Pyewacket

I don't know where you can rent bikes, sorry, but I'm posting a note here to inform you that, according to the Parks Department, the tunnel won't be open until late June. You can obtain updates by calling (509) 656-2230.

I went ahead with my original plan of June 28, especially since I was informed by two friends on the east coast that they'd be here at this time to do the APE cache and the original stash. I'm hoping for an excellent turnout, but even if only a handful of cachers attend, I'm happy to be hosting my first event. I hope to see you at All Aboard for Breakfast on the Iron Horse Express!

Well, darn...I told myself I was just going to plan a date and hope others show up, but I also looked at other events going on in Washington to avoid schedule conflict for others. I forgot all about Champoeg, and I know a lot of locals attend. So, please chime in...what is the best date for the majority of interested cachers to attend a tailgate breakfast event at the Iron Horse Trail parking lot? I'll do my best to keep a running tally and choose the date that's most convenient for the greater number of participants. June is out...July? August? I'm a bit afraid to consider the month of September; the chance of it being more weathery up there at that time begins to develop. What say you?

I just called for an update on the status of the tunnel; it won't be opening until the end of June. I've decided to host the breakfast event for Saturday, July 26. I'm in the process now of writing the cache page and will post a note here when it's approved. I'm a bike amateur...I know very little about what bikes are best for various terrain. Having said that, those who haven't experienced the tunnel can expect an uneven floor with loose gravel, small holes, and crumbling concrete. The fact that you can barely see in there, even with good lighting, adds a couple of degrees to the difficulty. I'm sure that wider, rugged tires are better for the terrain, but other tires may make the trip just fine...I don't know. I do hope there's a decent turnout for this event, bikers and hoofers alike. If not...well, it's not as if I need an incentive to ride my bike, but replacing the memory of doing the tunnel in my chair with that of me riding The Pyecycle...well, I'm definitely looking forward to that. Quadmommy, that's a really pretty bike!

I'll keep an eye out for details as the time draws nearer; I have a lot of things coming up and can't plan that far in advance. It definitely sounds like fun!

Yeahbut...yeahbut...wasn't it worth it? Next time, let's do the Seattle to Portland run, mmkay?

Today goes on my list of fave caching days EVER! I'll get around to logging all the caches some day...probably...but Lizzy, ya done GOOD! This was such a memorable day for me. Caching with some of my most favorite cachers in the world on a beautiful, sunny day, finding all those four-leaf clovers, marveling at how we all just stopped in unison to watch the eagles' majesty, passing cache #400 somewhere on the trail, and being so proud of Karma, who was just so calm and alert riding along with us. Wanna see where the phrase "dog tired" comes from? I'm just now starting to feel all those miles (plus the additional two I rode to get reserved material from the library when I got home). Thanks to all my friends who made this such an amazingly special day.

She's a beauty! Now all ya gotta do is slap a TB tag on her and call her "The Spycycle". I bought my baskets at Fred Meyer; they're designed for use in lockers, but they're perfect as Pyecycle baskets. I used heavy-duty cable ties to strap one to the handlebars and one to the book rack I bought for a dollar at a yard sale. Looking forward to the Pokey Plodder Doughnut ride. Karma will be riding in the front basket...he loves it.

Let's see...how many months have I been hearing you say that? Hope you can make it.

I do, too...you take pics of the same kinds of things as I; I have hundreds (if not thousands) of pics of moss, ferns...GREEN! Oooh, I love me a cairn, too! Great pics, Harriet! I wish I could have made the hike, but it's more of a trek than I'm capable. Some day, mayhaps. I will be biking the next PP event, though, and can hardly wait...it's gonna be fun!

But, of course! Ya sure ain't talkin' 'bout me...but Sassy's pretty cute! Karma's cuteness is often his only saving grace. 'Twas a fun event. I'll get around to logging it one of these days...along with the other 42 caches I haven't logged yet.

They are pretty cool, and I take them off sweet jumps too I got like 3 feet of air that time Well.... my dad plays poker with a bunch of his friends. My dad doesn't like to take his friends money all the time. So he winds up getting stuff they have collected in their garages for 30 years instead. And my dad always passes it along to me. This time I got bikes, but in the past i have got an organ (the kind that plays music), car repairs, movies, stuff for my hubby's guitar, playground equipment for my herd and all sorts of random stuff. I guess it pays off for me that he plays cards with pack rats! (BTW I am hoping that he wins laundry service for me pretty soon, I could use a break!) I'm glad that part was specified...

Don't buy a bell. I have one for you. Brand new. One of those fortuitous happenstances that happens to me a lot, for which I'm truly thankful, especially when I can share them. How'd you acquire the mondo bikes? They're really sweet!

I love the new bike, Harriet! Speaking for myself (and the Froomlord, I think), I'm only riding as far as the Ape cache, then back through the tunnel again. I have neither the strength nor the stamina to ride much more of the trail than that. I don't know if that will make a difference on tires or not; I'm definitely an amateur when it comes to bikes. I don't imagine everyone will be bringing bikes...that is, if anyone else is interested in attending.

It's too early to submit this as an event (my first), but I'll do so as soon as possible. I plan to host a tailgate brekkie (tea, coffee, breakfast pastries) at the Iron Horse trailhead the morning of June 28th. After a light repast, it's on to the tunnel and associated caches in the vicinity. I did the only remaining Ape Cache last June, but I did it in my power wheelchair, and missed a few of the nearby hides. This year, I'll be taking the tunnel on The Pyecycle. Biking the tunnel seems to be an experience not to be missed. A wealth of valuable info can be found in the thread relating to the trip on June 17 of last year. Even if you've done the Ape Cache, the tunnel is a fascinating trek, worthy of a repeat visit. It would be wonderful if we have the same enthusiastic turnout as last year. I hope to see you there!

LOL! I personally am elevation challenged, and refuse to attempt it. BTW, my dad, an Electronics Tech for the US Forest Service who is trained to climb radio towers, says not to climb it without the proper safety harness. Crazy Monkey Tripod is a way cool climb, and on my Favorites list! I climbed it in the rain, which made the rungs slippery (glad for gloves). Didn't have wind, though, which I hear makes it more exhilarating. Can't imagine using a safety harness, but that's me. Big fun!! I climbed it when it was snowing and the rungs were icy, now that was fun!!! Believe it or not, this is one cache I really, really want to do.

Bikes are only allowed on the first part of the trail, the part that is on an old road bead. Once you actually head into the valley, Bikes are not permitted. Other than that, the trail is faily flat most of the way, except for the loop at the end which does a pretty good downhill to the river (which of course means uphill to get back). Hmmm. I gots some thinking to do, it seems. Thanks, everyone, for your help.

He's a him...Karma's not a b*tch, afterall. I'm going to acclimate him to riding in the basket of the Pyecycle. Can't you just hear the theme playing from the Wizard of Oz, the one that plays when the witch is in the tornado?

Sounds good....thanks for finding the info, Sassy. I'll try to make a go of this if Brian does, or if I can get my van running by then. I admit, it hasn't been a priority because I just don't like to drive the big ol' gas guzzler. Putting my bike on the bus might be a possibility, too; I have time to look into it.

Pics please!! I haven't done the hike since before the horrible November of '06. I'll see if I can dig up some kinda of trip report somewhere to see what the current conditions are, but if I remember right, Pye, it's basically a level walk - I don't remember it to be hilly or difficult. Maybe someone else with more info can chime in here?? Just a couple...this isn't about Karma; I just thought I'd mention that I'd named him. Brian and I were under the impression that the Woods Creek caches were along a flat route, too. We were wrong. Oh, so very wrong.

I've only done the cache at the trailhead. For those of you who have done the trail, how's the elevation for bikes? Specifically, how do the ups here compare to the ups to those of the last HOTM, the caches north of Monroe (ending with Woods Creek Bonus)? I can't do seven miles. The 5½ from the HOTM just about killed me, since I had to walk my bike up hills for at least half of that distance. Incidentally, for those of you at the event last night...I got my puppy, and named him Karma. We're happy.

Ow...ⁿ But thanks for hosting, TL...I had a wonderful time.

I'm just glad it was your flask, and not your assk.

I do! Lotsa clouds, but still absolutely breathtaking! I do! What a SWEET woman! I told her she was becoming famous. She gushed about you two. Now that I've mentioned "breathtaking" and "gushed"... This is what my feetses looked like earlier in the day after I waded through the stream at Et Tu, Flutay, found today on...wait for it...the Ides of March. That water, just moments after it was snow, was take-your-breath-away-make-you-almost-pee-your-pants-numbing-to-the-point-you-can't-feel-your-feet-or-the-stones-or the-blackberry-brambles-on-the-other-side COLD! And then I slogged through the mud, gushing it between my toeses, to get back to the car. But ya know what? I had a blast! Expect a long log on this one, as well as the cache ya gotta do.

Might there be any interest in meeting at Eddie's in Monroe for sustenance and libations after we cross the finish line? It's quickly becoming a regular hangout for cachers after a day of hiking, caching, snowshoeing, etc. From what I hear, their burgers are divine (as a vegetarian, I can't give you my opinion) and I know for a fact that their homemade steak fries (regular or sweet potato) are yummy.