Vows, as requested

After the ceremony a few folks asked if we might write up the vows we shared. The process and language of the ceremony was thought over the many weeks on the trail the month before the big day. On our last full day in California we finally were ready to write down the thoughts about our relationship, our marriage, our future- we spent a lot of time figuring out what we wanted to get out of the wedding and how to make it truly mean something as we continued our life in a more committed way- or I guess in order to continue our life in a more committed way, as that is supposed to be the milestone of a wedding.

Here we are happy to have finally written out the ceremony:



For us the time on the trail is inextricable from the bond that happened by getting married. So here's what came of both:

[Peter says:] Nathan and Sage, you're here after many years, and many miles together. You have arrives happy, healthy, and strong, and I can see that strength reflected in your bond.

Nathan and Sage, have you both found one another to be an able and willing partner in life's work, in daily chores, the work of adventure, the labors of creativity, and in forging the dreams of the future?

[we both said yes]

And do you trust that your work together will continue to be fair and fulfilling?

[we both said "I do"]

Have you both found a shared purpose through your individual commitment to the health of the body and the world?

[we both said yes]

And do you trust that your marriage will support your shared goals?

[we both said "I do"]

Have you both found your conversations to be generoud and from the heart?

[yes, yes]

And in your exchange of ideas, and feelings have you grown as humans?

[yes, yes]

[This part got skipped accidentally in the actual ceremony, but it was okay because Sage was getting hypothermia, we said this bit when we signed the legal doc with our witnesses Elishua Ferdon and Megan Perry]
And do you trust that that well won't dry up? (we do)
Have you both found your bond to be inexplicable, unavoidable, and deep , and wide?]

And do you trust that the light you each have within you will be brighter together?

[We both said, enthusiastically that, we do]

[More ceremony followed and Peter concluded with this:]

This is the moment when the words that you've spoken to each other are put into practice, and as witnesses to this wedding, we, as your family, promise to support you as you take your frist steps in your journey together as Husband and Wife

[big kiss and we started everyone off with an accordion accompanied sing-along of "this little light of mine" It was a blast, thanks to everyone who was there and there in spirit.]

Wait! There's more!

First! Check out this great stop motion flick from our lovely friends Peter and Lauri
(sorry I can't embed it...just click here to see)



Also, maybe you are curious if your thank-you cared is like anyone else's? Here is the whole collection! These spontaneous designs were made by hand, lovingly and thankfully, by Sage and Nathan!






Next! In case you never scrolled down for pictures from the weekend...






Last but not least, if you want to see photos of the Long Walk you can see them here (Nathan's flickr) or here (Sage's Flickr)

Sage and Nathan got married!

Thank you to everyone who shared this wonderful time with us. We so appreciated having so many loved ones around us and in spirit. For more pictures to re-live the fun or see what we were up to check out the photos post (see the menu of posts to the right). If you have pictures to share join the flickr group. Best to everyone and thanks again for a beautiful time!

so far. so good.

07 27 2009
After 27 campsites, 900 miles, and endless beautiful beaches we've finally made our way back to Portland Oregon where we're busily putting the finishing touches on the wedding celebration. The last week traveling up the coast of Oregon was completely dreamy with surprises from old friends, an inspiring night in a bountiful garden in Port Orford, and one last beautiful night on Neskowin beach. Thanks to everyone who helped us on this journey and the generosity of strangers which proved to be inexaustible time and time again. Lots of pictures and tales to follow, but for right now we have work to do. Love you all and thank you!

Back on home turf

07/20/2009
We made it to Oregon! After a stunning few days walking through Yurok country along the Klamath River and virgin redwood forest just south of Crescent City we finally crossed the border into Oregon by way of a short ride from Nathan's family (thanks for the food too!). We were dropped off at Harris Beach State Park and thus began the Oregon Coast Trail portion of our trip. The first day hiking took us along a beautiful trail that wound along coastal bluffs overlooking some of the most breathtaking craggy rocks and remote beaches we've seen thus far. After a sandy night on China Beach we packed up and are on our way north.

day 14 of the hike... halfway there!

hi friends and family
Sage and I have been working our way through Northern California on foot for the past two weeks. We just came out of the Lost Coast section of the trail, 54 miles of the most wild beautiful rugged meeting of mountains and sea left to be seen in CA. it's been an amazing trip thus far and we're healthy and energized as we head up the redwood coast and into Oregon for the last week. and then... the wedding!

Camping on Wedding night

Friends and Family:

We are so excited to have heard from so many of you, and are so looking forward to seeing many (a lot!) of you on August 1st. Two notes:

1) Are you planning to camp on-site the night of the wedding or even additional nights?

PLEASE let us know asap so we can get a good sense of how many tents will be set up and how many sleepy-heads we'll have in the morning.
**Update, we have to be a bit more direct about this: To camp on the site you must tell us before hand otherwise there may not be room. So, to repeat, in order to camp, contact Sage and see if it's possible.

UPDATE UPDATE:

Come one come all, we have a sweet set up for camping for all. So no worries and join to camp if you so desire. The spot is right next to the ceremony/reception space so we'll all be one big happy family for a night. Let us know if you have desires to hang with us for longer than the night of the first, but otherwise come with your tents, your tarps, your sleeping sacks or blankets and make yourself at home after we get hitched!

Just a reminder, there will be refreshments and potluck dinner Saturday, a pancake breakfast Sunday and that's it for food from us. So, if you plan to stay, bring vittles!

2) If you plan to mail anything please mail to:

Sage and Nathan
c/o Connie and Roger Dilts
8118 SW Tenth Ave.
Portland, OR 97219

This holds true from now until, say, August 25th. To pick a random date.

Mostly on foot...an update!

After a backpacking test run over Spring Break, we have made some adjustments to our original plans for the "long walk down the aisle" (thanks Hana). We found that such a trek would be too much to ask of our dog, who loves to run and explore the woods, but needs more recoup time than this trip would allow or that we want to give ourselves. So he is going to doggy summer camp with Nathan's parents in Southern Oregon, probably his favorite place to be anyway. (Thanks David and Martha!!)

Over the break we went to the Mendocino National Forest to experience some of the area where we planned to go through on our way to Oregon. Just trying to find long distance continuous trails was hard enough, let alone a straight shot that would take us north. As we walked we discussed how much we would have to figure out just to get through this area, kind of inventing our own through-hike, which is not only too much work, but pretty much impossible. Luckily we spent some time chatting with a local shop owner. He didn't have to say much, just that "it's hotter'n hell up here in here summer". It occurred to us, after chugging two pints of Gatorade that for being barely spring, it was already really warm. He asked us if we have considered the coast. This would avoid the 115 degree days AND a the California coast has a (mostly) continuous trail to Oregon. So that was that, we'll get to the Marble Mountains another time. This walk is going to be along the Pacific.

It all is coming together, and we'll trek from Berkeley to Tillamook arriving a week before the wedding. We will take a train into Portland (to pull together last minute party needs and get ourselves a bit spruced after a month on the road). We also decided that in order for us to make it in time we'll just have to catch some rides or hop on a bus here and there. The whole trip is about 900 miles and we would have to hike over 20 miles a day to make it in the time we have. So we are going to walk as much as we can (having plenty of 20 mile days) and catch a ride when the opportunity looks good. It will be strange to have a car go 30 mins to take us as far as our legs could in a full day. But that's the point of all this: to experience the distance and the terrain on our own scale- as much as we can, in the time we have.

We are really looking forward to going through the Lost Coast on foot and heading out of our front door into the big wide world on just our legs and packs. A number of streteches of the California Coast Trail are along Highway 1, so we will probably use these to "go by wheel". We will post our route soon, so you can see where we'll be and when (approx.). Stay in touch and maybe join us for a bit!

Its a big challenge, but we've received so much support from our loved ones to do it that we know this is the right way for us to get to our wedding and start this marriage off. We hope to hear from you, and if you feel inclined to help with the hike specifically, you can do so by clicking that handy donation button.

Here's a sunset we got the last time we drove up the Coast:

On Foot

In the spirit of a little adventure and a long summer we've decided that the best way to get to our wedding in Oregon is to walk from Berkeley, California.

Humans are not made to sit at computer terminals or travel by aeroplane; destiny intended something different for us. For too long now we have been estranged from the essential, which is the nomadic life: travelling on foot. A distinction must be made between hiking and travelling on foot. In today's society — though it would be ridiculous to advocate travelling on foot for everyone to every possible destination — I personally would rather do the existentially essential things in my life on foot. If you live in England and your girlfriend is in Sicily, and it is clear that you want to marry her, then you should walk to Sicily to propose. For these things travel by car or aeroplane is not the right thing. The volume and depth and intensity of the world is something that only those on foot will ever experience. -Werner Herzog

We have become strangely inspired to do something hard and long before starting our marriage, which we hope to be very long and will at times be hard. It's a challenge and an exciting opportunity to spend a great deal of time outside.

We are taking six weeks to get there and will post our route as we figure it out over the next few weeks. Roughly, we will be hiking from our front door heading up the coast just North of the San Francisco Bay and then heading inland to get up to the Medocino National Forest. From there until the Oregon border we will be in national forests (Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains etc) where we will pick up the Pacific Crest Trail that will take us right on into Portland.

We are getting our gear together and bodies (including our dog's) in shape for the journey and just can't wait to see what we will see.

If you would like to support us in this effort by giving an early wedding gift, click the handy donation button below.

Of course we also welcome your thoughts, prayers, comments, ideas, praises, cautions etc.

Location

(view of the Bay from the house at low tide)

We are so pleased and excited to be having our celebration at the beautiful Netarts Bay. We can't wait to share this place with you. For more information about the area go here.

For those traveling in and out of Portland (or other locations where there might be others coming and going along with you) use the comment section below to post ride needs/haves.

The Bay is protected from the winds and weather of the ocean proper but it will be cool and we will be outside for the day into the night. So bring good layers. On that note, we have no preference of the fanciness of your dress, casual or fancy are welcome. We just want you to be happy and comfortable. Points of consideration while you decide what to wear and clothes to bring, the ground is grassy and not so level and there are good opportunities for walks down to the bay. We will have a couple of croquet games going. There is a sauna which will be in operation as things wind down. And if it helps to know, we will be dressed in our best.

6800 Whiskey Creek Road

View Larger Map

Accomodations

The Wedding will be on the Three Capes Loop, close to many sweet north coast communities.

Camping space is available at the property**, but for those of you interested in a more furnished experience please see the links below for possible places to stay (including other places to camp, if you've had enough of us). ** Update: Camping is a bit more limited than originally planned, you'll need to contact us if this is your plan so we can make sure there is room for your tent. Tent Sharing encouraged.

The whole thing is close to Portland so many friends and family may opt to head back to the city, but we want to see you for as long as possible and of course we want you to be safe, so consider a night on the coast and more time with yours trulys.

Here's another note about staying a bit longer, Nathan and Sage will actually be at this beautiful house for the week following the ceremony/party. This time is meant to be for family and friends to visit with us even more in one of our favorite parts of the world. So don't be shy and visit longer.

Note: Food will be provided on Saturday during the fete and Sunday breakfast for those smarties who stick around. After that, you're on your own vittles-wise.

Accommodation ideas:

Hotels:
www.theclifftop.com
www.oregoncoast.com/skymac
www.searosebandb.com
www.oceansideshistoricanchorinn.com/index.html
www.oregoncoast.com/terimore/facilities.htm

Rental houses (they usually prefer a longer stay, but see what you find...)
Vacation Rentals By Owner in Netarts
Vacation Rentals By Owner in Oceanside




Camping:
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_186.php

Gifts

If you would like to get us a gift, please consider...


Heath Ceramics
(we are registered with these lovely people)


or

Pendleton Blankets and Home
Mirador community store
Red Pig Garden Tools
(none of these folks have formal registries, but it would be hard to go wrong)

We are working to build a nest egg for future endeavors and would welcome your help to that effort as well.

Food

In the spirit of collaboration and sharing good food we are excited to have our friends and family bring dishes they especially like to prepare. As respected cooks we trust you to come with something delicious and wonderful, but if you are really unsure just get in touch and we can share ideas. The only off-limits food is soup...unless you want to bring bowls for all! A with other potlucks bring a good amount for a large group to have a taste, but don't worry about making enough for everyone. Keep in mind dishes that improve at room temperature.

Dessert is mostly carrot cake, but there will be a few other choices and if you are particularly drawn to a sweet contribution, let us know.

There will be refreshments before the ceremony and a Sunday pancake breakfast for those who stick around.

photos

Get in Touch

Questions about the location, our gift choices, the potluck dinner, the Oregon Coast, our crazy hike or just want to say hello? Choose one or any of the following modes of communication:

e-mail:
n.hodges at gmail dot com
sage.anne at gmail dot com

phone:
503.970.7239
503.708.4039

Snail Mail (Note by mid-June all mail will be forwarded to Sage's Parent's House)

1859 Alcatraz Ave. Apt. A
Berkeley, CA 94703

Also, if you want to check out some of the stuff we are thinking about and working on, we both have blogs:
(though Sage's is a bit more consistent since she isn't in graduate school like Nathan is)

mindtomouth.org
greenishbrown.blogspot.com