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Launch Date: November 11th is the day that I head back out to the road for the last section on leg 1. A 3,000 mile stretch from San Diego, California to Dahlonega, GA. After climbing away from San Diego on the California coast and topping out at 3,800 feet (1160 meters), the desert appears. The route travels through the Yuha Desert and the below-sea-level, irrigated Imperial Valley, before splitting the Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area in half. In Arizona, the snowbirds (northern states residents living in the southwest for the winter) abound as the route travels through Phoenix, Arizona, and its surrounding communities, and the copper-mining towns of Miami and Globe. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park east of Superior and the Besh Ba Gowah Archeological Park in Globe are attractions not to be missed. The route passes through dry, sparsely populated ranch country where every town will be a welcome sight and a chance to top off water bottles. Silver City, New Mexico offers an oasis for latte drinkers, along with the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, some of the best preserved Mogollon cliff dwelling.(Wiki)
The walk along the Rio Grande River into El Paso, Texas, is a treat for bird lovers, especially during migration season, when the birds are flying north or south. Texas dominates this route, taking up an entire third of the mileage. Starting in El Paso, just across the Rio Grande River from Cd. Juárez, Mexico, the route follows the river southward before turning east and heading through the Davis Mountains, where some of the friendliest folks on the whole route reside. I will pass the McDonald Observatory atop 6,800' (2070 meter) Mt. Locke. After the Davis Mountains, towns are few and the country desolate, full of sagebrush and tumbleweeds. As riders travel through central Texas, the terrain starts to feel like the Alps, but this is actually the famous "Texas Hill Country." This diverse area serves some great barbecue and was the training ground for Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner.(Wiki)
Louisiana is like no other state in the United States due to its history, language, culture, and food. First of all, they have parishes instead of counties. Traveling right through the middle of Cajun country, in places like Mamou, a stop in a cafe is a trip unto itself. The crowd is speaking English, but one can't understand the words. Mississippi offers rural walking all the way into Alabama, where the route crosses a bridge to Dauphin Island. From there it's a ferry ride across Mobile Bay to Gulf Shores and some of the whitest beaches in the world. If the ferry is closed, there is an alternate route through Mobile, Alabama (Wiki)
 Presentation at High Mill Church: I was excited when the Youth Pastor from High Mill called me up to speak again for his youth group. I was excited because 7 months ago I spoke to his group and challenged them to take the equation that $1 provides clean water to 1 African friend for 1 full year and run a campaign. The campaign is called the “2 weeks of sacrifice” I got a call from my friend after they ran this campaign as he told me how their group had raised $3,000 for Blood:Water Mission! They were fun….this time we set up a late night show feel and I answered questions from the students…
Get Involved: Do you want to get involved while asking others to join you? The Two Weeks of Sacrifice is a great opportunity. The water crisis in the fight against HIV/AIDS must be addressed, and you can do so without dipping into your savings, without affecting your contributions to churches and other charities. Instead, you can effectively get restaurants and grocery stores to make a contribution for you.
HERE'S HOW:
- Start by watching the VIDEO.
- Take a moment to read Why participate? on our Resources page and learn more about the water crisis. The Resources page has materials specific to the 2 Weeks of Sacrifice Campaign.
- Make water your only beverage for just 2 weeks.
- For those 2 weeks, take the money you would usually spend on soda, juice, sports drinks, coffee, milk, etc., and collect it in a your favorite mug or cup. We've provided a label to tape to your collection cup or a scorecard to keep a tally of your savings.
- Get your friends and family in on the act. Better still, arrange to bring The 1000 Wells Project to a church, school or civic organization in your area. See the Checklist (Resources)for Group Participation.
- When the 2 weeks is over, contribute the funds to Blood:Water Mission. Send your check to the address below.
- Please include a remittance/feedback form with your contribution
WHERE TO SEND FUNDS:
Collected donations for the 1000 Wells Project should be sent to:
Blood:Water Mission
P.O. Box 60381
Nashville, TN 37206
We appreciate brief descriptions of how the money was raised, especially as an encouragement for other individuals and groups.
IMPORTANT -- Checks should be made out to Blood:Water Mission. Please write "The Earth Expedition," in the memo line.
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Countdown to departure: 2 weeks left until I leave again to walk the 3,000 mile walk from San Diego to GA.
Kingsway Christian Church: Kingsway is where I used to work for two years as an intern/resident. I love going back here for my experience was so great when I was there. I spoke to the Jr. High and High School students and challenged then to the “2 weeks of Sacrifice” campaign as well.
Documentary Shoot: Sorry it has been so long since my last post but I have been up in
Computer: In the last blog I mentioned that 
Frontier Presentation: