Noelle here:

We’re hoping to head back to California tomorrow. It’s now been two weeks since the Washington border.

Views from Dad’s hospital room

My dad has three fresh stents in his heart’s arteries. It was the best outcome we could have hoped for given the Parkinson’s and the severity of plaque buildup. He should get to go back home tomorrow. In the meantime, at least he has great views from his hospital room!

The transition for Steve’s parents to assisted living is moving forward. The irony isn’t lost on either of us that we began this hike with my dad moving into assisted living and we’ll end it with his parents moving in.

We’ve planned this adventure for a few years now, but our timing was based on the status of our children. Our youngest daughter got married last summer and that was our last “planned kid expense”. We still have one unmarried son, but we believe that when he marries it will likely be on a river’s edge and the reception will center around fishing. Now THAT would be one hell of a wedding in my mind!

Anyway we didn’t factor parents’ needs into our adventure equation when obviously they should have been higher on our radar. I’m frankly pleased by how long we got to be on trail without illness or unrest. Oh parents! 😂

(Hi Bill! ❤️)

We’re definitely planning to head back to the trail, but each day we see more snow reports. Snoqualmie Pass to the Canadian border now has several inches of snow. Steve made it through just in time!

Hikers in California are reporting lots of cold weather and snow. We need to get back before the window closes.

Movie night!

Being home does have some benefits though, as our oldest daughter invited us to see a scary movie with her and one grandson. Me and Trish went and there were sure some jumps and scares! What a fun evening.

Stocking up again

Yesterday we did a little resupply. Steve got a warmer rain jacket and some new socks. We stopped by Trader Joe’s. They have the best hiker resupplies! We’re stocked up on packets of coconut oil and tiny raviolis and tortellinis.

Cleaning at Dad’s

This morning Steve finished steam cleaning the carpet and furniture in Dad’s apartment. He did half yesterday, we figured what better time to do it. This afternoon we’ll put all his furniture back in place before he gets released from hospital tomorrow. Dad will be in great hands again.

Bill and Estelle with Steve’s brother

Steve’s brother is taking a turn at the reins for assisting their parents, so they’re also in great hands.

With any luck…tomorrow…we’re coming for you, California!

PCT map