Makawao Forest

Good times today with Nina, Rio, Buddy, and Charlene.  A slick muddy trail, minimus shoes, and guava malasadas in my stomach = perfect conditions for a hike.  So happy that Nina has the day off and we took Rio and his pal Buddy to Makawao Forest.  Who's counting, but probably did about 7.5 miles.  So much fun.  Why is it so much work to get out for a hike, but so enjoyable when I do?  The fresh air and relaxation of being in nature is wonderful.

Thanks to my incredibly perfect wife.  She keeps me sane every day.  I want to learn to play the guitar.  Wonder if the tuner app on my phone will work.  Enjoy your day.

Olympus Has Fallen....along with some parental responsibility

Went to the movies last night with my beautiful wife.  As we sat in the theatre with buttery and salted fingers, Olympus Has Fallen starts.  About halfway through there is commotion behind us with an adult male voice stating something my ears couldn't tell my brain what he was chirping.  Only thing they comprehend is the word, "Unbelievable."  My brain is telling me to just keep watching the movie, you spent 10 bucks per person on this and you don't want miss it because of some "idiot."

A few minutes later, the film continues to another violent scene.  More commotion from behind ensues. I'm more alert for this one, and make out the phrases, "I should call the cops" and more "Unbelievable" mentions.  It clicks atop my head as to the gist of the commotion.  This aforementioned "idiot" is calling out supposed "parents" of a child or children watching the over-the-top gore and violence within this film.  Now what do I do.  I was thinking someone was on their cell phone and just being rude, but now I'm aware of my misguided thoughts.  Part of me wants someone to call the cops, and the other part of me realizes that this is not my child and I should not tell a parent how to raise their kids.  End result... I do nothing.  There are probably two or three more outbursts during particularly violent scenes.  I've sided with the loud-mouthed "idiot" obviously by this point, but decide they aren't leaving so what good can I do.  The film concludes and lights come up.

Now to see how old these kids are.  Wow, that kid is being carried by dad.  Maybe a 4 year old.  And there is a 6 year old.  And a 9 year old.  I'm shocked that some parents believe this is ok for young children.  The Motion Picture Association of America defines an "R" rating as this:

R — Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

Nina and I chat about this issue on our way out to our car.  We both thought this film was good, but also agree the film is too violent (in our opinions) for young children and adults alike.  Why does it have to be such in-your-face gore?  Did me seeing that make my experience better or worse?  We are constantly bombarded in the media with negative news stories.  This is but one of many reasons, I am happy not to have a television.  I'm a pretty positive individual and really don't need to read, hear, or see negative (or extremely violent in the case of this film) stories to know there are bad people in this world.  I'm not close-minded in thinking that I can just shut it out by not reading the news, but I'd rather focus on making my life as quality as possible.  Happiness is contagious.  Have you made someone smile today?  My dog made four people smile this morning in just a few minutes.  I love it.  Time for a hike.

VW Vanagon for sale

1983 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

176,000 miles.....Factory rebuilt engine with only 10, 000 miles

4-speed manual transmission

Runs great

Solar panels with separate house battery for off the grid power

$13,800

We had tons of fun traveling in her, but the time has come to let her go to a new home and make new owners smile.  We are moving back to Hawaii and can't afford to keep her or ship her over there.  Thanks for looking.  For more information, please contact us at thruhikingisfun@gmail.com.  We aren't online real frequently, but we will respond as soon as possible.

Check out the pics below if you're interested.....

Bottom bed

Poptop

Solar panels

Upper bed, sorry it's hard to get a good photo of this....

Two-burner stove and sink

Fridge

The Kitchen

PCT, we love ya!

Nina and I completed the PCT on August 31st, 2012 with Mom, Dad, and Rio joining us for the last 33 miles to the border.  It was so awesome to have them and a big group of friends at the border to join in the finale.  We loved our trip.  Sorry I stink at blogging.  Anyway, back to Maui.  Hooray.

Aloha,
Tim

Day 80

Good Morning Corn (should be above knee high by now),

Anyway, today is day 80 on the trail.  We have made it into Mt. Shasta, California.  Can't believe that I've been in Cali for 80 days now.  Before this trip, I think I spent a total of 4 days in this state.  It is amazing to be on the trail and seeing the state on foot.   We have walked 1506.5 miles on our PCT journey.  And I've done 3240 pushups to keep my upper body strength (or at least a little definition).

We miss Lucky Man and hope his recovery is quick.  Wrong Way, Joker, Kombucha, and I (Hawkeye) are moving along.  We are a good group and enjoy our time together.  Back out to the trail today.  Next stop, Etna.

Aloha,
Tim

Check out Nina's blog for some pics.  She's amazing.

Still headed north

Currently at the Red Moose Inn in Sierra City, CA awaiting breakfast to be served.  Lots of catching up for me to do, but as always no time to write.  So much to say.  Made it through the Mojave Desert and the High Sierra mountains.  We've met lots of great people and seen lots of great things.  Hope everyone is having an excellent day.

We received a few packages here in town.  Thanks so much to Nick & Jess, Lon & Janet, and Andy.  So good and amazing.

My stomach is growling and I think the eggs are getting cracked.

Aloha,
Tim

Trail Angels & Magic

Trail Angels defined according to wikipedia:

a generous individual or group of individuals that provide acts of kindness to participants of outdoor events, on hiking trails or various biking routes. "Trail Angels" are commonly referred to in online hiking journals as friends of hikers, relatives or others persons who will often provide food, transportation, etc. to hikers on the trail.

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My take on trail angels.... simply amazing.  The generousity of individuals is shining brightly on the Pacific Crest Trail.  We have been invited into peoples homes and vehicles.  We are smelly hikers with the goal of walking across the USA, and angels along the way are making our journey easier and more fulfilling.  Trail angels come in all different ways.  Trail magic is closely associated and generally defined as the acts of kindness.  Any form that it comes in is incredible. 

Our first trail angels were Nick & Jess.  They drove us 5 hours from Phoenix down to Campo, CA to start our journey.  Wonderful beginning.  We have been blessed with lots of trail magic in the form of water, beer, soda, apples, oranges, hard-boiled eggs, mango flavored coconut water (so good), and most recently a guinness brownie.  We have been welcomed into two different homes for the night.  The outpouring of support fills me up with a sense of community and good spirit.  Thanks to all the trail angels.  You are champions!

Love,
Hawkeye