Hikeathon 2025 Lisbon again!

Those of you who follow my hike-a-thon every year know that I often do the Portuguese Camino route through Lisbon as part of my hike-a-thon routine. This year was no exception. I did 3 miles along the Tagus River. 

getting ready to leave Philadelphia for Lisbon

I google mapped my route with stops for shopping on the way back :-) 

Follow the yellow arrows to Santiago Spain and follow the blue arrows to Fatima

Fatima is another pilgrimage route here, follow the blue arrows to get there

The Vasco de Gama Bridge is the second longest in Europe

Statue of Catherine of Braganza who was Queen of England during the late 1600's Married to Charles II She was Portuguese Royalty and spent her childhood in Lisbon. 

I love the cobblestones, but they can be treacherous, especially when wet 

On the way back looking at the Vasco de Gama Tower, It was built for the World's Fair here in Lisbon in 1998. 

Who was this Vasco de Gama that everything is named after here in Lisbon? He was a Portuguese explorer and was the first European to reach India by sea (remember that is where Columbus was headed when he landed in North America). Portugal was a maritime super power during the 1400's-1600's.  Portugal dominated the trade between Europe and South America and between different regions of Asia, such as India, Indonesia, China, and Japan.

Also what is this pilgrimage to Fatima? 

In 1917 the Virgin Mary appeared to some children in Fatima. It was during WWI and it was a message of peace. In 1930, the Vatican recognized the Virgin of Fatima as a legitimate miracle and now pilgrims make the trek (it is 80 miles from Lisbon) to celebrate the power of faith. 

So far we have raised $910 for the WTA and I have walked 15 miles. 

You can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

First week of Hikeathon 2025

 On August 3rd I got up before the sun to drive out to Sol Duc Falls and Hot Springs Resort on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. I was able to get a campsite reservation at the last minute and I took advantage to hike from the campground to the Falls using the Sul Duc Falls Trail and the Lovers Lane Trail to do a 6 mile loop. Then I was able to soak in the Hot Springs to recover! 

The next day I left Sul Duc and traveled to Lake Crescent and did 2 miles on the Spruce Railroad Trail. The trail through the forest follows an old railbed built during World War I to transport Sitka Spruce from the great forests of the Pacific Northwest to Seattle and points east. 

 

I continued onward to the Salt Creek Recreation Area to hit low tide and visit the tide pools there! I hiked another mile along the Bluff trail and trails to WWII bunkers. 

That night I had booked a "glamping spot" on AirBnB because everything was full everywhere else. The next morning, I drove out on the way home and stopped on Bainbridge Island to hike to see the Dambo Troll that is at Sakai Park.  I knew that it was 1 1/2 miles from the ferry terminal, so I did the 3 miles to the troll and back.  Pia the Peacekeeper,  is an 18-foot-tall troll made from recycled wood. I got on the Bainbridge Ferry back to Seattle and home. 

Leaving Bainbridge

I want to Thank Connie Bigelow for being my most recent Supporter for Hike-a-thon!! Next week I will be hiking in Lisbon (Portuguese Camino again!!) and Madrid.  So far we have raised $710 for hike-a-thon and I have hiked 12 miles. 

Remember, you can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Thanks to all my Hike-a-thon Supporters!!

 20 years ago in 2005 I participated in Hike-a-thon and 34 friends and family members helped me to raise $900!!

I love it that I have these letters from the WTA for several years that document my progress for Hike-a-thon each year. This year, I have to thank Judy Smith, Nancy Woods, Angele McQuade, Janet DeVries Naughton, Sharon Arkebauer, Laura Ruby, Barb Dembinski, Gretchen DeMulling, Cecilla Dessert, Mary Stevens, Yvette Zaepfel, and Becky Voges for donating before August even began! Many of you have been with me on this journey for the past 20 years and I so appreciate your loyalty to me and to the Washington State Trails! 

Remember, you can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Thank You so much for your support!!

Postcards 2025: Amsterdam and Madrid and Portland, OR

And here is the link to my Hike-a-thon page:    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

 

Time for Hike-a-thon 2025

It is that time of year again when I start to plan my August around the WTA Hike-a-thon. It is the highlight of my summer raising money to support Washington Trails and getting out and staying active on the trails around my home and around the world!!  I hope I can count on all of you for support again this year. I know that things are tough right now, so don't worry if you cannot give BIG, any amount is welcomed. I always say, just give up your coffee order next week and send me $5 in the mail and that will be plenty.  

Checks should be made out to Washington Trails Association.

My address is PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA 98116

Here is the link to my fundraising page:

 https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Thank You to everyone for helping out again this year!! 

Thanks to all my Hike-a-thon supporters!!

 

20 years ago in 2005 I participated in Hike-a-thon and 34 friends and family members helped me to raise $900!!

I love it that I have these letters from the WTA for several years that document my progress for Hike-a-thon each year. This year, I have to thank Judy Smith, Nancy Woods, Angele McQuade, Janet DeVries Naughton, Sharon Arkebauer, Laura Ruby, Barb Dembinski, Gretchen DeMulling, Cecilla Dessert, Mary Stevens, Yvette Zaepfel, and Becky Voges for donating before August even began! Many of you have been with me on this journey for the past 20 years and I so appreciate your loyalty to me and to the Washington State Trails! 

Remember, you can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Thank You so much for your support!!

Postcards 2025: Lisbon and beyond

I think we can agree that Lisbon, Portugal and Seattle, WA are two of my favorite places to spend my time!! And I was lucky to get San Francisco and Portland, OR layovers this month as well.  

Postcards 2025: Training in Dallas and other travels

Another Month of Seattle trips with some Lisbon and Amsterdam thrown in there too! And I had to spend a few days in Dallas for requalification training as a flight attendant. We go every year to refresh our skills, to make sure we can evacuate an aircraft and fight fires, provide first aid, de-escalate conflicts, and serve you drinks.