Episode #221 - Rose Vanderhoof

Show Notes

Bio- I was born in San Diego, California, the 6th of 7 children. Five brothers and a sister. Attended elementary, Junior High, High School and Community College in San Diego. Married at 21 and we moved to Washington. We had two sons. I was a stay-at-home mom. I took up jogging and would jog about 5 miles several times a week. A friend of mine took me on a hike to Emerald Ridge in Mt. Rainier National Park, and I fell in love with the mountains and hiking.

After my divorce from my first husband, I joined the Tacoma Mountaineers and took the Basic Climbing class. Also got involved with a group of Mountaineers who liked to hike and backpack. After two years in the Mountaineers, I met my present husband, Ted, who was very much into climbing. Our family grew to 5, as he had 3 children of his own.

Thirteen years ago, as my husband and I were walking our dog early in the morning, we were crossing the street at an intersection. A car drove through the red light, and slammed into my husband and dog. My husband was airlifted to HarborView Hospital in Seattle, and our little dog died. This pretty much ended much of my husband's climbing with me. We had also been training to summit Mt. Rainier and to go on a mission trip to Uganda with Children of the Nations. He still suffers from the traumatic brain injury he incurred.

About 13 years ago, we built a home on property we had purchased over 25 years ago near the entrance of Mt. Rainier. We love it here very much.

Currently, I hike with a group of ladies almost every week. We go to different places to hike or snowshoe to in the winter season. I also manage a Yurt for Mt. Tahoma Trails Association in Ashford. The huts and yurt are open to the public and run by us volunteers.

Also, after 33 years of marriage, we have 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I am happy that some of my grandchildren enjoy the outdoors also. I have met friends who climb mountains, so I started climbing with them. I summitted Mt. Rainier 6 years ago with friends at the age of 72. This year was my 9th summit of Mt. Rainier.

I also hiked the 500 mile El Camino de Santiago, starting in France, 6 years ago, and backpacked the 93 mile Wonderland Trail of Mt. Rainier last year in 14 days and 12 nights.

I am always excited for every day that I am given. I feel every day is a gift from God and He always has some kind of great adventure for me. AWJ (Adventures With Jesus) That is our motto.

Life Truly is Good!

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