My daughter’s epic summer journey on the PCT ended on September 9th. She hiked from the Columbia River, at the Bridge of the Gods, to Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia. It was done in sections, two alone, one with her husband, and one with her dad.
At the Columbia River, Oregon/Washington Border
Canada Border 507 miles
I dropped her and her Dad off at Stevens Pass on August 26th.
They saw 9 bears between there and the next time I resupplied them at Rainy Pass. The first sighting was a cub climbing a tree only a few feet off the trail. They eventually saw momma bear, too -watching them closely from the bushes. The other sightings were further away, and caused less adrenaline.
Bear’s backside
She has a video of a momma and 2 cubs descending a steep hillside across the river, but I couldn’t figure a way to upload it here…(suggestions welcome)
Even the trail improvements look challenging!
The trail is well defined -whether in rock or grass.
Deer
Marmot
Father/Daughter trip of a lifetime!
Trail terminus in Manning Provincial Park, BC
They both had a hard time adjusting back to the hustle and bustle of daily life. So much noise and rushing around…
Michelle landed a new job fresh off the trail, and is starting yet another chapter in her life. Her hubby’s 5 days on the trail left him wanting more, and they have long-term goals of hiking California and Oregon now, too. My husband was grateful to experience a portion of this with our daughter, and said he would also like to do more some day.
This was something on both of their Bucket Lists, so 2014 was a monumental year for them both.
How about you? What’s on your Bucket List?
Oct 22, 2014 @ 13:48:45
What a great experience for you daughter, husband, and son-in-law! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pic’s!
LikeLike
Oct 22, 2014 @ 14:59:15
You’re welcome…it was an amazing event for them.
LikeLike
Oct 08, 2014 @ 17:49:32
What a fantastic experience for your daughter, her husband, and her father. My husband and I just crossed off “walking Hadrian’s Wall” from the list. 🙂 That was amazing and left us wanting to do more walking tours. There’s no better way to see a country!
LikeLike
Oct 10, 2014 @ 06:35:26
I had never heard of Hadrian’s Wall before, so had to look it up. There are so many amazing places on Earth, It’s mind boggling! That’s so neat you and hubby completed it together -what an adventure!
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 19:52:51
What fun to see these pictures! It brought be back to my Norway trip last year, which I so yearn to follow up in some fashion or another.
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 20:14:56
Those pics you shared of Norway were spectacular, Allen. I can imagine you would love to go back. Glad you enjoyed these, too.
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 17:15:15
I just finished reading “Wild” and was pleased to recognize some of the scenic spots you mention. I love the outdoors, love hiking, love wildlife. Maybe one day I could do something like that. Guess I’ll have to add it to my bucket list!
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 20:14:06
I still need to read that book, Kate. That’s neat you recognized some locations between the book & the photos I shared…so cool! You can do it!!! At least a portion, if nothing else. Lots of people do section hiking. (My daughter had wolves howling all night when she camped near Mt Rainier -you would have loved that!)
LikeLike
Oct 07, 2014 @ 05:26:34
Wolves howling? Sold. 🙂
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 06:03:06
Wow, what a trip. Love the photos. Your daughter is a beauty. (The muffin doesn’t fall far from the over. Do I need to translate, lol?) And this speaks volumes to your love for your girl. Makes me happy to see this post. ❤
LikeLike
Oct 06, 2014 @ 20:12:37
Hi Paulette! She is beautiful, isn’t she? (I am a little biased, I’ll admit!) 😉
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:43:19
What a wonderful adventure – great memories and great photos!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:53:29
Thanks, Clay…amazing memories!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:09:25
Lovely pictures! So happy for you! Stay blessed.
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:53:12
😉
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 18:16:52
Thank you for sharing their journey with us, Denise. Amazing!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:52:56
Thanks, Elizabeth!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 15:31:06
I’m sooooo glad to hear that they are back–happy and healthy. What an accomplishment and stories to tell for years to come. To be honest, bears really scare me! I’m not scared of very much, but bears have kept me from running from some of my favorite mountain trails. Maybe someday, I’ll try it again.
Thank you so much for sharing this part of your daughter’s life with us…I thought about her quite frequently and sent her vibes of warm socks and sunshine 🙂
Michelle
(PS: have you posted the video to YouTube? I’ve found that to be the easiest way to share…just a thought)
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:52:39
Thanks, Michelle! I told my Michelle that you had been asking about her and sending good wishes! I will try the video soon… thanks for the suggestion!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 11:34:04
I am in awe of the stamina it takes to do something like that!
LikeLike
Oct 08, 2014 @ 17:14:35
Me too, Ruth! She said it felt like she didn’t make much progress but when she looked back where she’d been and the huge mountains were tiny she realized how much all those steps added up. A real picture for so many things in life!
LikeLike
Oct 08, 2014 @ 19:51:44
Yes! You raised quite a wonderful person there. 😀
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 09:51:43
I think trips like that have so many more satisfactions than knocking one off the bucket list which is why that old bucket list is so important! I’m happy for them and for you. A lifetime item on mine is to visit Italy–a totally self-indulgent and in the end expendable item, (even on the bucket list there is priority) but that can be worthwhile, too, so in this long rambling sentence I’m leaving Tuesday for Italy. And not feeling self-indulgent. Feeling happy.
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 11:09:01
Woo Hoo!!! Good for you! That is so wonderful! I can’t wait to read about your adventures there. Please share!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 09:40:05
WOW! how impressive! Beautiful too~
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 11:08:27
Thanks, Cindy! I know photos speak your language! 😉
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 08:20:23
Wonderful adventures for your family. I’m happy for them and totally relate to wanting to do more. In my 30’s I spent many months hiking and camping around the US national parks. Hopefully one day alone with overseas travel. Thanks Denise. I had a close encounter with bears too! 🙂
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 08:40:26
Hey Brad! I hope you get to continue your adventures overseas. My husband and I have talked about doing the Camino trail in Spain. We’ll see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 05, 2014 @ 10:06:48
Sounds wonderful Denise. The movie inspired me about the Camino too. 🙂
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 08:04:35
Congrats to everyone for doing this hike. The only way I know to get a video up on here is to upload to youtube.com and then embed it into your post. Hope that helps.
Diana xo
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 08:39:24
Thanks for the suggestion, Diana! I’ll try that soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:29:14
What an epic adventure! All the more to share it with a loved one.
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:30:47
Thanks Karen! Yes, they have so many stories…and ‘insider’ jokes they’ll have for a lifetime!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:23:35
What an amazing hike. That marmot is an interesting looking animal!
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:27:19
Yes! Isn’t he scary looking? They are pretty large, like a beaver or bigger I think.
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:22:42
What a beautiful lifetime memory for them to share ~ you are a great mom/wife. xo
LikeLike
Oct 05, 2014 @ 07:26:50
Awww…thanks! I am so proud of them!
LikeLiked by 1 person