Early Fall in Oregon

Wow its the beginning of September already, and fall is rolling in. I have officially been in Portland, Oregon now for 2months and 5days. What an amazing city to call my new home, but I've spent the majority of my time here exploring the Dormant Volcanoes of the Cascade Range or Spinning my way to the Coast in search for salt water. August 15Th I embarked with three other people, to complete the famous Timberline Trail. 41 miles of unbelievably gorgeous but extreme terrain. Passing in and out of alpine meadows on our way around the mountain. Wildflowers in peak bloom and the bugs, slowly making me loose my mind. I opted not to bring shelter this trip as my steady checks with the weather called for warm sunny days and pleasant nights in the upper 40s. One thing that did not go through my head was the high activity of gnats, flies, mosquito's, etc. flying around my head as I lay there our first night under the stars at the base of bald mountain. Thanks to our fifteen sticks of Nag Champa and the coolness of the night settling in, the bugs did die down and I managed to sleep soundly next to three other tents, exposed to the night. The following day I awoke to blue skies and a sore body, as we tramped our way further into the Mt.Hood Wilderness, and towards the infamous Elliot glacier washout. Officially the trail is closed at Elliot Glacier due to a major slide that washed out the entire canyon, but we manage to form a plan to the top of the ridge and slide down the glacier and bushwhack our way through the canyon. The endeavour took over two hours to safely traverse the canyon filled with rapidly melting snow and loose rock, "Dangerous". We make to the other side of the canyon and quickly decide to call it a day, making camp under the stars that evening, sunsetting over the distant sister mountains of Rainier, St.Helen's, and Jefferson miles away. Day Three completed our loop around the mountain hiking through exposed glaciers and alpine meadows as we made it back to the Timberline Lodge and Bar Bound for some burgers, just as a thunderstorm was in the works over the horizon. More updates of the Oregon Coastal Bike Tour to come stay tuned.

Cabin Close to Mt. Hood

Wow the last two weeks have been incredibly busy. From the weekend catering during the 4Th to Sunday's wedding consisting of 200 people in one of Portland's many gorgeous rhododendron gardens, Portland's White House been slammed. Well with four days off it is now time to explore Oregon's beautiful wilderness. After an evening ride up Lola Pass in the Mt. Hood National Forest, I'm gettting ready to check out for the night at the Cabin on the Sandy River. Over the next few days I plan to Kayak, Mtn. Bike, and Hike throughout the Mt.Hood Wilderness, and enjoy this extremely beautiful place.

To recap on the rest of my hike throughout Yosemite's National Park a few weeks ago, I quickly fell asleep after an evening walk through the valley upon arriving to my camp spot for the night. The following day I began my hike up Half Dome, Summiting this Jaw Dropping Granite Dome around noon. One of the most unforgettable hikes I have ever gone on. The Ascent is incredible, at times you are angled it seems at 90 degrees, grasped to cables laid to guide hikers up the rock face. The views from the top are incredible of the valley below, This years unusually abundant snow has left the valley's several famous waterfalls spewing millions of gallons of water at incredible rates, all for the eyes to behold from the summit. If the hike up wasn't scary enough, after an afternoon nap on the west side of the dome face, I began my Descent down this challenging mountain, which I accomplished very slowly. Well Yosemite is an Amazing place and two days is hardly enough time as I departed that Saturday afternoon. I knew though I would be back. Back to Yosemite's high sierra, and John Muir's beloved mountains next year as I attempt to Complete the Pacific Crest Trail, 2600 miles of deserts, heat, glaciers, and snow from Mexico to Canada, and going through the heart of Yosemite National Park. As I left the Sierra's and Central California I headed even further west to another mile stone the incredible city of San Fransisco and the great Pacific Ocean. Updates on this weeks adventure and the rest of my road trip to Portland through San Fransisco, Redwoods National Park, and Nights of the Oregonian Coast to come.

From Portland's White House B&B, Oregon

Wow I have arrived! Total millage over 4000 miles and time taken just over two weeks. Lets get started though from Las Vegas, NV to Portland,Oregon. I left Las Vegas around midnight on the 23rd I believe, midnight I know, who does that. I just couldn't sleep and the excitement of Yosemite National Park was overwhelming. It's about a 7 hour drive from Vegas to Yosemite, Around 3 a.m I got off the highway and headed for Death Valley National Monument, looking for a place to sleep. After hitting 3 Jack Rabbits with my truck I made it down and out of the valley going from sea level at the base of death valley back up several thousand feet to a camp spot where I quickly fell asleep on a picnic table until daylight. Several hours later I was surrounded by rolling hills as I neared the famous Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. About an hour of driving and I was there in the heart of the Sierra's,snow lined peaks parallel to the two lane road upon which I was traveling. I climbed, and climbed, and climbed to almost 10,000 ft. to Tioga Pass the eastern entrance of Yosemite. Snow covered the mountains, snow covered the road sides, snow covered a'lot of things and it was cold. Earlier I was sleeping on a pick-nick table in Death Valley's unbearable heat, and now I'm freezing as I approach the Wilderness Office, for my back country permit, in John Muir's beloved Yosemite National Park. After Acquiring my back country permit and my permit to summit half dome, I begin my hike and climb, about 2000 feet elevation gain in 5 miles to little Yosemite valley campsite. Journey from day 2 onward to come.

Las Vegas, NV

After leaving Phoenix, Arizona I headed north to Sedona, Arizona and Red Rocks Country. I stopped into the Forest Service office got a daily permit and headed out for Cathedral Rock. Red Rocks country was unbelievable, massive rocks jutted up from the flats of the desert below. Onward from Sedona, AZ I traveled up 89 north to Flagstaff, Arizona, where forest fires are ravaging the area. If you pray, pray for rain out west, if you hope, hope it rains out west, if you wish, PLEASE wish for rain out west. Passing through Flagstaff the smoke from the forest fires was several thousand feet higher than 12,000 ft. San Fransisco Peak, which still had snow on it. After running by the bank for a bank statement, "Shakes Head", I head north up 64 to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Mathers Point was my destination to get a quick glimpse and pictures of the canyon before dark. I don't how to explain it, you see the canyon, and it feels like the first day of school your a small child, in this massive, massive existence, so tiny up against something so "Grand" and millions of years old. I sat next to the rim for about an hour, well into the night. I'm completely worn out at this point, from hiking the red rocks to the almost 8 hour drive I'm ready for sleep. I ended up not being able to camp inside the park, because Tourist Joy, Jim, Sue, and Lu, make reservations twenty years in advance to sleep in there RVs at the campground, O well. I drive outside the park, pull off down a forest service road, walk into the woods about a quarter of a mile, and throw up my tent, jump in and fall asleep to the howl of coyotes near by. The following morning I awake around 6 o'clock grab my things and head back to the truck, bound for the back country rangers office, in hopes of getting a permit to spend the night in the Canyon. I don't think I have ever been this excited when Dean a back country ranger told me I could hike to the bottom of the canyon and spend the night, except for the one time when I walked the Appalachian Trail that was pretty exciting. So around 9 o'clock I head out from the Rim into the canyon with little more than my sleeping pad, camera, and some snacks. At Five miles into the journey you come to Indian Gardens, an oasis amidst barren canyon and 110 plus degree temperatures. In the Gardens there is a running creek, and 500 year old Cottonwoods. I break there for sometime before heading out for the Colorado River, by this time it's close to 120 degrees in the sun, but for the last five miles I am for the most part completely alone. I make it down to the River, where signs are posted no swimming dangerous currents, Yea but, Its the Colorado River, I must swim and plus my water bottle is four degrees from boiling. After a couple hours of swimming in hands down the COLDEST river I have ever experienced, and taking a nap on its sandy shores, I head out doing the last couple of miles to the camping area. So get this I have been traveling for almost 3000 miles across the country, do one of the hardest hikes in the canyon and who do I end up meeting and spending the rest of my time in the canyon with, two rednecks from where, wait for it, Charleston, South Carolina. What are the odds, they fed me dinner and lunch, and kept me laughing for the rest of my time in the canyon. Las Vegas right now, Yosemite national park soon, California here I come, Portland I am sorry I'm taking so long.

Video Posting

"This is the United States"

Phoenix, Arizona

Arrived in Phoenix this evening to a 12 ounce steak and asparagus prepared by BigFish and Firecracker. Today's Journey was HOTT!! 105 plus degrees throughout most part of the day. Stopped at Saguaro National Park, Home of the Saguaro Cactus, Huge, incredible, rugged plants. I was able to put in some miles on my road bike in the park, going in and out of the foothills of the Sonora's Desert mountains. Tuscon, Arizona is probably one of the coolest, most progressive towns I have been to so far. The entire town had pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, horse crossings, Just awesome. Well most likely heading out tomorrow for the Grand Canyon, OnWard I Drive, Hike, and Bike farther and farther west.

The South Western United States

Its 12:55 A.M in South Carolina right now, early Sunday morning June 21st, 10:55pm in New Mexico. First Day of Summer and Fathers Day. Happy Fathers Day dad I love you and miss you all back home. Upon arriving to New Mexico last Wednesday, after a great time in Alabama with Pellet, I have hooked up with Blessed and its been one hell of an adventure. Late Wednesday night we headed up to a cabin around 8000ft. in elevation, where we spent the night. Thursday morning we bushwhacked through some tough terrain to hook up with the CDT, a trail that goes for over 3100 miles from the New Mexico/Mexico border to the Montana/Canadian border. Yes Its not the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, which I will undertake next April, But another long distance trail which We traveled for a short time compared to 3100 miles. The trip through the high desert plateaus and high mountain peaks was packed full of diversity. From the rough and arid ridges to the cool lush canyons, The Southern Rockies and Southwestern Deserts are truly a magical place. Reeds Peak at 10,011 Ft. is my proudest summit bag to date yet, but Mt. Hoods coming baby in a couple weeks.Walking in a canyon next to a creek Friday night, I stumbled across a black bear bringing back vivid memories of the Appalachian Trail, and how even though I am so far away from my Appalachians, My family, and Friends I will never forget where I came from, and the true direction of where I'm going. Its late good night, Heading out in the morning to Phoenix, Arizona where i will be staying tomorrow night with BigFish and Firecracker, yes those are there trail names because I met them on the Appalachian Trail. Video Uploads and Pictures coming to this website or Facebook.

Preparations to Depart

Five days left in South Carolina, and the thoughts and feelings going through me are incredible. Another Adventure is days away from being underway. Upon returning from the Appalachian Trail last fall, I had dreams and aspirations to live my day to day life somewhere completely and utterly beautiful. I have for the past year been fascinated with Oregon. Its people, the environment, and location just push all the right buttons. Well several months later, with the amazing help of family and friends, I depart for Portland,Oregon on Monday June 14Th. My route will take me across the United States From the deserts of the Southwest to the lush and beautiful coasts of California, comprised of almost 4,000 miles this Journey will be one of my longest yet.