"We might actually pull this thing off"

HELLOOOOO BLOGOSPHERE!

I must apologize for my long absence. I have been in Mexico, where I was staging activist performance and messing with multinational evil-doers Monsanto, who want to own corn and soy and cotton and the world (they're really bad, and I say that completely objectively):

This is me, as corn

"Without corn there is no life"

I also worked with some incredible artists and activists and got to go to a party hosted by the incredible Zapatistas, where they talked about the ongoing struggle for autonomy and indigenous rights. When I say "party," I mean thousands and thousands of Zapatistas standing quietly and many hundreds of visitors standing impatiently in the rain for hours while incredible speeches were translated into three languages (Spanish, Tsotsil, Tzeltal), followed by a big dance party with Norteño accordion music.

Anyway, I was working 12-14 hour days for those three weeks, and so I dropped the ball on the blog. Know that I intend to pick up the ball. And I only have ONE MORE WEEK TO DO SO! Because while I was gone, Erin and Michael finished hiking through Oregon, passed Mt. Rainier, and are headed straight on to Canada! They should by done by September 3rd!!!

I am working on something special to commemorate this incredible accomplishment, but in the meantime, here's an update from Erin:

Hi Sisterfriend, 

We love you! Michael and I have spent that last day hanging with the parents, eating delicious french toast and cleaning some of the dirt off of our bodies. It has been a nice break but as always, we are getting a bit ansy to get back out to the trail. We just calculated how much longer we have and it will take us 12 days to get to the Canadian border. 12 DAYS! Wow. 

How was Mexico? And the rest of your summer? I want to hear all about it. But I suppose I might have to wait until after I finish walking. 

Here are some pictures of Michael and I walking through Washington. The bridge that we are crossing in one of the photos is the infamous "Bridge of the Gods" which goes from Cascade Locks into Washington state . The mountainous pictures are from Goat Rocks Wilderness outside of White Pass, WA. Goat Rocks is one of my favorite parts thus far. 

We were constantly being bombarded by fields of wildflowers, deliciously cold water from springs and waterfalls, and expansive alpine wilderness. Mt Ranier kept poking it's head out, and Mt Adams and St Helens kept appearing off in the distance from where we'd just walked. It was neat. 

We plan to finish on Sept 3rd and are meeting the parents up in Manning Park Canada. WAHOO! In between here are there are 266 miles through Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Glacier Peak Wilderness, the town of Stehekin, and North Cascades National Park. One of our friends reminded us last night that 266 miles is 10% of the whole journey. We might actually pull this thing off. Crazy. 

Love you lots,
Erin (and Michael)

 Longlegs and Jorge/George

 Mt. Rainier in the background

 You can do it, George!

 "What I Did on my Summer Vacation"

They're so close, guys. SO CLOSE. Then on September 3, they will reenter the wnPCT (world-not-PCT), move in with their best buddies, and begin seeking work. So, wnPCT, who wants to hire some strapping young people?

With the end of our blogging relationship rapidly approaching, dear reader, I begin to feel nostalgic for our time together.

Fondly,
Megan

Roll on Columbia

Guest Writer: Michael Hanley

Hey all, Longlegs here. Erin and I have made it to the mighty Columbia river and Washington border. We are currently taking a wonderful day off in Portland, Oregon. I'm spending the day with my lovely friends Binta, Cara, Grace and Jack. Jorge and I spent the morning sorting out our food resupply for the great state of Washington.

Spoiler Alert: Pop Tarts, Snickers and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clif Bars for Days.


Oregon has been spectacularly beautiful and the miles have flown by. We are quite excited for our home state but very thankful for the bounty of the southern area of Cascadia.

Here are some pictures of our recent adventuring:

So yes, things are going very well. As shown in the video at the end of Megan's last post, I do not look at all out of place in Portlandia. In fact, my alarmingly large and multicolored beard appears equally at home here in metropolitan Oregon, as it would in say Amish country... funny how that is. 

I am very excited to get back out there and go see what adventures Washington shall hold. If you would like to contact Erin or I, feel free to write ahead to the post office in Stehekin, Washington, and we will pick it up as we swing through there in about two and half weeks. Should this strike your fancy, the address is:

Erin and Michael Hanley

c/o General Delivery

Stehekin, WA

98852