Trailbums

For the first time we have let weather chase us indoors. Between the weather predictions of a big storm hitting, and people warning us along the way about it, we decided to play it safe and hit the Seaside International Hostel. We did have one guy stop us on the road and sugest that we pitch our tent in the feild of a middle school playground….on a weekday. We decided with the beards we have going, that was going to need a lot of explaining in the morning. This has given us time to work on a few photos and to put this post up. These are some pictures of the Peter Iredale shipwreck before and during a storm with 25 foot surf.

Now we are headed out into the wind and rain toward the 1000 foot high Tillamook Head at Ecola state park. At least were told there are some kind of primitive shelters for us hiker/bikers there.

Oregon at last. After surviving all of Washington without any real issues, we have already had a racoon tear into or gear tent, thunder and lightning, a tree try to fall on us in the middle of the night, 70 mph winds, 25 foot surf, and hail! Welcome to Oregon. Thanks to Laurie and Logan, and Rachael and her brother at the KOA Konection. 1 state down, 2 to go.
-The Bums

We are currently sitting at the mouth of the Columbia river watching some guys try to surf below the Cape Disapointment lighthouse.

It’s been an adventure getting here and we deffinetly owe a few thank yous to people out there. First off Chad and Fran. We met them near North Cove at Washaway beach and they instantly offered us there yard as our campsite for the night. They made us sandwichs, let us joint them and there friends Mickie and Rilie around the fire and gave us pizza and beer! Big points to you two. Then we set off around willama bay.

It took 2 days and 4 rides but we made it. We didn’t do as good at getting names along the way but thanks anyway to: Sophia the pug’s owner (who’s dating a Heather Locklear look-a-like), our crazy buddy on the side of the road who said we would never get a ride, the God fearing explorer driver (who picked us up right after we were told we wouldn’t get a ride), the van driving grafic designer, and last but certainly not least the Macarana listening Mexican. (If you don’t know the Macarana You Tube it, but don’t blame us when it’s in your head for weeks afterwards). Thanks to all, it would have been a much longer and more dangerous hike on the 101 without a shoulder to walk on the 60+ miles without you. And to everyone else out there, pick up the next hitchhiker you see. It’s good for your karma, and you never know when you might need that ride. Until next time
-The Bums

Thanks to a generous donation of a netbook we are finally able to edit and post more then just iphone pictures, We put up what we could with our limited conection and power situation. As we get a chance there will be much more coming. As for progress, We are currently in Westport Wa and approching the Oregon border. We have to keep this short due to low battery, but be sure to check back soon for more updates. No really, there’s lots of pretty pictures coming!

Cheers from The Bums

P.S. Happy St. Patricks Day to all!

A quick update for all you bum followers out there. We spent a few days at a campsite in kalaloch Wa (pronounced klay-lock). We recharged some batteries and cleaned ourselves up a bit in the bathroom sink. (Is it really that much to ask for hot water somewhere along the trail?) We got to see opening day of razor clam season. Dispite bad wind and rain and a tsunami warning, there was litterly hundreds of people on the beach digging for clams. (pictures will be up soon) Apparently it was a bad day of claming. No one seemed to get many. Next we stopped at south beach campsite. Technically it was closed, but that just ment that we had it to ourselves. The best part was large piles of firewood at each firepit! So ofcourse we had to spend an extra night there making bondfies. (also pictures to follow). After that was the Quinault Indian Reservation. There was a little stress over how to cross the raft river along that stretch. We had heard of people just walking across with knee high water, and other horror stories of having to build rafts. After some consideration we decided to head inland, along a road, to a bridge and cross there. The road turned into a trail, and the trail became a mess of overgrowth and washouts. Pats pack tried to drag him headfirst down a washout into a stream and Damon had to recross it to save him. After all this our bridge turned out to be just a few wooden pillers on the shore. Apparently it had washed away some time ago and no one thought to update the map. There were three missing bridges before we left the reservation. So back to the beach we headed, and after waiting for morning and the low tide we forded our river. It was almost waist deep fast moving and very cold, but we survived. We were so excited to be across it that we took the rest of the day off to celebrate and shoot a really cool rock formation off the coast called elephant rock. Since then it’s been a charge. We reached the town of Talahoe he next day, which required our first real bushwacking. Dj if you and Don our readig this, mad props for doing that 10 miles through the rainforest. It was an insane battle with thick thorny brush up a hillside. It took over an hour to make about 100 feet of fowrad progress. We’ve done over 20 miles in the last two days though. (13 today). Were deffinetly glad to be off the reservation. It was beautiful, but we got some of the weirdest and rudest looks from people along the way. Even as far as almost stopping on the highway and leaning out the window to stare, then taking off. Though the few people we talked to were really nice to us. I guess they dont get many hikers coming through in winter in the rain. Other then that thing are going fairly well. Our feet don’t look as bad as Brittons picture (not yet), but our water filter does. All the tree tannins in the water up here have ravaged our pump. We now only pump water when we really have to. It literally takes us about 30 mins to filter 1 liter. We can carry 5 liters, so it’s a long process. Luckily there’s been a lot of small stores willing to help us out and fill our bottles for us, but we deffinetly have to get a new filter very soon. That’s about it for now. We should make Ocean Shores tomorrow. That is if we make it through the 30 mph headwinds and rain and snow they’re predicting. From there we should be able to get some pics up for you and get the journal going. Until then here’s a few pics for you from the iPhone. They are, one of our sunsets we’ve enjoyed, our firewood piles at South Beach, and the view from Point Grenville. Enjoy and happy trails.
-The Bums

P.S. Just incase you thought there would be a lighthouse at Point Grenville because the map says “light,” there isn’t. Just what appears to be a crack house! But still a good place to make lunch (and of course, pics to come!)

This is Britton, Damon’s friend again. Damon called and said they have been staying for about a week near an Indian Reservation. They have been mysteriously eating pretty well he said. They have been in a lot of rain and cold weather and it has made camping in a tent barely livable. The campsite bathrooms have provided temporary shelter, although the bums have scared off a few small children and old people -lol.

Sounds like they have seen some pretty incredible sights and sites and have been living a very low key survival style of life. There has been some questioning of this adventure, but I think they are getting excited for spring, especially as they move southward.

Hopefully not this bad -yet!

One interesting item that Damon’s brother Tracy dropped off was a flat tire repair kit, for guess what? Repairing their shoes that have been falling apart from all the walking and wet weather. And yes, from the sounds of things, they are living up to the name of this blog: Trail Bums. So if you want to throw a few coins into the bums’ can, you can send it here.

That’s all for now. If I hear more, I’ll update you. Otherwise, stay fruitful! Until the next time, Britton.

Here is a few of our images from the trip.  We still have very limited internet access, but well try to have an actual gallery going soon.  These are from between Shi-Shi beach and La-Push (including our first lunar rainbow).  Much more to come.  Thanks for sticking with us.  Cheeres from the Bums!

So we’re not begging (not quite yet). But due to all the requests from family and friends wanting to help out we have added a support tab to the site. Think of this as our big Internet wide “Will work for food” sign. Thanks in advance to all those following and supporting the Trailbums!

So we back in touch. We’ve made it to the tiny (very tiny) town of La Push in Washington. To clearify the last post we were at sand point just west of lake ozette. Hopefully now as we come through some other small towns we can update a little more offten. We just got a little re-supply of food and gear (thanks Tracy and Coreen). We don’t have a wifi connection to update any images, so we’re trying to send some back to a friend to get them on the site for all you too see. Thanks to everyone for the interest in the site and the trip, and for being pacient with us as we figure our update system. Cheers from the trail.
- The Bums

This is a remote post passed on from Damon’s friend Britton. Damon called me and said that their phones aren’t getting internet reception so they haven’t been able to post anything, but he asked me to update you all. They are somewhere called Sandy Cove or Sand Cape or Sand Lake or something like that. Hopefully they will update with more specifics. Sounds like they are doing ok.They are alive and well.

Peace out and stay fruitful.