Noelle here:
I guess technically it’s the last full day in Washington, as Steve will have about ten miles left tomorrow to get to the monument and 8.5 to get to the van.
There’s been a ton of trail magic for the hikers in Washington but I think everyone is still ready to wrap it up. The rain in the last two weeks is hard on bodies.
It’s hard on me and I can choose to stay in the van if I want. I’m tired of being cold all day. Tired of long separations from Steve. Just tired at this point.
One night recently I was awakened at 2:45 to some yahoo doing cookies in the parking lot. I was still at Stevens Pass where the lot is huge. The guy drove around spinning cookies, in what looked like his mom’s car for almost forty-five minutes. Coming dangerously close to the van a couple times and even closer to a huge light pole which I was positive would fall on me should he hit it. Finally, he peed for about five straight minutes and then politely used his turn signal to exit the parking lot.
My adrenaline was too high to sleep again for several hours. Then the next night I was awake every hour in anticipation of being awakened by another fool doing cookies.
Beauty of the North Cascades
Finally I saw Steve for an afternoon and night. He took a Nero at the van. I can’t even tell you how good it was to see him. I’m at Rainy Pass now. We’d hoped to meet back up at Hart’s Pass (what’s with all the passes in WA?) but I heard the road was sliding from last weekend’s storm. Some Guthook comments had me scared to drive on it anyway.
“The drive down from here, at least in a Vanagon, will age you ten years.”
“Got an easy hitch from here, although the drive down was harrowing.”
Combined with Mad Baker saying he won’t drive his truck up there anymore because last year the shale literally cut his tire.
Waterfall
I was getting more nervous about driving up there so I wasn’t too sad to read about the washout. Is that selfish? I like to think I’m being wise. š¤£š¤£š¤£
Water hoping
Fun Buns and Raven passed by at Stevens Pass. So good to see them one more time. They were surely missing their buddy, Skyline, and it was crazy to see the two of them without him. But I’m glad he made a wise choice for his knee so that he can come back out and hike again without permanent damage.
Rock cairn
I also got to see Shady again! She caught up to me so i hung out with her for part of a morning then hiked with her in the afternoon. So fun and great for my spirits!
Rainy Pass
And I saw the German girls! They were right behind Steve in getting to Rainy Pass. We’ll give them a ride from Manning Park if they’re close enough to Steve. Cheeks & Trouble are also hoping for a ride. I think we’ll have a full van tomorrow if it all works out.
I’m trying to just think about today and stay present in it. The hike here at Rainy Pass is beautiful but I’m getting so excited about hiking to the monument tomorrow and seeing Steve get there!
What a crazy wild adventure. From excited highs to really low lows and then right back up again.
Such a great hike
Like many others here who have posted in the comments I will miss the daily postings. You have inspired and enriched our lives, okay at least my life, through your tales of the trail. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Red Teacup
Oh Red! We only wish we could have hiked with you more! Take good care this school year!
What an amazing journey. You two are on my hero listā¤ļø Reading your daily post has brought me such joy and pleasure for this armchair traveler. The photos have been amazing! Thank you. You and Steve have been an inspiration as I think about our marriage relationship. So beautiful ā¤ļø I will miss reading your daily post.
Oops I did it again. Love from Liz FresnoRetro
Thanks Liz! Weāre so glad that youāve followed us. Your armchair cheerleading has been a huge boost to us both. Weāve felt all kinds of emotions through out this journey but weāve always felt loved and cared for when we read your comments!
Cookies? Iāve always heard them called doughnuts. Ending Washington is a huge milestone. I keep looking at the mileage Steve has made nearly 2000 miles. Omg thatās incredible. What an accomplishment. I really hope you both head to California and he gets to finish this year. I think two things: that reaching the 6 mo mark makes it that much harder mentally. Now that the physical is easier and the eagerness has waned that it takes a mental toll to keep trudging forward, but that is very much life. And I think changing your environment, scenery, whatnot will make an improvement in your moods, just like how the desert was so hard at end after days upon days of heat, sweating, and carrying and worrying about water. But then when you left the desert it was so much better. Even with all the complaints and loneliness it still seems like so much fun. Take it all in.
Itās so mental now, also physical as Washingtonās elevation has been insane! Steve has been so inspiring to me in many ways. He just keeps going no matter how hard, with the beauty as part of the pay off. Our plan is California, itās been our plan all along, hopefully life cooperates. š
So exciting for you both! Iām going to miss reading these each morning!
Thank you so much! Itās incredibly exciting for us too!