200th hike (110th consecutive)

[montezumawell]

August 22 marked our 200th day hike since we started day hiking again on 12/6/02. It was also our 110th straight day hike since we left Arizona to roam around May 6th. Our mileage total as of August 22nd was 795 miles, just an eyelash short of 4 miles per day average. When we started day hiking again back in December we were lucky enough to get in 42 straight days and we thought that personal "record" would stand for awhile. But it didn't take to long to blow past it on this trip. We know this current streak will end no later than September 15 because Susun has to fly to see her daughters on September 16th. We hope we can keep it alive until 9/15 anyway.

Our dedication to getting in a hike every day-no matter what-has been encouraged and sustained in large part by the existence of HAZ. This online group is a tremendous support group for people who are trying to get back in the swing of hiking. We first "discovered" HAZ in the first week of January when we were looking for info on the Barnhardt Trail. We consider this website to be the best the internet has to offer.

Another reason we took off on this multi-month excursion was because of a topic begun months ago by Olesma. The topic was called "Hard Core Group," a very suspicious title. It used to be in the General Category but we can't seem to find it. Well, anyway, he asked HAZites to write up some of their significant events in their lives with emphasis on the outdoors and hiking. We thought long and hard about what to list and came up with some events. However, as soon as we posted the list we began reflecting that all of those events were "really old news" and years and years in the past. We both began to "pine away" for some new "Big Moments" and, of course, we realized we would have to go out and create them.
We figured getting out and challenging ourselves to hike everyday no matter where, no matter what, no matter whether rain or shine would, sooner or later, provide us with some kind of Big Moment. We didn't think that just the act of stringing together such a long streak would be a Big Moment in and of itself. But for us it has become so. Hiking is so much fun and so rewarding and so wonderful and so...everything..it is just GREAT by any means of comparison or analysis. We absolutely LOVE it!

We're hoping to get in another 50 days at least before 12/06/02 so that we can hopefully log 1,000 miles on our first anniversary.

Why December 6th? Well, as Sedona-area locals, we've really hated that Red Rock Pass deal. Neither of us wanted to buy one. But we finally realized we'd have to buy one to get in any quality hiking. Smokey has a monolopy over there. Anyway, I said it would be a day that would live in infamy before I would buy one of those danged passes so, of course, we had to wait until just before Pearl Harbor Day to buy the pass. Small pleasures for small minds, we guess.

Anyway, we're up here on the Oregon Coast gettin' antsy to come back to Arizona and hike in the basalts and crumbly rocks of home. Won't be long. Oregon, as you may know, is in the thick of preparing to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark. As a result, Susun and I have renamed this year's summer trip. We are now "Clueless and Lark," traveling with our Faithful Guide, "Sackajerky." See what happens when you hike every day?

Thanks for your support--we're looking forward to hiking with you soon!
Happy Trails!

J&S in Gold Beach, Oregon

[GTG_AZH]

Sounds like you two have lost it to find yourselves.

I for one am very jealous.
You kids stay out of trouble.
Looking forward to seeing you again,

GTG

[ck_1]

When I read your post on "hard core" I was amazed. I was super impressed, not so much by the pirate stuff, but rather by the sheer guts it would take to run the canyon...I've been an aspiring river rat for a few years now...as aspiring as one can be without a canoe, kayak, johnboat or dingy...though I do have a cool pool raft...nevermind...I was just impressed...I've read tons about the Colorado through the Canyon, and well, I'm exstatic that you're enjoying your current adventure, but man, you've got a hell of an outdoor resume.

It's nice to see people enjoying each day. Pat and I try to do that. It's hard sometimes.

Hike well and be safe guys!