Some thoughts before departure...

  • I am still not a vet, doctor, lawyer, dog trainer, cia agent, fbi agent or a navy seal so...walk
  • I am doing this for the challenge of course, and I hope to gain a confidence that comes with this type of endeavor. But also I hope to gain some new knowledge about the world and the truths that reside in it.
  • Am I walking to "find myself"? Or just to take a walk. You decide...and you'll probably be right.
  • I'm not in the best shape of my life, but I do have a lot of new great gear so....
  • After living with my parents the last 2 years, it makes perfect sense to walk 2650 miles - alone.
  • Yes there will be bears, cougars, rattlesnakes and scorpions both imagined and real along the way. I'm definitely more worried about those imagined.
  • Am I scared? Not as of yet, more of just a constantly increasing anticipation. But check back with me on the 3rd night in the desert.
  • I tried to keep my pack fairly light, but I definitely would not call it ultralight. Somehow when I added up all my ultralight gear and put it in my ultralight pack, I ended up with just slightly heavy.
  • My biggest concern for this trip is that I get too hungry somewhere along the way, my brain goes awol as it usually does when I get hungry and subsequently you never hear from me again...I'll try to eat frequently.
  • I am not Christopher McCandless. This is not Into the Wild.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Good food, good day

Day 74, a zero---This is going to be short cause once again i am writing the following morning and i need to get back on trail soon. It was a great day, very relaxing and not as smoky around Tahoe. We went to the Fire Sign Cafe for breakfast and it was so amazing that i am going back there again this morning. They knew what they were doing with food. After we ran errands , i got to do most of the rest of my laundry. The night was once again very cool, with great food and people. We had a real smorgasbord(sp?) on the grill which included pizza, tofu, chicken, burgers, ciabatta bread, corn, portabello's, asparagus - and that was just on the grill. It was all very well executed food, definitely one of the reasons it is going to be hard to leave this place. Off to Truckee to see the Bousquets now, i haven't seen them since high school summer road trips. I promise to put more thought and time into the coming posts. Thought of the day; food can transform your surroundings. Song of the day; aaa yyyynt noooo sunshiiiine when she's gaaawnnnn by somebody i should remember considering its on the i-pod. Craving of the day; another Fire Sign Cafe breakfast.

JWC on the PCT

7 comments:

Mom and Dad said...

Hi sweetie, sounds like you're really getting the royal treatment, especially in the food department! Esther just called to ask " he isn't a vegetarian is he?" I assured her "meat" is your middle name! so then she asked "fajitas or tri tip? and we're on our way to Costco for fruit!"
I think those that are reading your blog would like to have a little background on who Jarell is and Anna and Esther etc.(the friends you are seeing on the trail)
love you lots and have a fun 24th birthday with your "other mother" We will be thinking about you. (as we are ever day)
Love, yo momma xxoxoxoxox
P.S. Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers

ark said...

Jesse...As always, I am so sad when I have run out of entries to read. I love them! And I love you! This has been such an incredible treat for me. I used to be so opposed to the march of technology, but now I love it. How else could we be so up to date with your off the charts experiences? As this is my day off, and I am flying to Lakeland, Florida on Friday, I may not have a chance to say Happy Birthday on the right day. So...Happy, happy, happy birthday to you! This year's birthday should be up there in the top five for sure. Jefferson and I are going to Lakeland because the Holy Spirit has poured out there and thousands of people are being healed of all kinds of serious diseases. Over twenty people have been raised from the dead. Jefferson has already gone once and seen it for himself. ABC did a Nightline special on it, and CBS did a "backpage" article on it, but it is too controversial for ordinary news. I have wanted to be at one of those kinds of outpourings for about twenty years. I have read about them, heard people talk about them, but never watched a little blind child suddenly be able to see. I want to experience it for myself. I will check in as soon as I get back. Love forever.....Andrea

Grandmother said...

Hi Jesse Boy, Well, I'm hoping this note will finally find it's way to you. Google didn't seem to like my info -at any rate wanted you to know that Granddad and I are following you every step of the way. Your blogs are like reading a great exciting adventure novel and we can hardly wait for the next ones to arrive on our screen. It sounds like you've had a good respite the past few days with Jarell's family, and Anna and now you'll be at Esthers to celebrate your birthday - I know she will make it memorable.
I found myself wishing that you had been riding along with us to Texas last week - which tells you that I find myself thinking about you every day! Do eat enough - I'm afraid that you don't - and DO buy some new shoes - don't you think you deserve new ones? You are such a frugal person - but remember those feet have to last you a lot of years, so be good to them! I hope your b'day gets to Esther's on time -have a wonderful day and know that we love you lots.
Granddad & Grandmother

Marnell said...

Happy b-day to you
Happy b-day to you
Happy b-day, dear Jesse,(don't you have a trail name yet???)
Happy b-day to you.
Michael thinks you look healthy (this is coming from a 67 yr old triathelete)and I thought you looked like Lance Armstrong.

Lindsay said...

i want to wish you a very very happy birthday! i hope that all of your food cravings are satisfied! i think for your welcome back to the land of the living party you should have a very long table full of all of your cravings of the day and also have your songs of the day playing on continuous loop!

even though you've been on the trail for quite a while now i'm still so impressed by what you're doing. everytime i've told someone about it they can't believe it. like i told you before you really are the only person i know capable of doing such an amazing thing!

one last thing, if you won't treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, maybe a generous birthday gift of duct tape so you can attach the sole to the rest of the shoe? i'd love to see a picture of you on the trail with duct taped shoes!

Beardens said...

Happy Birthday Jesse
We love reading about all your travels. Can't wait to see you - let us know when you will be at Crater Lake, Maybe we can meet you there too.
We love you and miss you.
love
Uncle Rob, Aunt Terri, Michael & Terri

5Bergers said...

Hey trail blazer first Happy Birthday from all of us
It sounds like you have hit your stride on the trail my BD wish to you is simply Savor every moment even in high gear ( except the darn blood sucking mosquitoes)we be hanging with the pair of entos at the park their faces beam with pride about the .son- -e -tow and the pix of you in lean form ..sweet.. stay safe G & C