That photo of me with my arms stretched out is old. Like, 7 years old. But it well represents how I’m feeling right now. Singing from the highest mountaintop (which in NC isn’t all that high). Breathing a sigh of relief, for the time being, anyhow. Today I finished the first major draft of my book. And it’s by pure coincidence that I began writing … Continue reading Draft #1 COMPLETE!!
Back in late February, I left my home in Carrboro, NC and drove cross country to Portland, OR. I temporarily settled in the Rose City and am working a long-term, on-site consulting contract with one of my premier clients. Upon arrival, I tried to incorporate book-writing into my daily schedule. But unlike writers who work their manuscript into a busy life, I shelved my work-in-progress … Continue reading Book Status And More
[BOOK EXCERPT] Beyond Los Angeles, on the outskirts of the valley, California could be Mexico. And less than 200 years ago, it was. While passing through Los Angeles, into and through the San Bernardino Valley, I liked to imagine what all this built up sprawl looked like before we made it what it is today. Before we claimed it as our own, took credit for … Continue reading Are We Still Breathing?
Hi folks! On 7/25 I finished my 3410-mile journey across the USA. Had a shaky start, was delayed early with injuries resulting from extreme hydration, but rebounded fine. Took me 205 days to get from Santa Monica, CA to Coney Island, NY. My final stretch included a few adjustments: Gettysburg to Philadelphia to Sandy Hook, NJ where I camped with nudist swingers. Then a Seastreak … Continue reading Post-Walk Across America: Walk(ed)
During the first week of January 2018 I am beginning a walk across the United States. I’m starting in Santa Monica, California and ending with a belly flop in the Atlantic ocean – the exact finish location will be determined by the ordeal’s six-ish months of unknown variables. But if I had to predict it, I’d guess somewhere in New England. Maine, maybe. My why … Continue reading I’m Walking Across the USA
After barely one mile, my left knee started to buckle. Blame it on a tight IT band, the 6 hours of yard work I did the day before, or last September’s shoddy surgery meant to get me running again (it didn’t). Whatever the case, all I could think about was failure. I freaked out, a hitch in each step. I wasn’t as concerned about turning … Continue reading Carrboro to Pittsboro
Today I knocked out a nearly 20-mile walk, following a standard local bike route from my house in Carrboro to the Saxapahaw General Store. I figured it would take a bit more than 5 hours, so to beat the heat I left at 6:45am. Scores of cyclists seemed to have adjusted their Sunday rides for similar reasons. But maybe so many out on a Sunday … Continue reading Carrboro to Saxapahaw
Walk Across America Training #2 Continue reading Carrboro to Cocoa Cinnamon
First big training day – double digits with a pack! Continue reading Walk Across America – Training Day #1
Thoreau writes in his essay, Walking, “I wish to speak a moment a word for nature.” I too wish to speak a moment, but not for nature, even if my topic is often mistaken for something natural. I want to recognize that embarking on a 7-month, non-work-related journey is a full-on exploitation of my individual privilege. This understanding makes my innate desire for travel and … Continue reading My Privilege to Walk
