Those of you who know me well, know that my favorite pastime is just laying out in the sun and reading. This past July, that is all I have done. I have had Seattle layovers at home and I have sat out on my deck and read books in the sun. Heaven! Now with August approaching, I will have to get off my duff and start hiking for my WTA hike-a-thon. Clearly this will be a concession for me and I hope you guys will reward me for this by contributing to my WTA hike-a-thon!!!

wta hike-a-thon

You guys know that I would rather be home, reading a book with a cold beverage in my hand, but for the month of August, I am going to be out there hiking the trails to gain the mileage for the hike-a-thon. Have pity on me and please contribute to my hike-a-thon goal!!!

Monday's Postcard: Los Angeles

When I purchased these postcards as a child, I was attracted by the colors and lights. Now, they remind me of LA Confidential, the book by James Ellroy and the 1997 film Especially the last card which depicts the Fox Carthay Circle Theater, which hosted many epic movie premieres during the 1930's and 40's. By the 1960s the Carthay was considered obsolete and it was torn down in 1969; today, two office buildings and a city park occupy its former location at 6316 San Vicente Boulevard.

Ryan and I will be hiking in August for the Washington Trails Association. We are looking for pledges to contribute for the protection and maintenance of Washington State Trails. Please consider making a donation, no amount is too small!!  Just follow the link posted below. Thanks so much!!

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=2449&PID=369509

Monday's Postcard: Cliff Walk, RI

Can you believe that I have never been to cliff walk?? Yes, I am fascinated with these huge mansions, and the trail is a designated National Recreation trail. Some day I will go...it is on my bucket list.

Ryan and I will be hiking in August for the Washington Trails Association. We are looking for pledges to contribute for the protection and maintenance of Washington State Trails. Please consider making a donation, no amount is too small!!  Just follow the link posted below. Thanks so much!!

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=2449&PID=369509

Monday's Postcard: Large Letters Cities

I posted earlier about Large Letter Postcards. Here are more from my collection. Not states this time, but cities! And I am still on the lookout for many states to complete my collection of all 50. :-)

Ryan and I will be hiking in August for the Washington Trails Association. We are looking for pledges to contribute for the protection and maintenance of Washington State Trails. Please consider making a donation, no amount is too small!!  Just follow the link posted below. Thanks so much!!

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=2449&PID=369509

Hike-a-thon History

I thought I would fill you guys in on a little Hike-a-thon History. My first Hike-a-thon was in 2005 and I did not even take photos!! I did hike 45 miles and raise $900. And I wrote up my adventures on my website. www.amandaarkebauer.com




The following year in 2006, I did take a few photos. www.amandaarkebauer.com And this was the year that I started my "Amanda from Seattle" blog, so there were lots of blog entries, although the best one is probably Beach Logs Can Kill!! Beach Logs Can Kill!!
I hiked 45 miles again and raised  $1,181
In 2007, August started with my car giving out while my sister and I were camping on the Olympic Peninsula!!  But I was still able to hike 50 miles and raise $1, 005 dollars.  2008 was memorable for my hike along The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk in London. And I was able to hike 50 miles again, which seems to be my steady contribution!! We raised $1,600 that year!!




One of my favorite Hike-a-thon years was 2009, when my sister and I went camping at Fort Stevens. I hiked 54 miles that year and raised $1, 425.  2010 was memorable because Ryan was thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail that year. I hiked 50 miles AGAIN and raised $1, 120.  2011 was my first ever backpacking trip! Here in Washington State at the Baker River Trail. We raised $1, 175 dollars and I hiked, you guessed it, 50 miles!! Last Year, I was scrambling to get my miles in because I took a break to fly out to Paris with Ryan while he continued on to start his Camino de Santiago hike! But I did make it to 52 miles and we raised $1, 075 dollars. This year, we had to scrap plans to go to Colorado. Too many wildfires threatening the Colorado Trail. Now, Ryan plans to hike the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier.






 I have lots of Seattle layovers to hike around the Puget Sound area and later in the month we hope to go on a camping trip here in Washington.

Please consider making a donation this year, no amount is too small!! Just follow the link posted below. Thanks so much!! http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=2449&PID=369509

Monday's Postcard: Colorado Bridge

I am fascinated with these three different postcards of the same bridge in Colorado. The Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $250,000 and at the time, was the highest bridge in the world at 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.


It is that time of year again, Ryan and I are getting ready for our August Hike-a-thon for Washington Trails. Ryan will be leaving soon to begin his thru-hike of the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango and I will be doing Trail Angel duties along the way. This will continue into August, so the first part of our August hiking will be in Colorado. Then we return home and start hiking trails in Washington State that benefit from our fundraising efforts. Please consider contributing to the cause--Just visit our fundraising website at the link below and pledge a little or a lot for Washington Trails. Thanks so much!!  


http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=2449&PID=369509

Monday's Postcard: Florida Oranges

Believe it or not, I lived in Florida for several years. I am amazed by the history of the state, it fascinates me. The postmarks on these postcards are all from the 1950's.