A lot has happened.

Yesterday was good: covered a lot of ground, but all we saw was trees. Well, trees and mosquitos. We took a break w/ Turbo & Mr. Furious & had commented on how much better they were than expected. The very next stretch, and since, they have feasted upon our stinky bodies. I hope the repellent will last until resupply.
Goal today-(we've advanced to a new map!) 7 mile marsh. Doesn't sound like we'll be escaping bugs. We do expect to find snow today. Water is short today.
Will write more if possble.
Love, Us 

Saturday the 13th

*This is Kei posting an email I received today that I believe was meant for yesterday (Saturday the 13th).

Here is Pine. We've been leap froggin with him and Top Shelf often today. TS is super friendly. I hope we meet up again.
It's in the mid 70s and we are hiking hard, ahead of schedule-yippee. Hope we can keep the pace for a record day. The goal is Fly Lake Trail, about 12 miles and 8 hours. If we make it, we'll have about 18 miles for today. Say a prayer we make it.

Battles

We didnt make our 15 miles, probably about 13. As usual, slow start leaving about 8. The first miles of hills we worried about weren't so bad... The 5th one was the killer: steep and all in the hot sun-ugh!
My feet continue to hurt to the point I had to give up early and felt so bad. The hiker boots are rubbing me raw and I think we'll ask someone to send my other pair. I was so depressed tonight and tired and sore but agreed to push on for 2 more miles and water. Glad I did. We saw a gift (our first) from trail angels of some water.
At our goal there was this cabin for hikers to use. Too cool. We still used our tent, but hey...we're the only ones here besides a doe, so took a very cold but refreshing 'shower' under the water pump.
If anyone is following our blog, please comment or at least be a follower; we (I) could really use the encouragement.
Wish you were here...

Pictures from 8/11/11

Lunch buddy. Stayed on me about 15 minutes.

Jamz

I was having a serious down times then saw this rock. I sure wasn't gonna pack it home so took the photo.

Can't really see the big mt waaaaay far away-that's where we're headed...

On the trail again

Ok, third time's the charm. I keep trying to post and who knows where my hours of typing on qwerty is going. So far the hike is good. Been getting about 16 miles in. Yesterday was hard and hard to get moving but we made it. One would think we'd sleep good @ night but we're too sore to get comfy & too tired to try.

We passed Hyatt Resevoir yesterday and camped near Howard Prairie Lake (close enough to see a little but away from bugs). Don't use rain fly @ night so we watch sunset, moon and stars. Awesome. Last night a doe stopped in for visit but left when we reached for camera. Our goal today is Brown Mt., about 15 miles. We start with a climb of 1500 ft in 5 miles. Long and hot...thanks for the encouraging thoughts of those of you who are following. I'm struggling with discouragement today. Love the happy hikers.

Day 2

*This is Kei posting for my parents. Got this email from them today:

Bookworm and Tiberius, 2 thru hikers we met today.

These buggers lined the trail for at least a mile. VERY SHARP. Taking advantage of a rest break to send this. Will try to do more later but have another 5 miles or so to go. Ugh...

Pictures From the Morning

Pilot Rock from morning camp. We'll be on the other side soon.

Pilot Rock a few hours later.

First Full Day

Started at about 8:00 am. Got about 16 miles. Tough break in. Met 2 thru hikers. Awesome. One was FAST and didn't visit. The other has taken us under his wing. His name is Structure & he's 74. Makes us feel honored to even share the trail with folks like this. Some locals offered the 3 of us some dinner. Nice but we're too tired.  In bed now: sticky, stinky, tired. Listening to an owl "who-who". So cool. Structure is camped about 50 feet away and will probably be gone before we wake up.

(Pics to come soon. Got sent to a wrong email or something.)

We Are Watching For These

Poison Oak

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Sumac

We want to avoid Poison Oak and Poison Ivy (wouldn't you?)

At Last

We are finally THERE!

We made it! I couldn't watch Miriam drive away-still can't quite believe we're here. We started hiking @ 7 and made camp in twilight 8:30 or so. It's very pretty and fresh smelling (not us...) Nine now and off to sleep. Good night everyone!
 

This is for real this time.

Our Journey Begins...

We'll See You Soon!!

Ugh!

Oh my back hurts, my legs hurt, I'm tired...and we should start the hike in a few hours! Jeff's anxious to get hiking so I'll quit blogging! Many thanks to all of you for your love & support & esp to Miriam for taking us @ the last minute to our starting point on her vacation. We appreciate it!
Hugs to all...

Are We There Yet?

Still trying to figure this out. Can't seem to get photos...grrr. Who says smart phones are smart? Thanks for your patience as we keep trying!

Getting Ready

Last minute check

Not too close, now.....

Here's Jeff getting his trim for hiking. Doesn't he look happy? This the first post from the phone. Thanks Miriam for getting this post from the phone to here. Now if I can remember how...

Still Getting Ready...

Okay. I'm at Radio Shack trying to figure out my "smart" phone. If Harry can't help me, no one can! I hope I can learn how to access the internet from the phone and be able to upload some updates on the trail. Wow, nothing like waiting until the last minute to figure things out (IF I figure them out!)

We haven't even left and I'm already home sick for family and friends. Love you all!

Sue (and Jeff)

Getting ready

Jeff's first look at the map...oh boy, this is a LONG trip!

Ok. I've done it. I started our blog. I'm still not sure we'll be able to update it from the trail, but if not, we'll ask someone (Kei?) to maintain it for us.

It's been a long time preparing--about 8 months. Shopping, and studying and generally, for me anyway, putting off as much as I could until the last minute. Now the last minute is here and guess what...I'm NOT READY! The thought of hiking 10-12 hours/15-20 miles a day with a 40lb (in my case, 50# for Jeff) pack is a bit daunting. I'm going through all the "I can hardly wait" and "I think I'll die before it's over" roller coaster. It'll be a great trip...I think...

Stephen & Jeff take the lead on a short 12 mile practice hike.

So, enough for the first blog. Now I can say it's here and we're up and I'll start experimenting with the phone entries soon...We leave Monday, August 8 so I hope it's before that.