Alright! It's been a while … and you
ain’t heard yet!
So we head off, I'm still sore, and go
into this grassland resembling the far west of our favourite
westerns. ..
I must have seen oak trees that were born before the
first white man set foot on this continent. Majestic, imposing, they
have made clear of anything around and they look down at us wondering
if we're worth it. Of course we're worth it, I'm a donkey after all!
Well this heard of horses came rushing
at us as soon as we set out. Pascal was quite nervous trying to
impose himself with his voice and shooing the horses away. I must
say, last time he got half his hand torn off so he has reason to be
worried. Until they stopped getting closer Jimmy & I weren’t
sure what was going to happen. I almost stepped over Pascal while not
paying attention. I must say he stumbled and fell and we were on
another set of concerns. But eventually the horses ran away and we
carried on, just a bit more nervous but walking a good pace.
Then we started up the mountain, hills
I know, but
you carry all that material up and you'll say
they're mountains too. On the way we crossed a creek. I wasn't going
to make a fuss of that one. Besides he walked right over it and as I
was following I didn't realize it was a creek until I had half the
body over it. Anyhow, this crazy creek, nice shade, kept crossing the
path. Once ok, twice alright but the third time Pascal did not see
the crossing right away and I was NOT going to let him pass that by
me. Well he told me I had to, he showed the right set of escalation,
voice, gesture, slap on the behind … so as I was not moving he got
out his rope, made it so I could only face the stream, and each time
I let go to see closer, he took up the slack, never pulling but no
slack. All right, I knew I'd had it, so I crossed and Jimmy jumped.
Then he had to pack all that useless rope. He was a bit flustered so
I managed to cross the next 5 or was it 3? anyhow all without fuss
and even stepping right into the stream water. Ya, I know, I'm too
good to him.
But he kept going even though after 5
miles we found a real cozy spot with grass where hikers were still
enjoying the morning. No he had set his mind on an end point and he
was going to get there wether we liked it or not. Well, I accentuated
my limping, really, I think my tendons in my legs are sore and it's
ok if I warm them up for a while, but after that they just act up.
I'm trying to tell him but he'll hear none of it. I was ok for about
7 miles, but after that I started slowing down and stumbled once in a
while. He's wondering if I'm putting on an act, but really I am
stumbling.
Well finally we did get to his dirty
water spot and had to go back to the trail to find grass and a flat
spot for the tent. Slowly hikers came in and though a few did go on,
we finally built up a motley group of quite fascinating people. It's
nice to see what “atmosphere” each hiker carries with him or her.
I find the guys in no too macho mind sets and gals not girls at all
while remaining women. Nice to share a large pot of noodles with
indian vegetable curry as a spice. He'd made lots so each of the 5
there at eating time got a bowl. Then he made hot chocolate as the
night came on and between the guitar, the talk, … the silence of
the night, feelings had time to mature into a comradeship. As usual,
they all went to bed early and finally we poor donkeys got a chance
to sleep.
Next morning he served the coffee he'd
made and kept hot in his thermos all night. Each as they woke up had
his cup right out of his sleeping bag. They appreciated. Then, each
one having packed up said goodbye and left. Pascal who had been
gathering things, was getting us loaded as the last ones left. I
showed him I was stumbling but he loaded us anyhow, it's true he
unloaded me of more than half my load and put it on Jimmy. Off we
went, again up the hill (which I prefer due to my leg) and mile after
mile. Half way up the hill, I don't remember if it's Jimmy or a bush,
but I managed to get my packsaddle askew and sliding over my side. It
scared me and I just wanted to get away, but Pascal stopped me on
this steep hillside and attached me to a bush. Then patiently he
unharnessed me and re harnessed me, making sure the light panniers
were of equal weight. I just waited facing the hill. For once, Jimmy
did not try to pass by me as he likes to try when I stop. Here it was
really too steep. Then he went on and on and on and on and … well
you get the idea. On the 5
th mile there is a downhill and
after going down I just wanted to stop. I stopped in the shade and
made it clear it was time to stop. He allowed a couple of minutes
while he took a drink, but then, always in a hurry, he forced me to
go on. We tried to repeat this 2 or 3 times but no way, he had to get
to Mike Herrera's place where he knew there was water. It's true as
we near 11am the heat is starting to make us thirsty.
Well, I slowed down the last 2 miles
but we did finally make it. Once there and unloaded he put on our
foot bracelets but did not tie us down. So we have this hill above
the house to wander in, with bushes, secluded spaces and lots of
grass. Pascal of course, instead of saying how useful we are in
keeping lawns trim, just said we were good in case of fire hazard …
not very class don't you think?
I must say, he did put water for us
before taking a drink and saying hello to the “permanent”
volunteers and the camp host Kushy. Some through hikers, stop here
and in exchange of food and lodgings help get things done around the
camp. I call it a camp since there is a main house, a sitting room
garage and people in trailers and barns. Well usually, because since
we've arrived we are only 7 or 8 around. The camp host and his
“staff” serve breakfast & diner to hikers with the hope that
they'll leave enough money to feed the next lot. Pascal leaves $10 a
day just for toilets, water, stove use and a place to stay. But
finally he gets also invited to eat what there is and he contributes
by feeding people with his food as well. He made apparently crazy
cookies, real mess ups, but the hikers loved them. Today after a good
night's sleep he repaired Jimmy's panniers which were tearing on the
inside this time, and then he started some bread. Apparently they're
going to turn them into Calzone's with folded into them chorizo. A
little onion soup to give flavour and that should become the evening
meal.
 |
| Kushy & family, daughter, mother |
Well, the host decided on another route, tacos with the chorizo …
oily but good so the bread got cooked as such and if a little dense,
it was all eaten without even giving us a piece?
Alone
What does it mean
to be alone? To be silent with the universe, to be isolated from the
bumps of the presence of others? What can you hear, feel, experience
when you are alone? The vibrations of the universe become audible and
you sense life in the wind on the flaps of your tent. Alone, is with
yourself, so the world is here, now, present and intense. There is no
complaining, no failing to see, since you are the only one that is
here and now. How can you hide from something when you're alone? You
can always see yourself coming, playing the game … or not … Alone
with your consciousness, so what you live is what you are. Whether
you like it or not, you are what you are … and have to live with
it. But who am I after all? What have I become? What's going to make
me like myself better? For I do love myself, after all only when you
can love yourself can you start loving others. Otherwise you're in
competition with the others always “better” than you. You enter
the circle of endless discontent chasing after yourself.
People are like swarms of fish, you never can
anticipate where they are going, but they go where survival leads
them. And though we are each convinced of our total independence, we
miraculously transform mass expression into liberty. So when I'm
alone, like my indian friend once told me, there are two rooms to my
house, in my teepee where I'm intimate, and outside where all my
friends are. On this trip, I'm inside my teepee … and that is where
the world is.
With
What do we mean when we say we are “WITH”
…? With someone, with something, with … a friend, a lover …
there are many ways to be with. With myself is again another
dimension, like the 3rd dimension of space it opens many
facets to the same crustal. The crustal that is actually a thing that
obeys the rules of physics, thus an entity. Focus of: a thought, a
concept, a feeling … , it is the Eureka of creating something out
of being WITH. With my love we dream our lives. Each one in his own
dream while being totally together That! Is making love.
With my
creation I live the here and now.
I write as the sun goes down,
here I am warm and alive … WITH my-self.
 |
| Kushy sits & discusses with through hikers |
Ah! this morning my leg is feeling
better. I still hobble and keep the weight off of it when standing,
but I'm moving around and getting places. Maybe tomorrow I can walk
almost normally. At this rate in 3 or 4 days I'll be walking and
possibly take walks a couple of days before finally taking the trail
again.
You can tell it is NOT AT ALL the way
Pascal had imagined our first 400 miles … but he is just as
dependent on us as we are on him … well almost. The events of the
trail is what dictates what happens. So he gets up perky and after
checking me out, he fills the days with visits to us, helping out in
the kitchen, but not really taking on projects. He negotiated a price
per day so that he did not have to feel obliged. Nor does he eat
unless asked. For that he is autonomous. He baked cookies & bread
but neither were to be glamorous about. It wasn't bad and got eaten,
did not conform to the “standards” of either cookie or bread
making. You just have to like whole grains consistent bread.
 |
| Trail angels ... solicit donations to help feed the hikers |
Somehow, his birth date came up, I
think he jumped when someone said it was the 10
th, and
then at the fall of day, all the people present came up the hill into
our pasture, the one we are kind enough to share with him, and in a
semicircle sang “happy birthday to you”. The cupcake, symbol of
the cake with icing and all! Was topped by a present of a medicinal
plant. 62 like 60 was feasted out of the heart like in the close
family, much more touching than pre-programmed events. In his world,
you must be getting old because now you can get a life long pass to
the national forests for only $10. At least the “getting old”
part is of interest. I say we got to make the young ones pay! After
all, sometimes they come without our really 'wanting' them, then they
eat the hell out of your refrigerator, and I'm not forgetting the
motherhood requests that the little one be able to climb, dance, play
chess, be kept during work … or play, paint, socialize, experience,
… and go with the others … of course. As for our leisures as a
couple, the children were always included ... So they can now pay for
our incapacity to manage our own world! Aren't kids there for that …
our grandparents were stupid enough to plant trees that only their
5
th generation after would be able to harvest.
 |
| Preparing to leave, gathering the gear ... |
He did do the laundry today, I wonder
what it feels like to change your skin each day. And how can he make
sure it fits? All these different pieces! Anyhow the day is hot with
a very nice breeze and the grass is good. Oh, by the way a wonderful
lady left us alfalfa and oats hay. The blond (I should say white …)
head decided we were to eat the grass for now and covered it up! I
sure hope it doesn't mould under there … I'd love to taste it. Well
he did share his apple with us, I could eat several before I'd get a
stomach ache. And this afternoon he even brought us a taste of Oats
Hay. Dry stuff but what a taste. Of course he is keeping it to
himself, we'll only get the left overs. You know, those Oats who lost
their heads full of delicious grain in the shake out.
A flow of hikers come in and out of
this place like water down a stream … in droplet of course! Some
get wet and stick around, others spend an hour and are on the trail
again. Driven by the phantasmagoria monster of “Thru Hikers”,
that mythical grail. Amazing how those humans can just get focussed
on something and then just put all they have into it. It sure gets
things done, wether they were useful, beneficial or plain worth
while, that here is not the issue. The issue is the ISSUE as one
might say. Words are interesting … No?
 |
| Nature has sculptures ... we pass by |
There he is again, eating his trail
mix, you know the big fruits that float on top of a fresh bag and
then for 3 days you have to “eat the rest”. Munching and trying
to type my thoughts as I much on fresh grass on top of my hill. He
keeps drinking coffee and munching while I'm doing all the creative
stuff. Humans are really fumy. It makes me want to roll on my back.
He took my hobble bracelet off this morning and freed us at dawn so
we feel quite free to go about. Even Jimmy was going to visit down at
the house but got brought back, just like when yesterday he tried to
follow hikers out onto the road. That's the only other issue up a
steep stair case made of agglomerated corn grinding wheels or cut
grinding stones.
Well the guys left the gates open so
Jimmy insisted that we take a short walk. I keep telling him that my
leg is not good yet, he urged me on so I stumbled with him. Pascal
who had been looking at a very strange film about a guy loosing
immediate memory … finally came to get us and we walked back slowly
to camp. Each day I can use my leg a little more, after 3 days I can
now stand on it and though I'm still not walking, I can go about and
choose my food. Pascal gave us corn husks this morning and that was
REALLY good.
The days pass by and I can tell he is
getting ancy to move on. If my leg is getting better, it's no where
near a hiker's leg and he can look at all the maps he wants, it isn't
going to work until he knows how many miles we can do without my
hobbling again. I figure after 5 days I should be able to start
walking normally again, but between that and being ready for the
trail … I just don't know. Then the question is how much is good
and at what point do I begin to degrade again? I guess we'll just
have to feel our way though it. Then a guy went out to the Paradise
Cafe and is going to bring back the hoof boots sent by a wonderful
woman. Will they help? Can it really improve my footing? Will they
fit first of all? I guess we'll try them on and see. Meanwhile here
the life is comfortable and friendly, just not our cup of tea since
our minds are more on the “trail”. Judy, the lady with the sore
knee ligaments who really needs a couple of weeks of full rest is
hobbling around and reconciling herself to the fact that she too is
not on the trail. The contrasts between visions of the world are
interesting since each brings with him on the trail his “life
context” with the fears, the anxieties, the illusions and the
dreams … a motley crew but each one living out his own spirit. We
are only together by circumstance, no choice nor do we necessarily
have much in common. The trail is the link, with it's physical
demands and the rich context that each one can make of it. Hikers
pass by focussed on “doing their miles”, others are just walking
and enjoying without letting themselves distracted from the journey.
We who are stopped for a while, wonder who is going to make it to the
end and who will abandon along the way. The Mohave desert crossing
will begin the selection process. I wonder if Pascal will choose (or
have the opportunity) to have us skip that part and have us trailered
to either 58 above Tehachapi or possibly to Walker Pass on 178 from
after Lake Arrowhead somewhere before or at Cahon Pass on the 15. He
looks at me and I can see the questions in his eyes. Will she be ok?
Can she take the trip? How soon can we start? How will she handle the
next 200 miles? Can we skip the Los Angeles forest and the Mohave
desert … or should we just consider that it's part of the trip and
just do it? What kind of meetings await us? Can we call the
Equestrian network and get someone to transport us to the foothills
of the Sierras? How will Daisy & Jimmy do in the high country far
from any support system? … Questions pile up in the heat of the day
but answers are dependent on one major unknown, how can I best
recover and can this recovery be a permanent one? I've even read in
his thoughts about the issue of what happens if I am not able to DO
the PCT ??? but that seems extravagant at this time.
Look at my sparkling shoes, …. just
sent them when he called and asked that I try them. A gesture of not
only corporate generosity, but a basic human reaction worth noting as
a gift. He had talked to his donkey specialist in France, Martine;
she told him to give me Bute as long as I was hobbling, an indication
of pain most likely she said … ignorant! I can TELL you it's pain …
at least in my head. Anyhow, these 00 fit me quite well, might even
be not too large, that I'll see in a day or two, once I get used to
them. A member of the community, my hero Gary, went the 24 miles
needed to get them! And since, with the combination of drug and
shoes, I'm almost, at times walking normally. If at the end of the
day it's still the same, then the boots will have changed the
situation. Not healed but … having progressed. At this time Pascal
is thinking we'll stay the week. A couple of days to confirm, a
couple of days to start taking walks, then a day with a couple of
miles and then if all ok go the next day. … again useless
speculations on his part.
 |
Look at my brand new shoes! Gina Landers ... THANKS
RENEGADE HOOF BOOTS from Landers Industries in AZ
00 size fits and after 75 Miles I can say work very well |
Meanwhile Judith has gone feeling bad
about leaving the “atmosphere” of the trail even if here it was
not her type of context here at Mike's, she couldn't help being interested from the
perspective of a social analyst. A local couple were taking a walk,
saw US, the donkeys, whom they had met at the Warner Springs
community centre, and came over to give us hugs. It was even the
birthday of this guy and he told us he had gotten picked up by his
surprising lady … while hiking the trail. Lovely lady with issues
about herself … but a good heart. Even that she said that we were
wonderful (wunderbar!) and she'd write to us.
 |
and they fixed my limping by putting my foot
in the right position, ... GREAT! |
Hikers keep coming in with issues about
how they are performing , how they are in pain … and the need to
keep moving … at different paces. Mother and daughter teams,
college girl friends who have kept in touch, a Swiss, a German, New
Zealanders and people from all over the US. Many seem to “have
done” the Appalachian Trail on the east coast. For some it's almost
a way of life, most though are going through a “life change” and
“life transitions” with less than half seeming to know what they
are going to do after. Some just quit jobs, others are in-between
jobs or semi retired. For a very few, including my super master, the
trail has or is becoming a stable way of life. Here at Mike Herrera's
place, the permanent team is slowly getting the place to look like an
organized ranch.
 |
| Water tank at Mike's, essential for hikers |
After setting up an outside kitchen, they are now
clearing the garage and the trash has been organized and closed up so
it can't fly around. If only Mike had less stuff the place could
possibly start to look like a home. It seems that Crash and Red will
leave in a few days and Workhorse (Bary) is talking about leaving in
a day or two. Nina will leave her dog who is suffering from the heat
too much (and not allowed everywhere) with her son in LA then hike
the trail until she goes to Peru for some sort of mystical
experience. Kushy seems to be organizing himself to keep being the
house host except in full summer when no hikers pass by and then
he'll probably go to Kennedy Meadows where Tom manages a hiker stop
as a “trail angel”. Meanwhile the hikers keep coming in and going
out with their questions about life. After all, it's a trail, not an
end.
 |
| Cactus blooms, they comme in Yellow, Orange, Red ... |
We took a walk this morning and my legs
felt good. This afternoon on the same walk it was a bit more
difficult and I started hesitating again … I'm just not quite there
yet. Pascal keeps thinking that if tomorrow I can walk 2 miles
without hesitating he might leave Thursday. I'm not sure he
understands the time the body takes to get better. He got on my
nerves this evening when he put us up for the night and as he was
fussing with Jimmy's hobble, I gave him a small, very small, kick in
the arm. He got really mad, screamed at me and spanked me with his
hand … I think he was really seriously mad. But I'm getting nervous
to get on; Jimmy is tired of this place and so am I. The grass is all
but gone and though we still have oat hay and alfalfa, which he only
gives sparingly, it really is time we left. Ahead there is a 3 mile
climb and then a 16 mile mostly downhill before the flats … I
wonder how my legs will take that … even if cut up into 3 day or 4
day segments.
 |
We eat Oat Hay & Alfalfa ... Thanks to Sherry Freeman
she came 5 miles on dirt road to see if we were ok |
The hoof shoes seem to be making it easier for me, but
the medication was what probably really changed my walking yesterday.
He hesitates to give it to me since then he has no real vision on
what is going on … I'm not really hurting, just not comfortable and
I don't know how long I can walk without going into pain again.
Tomorrow is another day … I hope you sympathise.
He postponed our departure as Kushy is
having his mother & daughter visit and asked him to meet them. So
instead of heading out this morning, he brushed us and we went for a
4+ mile hike on the road. Not bad, I managed to end the walk without
much of a hesitation on my right leg. I'm still a bit hesitant when
going down hill, but on the flats and uphill I'm ok. As usual we
stopped at the turn around point where there is grass up to our
bellies and Jimmy just loves it. He is a marvel to watch grabbing as
much top ends where all the seeds are until his mouth is full then
chomping down to cut the grass and then gobbling down the sweet
grass. After an hour of feeding Jimmy was still chomping while I was
quietly resting in the shade. I must say, that grass beats the dry
stuff we've had all our lives. Pascal keeps telling me of future
mountains where there'll be even sweeter grass to eat … I let him
talk but can't really believe him.
Meanwhile the days are getting hotter
and apparently tomorrow is the day. Up before dawn and a morning
hike, then an end of the day hike to try to get to the next water.
We'll see. Have you figured out who is the boss? The trail … of
course!
It is nice to rise out of the valley at
dawn, the sun hits the opposite hill and down below is Mike's place,
a little oasis amongst the scrub brush. Over the pass and into a new
world. Now it's the far valleys with the desert sands at the bottom.
Around the bend and we are now on a downward path for the next … 8,
10 … ultimately 25 miles. Jimmy is bravely carrying 80% of the load
and I am prancing behind Pascal, pushing him a little in the climbs
as he tends to slow while I like to speed up. Might as well since we
have to go up, get it over with. Like kids I like to move when time
is at moving … and have little concern about measuring out my
energy. Pascal however is insuring I slow down in the steeper parts
so Jimmy has time to negotiate the footing. Sometimes the trail is
like a staircase of rocks. None of them seem to slow us down even if
Pascal gets a little concerned about steep climbs or descents. Hell,
we are donkeys, not slugs on only two legs.
The memorable part of
today's 8 miles is Pascal at the stop for lunch had to backtrack two
miles to find my saddle pad, the wooly sheepskin, which had slid from
under my packsaddle seeing as I'm carrying almost nothing. Meanwhile
we filled our bellies with nice fresh grass growing in a dry
stream-bed. Around 4 he packed us up again and we walked another 3
miles, stopped to get water and did another mile before stopping at a
bend in the trail where there was a wonderful flat spot of sand. As
soon as we were unpacked, we both rolled in the sand and put dust all
over everything! It was good! But Pascal did not appreciate, why he
never rolls in the sand like us, no wonder he smells so strong!
Anyhow he put us up on the hill where there was only dry grass and a
couple of those weed clumps that I've grown to like so much in this
desert. Jimmy and I are starting to taste all kinds of different
things. Interesting how many different plants have finally a good
taste. Not all of them of course but we are quickly learning to taste
things and then only eat what we like. Only met a couple of hikers
today, Sam who is doing the PCT in sandles and seems quite a person
and his friend, recovering from 2 weeks lay off to heal, and who is
still quite focused on his body issues.
The important stuff is that I did 8
miles without limping and this morning we did another 7 without my
even hesitating on my foot. Finally Pascal has stopped in a canyon
and we are letting the heat pass before doing the last 6 miles to
Paradise café … My legs willing of course. There we might get
internet and possibly pause for a day … or half day. From there to
the climb into Big Bear there is water every 10 miles or so, so we'll
only need 1 day's water as we climb the San Yacinto mountains.
Basically 60 miles of climbing and then 16 miles of downhill. A
formidable task which should definitively let me know if my legs are
going to be ok for the trip. I wonder why we can't take the Palm
Springs tele-cabins to go down … but apparently Pascal has ruled
that out. I can see him smiling as he is typing … is it about our
future miseries? Or is it the humming bird that has come to a
standstill in front of him as he is typing? Anyhow, it's hot now and
the shade is skimpy for us, not like our leisure lover who is laying
on our wool pads in the shade. As if we donkeys didn't like luxury!
 |
| A blue bird we had not seen yet |
Ok I'll have him post this so you who
are waiting for my wisdom can wash your heads with it. We've arrived
at Paradise Valley Café after crossing quite a few valleys, ravines
and trails on steep slopes needing repairs. I'm always amazed how far
you can get on foot in one day. We did 13 miles and it seems the
valley we left this morning is so far away, the country has changed
so much … not at all like roads where you feel you've barely gone
anywhere in 20 miles. I think it's the fact that we cross areas that
are still characterized by their specific nature, road crews tend to
choose least changing paths and destroy identity while building the
roads. Every time we hit a north slope we would find grass again,
luscious grass that Pascal would not let us even taste … most of
the time. I have to proudly anounce that if I did slow down the last
miles, I did NOT hobble. 13 miles is really a long way still for me,
but possibly 10 could become a regular day's hike. My hoof boots are
holding up and even if the rubber bands are dead, the basic boot is
quite comfortable and I did not loose any today.
The welcome at the Paradise Valley Café
was wonderful. They brought us water and we had a nice lawn to keep
tidy. We made sure it was no longer going to be a fire hazard!
Meanwhile he had a beer and a big, really big hamburger with hot
peppers and fries. Each one his own, frankly I prefer the 5 different
varieties of grass around here. Then the place closed down at 8pm and
he crawled into his tent while leaving us out in the cold. This
morning there was ice and it was freezing at dawn. To excuse himself
he put us out in the field under a tree where the grass is almost
reaching my belly. Delicious day of rest ahead even if he came around
with his Blue Coat, the medication he puts on our cuts. Jimmy and I
have had a couple of stress caused skin rashes, the Blue Coat does
wonders drying it up and helping heal. We hate it, but when he did
his thing, he smelled of that Dr Browner's soap, you know the one
with the mint. He must have washed himself and his clothes in the
sink that the owner gave him the key to. He's lost weight and that
always makes him look older. But he's clean and that is no luxury, I
tell you!
Then I guess, if he doesn't find an
easier route, we'll just go over that hill and reach the Big Bear
area in 10 days or so. I hope he has enough food. It's going to be
cold up there but the days are warm, we are nearing the end of May
now. He had a long talk with Nathalie, she really is a wonderful
person. Their roads run different routes but they have a real contact
as people. It is a treasure that needs to be protected from the hurts
of life. Anyhow he now has no phone credit … until he can fill up
via internet.
A
word from my new friend Chery, which I share with you (go see her
site!)
A
man and two donkeys walked through my gate
He
has chosen a path home to himself
It
takes him to far corners of the earth
Into
the harsh elements of nature
Some
might call his expedition insane
Failing
to grasp the depth of his searching
I
see his dedication as valor
I
am inspired by his devotion
He
is a man on of mission of deep inner exploration
Each
day a challenge to meet who he is
Alone
with Mind and two donkey’s
To
share his experiences with.
He
has met the challenge of Ocean
Crossing
in a sailboat from Panama to Tahiti
5000
miles of nothing but water and weather
Followed
by months of living with the people of the islands.
Crossed
Canada in a 400 lb. four-man canoe
Testing
his strength and resolve
Nature
again providing her challenges
Cold,
snow, mud, wind, rough lake waters…all.
And
now this journey of 15000 miles, LongEars2Chile,
Walking
from Mexico to Oregon on the PCT
East
on the Oregon Trail to the Continental Divide
South
down the divide to Chile, SA.
Pascal,
this fine French man who graced our table
Has
claimed a new way of life,
Not
merely an adventure.
A
lifelong journey of self-discovery.
Meeting
the challenges of each new day
With
patience, gratitude and a smile
He
slowly but surely
Is
finding his way home.
Namaste'
Chery
Well,
he will try to organize in Big Bear both our stay with Bruce and
Stevie, the Love family who live beyond Cahon pass, only10 days
from here; and our transfer to Walker Pass or evenKennedy Meadows.
Hope it works out, I'm tired of this dry woodsy or deserted country
where a donkey can't find a decent meal. No wonder I'm loosing weight
as well as Jimmy. Nothing serious, possibly just a change into
muscles, but still, 2 more notches in the belly strap is not nothing!
