Pede-r-strians

1800 Miles, 3 Months...Finished (for now?)

2006-10-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Yay!! Our summer journey of 1,830 miles across the varied terrain of California and Southern Oregon has come to an end after 3 months on the trail. It was glorious, it was painful at times, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
It feels like a dream now, some two months later. This is a blessing and perhaps a curse.
Blessing: fond memories remain. We look back and think: hey that was kinda fun.

Curse: fond memories remain. We look back and think: hey that was kinda fun. Or worse, sometimes we can´t even remember what it was like at all and we think: Hey what do you think it would be like to hike the PCT? Hey, that sounds crazy, maybe we should try it. And so the rest of Oregon and Washington calls.... (when we´re warm, our tummies are full, and most importantly, when we´re not walking 25 miles a day.)

And now we´re in Guatemala with Jon´s sister, Maria, attending language school for six weeks. No, we didn´t walk here.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and encouragement, even though some of you dirty rascals were sending bad vibes with your negative thoughts. May the Lord not punish you with a 1800 mile walk. And anyone who wonders why we didn´t go to the remaining 800 miles to the Canadian border, please walk the length of the State of California and then we´ll have a good long talk about it over a pint of Ben and Jerry´s ice cream (a thru-hiker´s must-have).

Much love and fewer miles,

Jon and IvaJo

Crater Lake!

2006-10-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Behind of us, of course, is the magnificent Crater Lake. We got up early that morning and ran 3 steep miles to the rim. We were fortunate enough to make it by sunrise, a beautiful sight to sum up this year's hike.

There we were treated to breakfast by a very friendly and fascinating fellow hiker, and then we began our trek down south, getting rides from park rangers, our good friend, Vanessa, and IvaJo's wonderful parents.

More Miles, More Smiles

2006-10-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Yep. :) :) :)

Majestic Shasta

2006-10-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

This shot is from near the CA/OR border. The trail makes almost a three-quarter circle around Shasta, and it was in view for about three weeks.

The trail used to make a more direct, shorter shot on the East of Shasta, but because of the lack of water they routed it to the beautiful west through the Trinity Alps, the Marble Mountains, and the Russian Wilderness.

We can see why this celestial rock has captured the heart of our good friend, Zoe (Just thinking about Zoe brings out the poetic nature in one). The Hawk is pleased...what do you think, Zoe?

Bear Paw Prints

2006-10-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

We saw a black bear tromp across our path somewhere near the Oregon border, leaving this beautiful specimen for us to study.

Good Bye, California

2006-10-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

Behind us lies a big, big state. Wow.

We had been in California for just about 3 months with all its diverse geography.
If ever California gets to feel a little cramped, just take a little walk on the PCT.

Not Even 1000 Miles Left

2006-10-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

999.9 miles...we had it calculated at .01 mile later, but...that's what the rock said.

Some more S'mores

2006-10-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Jon's brother, Mark, and cousin, Tyler (and dog, Henry) who were able to meet us at Lake McCloud around the middle of August. There was great fishing (although Jon caught nothing) and great food (including blackberry cobbler made on the site from the nearby bushes!)

One note about the food, however: the trip will ever be remembered as the one on which Mark ate a full pound of Hershey's chocolate and a bag of marshmallows. His evident stomach pain did little to prove his case in our debate over virtues of patiently roasting your marshmallows versus eating them "raw" and in rapid succession. Mark's feeling better, thankfully, in this picture of the following morning.

Big Miles

2006-10-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

These overall mileage signs are very few, so we thought we'd take a picture as proof that we've been on the trail. Of course you can't prove anything with digital pictures these days. They don't allow them in court because of the possiblity of photo editing.
So for all you know, we could have spent these months chilling in Hawaii and photo editing. And for all you know I don't really have a beard, and IvaJo does.

Thank You, Georgie and Dennis

2006-10-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

This is a tree house at the home of two wonderful "Trail Angels" who open their home for us dirty hikers. And not only can you camp on their property, but they provide you with amazing family meals. Definitely a favorite memory.

Thanks again, Georgie and Dennis.

Brain Face

2006-10-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

Our friend, Steven Braney, is the one and only to have joined us on a significant portion (a very good, hard 50 miles along Hatcreek Rim, South of Burney, CA).

He got the whole PCT experience: A night at a "Trail Angel's" house in Old Station, a little time in a desertish type place, a grand finish at Burney Falls, and a trail name (even we never got one of those): "Brain Face".

Here we are in some caves near Old Station, CA.

Oh, We´re Halfway There! Oh, Living on a Prayer!

2006-10-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Take my hand and...sorry...

So here we are halfway to Canada somewhere a few miles South of Seiad Valley, California. Please excuse us if the title above caused the song to get stuck in your head.

Taking a Day Off To Go Camping

2006-08-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

That's right. We take days off of camping to go camping. You can join us too if you bring food and dote on the poor hikers. Great seeing you, Gishes and Creegers. Thanks for everything.

For a Special Couple...

2006-08-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Just thought you might want another picture of us--a few days older, a few days dirtier, a few days closer to Oregon.

Hey There, Chompers!

2006-08-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Our friend, Graham, who was walking ahead of us scared these two cubs and the mama (on the bottom--bad lighting, I know) up this here tree. The perfect bear sighting: seeing them without seeing your food go bye-bye.

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

2006-08-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

We had great time visiting with Jon's Uncle John and Aunt Wanda in South Lake Tahoe--steak dinner, great conversation and some good family stories.
Thank you so much, Uncle John and Aunt Wanda, for taking in dirty relatives on a last minute notice!

Calling Mr. Miyagi

2006-08-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Way up at the top of Sonora Pass there was a Samarai bamboo staff. Jon was glad because he was getting out of practice. He thinks maybe his estranged Sensei left it there for him. Mr. Miyagi, are you reading this?

...To Walk 1000 Miles...

2006-08-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

The thousand mile mark! Pretty sweet! Bonus photo included.

Benson Pass

2006-08-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

One of the last Sierra passes and one where there were other people to take our picture...so here you go(it works so much better than Jon reaching his arm out and taking pictures that generally feature his chin).

Dang Squiters!

2006-08-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Beautiful meadows abound in the Northern parts of Yosemite NP, but unfortunately you can barely see them for the mosquitoes. (It is our fault that we forgot to send ourselves our mosquito nets in our last box.) Inside the jacket you see is Jon's toiletry room, where he is brushing his teeth safely guarded from the squiters.

The Brain Gets Us Back on the Trail

2006-08-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Huge thanks to Steven Braney (and Che Guevera and Get Real Girl, the backpacking Barbie) for a ride back to the trail from San Fran to Tuolumne Meadows. The peak you see behind us on the right is the north face of Half Dome.

Another Day in the Life (a.k.a. "Stove")

2006-07-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

This picture was accidentally posted the other day (some of you got a sneak-peak). I was going to write something interesting or funny or both about it, but I think you've got it by now: This is...our stove (twig-, pine needle-, paper-, burning, made from a 40-oz. tomato can, boils 1/2 liter in 10-15 minutes--some of you were feeling the cliff-hanger of too little information).

Jonah's Bush

2006-07-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Walking along the straight desert road where we found the miracle water bottle, we also found just a few places of shade. And we realized why Jonah was so crazy about his little bush!

Hola, Civilization! (and why we haven't been updating this thing)

2006-07-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hello, all! After 6 weeks on the trail, we needed a week off (a sabbath week?). Plus there were some family vacations and brother Luke's baseball games we wanted to go see.
Somehow we got a ride from tiny Florence Lake to Concord and took BART to San Francisco. We ran from the station to get our first Mission Burrito in a long time (Jon was so excited he ordered in Espanol) and then to drop in unexpected at Sojourners (our church community where we've lived the past year). Then it was off to Ukiah and then off to camping (yes, camping) with the Otto family.
Today we are in San Francisco and Steven Braney is taking us to Tuolumne Meadows, about 80 miles north of where we left off (we'll have to do that section some other time).

More pictures are definitely to come, but perhaps (perhaps) not for another month. We re-hired Dan, but unfortuneately, due to some technical error and sketchiness in the United States Postal Service, we are unable to send any more memory cards in the mail (our first two got stolen en route... at least it happened after our pictures had already been transferred). We appreciate all your interest in our hike and patience with the blog. For those of you have anything negative to say about the lack of blog update, we'll be happy to meet you out on the trail and hand over our memory cards. More to come... (for those who are curious about our plans, we are hoping to make it to the California/Oregon border and then divine the Spirit's plan for us after that, although the Spirit has previously told us that he plans for us to go to IvaJo's cousin's wedding on Sep. 9 and then the Matt/Krista wedding the next weekend, so we're pretty sure Canada won't be happening by Sep. 9) Stay tuned!

Fields of Snow

2006-07-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

(Top) Behind IvaJo you can faintly see our prints as they stretch up back to Muir Pass. This has been our longest stretch of snow (about 8 miles). She's smiling now, but we weren't smiling several hours later down in the meadow when a hail storm pounded us and made the trail into an ice-water trench--all on the 4th of July!

(Bottom) A bonus picture. We promised mountain shots, and we want to deliver.

"The Serenity of a Clear Blue Mountain Lake"

2006-07-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is what you were talking about Uncle Bobo...the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake. It's glorious. Pretty good peanuts and chocolate, too.

Well, Hello, Mr. Marmot

2006-07-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

These guys are our best friends in the mountains. It seems they only live above tree line among the boulders and the grassy meadows. You should see them scamper up sheer faces of rock!
No, but really we love these guys. We're actually in the process of adopting a Marmot named Obadiah. Updates to follow.

"Vitney, Ve Varned You!"

2006-07-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

"Whitney, we warned you!" we yelled back at the peak in our best German accent after we had just conquered it (Why German? I don't know...we just watched The Life Aquatic...?) as we trotted down Mt. Whitney (the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,490ish ft., for those who need the geography lesson).
(Top Left) Someone happened to offer us their cell phone on the top of Whitney (very kind). IvaJo called her mom at work and when she told her we were on Whitney her mom called her a "dirty rotten liar." How dare she? Well, Mom, here's the proof. We love you.
(Top Right) This for all of 129 (and 129 extended) (Jon's college friends) (I'm not flipping anyone one off--that's supposed to be a '9').
(Bottom) One for Captain Xtreme! (IvaJo's brother, Josh)

After the Highest Point on the PCT

2006-07-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

We crossed Forrester Pass (the highest point on the PCT at 13,000 ft +) on this day, our first exposure to walking in Sierra snow. Quite fun, since others had already blazed a trail for us. We were overwhelmed with the jagged, white peaks stretching in all directions, and with feeling like an ant engulfed in an amphitheater of majesty. It was at this point that we realized that we can't capture this place on film. It feels like every five minutes we want to take another picture.

First Day in the Sierra Nevadas

2006-07-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

We love grass! We love snow! We love water! Fa la la la la!

Kennedy Meadows

2006-07-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

This place is hyper-sweet! When we made it to Kennedy Meadows, we made it to the the beginning of the Sierras. And you know what that means? The END OF THE DESERT! From here on there is plenty of water and no more of that prickly-pear cactus.
This picture is of the only store in Kennedy Meadows, a town of about 60 full-time residents with no electricity. They've only had phones for the past couple of years. But when you're here you see why. They hardly need contact with the outside world! They've got their own little world. They've got Saturday night movies in an amphitheater under the stars, Double Cheesburgers every afternoon, potlucks on Sundays (which we hikers were invited to join), all the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream you could want (IvaJo and I had three half-pints over our two-day stay), and conversations on the porch into the night with well-hydrated(?) locals (quite the picture of back-country American life).

Caballos Espanolos 101

2006-07-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

The guidebook tells us that these wild horses are the descendants of the Spanish horses of the Conquistadores, which we thought was pretty amazing. We've made a further theory which Jon plans on publishing. You see, these descend from the horses of none other than Don Quixote...(see the windmills?). But then even this theory is not without it's holes. I tried my Spanish with them and one of them responded with something that sounded a lot like "You killed my father. Prepare to die!" Inigo Montoya? I don't know. Again, maybe they were threating the windmills. Back to the Quixote Theory.
But seriously, try walking by such a windfarm and you can't get close to walking a straight line...kinda fun...kinda frustrating.
(This picture is a little better when enlarged.)

St. IvaJo of Aquafina

2006-07-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

I think someday they'll turn this picture into a stained-glass window. This is St. IvaJo. Actually, IvaJo's being a saint has nothing to do with it (however wonderful of a hiking partner she's been!). This beautiful, unopened (~105 degrees F) Aquafina bottle fell out of the sky and landed right in our path as we zombie-walked a straight 15-mile stretch of desert road through the Mojave Desert. Well, we didn't actually see it fall, but we still consider it at least on the near-miracle level, since we only had half a liter to get us to the next water five miles away (that's not comfortable, in case you're wondering). Below is a shot of St. Jo on the said desert road.

F-I-R-E-D!

2006-06-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, due to constant harassment regarding our spelling and grammar, we were forced to fire our volunteer editor. What Dan doesn't understand is that after being in the nasty, calf-scratching, dry, tortous chaparral all day, maybe we didn't want to give it the honor of spelling it correctly. Bet he never thought of that. However, even more unfortunately, Dan was too busy chasing down young campers to be able to get a hold of him to give him the news. Please inform him next time you see him. Actually, we are incredibly grateful for all the work Dan has done on our blog. But since we had Internet we figured we'd give him a few days off and do this update ourselves.

We Made it to Hiker Heaven!

2006-06-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

This place is awesome! A half gallon of ice cream every night, a bed, showers, internet and phone.... What more could you ask for?!
Thank you Jeff and Donna Saufley!

To our fellow hikers who have been here severaldays,a week or more, may you escape the vortex somehow. We're off.

Shadows of Our Former Selves

2006-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

After a long day of hiking, Jon thought this was so artistic that he had to take several shots. We think it might become the new Pacific Crest Trail logo.

"Dear God, please send Jon and IvaJo cookies and keep them safe."

2006-06-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

These guys are praying on the trail every morning and evening--just a reminder for all of us to be praying. Actually besides praying, I think they're the beetles that drink the water as it drips from their rear to their mouth (I like our gravity filter much better--I don't want to drink anything that touches my dirty shorts.)

"The man just did a Peter Pan right here!"

2006-06-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

"I didn't kill my wife!"

2006-06-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Dr. Kimball? Dr. Richard Kimball!"

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

2006-06-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

We camped just a mile and a half outside of this McDonald's on Interstate 15. And as soon as there was any evidence of day light (5 a.m.) we made the glorious journey. Happily, we found that we hadn't grown a third arm from the radiation of the humming power lines we slept beneath. And since that didn't hurt us, we figured that neither would McDonald's. Three trays of breakfast later (and one 32 oz. chocolate milk for Jon), we began our ascent of the San Gabriels (a Black Cherry Vanilla Coke safely in stow for Jon Boy for when the chocolate milk had worn off).

Stubborn Little Snake

2006-06-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

After taking a swim, we headed up the trail with our new friend, Ben. IvaJo spotted this huge rattle snake about 15 feet ahead of us in the middle of the trail. So we invited it to find another place to sunbathe. The invitations were home-made rocks and we gave him several--all landing a couple of inches from him. He didn't accept. So our friend, Ben, took his treking poles, tied them together, and eventually was able to scoot the lazy thing off the trail. Thanks, Ben.

The Water Hole

2006-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just a quick afternoon swim in the middle of the desert...

A Day in the Life

2006-06-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Just a quick look at one of the daily chores. Maybe you'll see more of these if they get good reviews. Here we are by the river rejuvenating and purifying our water with the gravity filter IvaJo made. She didn't make gravity, just the filter.

We Made It Out of Big Bear! Here We Come, Hiker Heaven!

2006-06-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Here's Big Bear Lake. This place restored us, although it also shocked our systems with too much HBO in the Motel 6. We're pressing on to Agua Dulce where the a family called the Saufley's have set up what is called Hiker Heaven. It must be great and we think about it with each step we take.

Update! The last?

2006-06-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Thanks for caring about us. It's been two weeks for us on the trail and it feels like a lot has changed since day one. First of all, we started out gung-ho for the Canadian border, planning to do around 30 miles a day. Fine, go ahead and laugh, now it seems like a silly idea to us as well. Obviously that didn't last long so we've modified our plans a bit and now we just take each day as it comes.

We agreed that we wouldn't quit until at least Big Bear, and now we're there. We've decided to try and go another week and then decide again. So all that to say, we're enjoying it but it's a lot harder than we expected. So please keep praying for us and don't be shocked if you hear our voices before the next update. Thanks for being such great friends and families and not disowning us if we don't make it to Canada. We love you!

And now some highlights from the past week or so:

After a long morning of dragging through the desert, we come by a water cache at a vacation home in the middle of nowhere. IvaJo is pointing at it here.

What was so wonderful about this place is that we arrived to get water just when the owners -- Mike, Cheryl, and their daughter Alex -- were leaving. And besides giving us much-longed-for human contact, they offered us watermelon, amazing turkey sandwiches, cookies, apples and bananas and (as you see here) very comfy chairs. What a boost!

These are some of our favorite desert wildlife: the horned lizard. They look like they're wearing samurai armor.

After seemingly endless days in the desert we pass over Palm to Pines Highway and we enter some alpine country. The desert will make you a tree hugger.

That's Palm Spring just below IvaJo up here in the San Jacinto Mountains. We were wishing that IvaJo's grandparents still lived there. We would have been down on the aerial tramway in a flash and at their house for a little R & R and water aerobics.

Worst decision on the trail so far: we hiked off trail the night before down a very steep and rocky trail to our campsite and water. Wanting to avoid taking that treacherous path up, we decided to take a "not recommended" trail that would actually cut a few miles off the PCT. It was not recommended because it wasn't a trail at all. It had burned away in the '80s. OK. Long story short: at the crest of the mountain we had to crunch and scrape our way through a quarter-mile of thick manzanita. Here's Jon: Captain Chaparral. [It appears the proper spelling of Chaparral will be my ongoing contribution to this log. Nice to be of use. - ed.]

Best decision so far: a rest day in the beautiful mountain town of Idyllwild. We get to sleep in a bed and do our laundry.

Back on the trail and refreshed, here we are at the Tahquitz River.

"Hey, want to see my art? Do you know where my friends are?" (If you're not a Sojourner, don't worry about this one.)

We're down in the desert again at I-10 (San Gorgiono Pass). These are the San Jacinto Mountains we just conquered.

We're in the desert and we can't remember our names or what our feet are supposed to look like. Ouch!

[I was sent instructions for this photo which are kind of self-fulfilling: "The following pictures are of my bare foot and you can't see them, but I have dozens of little pricklies in my foot from the cactus foot shot. Make sure and do some photo editing on this one and make it worth the pain I went through for the folks back home." I'm not sure photo editing could say it better than that.]

A sleeping rattler. He slithered away a moment later and we're off to Big Bear! New shoes! Lots of food that we don't have to carry! Talk to you soon.

[I got an authentic dried strawberry along with the memory card and their notes. Just wanted to gloat. -ed.]

Update! Yeah!

2006-06-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

I'm just the messenger. Today I found an envelope in my box [see re-enactment above] containing one (1) digital camera memory card, two (2) heavily weathered sheets of paper about the size of a travel notepad, and (1) pink Starburst. I was going to post a photograph of the Starburst (truly, a deeply felt token given their situation) but it was a pink Starburst and I was already trying to figure out what I'd be making for dinner.

When the Pederstrians enlisted me to maintain their little home on the web I thought that they'd be supplying the photographs and that I'd be bringing the funny. Turns out they'll bring their own funny. I am merely a transcriptionist. Enjoy the photos and if you feel like commenting I'll make sure your words find their way back to Calamity Jane and Grizzly Adams there.

Day 1 - March 23 - Campo to Boulder Oaks Campground

Off to a good start. Paul dropped us off at the border and we made a solid 26 miles through chaparral-covered hills, in and out of ravines. The packs are lighter than our training packs and rehydrated soy milk is disgusting. No more of that stuff. [speaking of "chaparral", it seems my job description also includes spellchecking the harder words for IvaJo. I did not sign up for this. - ed.]

Day 2 - March 24 - Boulder Oaks Campground to Sunrise Highway

The menacing desert lies in front of us. The worst part about this section of trail is that it is just about the least direct path possible -- a very rocky, squiggly trail.

Day 3 - March 25 - Sunrise Highway to Scissor Crossing

Today we had to pack 12 liters of water for a dry 30-mile stretch. Heavy! When we were within about a mile of our campsite we passed by [some] rattlesnakes. These guys want nothing to do with us and they give you good warning if you pay attention.

Day 4 - March 26

Jon's artistic photo of the day: "Desert Flowers." This has been our hardest day. We've been trying to crank out 25-30 mile days and our bodies are paying the price [with] sore knees and foot blisters. But this has thankfully led to some good praying and some good re-evaluating. New plan: we're not going to kill ourselves and Canada is no longer on our minds -- we might still make it but we're going to make it our priority to enjoy the hiking that we do [the full hike vs. health & sanity -- place your vote in the comments - ed.].

Day 5 - March 27

We've washed and we think we actually smell pretty good so we're going to make the bold move and step back into civilization for a day. They didn't chase us out of the restaurant for our smell, but they might have if we kept eating. We had huge breakfasts in Warner Springs, our first check point. Yum! [it's been a while since I've been around IvaJo for any extended period of time. does she really say "yum!" in conversation? - ed.]

We're taking the day off here in Warner Springs to re-coup and write to you folks. Keep praying for us, please. - Jon and IvaJo.

[miscellaneous stuff follows - ed.]

"Eagle Rock"

Our First Box

Warner Springs

IvaJo's Modified Shoes

Get Ready...Get Set...Go! And they're off!

2006-05-23T11:33:00.001-07:00

This morning Jon and Iva Jo started on their journey. Paul, Jon's roommate from college, drove them down to the trailhead located at the Mexican-American border. Yes, on the other side of that wall is Mexico! Jon and Iva Joe were determined not to cheat an inch off the trail.

At the border is the Pacific Coast Trail Monument marking the beginning of the trail. Jon and Iva Joe registered their names on the hiking register found on the back of the monument, forever adding their mark to the history of the trail.

7:30 AM - May 23, 2006 - Started hiking.
2,627 miles to go!
Godspeed their journey.

Thanks, Sojourners!

2006-05-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

One more thank you; thanks to our wonderful family at Church of the Sojourners. Although we don't have a picture of all of them, we feel like this picture of Alexina Lockie nicely encompasses all that Sojourners represents. We'll leave that for you, and them, to figure out. They were incredibly supportive of our ideas and of us in general. And yo, Potrero house, thanks for putting up with the smell of spaghetti sauce dehydrating, in the morning, in the night, the next morning... all day long, all day strong.

Thanks Ped's and Otto's!

2006-05-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

We'd like to say a special thanks to our families who have been incredibly gracious to us over these past two weeks as we have made the final preparations to begin the hike... doing errands for us, making us meals, helping out here, there, and everywhere. I would like to give an especially especial thanks to her mothership Robin E. Otto who not only refrained from commenting as she watched us systematically demolish the house, taking over not one, not two, but three bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, and a fair chunk of the garage with hiking paraphernalia, food stuffs, and boxes, boxes, and more boxes.

Thanks to N.T. Wright and Pablo!

2006-05-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Good ol' Nicholas Thomas Wright, Bishop of Durham and Jon's favorite theologian, visited San Francisco last Sunday. IvaJo's dad, Paul, got to go see him...and he brought back a little inspiration for the hike:
Read it and weep, a signed copy of his new book:
"For Jon and IvaJo, have a great hike! --Tom Wright May '06
Thanks Rev. Wright and thanks Pablo!

Dan, the Man, Your Host on the Trek

2006-05-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

So we're going to give this blog thing a try. Our good friend, Dan Meyer (Guiness World Record Holder...no kidding--that's where this picture came from:http://www.paperclipchallenge.com/index.htm) has offered to host the blog. He will post our pictures that we send to him (Mountains, mountains...oh, is that a mountain?) and publish the interesting parts of our journals--the parts that sound like John Muir (editing out things like "My back hurt today. Oh, is that a mountain I see?").

And Dan has promised to make this site interesting to all you good folks. And funny. He said it will be funny always. Thanks, Dan.

Our Sherpa

2006-05-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

We've been over our heads in preparing food boxes for our 15 check points along the trail. We leave Ukiah on Sunday and we're on the trail on Tuesday. We've started to have second thoughts about the whole thing...and then we thought of it: this will be a breeze if we just had a sherpa.

Here she is... and you thought we were going to carry those heavy packs by ourselves!

Beautiful Walk, Beautiful City

2006-03-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

Many training walks in the city, discovering many new walk ways and views in the hills.

Rain? Pa Sha!

2006-03-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

We don't let a little rain stop us...

Ray Way

2006-03-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

IvaJo is busily stitching our backpacks, tarps, and sleeping quilt, the "ray-way".