Post Hike Pics

These are the first photos we've seen of Pete after the hike.  He and Mary are traveling for a while.  He's looking great and very happy!

Pete Finished the Trail!

Pete finished the Colorado Trail on Sat July 21st, 2012, about noon.  He has been taking the last 130 miles slowly so Mary could get to the end of the trail to meet him.  He was about 30 miles out of Durango on his last night and had a bad night.  The area where he slept is one that is popular and used more often.  He awoke in the wee hours to mice chewing on his gear.  These mice were intrepid and not frightened by his shooing gestures.  At about 3 am he put on his headlamp and started hiking the last 30 miles.  He had also run out of food and was quite hungry.  Mary came in later that night.  He is decompressing in Durango for a few days and will pick up his through-box on Monday.

He hiked the 500 or so miles in less than 30 days even with intentionally slowing down in the last week.  We can't wait to talk with him at length and see his photos!

I'm going to miss getting an email every day from him showing his location on a Google Map.  I'm sure there is a lot about the hike that he is going to miss as he adjusts to life off the trail.  Now he will focus some of his energy on looking for a job.  He hopes to relocate to Portland OR or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Emily's Bridal Shower...mostly people

These are some of the people shots from Emily's bridal shower last weekend.

Paula, Emily, and Jan (Emily's mother)



Emily and hostess Cecelia

Playing "True or False"

Cecelia and Emily...two gorgeous ladies, both inside and out!

Emily with "Mormor"

Emily and my sister, Gayle

Mom, Emily's Mom, Emily, Me, and my sister Gayle

Lauren and Emily

Emily's Bridal Shower...mostly decorations

Emily's friend and wedding attendant hosted a bridal shower for her last weekend.  The decorations and food were done with meticulous detail.  For the record my mode of operation is to buy pretty napkins and maybe flowers for the table.  I really enjoyed seeing the creativity and care that went into the planning and preparation.

Sign on door

Hostess Cecelia with a little gift from me.

Party rye with goat cheese, apple slices, and pistachios.

Beautiful beverages and food.

Games

Emily cuts the cake.

Card I picked out for Emily.  She designed it!

Hike Half Way Update

On July 10th Peter had been hiking for two weeks and had gone 250 miles.  He has now done 300 miles.  We received an email from his while he was waiting for the post office to open in Salida CO.  He had found a coffee shop with a computer.  It was great to hear from him again and know that the trip is all he had expected and more.  He is averaging well over the 20 mile goal, probably closer to 25 miles per day.

Pete asked me to send the box destined for Silverton on to Lake City, eliminating the Silverton resupply completely. Maybe he has figured out that it is ok to carry more weight for a few days than take more time off the trail.  All the resupply boxes have been sent.  I almost had to buy new postage for all of them because Pete and Bob had put tape over the stamps.  That is a postal service no-no.  Our good clerk, Murl, ( as opposed to Crabby Clerk who shall remain nameless) hand canceled the boxes and sent them through.  It seems Pete has been getting them along the way but that is a note for the future: no tape on stamps!

This morning his email showed that he had slept by Baldy Lake.  He was up and moving a little after 5 AM according the the time on the post for the day.