Different POV: The last 1.5 weeks have been ridiculous. My friend Alex Christiansen from WI came down and walked with Bryan and I through AZ and NM. TO give you a different Point of View I asked him to blog his experience for you… Enjoy
Alex’s Blog:
Monday January 19 – Friday January 30, 2009
Globe, AZ – Alamogordo, NM
What a vacation? This is my two week break from single digit and negative temperatures, and feet of snow, and a day-to-day that was growing old. I arrived in Phoenix to a winter day that was better than any summer day in Wisconsin. I’ve since covered more miles than I had in the last two months, had more free meal and places to stay than I can remember, and have more severe blisters than I have ever encountered in my life of distance running. I have seen a different world right here in the states; a way of life and living conditions completely foreign to mine.I have been given the opportunity to experience the Earth Expedition; for two weeks I am part of something bigger than myself, something that is doing something bigger than itself.I have surrendered the physical comforts of home while pushing my body to new levels, surrendered home cooked meals for PB&Js and water.Through all of this I have found beauty in total desolation; stretches of pavement that covers great distances and even greater vastness. I have loved being in the middle of nowhere; not a crossroad or a passing car for miles and miles, just the occasional herd of cattle that stares until you crest the next hill. I have never felt more hardcore than running in the rain on a seemingly forgotten swath of highway through the mountains of eastern Arizona; when the few cars passed I would wonder what they were saying to each other in side their warm and dry RVs, “What are those crazy people doing in the rain, way out here“, knowing there are no towns for miles in either direction. Some vacations are spent on pristine beaches others on snowy slopes, mine was spent on U.S. highway between Phoenix and El Paso.
1.26.09 Deming, NM-Hatch, NM
Daren’s Blog:
Windy Day: Today was an unmotivated day….Bryan and I have been doing 40 mile days for about 7 days straight now and it is taking its toll on the body and mind. It was hard to get up at the hotel that was donated to us and get going… all I wanted to do was sleep the day away. It was about 65 degrees today and it was the windiest day since Mt.Washington. There were times where the wind was pushing me off the road. The good thing is that the wind was at my back and off to the side the whole day. It would have been awful if we had to walk against the wind.
Middle of Nowhere: We are in the middle of nowhere…literally today I saw a Café and Bar that was titled “Middle of Nowhere Bar and Café” It was kind of depressing. The roads today were straight for about 40 miles. It felt like eternity to finish the day.
Hatch: Today we rolled into Hatch, NM… I guess they are famous for their famous Hot Chili’s. The whole town is filled with pepper this and chili that. I am not a big fan of the town but we did find some luck here. When we sat down for some dinner at the Travel Center (Subway) we got to talking to the subway guy about what we are doing. He ended up giving us a deal on the subs! Then the other worker gave us the number to the fire station and local parish. They both turned out to be dead ends but then someone overheard us and offered his camper to us for the night. His name was Willy! We thanked him and that is where we are all right now. Sitting in Willy’s Camper with no electric JIt is all good though…. The three of us ended up sitting outside for about an hour just staring at the stars and talking about life and the vastness of space. I haven’t seen stars like tonight since Maine. Gorgeous!
“Mick”: I am excited to meet my new friend “Mick” real name “Michelle” in Las Cruces. She is part of the Couch Surfing Community and she agreed to have us stay at her place tomorrow in Las Cruces. So that is always a good time!
Once again I am beat….Bryan and I rocked out 46.5 miles between the two us today. That was a record and I am sure I will pay for it tomorrow morning!
“Life to the Fullest” Daren
Bryan’s Blog:
Today was my day. I don’t know if it was Alex’s encouraging words or the vitamins that I took or just the fact that I don’t want to be in
New Mexico anymore that got me as far as I did today. For my afternoon leg I ended up running most of the way and did 3.5 extra miles, which is a total of 23.5 miles for the day. Oh yeah, and today was my first day of walking through a dust storm. Actually…that’s why I ran so much, because I didn’t want to turn into a Tusken Raider. So we made all the way into Hatch today all the way from Deming. Good stuff…
Then I just really didn’t want to sleep in the car again so I just started talking really loud about finding a place to stay and a woman asked what we were talking about. It was gutsy but I did it anyway. I then pitched to her my usual need of finding a place to stay and she found us one! One of her friends, Willie Herrera, let us stay in his old camper. It was very comfy. God bless him! Overall, a good day in the sense of accomplishing our goals, but I pretty much feel like I was thrown out of a fast-moving car. But…like they always say…Another day, another dog biscuit!
Album of the Day – “I am Hollywood” by He Is Legend
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Bryan’s Blog
I am paying for what I did yesterday. I am sooooo sore. A car full of kids tried to run me off the road for fun today. How exciting…I wanted to throw a rock through their window. But then I would go to jail, therefore concluding the Earth Expedition. Daren convinced me not to. The afternoon leg was worse. I enjoy the feeling that I am advancing to a nearby big city, like
Las Cruces , but I hate walking through cities. It slows you down from the traffic, intersections, waiting for lights, and getting lost of course. Well, I didn’t get lost; I just looked at the map wrong. But I asked someone and I wasn’t too far off. But the wind this time was in my face and the hills were crazy on the highway and from the soreness caused by yesterday’s triumph I had to stop two miles before my mark. So I only did 18 miles today. I was beat.
But then our contact met us at a truck stop and saved us once again from sleeping in the blazer. She was soooo hospitable. She fed us dinner, let us use her shower, and stay in her very small apartment. I felt bad because we took up about as much room as possible since there are three of us. She is in college at
New Mexico
State
University so it’s typical to have a small apartment. But she was awesome. Thanks Mic! I got to meet some of her cool friends who are very funny. I love meeting people that give me some comic relief every once in a while. Though Daren and Alex together are pretty ridiculous. I’m done for now. Have a good night everyone.
Album of the Day – “ A Rush of Blood to the Head” by Coldplay
1.28.09 Las Cruces
Daren’s Blog:
Last 2 Days: The last two days have been pretty good. We have been doing 40+ miles for 9 days straight now and we are excited to have a half day tomorrow! We are going to take Alex down to El Paso for he is flying back home to WI on Friday. I keep reminding him that there is a 60 degree difference between south NM and WI…lol. The last couple of days have beenvery windy… I felt like I got mugged by the wind for 8 hours….not fun.Today we walked through a missile testing site that is between Las Cruces and Alamogordo. The sky was filled with Jets and Heli’s but no explosions today… It was just 40 miles of barbed wire with signs that said “Warning do not enter” but I can’t complain for the day was beautiful!
CouchSurfing: Alex, Bryan, and I are all couchsurfing right now at our new friends house!Mick let us stay here for 2 nights and made us some pretty sweet chicken breast and homemade fettuccini alfredo! Sooo good! I love Couchsurfing!
Sleeping in: I am pretty excited that we are doing a half day tomorrow. We get to sleep in for a little bit…even though I will probably get up at 7:00 anyways. Oh well.. Ok.. I am tired…. Going to bed!
Bryan’s Blog
Today’s conditions were a lot better than yesterday. Daren and I both did 21 miles each. The cool thing was not how much we walked today but where we walked. We went directly through the
White
Sands
Missile
Testing
Range on Highway 70. It was such a cool feeling to know that any minute now a bomb could go off a mile away from me. But it’s a little more structured than that. If a missile is about to be tested, they block off the roads and wait about 45 minutes for both directions to drive out and then they test it. The people who are stopped have to wait at least an hour. The funny thing is, it took us six hours to get through the missile range so if they would have tested a missile, we would have no way to get out. But along the way there are random phones on the side of the highway that you can call to the outside world to let them know you’re about to die. It’s pretty interesting. The dang range was forty miles long! I had a walking dream about that. It was crazy. You should have been there. Don’t worry though. I survived. Lots of little sentences. Kind of annoying. Stop it. Now. Ok.
We were blessed with another night to stay with Mic because she is awesome! She fed us a huge pasta dinner and nice brownie sundae dessert. Dessert in the desert. A very good combination. We have a half day tomorrow because we have to go to
El Paso to drop Alex off at the airport. But I’m still tired, so I’m going to bed. Goodnight.
Album of the Day – “Identity Crisis” by Thrice
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Bryan’s Blog:
So we have officially made it to
Alamogordo through the
White
Sands
Missile
Testing
Range . Thank God that’s over. I didn’t want to get nuked. I only had to walk 10 miles today! Woohoo! We headed off to
El Paso by about 1:00 P.M. We camped out at a starbuck’s until our
El Paso contact got home. It’s the same people we saw when we came through
El Paso before the walk. Michael and Jackie Williamson!! Yay! But while we were taking it easy at Starbuck’s we met a group of guys who are in a band. They are playing a show tonight in
Las Cruces . One of the guys owns his own company in event planning and he said he could help us with some sponsorship possibly. That would be really awesome. He also just happens to live in one of the small towns that we walk through so we now have a place to stay when we go that way! What are the odds?!?! I love this world. So tomorrow we get a day off because we have to take Alex to the airport. That will be good. We walked for ten days straight. Wow. This is going great.
Album of the Day – “And Justive For All” by Metallica
1.30.09 El Paso, TX
Daren’s Blog:
Texas?: Ok Bryan and I are not “walking wise” in Texas but we did just drop Alex off at the airport this morning.Yesterday Bryan and I walked a half day and then drove down to El Paso to stay with friends in El Paso.Tomorrow we are heading back out to Alamogordo, NM where it will take us 2.5 days to get to Roswell, NM. Then before we know it we will be in Bryans Home state… which he is really excited about.But today is going to be a “0” day. We have been walking 40+ miles for 9 days straight!
Buffet: Last night Alex, Bryan, and I rocked out a CiCi’s Pizza Buffet! The owners were crying by the time we left.
Momentum and 50 mile days:Bryan and I are excited about the next couple weeks. We have some Interview lined up as well as some speaking engagements which always lifts our spirits. We are also getting ready to move our average up to 50 miles a day. It is only 5 more miles each day but I know how I feel after 20 but pain is just weakness leaving the body right! Sometimes I feel like a closet masochist.
Weather: Ok… I am not the biggest fan of being cold… and I was watching the weather forecast for the next 7 days and the lows were below freezing. The motivation to get out of the sleeping bag and Blazer is not too high when there is frost on the windows! But hey… there are worst things than cold weather right… for example… drinking water that has diseases in it because there is no other choice. Then I get out of my sleeping bag and talk to my doctor (Dr. Suckitup) and he writes me a prescription for the day.
Route: If you are anywhere close to the route we would love to meet you! ROUTE INFO
Bryan’s Blog Off days are amazing. I feel regenerated and ready to start another long stretch of walking. We are going to start walking 50 miles a day now. That will be interesting, but I think we can do it. We are manly men. We dropped off Alex at the airport today. We are sad to see him go. He was our comic relief. What a funny man. He is the ultimate one-line quoter. I love it. I have a whole new routine of things to say! Thanks Al! Not much else happened today meaning this blog will be short. So have a good weekend everyone! We are going to walk all weekend. Yippee!
Album of the Day – “Speak For Yourself” by Imogen Heap
Chilly morning: … Whew!The morning went fast…. Probably a lot faster now that my friend Alex is walking with me. The morning was full of good conversation and just shooting the bull. Before I knew it we were at the Blazer and halfway done with the day and on our way to find Bryan about 10 miles up the road!
Lunch: Lunch was good…. The typical lunch for us is either PB n J and I make up some Tuna and about 4 packets of Mayonnaise…MMM.. I then proceed to as a lunch ritual to hit rocks with the Louisville slugger and usually end up playing the harmonica as Bryan or Alex rocks the Backpacker Guitar… people look at us like we are not quite right…. It is good stuff J
Blisters: Today Alex decided that it was in the best interest of his giant blister on the bottom of his right foot not to walk the second shift of the day. It was fine with me… I felt like running a little of the day and ended up rocking the last 10 miles of the day in 2 hours. 5 mph!I am pretty excited about that.
Hook-up!: We went to McDonalds to eat and then afterward was looking for a starbucks… the starbucks was actually a church and before we know it we are going to church… then after a conversation with the Pastor he found us a place for use to stay! Awesome! I handed out business cards and all of that jazz…. We got free drinks from the Cafe and that is where I am right now… The old church where they used to have service… it is nice to not to be man-witched in the back of the blazer…. 3 people in the Blazer makes for quite the night for good sleep (Insert Extreme Sarcasm Here)
Well it is way to late for me to be up and I still need to add some pictures to the website! Gotta go to bed.. it is 12:30
1:22.09Old Joes CaféDuncan, AZ
Daren’s Blog
Alex has been with me for the past three days and I love it… he is a good friend and it is ridiculous when he is around…
Fast Morning:Today was good…10 in the morning.. it started to rain some but now that bad… and where we met bryan for lunch was beautiful… the rock formations were gorgeous…. I had tuna with like 6 mayo packets… Yummo!After hitting some rocks with the baseball bat We took off again for the next 10 miles… I feel freaking fantastic… I dont hurt anymore and I have been running half the time.
Dinners: Since Bryan and I are ridiculously tired at the end of every 40 miles day we usually are too tired to cook something to every night we go out to dinner somewhere and tonightwe ate at Old Joe’ café.. Duncan, AZ . is an old mining town and the Café is the only restaurant in town so we went and I had the best patty melt I have ever had.. .good stuff… after using their WIFI we asked the owner if we can park in the back… he gave the ok and now here we are…. I am in the back of the Blazer still moochin the WIFI from the store. Instead of trying to fit 3 in the blazer tonight Alex decided to Set up the Kelty tent and sleep by the car. It is going to be cold tonight!
Trail Music: The night was fun… We switched the car around and hung out on this cold brisk night as we played the guitar and harmonica talking about girls and shooting the bull. We called some friends and Alex played guitar and I rocked my harp with him… The night was just a really cool night…. Even though the town sucks it is good to be with friends…
Ok..I am getting really really tired and I better get some sleep…. This is life to the Fullest! Going to Bed now! Nite, Daren
Bryan’s Blog
Thank you Ol’ Jo Café! We made it to the town of
Duncan today.
Duncan is a mining town…enough said. But out of all that wasn’t there, the Ol’ Jo Café came to our aid. I would have never guessed they had Wifi, but of course I was wrong. We had a good dinner after a long day of walking in the last part of
Arizona ! Woohoo! We are three miles away from the border of
New Mexico . But we couldn’t find a place to stay so we parked the Black Beauty behind the café and camped out there. Today was my first day of rain. Luckily, it wasn’t too heavy. But it still kind of sucked. Oh well…its gone now.
So far every night that I get done walking, I evaluate how my body is feeling after walking almost a marathon a day, and I think to myself how could I possibly take another step?! And yet, the next day, I get up and walk another 20 miles. It’s weird. After a marathon it takes me almost a week to heal. Out here, I have 12 hours to heal. But it works out. I can’t believe it. Of course I run the whole time in a marathon. But I do run out here a little too and it’s very mountainous. So it’s similar. Anyway, time to sleep in the car…yay.
Album of the Day – “Continuum” by John Mayer
1.23.09: Lordsburg, NM
Daren’s Blog
Crossed the Border!: New Mexico baby! Whew! This morning we got up from old Joe’s and got going around 9:00… About three miles in we crossed the AZ/NM border! I believe that was the 16th state that The Earth Expedition has crossed! Awesome! Other then visiting friends…I have no reason ever to visit the places I have walked through!
Pressin on:Alex is still with us and has been rocking out the miles and kicking butt and taking names…. Except his feet are nasty.. he has a pretty deep blister that he tapes as well as medicates! The last 5 miles of this day he was limping! Lol.. I was laughing at him.. I know how it feels and it sucks really bad.
I was actually picking up some radio today… it was nice to hear what is going around in the world..
The Land of Enchantment: The Landscape is really empty.. there is nothing for miles…. As Alex and I were walking we could see the car parked on the side of the road 2 miles away and the roads were straight out of the Forest Gump Movie. We had one person back up and ask us if we wanted a ride…. We explained that we were doing and then they took off and left us in the desert. There were times we would go for 15-30 minutes without a car…. It also rained today…. It rained yesterday as well… Kinda sucks but it makes me feel hardcore.. out in the middle of nowhere…. It is pretty sweet because people see Bryan about 10 miles ahead of us and then the Blazer and then Alex and then me… so it seems like a race and there are people to honk and wave to us all of the time…..
AHHHH: Today was a long day… I was getting really really tired for some reason… I have been feeling really really good over the past week… I just don’t think I have been eating enough.. My Appetite is coming back… I was so hungry today I thought about nibbling on a dead bloated coyote on the side of the road… Ok.. not really…it was in the middle of the road….ok.. that is just gross.
Free Showers: Once we picked up Bryan we came back to Lords burg hoping to find a Star bucks to get some coffee and free wifi we found out there was not one so we just went to McDonalds instead… We got the usual and then proceeded to try to find a truck stop with a shower…… We went to one of them and they wanted $8.75for a shower… geez! We then drove over to the other truck stop and I told Bryan that I want him to flash the business card and tell them that we are walking for a charity…. Sell the wares ya know… he came out with a smile on his face… he got us three free showers! Awesome considering that they are originally $10.75 a pop!Good stuff…. We haven’t had a shower in 2 days and after walking all day it is really nice to get a shower and not crawl into the back of the blazer all sweaty and gross.
Blame it on the Rain: The sucky thing about when it rained today is that it was enough to puddle on the road so when the big semis come by they drag a cloud of water mist into you face…. It is great to get a layer of oil and dirt paste to your body.. makes you feel sooo good! JWater for the African People!
Ok… I gots to get going… I am slowly crashing!Off to Silver City tomorrow!“Life to the Fullest”
Bryan’s Blog
I shouldn’t have said anything about the rain yesterday…it rained again today, yet harder. And my route on the afternoon leg was up one huge hill into the
Burro
Mountains . It was a pretty tough day. But I did get a free shower and clothes wash with the rain! That’s always a plus.
We camped out at the Pilot truck stop for the night. I found the manager of the truck stop, Diane, and asked if we could use one shower instead of three separate ones to save money, and she gave us three showers completely free! It was such a blessing! We haven’t showered since Bylas and we were filthy. So that night was good.
I realized that in my normal life at home I can eat whatever and whenever I want, travel wherever I want and fast, shower whenever I want with clean hot water, and sleep on a comfortable bed under a roof whenever I want. Though food, cleanliness, sleep, and a home are necessities, how accessible they are makes them a luxury. I feel like a king back at home now that I live out of a car. It’s like a scavenger hunt just to try and find anything free like a shower or a place to stay. I feel very blessed to live like I do back in
Dallas . Because out here, it doesn’t feel so good. This expedition makes me appreciate what I have and I am thankful for that.
“Another day, another dog biscuit” – Alex Christensen
Album of the day – “Kid A”by Radiohead
1.24.09Silver Springs, NMBack parking lot of the Super 8 motel
Daren’s Blog:
Ahhh.. today was an easy day really.. the miles just flew by… I think it had some thing to do with having free minutes on my phone and me calling a bunch of people today… the miles just melted away….. I still feel pretty good.. but I am really tired right now as I am laying next to Alex, and Bryan in the back of this small blazer.
The scenery was good today… I crossed the Continental Divide around lunch time and was pretty pumped about that…. I got a picture with Alex at 6,355 SO we are up in the mountains now and I am just really excited that it is not really that cold…I am sure that it will be tonight but I am in the sauna right now with these two in the Blazer and I think I am going to have to open the door here in a little bit.
Long Shot: We had to try…. I had this great idea that if we go to all of the hotels in town and ask them if there is something that they could do for us… and about 6 times we got nothing! They either did not have the power to do anything or none of them were willing to budge. Then we went to the fire department.. I have had luck with them in the past but they said no too! So weended up defeated and got some groceries and headed for the back lot of one of the hotels.
More funny pictures today with Alex… Even though he is hurting pretty bad…he still did ten today! …. Well tomorrow we hit Deming and I am pretty sure that we are going to have a place to stay… so we are pretty excited about that!
Welll… I don’t think too much else happened today…other than eating again at McDonalds..I am just beat…going to bed!
“Life to the Fullest” Daren
Bryan’s Blog:
We past over the Continental Divide today! There was a sign and everything! Then a big downhill...always a plus. We made it to
Silver
City today! Though it was depressing how long we tried to find a place to stay because we were sick of sleeping sardine style in the Black Beauty. We tried seven motels to see if we could at least get a shower and no one could help. Then we went to the fire department to see if we could use their showers and they even said “no.” Daren stayed at a few fire departments when he was walking on the
Appalachian Trail and thought it would work, but not in
Silver
City . So we tried to park at the Walmart where we could use the bathroom if we needed to but we couldn’t camp there either! So we stayed behind a motel…I was so uncomfortable. I have never in my entire life had hip pain when I sleep, but I did last night. Well its over now and we are on to Deming. Another day, another dog biscuit.
Album of the Day – “Inter.funda.stifle” by Fair to Midland
1.25.09 Deming, NM. at the Comfort Inn
Daren’s Blog:
Bad Sleep: Last night I slept horrible and I am sure that Alex and Bryan did as well as we were all tossing and turning all night in the back of the Blazer. We woke up to below freezing temps as well as a ton of moisture from our breathe that was running down the inside of the windows. I didn’t want to get out of my sleeping bag. We ended up throwing everything from the front of the car to the back and headed over to Wal-Mart to use the bathroom, Brush teeth and change before heading out for the walk to Deming, NM.
Alex: Alex is still with us but he decided to take the day off today for his feet are pretty bad. As I write he is on the bed next to me with his legs elevated for his foot swelled up today. He has a blister the looks pretty bad as well.. I would be surprised if he walks tomorrow.
Miles Ahead:I could see miles ahead today on 180 for the road was ridiculously straight for about 40 miles. There was not too much that happened today. A couple of dogs joined me for about 2 miles…They looked hungry so I gave them a Larabar. But other than that…..The same old… Wake up, Vaseline in some choice places and start walking. It takes anywhere between 2-2.7 hours to finish the first 10 miles and then lunch break for 1 hr and then another 10 miles and then we call it a day. We go eat somewhere and then try to find a place to stay…if we can’t then we try to find some sort of Parking lot and turn in. That is a normal day for us… Needless to say after 6 days of that…. I am getting tired…but it is amazing what the human body can do.
Faceburn: I look like a raccoon…that’s all I want to say about that
Comfort inn:We were blessed today! Bryan’s sister paid for us to have a hotel! Bryan and I told the guy at the counter what we were doing and if he could give us a deal… he said no at first and then he said that he would give us the family deal! SWEET! Oh my goodness… it is so nice to get a shower and I am looking forward to sleep on a bed tonight. They also had a hot tub which was great on the sore muscles… holy cow…Ok.. I just filled the coffee pot up with apple juice from the lobby am going to try to rest tonight and not be on the computer. Thanks for following!
“Life to the Fullest” Daren
Bryan’s Blog
We walked all the way from
Silver
City to Deming! It was a straight shot of nothingness…it was like Salome Road 2. The weird part was that as I walked toward Deming, Alex and I noticed something in the sky. Now I know what you’re thinking…”
Bryan , don’t pull the UFO card on me.”I’m not doing that, but I am saying that I have never seen anything like that before. But I can understand why UFO’s would come out here if they did. There is NOTHING OUT HERE! No one would see them. And, I swear the mountain in Deming is the mountain in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. No joke. But anyway, I found out that the floating thing in the sky was a huge camera for the Border Patrol. We are not too far from the border and they use it to scan the land for illegal immigrants. It also shines out a bright light at night. So I’m sure people think it’s a UFO, but its not.
The best part of the day was when my awesome, lovely, incredible sister, Rachael, donated money to let us stay in a hotel room tonight! It was such a wonderful gift because we haven’t stayed in a bed since…well…
Dallas . This is incredible. We get a shower, hot tub, and nice bed to finally get some sleep on. I know it seems like the high life which is the exact opposite of what we are doing, but we did not have a contact in this town and we simply just needed the recovery. It’s been a hard six days and we have gone 240 miles. So every once in a while, if someone donates, we will stay in a hotel.
On that note, if anyone would like to donate a night of stay in a hotel for us in the future, please email Daren at Daren@theearthexpedition.com. We won’t need this every night, but every once in a while it will help us tremendously for recuperation. Thanks guys!
“Another day, another dog biscuit”
Album of the Day – “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” by Dream Theater
I cannot believe everything that happened today. Loyal and Donna Wiens got our car checked and got a new battery, gave us money for a new brake job later down the road, took us out to breakfast and dinner, and then bought us groceries for the trip. I was so shocked. And now we have the end product of the new Black Beauty. Its not so black anymore. It has Earth Expedition decal on the back and sides of it. We also got t-shirts and business cards all thanks to Jeff and Charlotte Burris who owns Group Imaging. This was an amazing day. We also picked up Daren’s friend Alex from the airport. He is really cool. He will be a good addition to our crew. He has a good collection of facial hair like Daren and I so he will fit right in. As we drove to Globe, AZ the temperature dropped 30 degrees. FINALLY! Okay, time for bed.
Album of the Day – “The Slip” by Nine Inch Nails
1.20.09: Globe, AZ-Bylas, AZ
Daren’ s Blog
Wow…this past couple of days have been crazy! We have been all over Phoenix getting ready to leave again to start walking. We have met so many people that I hope to meet again in my lifetime. Jeff Burris from Group Imaging, The Group Imaging Crew, Donna and Loyal Wiens, Zac Parsons, Randy Reifel, and I cant forget my girls in south Phoenix who have been good to me for the past month now. I love you and will miss you all.
Car Wrap and such: Well thanks to all of the people listed above we were blessed with a new battery, taken out to eat multiple times, our car was wrapped with Graphics thanks to Group Imaging, we have T-shirts for the Expedition as well as business cards to hand out along the way. We then opened out car last night and there were about 5 bags of groceries that Donna and Loyal generously gave to us! We were blessed! Thank you!
Back out on the Road: Today Bryan and I started back out again with Alex Christiansen, Alex has been trying to get out and joint The Earth Expedition for a while now and had some time and will be with us until the 30th! I am excited about that… now I can have someone to actually talk to when I walk.. it is nice to see a friendly face. It is pretty awesome because we are walking together and we have people honking and screaming out for us! It is really fun. I think a lot of them see Bryan about 10 miles ahead of us and then they see the car all wrapped somewhere along the road and then they see us and think it is some race across the desert. There were a lot of people cheering us on today. It was nice. Walking was great…. It is definitely colder for we are in the mountains now and it is no longer flat but it is nice to have the scenery. I think I saw some light snow on a neighboring mountain…awesome!
Sardines: Now that there are three of us our sleeping arrangements have changed……now the tight squeeze of just Bryan and I is now shared with Alex. You couldn’t fit a greased pig in the back of that Blazer now…..we tried J
Off The Grid: Today we were able to do about 43.4 miles which landed us about 5 miles from Bylas, AZ… We decided to drive in to Bylas to find a place to park and sleep tonight. We parked at the only grocery/gas station in this town… if you want to call it that…. We are the minority in this town for we are on an Indian reservation! We were asking the store clerk for permission to stay out here but I guess it doesn’t work quite like that on the reservation. He told us to talk to security when they come by and ask them… we might need a permit! I am not paying for a permit to sleep in our car… that is ridiculous!
Laundromat: Alex is folding clothes, Bryan is texting his sister and journaling and I just finished my journaling and I am just about done blogging for the night and it is time to get some grub. Thank you for following friends! Keep us and our vehicle in your prayers!“Life to the Fullest” Darendaren@theearthexpedition.com
Bryan’s Blog:
If anyone has seen the movie “Trimmers” then you might have a good picture of what the town looks like that we are in right now. We over-walked today which is a good thing. These
Arizona miles are getting annoying. The quicker we get out of here, the better. But we are in a town of 3,000 called Bylas, AZ. Very small, old, with absolutely nothing in it except for houses and a convenient/grocery store. Kind of like the same set-up in the town of
Perfection in “Trimmers.” Seriously, I feel like a gravoid is going to come up from the ground and eat the washing machine. We are in the Laundromat washing clothes, eating dinner, reading, and journaling. It’s our hang out spot in this town. The janitor of the store, who is very nice, talked to us for a while about the earth expedition and helped us pick out some good cheap food to eat in the store.
Today’s walk was great. We walked 43.4 miles total. I walked 23 of those. Because of this great cold/cool weather, I was able to run 80% of the time and walk 20%. It felt great. We played banana baseball at lunchtime with some old rotten bananas from last week. There was a horrible three hour long gust of wind that hit us like a ton of bricks. Wind really makes you tired when it’s going against you. But we still came out on top at the end of the day.
A nice man named Vernon Poncho came up to us right when were getting ready for bed and asked if we wanted to sleep in his church. We accepted the invitation immediately. Its difficult sleeping in the blazer with three guys now. It lacks the room for three sets of broad shoulders. So we are going to shoot for trying to get a place to stay every night. Our car and business cards make us more legit. Hahaha. Goodnight!
Album of the Day – “Game Theory” by The Roots
1.21.09 Bylas to Safford, AZ
Daren’s Blog:
Last night: Last night was awesome….AS we were sitting outside of the Laundromat a man pulled up and walked over to Alex and I am pulled out some oil and anointed our hands… then he walked into the Laundromat to where Bryan was Journaling and anointed him as well… then he took the next the 5 minutes telling us his testimony of how he used to be a Meth Drug Dealer and how Jesus changed his life. He asked us if we needed any money and then he left. Pretty neat experience.
After the “Anointing”All three of us went to the Blazer to get ready to move all of what is in the back to the front so all three of us can sardine in the back. Bryan got out the guitar and I got out my harmonica and as we were playing a white truck pulled up and asked us if we wanted a place to stay tonight. We were like heck yeah…. He was the pastor of a church down the road and he opened up the church for us to stay in as well as take showers… It was awesome! We popped in a movie and all of us kind of dozed off after the long day….
Today: Today was a normal day.. I didn’t feel safe til I left the Indian reservation… but the walking was actually kind of Beautiful in its own way. The wind was kicking up all day as well as overcast so I kept my jacket on all day.When all three of us stopped for lunch the pastor of the church who helped us out stopped. (Read Bryans Play by Play in his Blog)it was an awkward moment in time. We are now in Safford and found a church that has WIFI and a coffee shop… the pastor came out and talked to use and invited us to stay… so I think that we are….so I have my bottomless cup of coffee just waiting for the service to start…
Blisters: I am doing much better than the last start… I have a lot more time and medical supplies to work on them …so that is good. I have a few but they are not deep. Alex on the other hand has a couple doozies from yesterday. He took the second shift off today and drove the car and waited for me. It was a good day but I am already super exhausted.
Another day in the bag…40.4 miles! Woot woot! Today was good. The land was flatter and the town we camped in is much bigger than yesterday. We chilled at a church/theater/coffee shop and were invited to the Wednesday night service. We met a lot of great people who just talked to us and loved on us, which is much needed after a long week of walking. After that, we scored a place to stay! It is the church’s old building before they moved into the theater. It’s kind of creepy though because it’s near a bunch of old run down warehouses and train tracks. Eek! But that’s okay. It’s just great to sleep inside somewhere with heat, shower, and space and not next to two sweaty dudes. Praise the Lord! Man it’s late. Gotta go to bed. See ya.
Album of the Day – “Relationship of Command” by At the Drive-In
86 Miles to Date: Since Bryan and I have been flip flopping we both get different mileage for the day and in the past 4 days that we have been walking I rocked out 86 miles! I told myself that when I take off this time that I need to slow it down… but that didn’t work!My body hates me right now!!!!!!!!
Bryan’s Blog
Okay,
Phoenix is getting a little better. As we wait for Daren’s friend to fly in and walk with us from Globe to
Las Cruces , we have been doing some free activities to pass the time. Today, we rock climbed at a place in
Phoenix called
Camelback
Mountain . This wasn’t dinky hiking up hills and jumping over a few rocks. We actually had to use ropes, harnesses, carabineers…the whole shebang. It was so fun! This was the first time I climbed on real rocks and not fake ones inside. Then we ate a cheap dinner at a delicious place called Sylvia’s Mexican Restaurant. They have a signature style of tortilla chips with a delicious salsa bar. They take flour tortillas and fry them resulting in thick fried tortilla chips that are so addicting! So it was a good day to have after the long trek across the treacherous wasteland of Western Arizona.
1/16/2009
Daren’s Blog:
Avalon:Yesterday I called my friend here in AZ… .. His name is Zac Parsons…we haven’tseen each other for years but Facebook has kept us in touch. None the less Zac asked us to come over last night to hang out and we said sure. About two hours before we are about to head over to Zac’s house he texted me and told me that we were invited to a restaurant opening up in Safford. I had no clue what to expect….We were all thinking some type of Mediterranean restaurantbecause we thought the restaurant was called Oasis or something like that. Zac then explained to us that one of his sales associates called him up and said that there was an open table for four and did he know anyone! We headed up to Safford and entered one of the nicest restaurants that I have ever been in. The rules were that we were able to order 2 drinks, appetizer, 1 entrée, and dessert and it as all comped!I ordered Maine Lobster! I have never had Maine Lobster before in my life and it was soooo good I closed my eyes on every bite. The the bill came….I took a glance at what it would have cost and the grand total was $230! Wow..Bryan and I can live off of that for a week!It was way too much fun sharing stories of the past and catching up with Randy and Zac and making a new friend (Melissa) Thanks for making that happen!
Bryan’s Blog:
Today was another blessing from Starbucks! One of the employees treated us so well today as we sat and journaled and worked on the website. She gave us a free muffin and four free drink coupons to add to the ones that we got in
Blythe, CA ! She sat and talked to us and asked questions about the expedition. I love Starbucks now! And Vivanno smoothies!!! I used to not be into the whole atmosphere of the company but I realize now how well they take care of their customers and how they all want to help with bigger things and not just provide coffee. I was very pleased and I now get excited when I am walking into a town and see a Starbucks sign!
Tonight was an incredible night! I met two more of Daren’s friends from college named Zac Parsons and Randy Reifel. Zac scored us a sweet set up of a dinner for four at a nice new restaurant in the rich part of
Phoenix . They greatest part was that it was all free!!! We didn’t have to pay a dime because it was opening night and I guess that’s how they role here in
Phoenix . But I was thinking this was going to be a hole-in-the-wall little Mexican restaurant. Well, when we pulled up and saw the valet parking and the huge fountain with nice tiling everywhere, I knew this was special. We got in and it was a nice contemporary look with a young crowd. Then I got the menu and mouth just dropped. Lobster, filet mignon, scallops, sea bass, rib-eye, vegetarian lasagna…I was flabbergasted. We were given two drinks each, an appetizer split for two, an entrée each, and a dessert split for two…all for free!!! It was delicious! I got the vegetarian lasagna and I loved every bite of it. The bill for the whole meal of just four was $230! I have never eaten food that expensive. So all we had to pay for was the tip which cost as much as a regular meal for four. Hahaha. It was amazing. Good fun. I really enjoyed hanging out with Zac and Randy. They are good guys and I hope to see them again someday.
Album of the Day – “Passing Stranger” by Scott Matthews
1/17/2009
Daren’s Blog:
Starbucks: (Yesterday's Thoughts) Holy Cow! I love starbucks! Well.. I don’t actually love them for their overpriced coffee but I do love them because they have been sooooo nice to us!When were in Blythe all kinds of things happened (Read Previous Blog) and then we come to South Phoenix and go to the Starbucks here and end up talking with them and the Manager then hands Bryan at the register 4 more coupons for 2 more free coffee drinks! That now makes 11 free drinks of our choice on the house! I love Starbucks! Heck.. I think we found another sponsor…and they don’t even know it!
Bryan’s Blog
Today was the first day I have seen clouds ever since I have been in
Arizona . Wow. Today was a chilled day. We need to relax and not keep moving around so we can prepare our bodies for the next eight days of non-stop walking 40 miles a day. So we journaled, ate, watched movies…the usual. I am almost completely healed from the horrible sunburn I obtained my first day of walking. I well wear sunblock every day for the rest of this trip. Someone needs to text me every morning to remind me to put sunblock on. Anyway, gotta go. See ya.
Album of the Day – “I Am the Fun Blame Monster” by Menomena
1/18/09
Daren’s Blog
Cardinals Game: Today was a good day…The Cards are going to the Super bowl!! I am not even a fan of the Cardinals but it sure was fun being in a bar/restaurant filled with cardinal fans today. People were going absolutely nuts! Screaming, yelling, downing shots of tequila! I guess the last time the Cardinals won anything was back in 1941… I am not too sure about it and I really don’t care too much for today is the last time I will be in AZ for a while.
Small Group/Blazer: A few months back I went to Pittsburg to meet a good friend (Aaron Molesky) I used to work with him at a church back in Indianapolis in 2003. None-the-less he is now the director of Missions for CIY (Christ in Youth) and I drove over to Pittsburg to hang out with him for a few days while he was at a conference. One night after the conference there was a big group of people from CIY who went out for Pizza and it is there I met a guy named Jeff Burris. He is the founder and President of a company called Group Imaging. Group imaging is basically a company that can print on just about anything. Check it out www.groupimaging.comWellJeff told me to look him up when we are in Phoenix area so we did and last night he asked us to come and speak at small group that he has been a part of for 15 years! So Bryan and I went over , cooked hot dogs over the fire, and then did a very laid back presentation of what The Earth Expedition Is and why we are doing it. I loved the more laid back presentations ….it was in a living room with about 12-15 people and it gave the opportunity to share more personal stories and gave it a much more “Friendly Feel” . When we opened the floor to Q and A Jeff asked us what “What are some ways that we can help you? We shared with them that we are on a tight budget. We have available $1 per mile until we get to GA… That includes the gas, food, and car insurance. We also shared that our brakes are at 20% and at 15 percent we need to get them changed but we will deal with that if and when it poses a problem. Well….. By the end of the night a couple by the name of Donna and Loyal Wiens told us to call them in the morning for they wanted to set up a time to fix our brakes. AWESOME! After that Jeff told us that he wanted us to come over to his shop and show us around.....
About 15 minutes later we arrive at Group Imaging… Jeff takes us through and is showing us all of what his machines are capable of.He is sharing with us ideas of how we can use this and that to Promote the Expedition. Before we know it he is telling us that he will donate a very generous sum of product dollars to help promote the Expedition. I can’t believe it. There are a lot of people who tell us that they want to help but never follow through but Jeff doesn’t strike me as someone who doesn’t follow through. He tells us that he wants to “Wrap the Car”Which basically means that the Blazer is going to be pimped out in The Earth Expedition Logo/Website/and the Phrase “A Walk Around the World for Clean Water”How Awesome is that! He is also making us shirts and business cards! This is too cool!
Bryan’s Blog
I got to watch Rocko play in a soccer game. It was fun. They kicked butt. We also went to a grill to watch the Cardinal game. This was a weird experience for me because I have only grown up being around one type of fan. The Cowboy fan. Seeing all red was just awkward. But they were excited because now the Cardinals are going to the Superbowl and I was there to see it. So I cheered with them. It was kind of cool though. They freaked out! But I understand because Cowboy fans would have done the same thing…just better. Hahaha.
Tonight was another one of those nights that makes this expedition worth it. We were given a chance to speak at a church small group meeting about the Earth Expedition and it was a success. We had dinner first which is always a good thing (free dinners are our best friends). Then we had a prayer time and then we presented the Earth Expedition. We had a great time of talking about the international water crisis, showing pictures, sharing stories, and answering questions. We had a lot of laughs. We spoke for about an hour and a half. It was a great time. But then afterward, without even asking, a few people gave us some money, one couple (Loyal and Donna Wiens) offered to pay to get our brakes fixed on the Black Beauty, and then one couple (Jeff and Charlotte Burris) who owns a company called Group Imaging is giving us free business cards, signs, and they are wrapping our car to make it look more official and credible. I was so excited!!! He took us back to his shop after the meeting and gave us a tour. It was such a great night. The people were just so amazing and caring. I love being around people and sharing memories with each other. Like I said, it’s what makes this expedition worth it. I am so honored to be a part of this and be a voice for the people. Tomorrow is the big day. We are leaving for Globe, AZ. This was a good ending for the break we had in
Phoenix . But I am happy to say that we are leaving. I am tired of
Arizona . Hahaha. Peace out.
Album of the Day – “Soundsystem” by 311
1/19/09
Daren's Blog
Group Imaging: Bryan and I are now at Group Imaging…This morning we met up with Donna and Loyal and dropped off the car at the shop and they took us out to breakfast. The conversation was a good conversation about the church and how it operates mixed in with Motorcycle stories and trail stories. They then dropped us off at Group Imaging where Jeff and his Graphic designers are making us business cards as well as designing t-shirts and a graphic for the back and sides of our car! Awesome!
Presentation: He also just paid for his whole staff to stay for lunch to hear us do a mini presentation on the Earth Expedition. Such a great day.
Alex:Ok.. I need to post this now before we go and pick up Alex from the Airport. My friend Alex Christiansen is coming out for about 8 days of walking with us and we have a lot to do before that time! “Life to the Fullest” Daren
Leap Frogging: Just so that you are not confused with the Blog. Bryan (The US/Euro Walker)and I have teamed up in doing the remainder of the USA. We have a Blazer nicknamed the “Black Beauty” and we are leap frogging with the car. For example I would start walking and Bryan would drive the car 10 miles up the road and park it. He would call me and tell me where it is and then he would start walking which would mean that we are walking at the same time. Once I reached the vehicleI would drive to where Bryan is and then lather, rinse, and repeat! This way we will be able to cover more miles as well as help mentally with actually feeling like we are moving across the USA!
FYI: Bryan and I don’t read each other’s blog before we post them. We like the idea that you get to hear some of the same stories from different points of view. Enjoy!
Saturday the 10th El Paso, TX
Daren’s Blog:
Sorry, Daren is too tired to write anything….going to sleep!
Bryan’s Blog:
More driving today…yay. Not really. The day started off well though! An old friend from Amor Ministries, Michael Williamson, ate breakfast with us in
El Paso . Driving through
Arizona blew. I have a feeling this state will birth animosity for the
United States for purchasing this dreaded piece of land. But we will see. I try to be optimistic. This is the first time I have ever been to
Arizona . We stopped in
Phoenix for the night and stayed with some of Daren’s friends that he met on the
Appalachian Trail . Kate, Amy, and Katie. They are so nice and hospitable! So we just chilled at home, ate some pizza, watched the panthers and cardinals (lame), and talked. I am a Cowboy fan for life. But, it was good to relax before our big desert walk tomorrow. I also got my new
Chaco ’s in the mail! They are awesome. My first pair to own! So nothing much happened today but I enjoyed it. I love meeting new people.
I also love music! And for all you music lovers out there I will be posting an “Album of the Day” to share my likings with you and what I listened to that day. Check it out if you’ve never heard of whatever band I post. If you want to post a comment on what you think of it, do so. I love discussing music. And if you have any suggestions for a band to listen to please comment! It’s my biggest passion and hobby. That will be one of the things that will keep me going throughout the 10 hours of walking per day. That and wild animals chasing me. So for today, my album of the day is:
“Musique, Vol. 1 (1993-2005)” by Daft Punk
Talk to you soon! –
Bryan “Make yourself”
Sunday the 11th…2009:Blythe, CA.
Daren’s Blog:
Marathon Day: Wow… what a day.. .and night… Today was a marathon day! I am pretty excited about that.. I have been concerned a little about what my feet are going to do but have found that if I put Vaseline on all of the spots I usually get blisters it helps out a lot.
Desert: Well …. I have to say that this area of the country is where death goes to die! The desert is a very depressing place full of cactus and dead things.. dead plants.. dead grass (if you can find it) I now know that I never want to live in the desertor anywhere near the desert or within 500 miles of the desert, or in a town thatrhymes with anything that lives in the desert… I think you get the point.
But! I do have to say that Blythe, CA has treated us well! We are in a Starbucks and have been here for a while and in the time that we have been here we have talked to a ton of people, some lady gave us $20 after hearing what we were doing, The manager gave us both cards for 4 free drinks each at Starbucks and one of the students called up his Youth Pastor and told him what we were doing and his youth pastor (Shawn) came over here to visit us and offered his place to stay tonight! He also said that he had a Hot Tub that we could use!.... and just now starbucks just gave us a ton of the bagels and croissants that they were going toss! A day that was going down the drain has been redeemed!The mayor just walked in and started to talk to us which is pretty sweet! He chit chatted a little with us and took a picture with us.. he was a kind man. Then Shawn Couter from Blythe asked us to come to eat with him and some friends. He was kind to us and bought us some food and the 5 of us stayed there for about 2 hours telling stories of the trail and life. When we were leaving the store and one of the girls (Alyssa) emptied her wallet and gave it to us….I usually wouldn’t accept it but I knew that we could really use it so I graciously accepted. Thank you Alyssa!
Well we are now over at the Youth ministers house and Bryan and I are on separate couches getting ready to call it a night.. I am just spent…Everything is achy! The hot tub never heated up so that was kind of disappointing but life goes on…. I can’t believe I am complaining about the hot tub not being on…. I am disappointed in myself right now. Need I be reminded of the reason I am walking! Ok.. I relent
Bryan’s Blog:
Our first day of walking…woot woot! Daren started this morning from our friends’ house in
Phoenix and walked toward
California . I needed to get some stuff done in town before we got out to No Man’s Land where there is basically nothing. We will just walk to where Daren stopped in
Phoenix on our way back. Once I was done with errands I picked him up and then we headed out to Blythe, CA. That’s where Daren stopped before Christmas. We only walked about eleven miles there. I got to walk a little to test the waters. It felt good.
We discussed some things tonight about the remainder of the journey. We are going to split up the walking so we can cover more distance. This means that what I walk will actually count, unlike today! J I will be more important that just his supporter/driver/company. This will be some good training for Europe.
We met some great people tonight at the Starbucks we hung out at! We got to meet the whole staff and talked to them about the expedition. Teara, the assistant manager gave us free Starbucks drink coupons! Three random women also came up and asked what we were doing and ended up giving us money for the cause! WOW! Praise God! Then Carl, an employee, called his youth minister, Shawn Couter, to come meet us. We talked to him for a while and he then invited to stay at his house! We were so excited! The night just wasn’t going to end. Then he bought us burgers at Carls, Jr. and met some of his friends, Alyssa, Sara, and Mike. Once we left, Alyssa also blessed us with a donation! I couldn’t believe it. I had such a great time. We also got to meet the mayor of
Blythe, California ! We are so lucky, lol. Anyway, time for bed. Long day tomorrow. We have to make it to Brenda, AZ. Its 30 miles away. Yikes!
Album of the Day – “Friendly Fires” by Friendly Fires
P.S. Charlie Lowell from Jars of Clay sent us some music, which is where I got Friendly Fires from and it’s amazing! I am so excited! Thanks a lot Charlie!
“Make yourself” – Bryan
Monday the 12th: Quartzsite, AZ!
Daren’s Blog:
Well I am really excited that California is done! And the sooner we can get through AZ the better. These states are just sucking the life out of me! This morning was a good morning.. it was just windy enough to keep the sweat away. The unfortunate thing is that I had to walk on the highway for a bunch of the day (Highway 10) … the shoulders are great but it is just sooo loud and every time a semi truck flies by at 70mph is basically stops your forward motion. I am actually not supposed to be on the “10” but there is no other way around it… the last time I was on the highway a State Trooper pulled me over and said “You can’t be out here” I tried reasoning with him but he was having none of it. J
Quartzsite: this is a town of about 3,400 people… it basically acts as a stop between San Francisco and Phoenix. I know this because at the moment there the Mcdonald’s I am sitting in is filled people over the age of 60 and the parking lot is filled huge motor homes. I don’tthinkI have seen one other person today that is around my age. The town is filled with old people, a bunch of homeless people, and a few hippies.
Brenda, AZ: This is where we plan on staying tonight… I don’t know what is really there.. According to the map there is not much there at all other than a Grocery/gas station. Let’s hope that we can park the blazer somewhere where we don’t attract attention. Ok.. I need to go find a more detailed map of Arizona to help us navigate better.Hopefully we will find an internet connection somewhere out here so we can send the updates!
Later that day… Ok.. Since Bryan and I have been leapfrogging I made it to Brenda and was going crazy because there was absolutely nothing there but a general store….so I parked the car and called Bryan and told him that I was just going to go for a stroll and when he got there to drive down the road and pick me up…..well that stroll turned into another 11 miles to a intersection (not even a town) where there was 1 diner called the “Kofa Café” Bryan was already there chatting it up with the owners and he had already asked them if it would be cool If we stayed in their parking lot for the night…they said no problem so we ordered something to eat.After Journaling Bryan and I move everything from the back of the Blazer to the front and set up our beds…. There is just enough room for two people in the Blazer. We have a friend (Alex Christiansen) coming out to join us for 10 days and I am trying to figure out how everything is going to work out! We will come up with something I am sure.
Budget:Bryan and I have institutes a pretty tight budget that should allow us to get across the USA. We are figuring around $1 per mile. Estimating that we will clear about 40 -45 miles a day between the two of us we should be doing ok with finances. The budget includes our Gas, Food, and Car insurance. We pray every day that the car is safe and doesn’t break down.
“Life to the Fullest” Daren
Bryan’s Blog:
So we walked more than 30 miles today. Daren just couldn’t stop walking. He started in the morning and walked 14 miles to
Quartzsite, AZ where I waited for him at a Burger King. When he arrived I made him lunch; yummy peanut butter and jelly. Hahaha. We have to live simple on the road. But it’ll do for the next few months. I can deal with it. Then I scooted off and started walking toward the town of
Brenda …no I’m sorry, correction… the RV resort community of Brenda. And I’m not even joking about that. It’s not even a town. But my route was almost completely uphill!!! It took me forever and I felt like I was letting Daren down. He couldn’t wait any longer in Brenda (because he was so bored and there is absolutely nothing to do) so he just kept walking past Brenda. But I still did my 16 miles! First day, not too bad. He did an extra 11 miles past Brenda. So we actually stopped at the “Vicksburg Junction.” This was another area that was not officially a town. It just had a diner called the Kofa Café. And that’s it! Nothing else! I am starting to get that feeling of animosity like I said a few days ago. I really don’t like this state. I got a bad sunburn. I am now miserable as I sleep by the road where rigs pass by alllllll night long. What a night. But we met some more great people at the Kofa café. Some of them were a little weird but it was at least entertaining. We decided just to eat there and not cook. It was a long day of walking. 41 miles total! Woo hoo! Hmmmm. I’m tired. Good night.
Album of the Day – “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun
“Make yourself” – Bryan
`Tuesday the 13th, Tonopah, AZ
Daren’s Blog:
Silent Day: Today Bryan and I covered 42 miles on a lonely road called “Salome Rd” I am not sure why there is a road out there… There is nothing out there but depressing desert! After Bryan and I both had done 10 miles each we stop for lunch together.For the past 4 days we have had PBnJ…. I have to admit… I am not crazy for it but I am thankful for it. The crazy thing is that it took me a while to get it down and about a half hour later I touched the bread on my PBnJ and the dry Arizona air had sucked all of the moisture from my sandwich. (Fist waiving in the air) “Dang you Arizona”! .. I guess I will just add that to the list of things that I dislike about West Arizona!
Truck Stop: Today at the end of our 42 mile hike there was supposed to be a truck stop that we were going to stay at but when we got to where Salome Rd and the “10” met there was nothing. Good thing we have the “Black Beauty” So we drove the Blazer down the Highway about 10 miles to where there was a truck stop in Tonopah, AZ.We parked out back and found out that they had showers. They did! Awesome….. They also had Noble Romans! Double Score! The night ran long we sat on the back of the truck bed with Bryan playing the guitar and me on the harmonica “harp”.We talked to some friends on the phone and finally locked up the Blazer, pulled the homemade curtain across the back of the seats and called it a night. We slept good last night! It is starting to get really cold outside at night. I am glad that we have the blazer to sleep in.I heard that New Mexico is going to be even colder!
Bryan’s Blog:
And I still hate Arizona…42 miles today we walked. And we walked through NOTHING!!! The scenery was the exact same thing for miles and miles. It’s almost like we were in a huge valley and we couldn’t get out of it. There were mountains all around us but they never disappeared. Usually when you walk 42 miles, things go out of view. BUT THEY DIDN’T! It was so depressing. Barely anything was alive on this desolate road. No wind to make the dead bushes brush against each other, no clouds, no planes, no animals to cry in desperation. It was dead. I could talk to Daren from 400 yards with an inside voice. A car drove by about every five minutes. It was sooooo lonely. And I had to walk down this road all day. Just imagine.
We had a good lunch though. We made fun of
Arizona while we ate lunch and made a song about it with our guitar and harmonica. It made things more tolerable. Sometime soon we will record it on video hopefully. I just suck at making lyrics that are actually funny. But, nonetheless, we accomplished what we wanted to do again, which is great. We keep changing the way we do the walking each day but I think today’s method is the best. Daren started walking and I went ahead to park the car 10 miles from where he started. Then I start walking from the car for another 10 miles. Then once Daren gets to the car he comes and meets up with me, we have lunch, then he starts walking from where I stop and I go park the car ten miles ahead again. It worked really well. That’s why we were able to get so much mileage in today! I am so happy about that. We are only a day away from being back in
Phoenix and then we’ll get a break! We stayed at the Tonopah Truck Stop. I actually like staying there because everyone else you see is on a different journey and they are trying to get somewhere. So it makes things a little more comfortable and less lonely. It was a long day, so I am going to hit the hay.
P.S. I almost had to introduce Lola (bear spray) to someone today, but it was just a false alarm. A woman stopped suspiciously but was just asking if I needed a ride. I had the bear spray in my hand though just in case.
Album of the Day – “A Strangely Isolated Place” by Ulrich Schnauss”
Until next time…”Make yourself” - Schlack
Wednesday the 14th, Phoenix, AZ
Daren’s Blog:
Sun Burn: Bryan looks like a lobster…. It makes me laugh. He has raccoon eyes from the sunglasses and has a farmers tan from forgetting the sun block. When he is in the Blazer all I hear is that he is cooking so we have to open the door!....Schadenfreude!
Run Bryan Run: Lol… today when met Bryan for lunch with the “Black Beauty” I pulled past him about .5 miles so that I could pull by some shade (Something that comes far and in between in this state) but right as Bryan was about to reach the car I heardOh Sh**!When I turned around Bryan was moving faster than I ever had seen him run toward the Blazer… I didn’t see anything at first and then I saw two dogs about 25 yards kickin up dirt as they rounded the corner…I wish I had time to take a picture! Bryan hopped on the back of the blazer and I was already on the tailgate looking for the Bear Spray….but remembered it was in the front of the Blazer! So I resorted to yelling “SIT” really really loud! The Pit bull looked really confused as it stopped and retreated eventually!Ahhh good times!
Good Conversation: Bryan and I had a really good conversation at lunch today.It was about what we are doing… and how a lot of people view what we are doing. We hear a lot of people tell us “I am envious”and tell us how what we are doing is awesome and that they wish that they could do something like that as well.I can resonate with that thinking. I know that there are a lot of people who wish that they had the time, finances, or wasn’t tied to debt, or family responsibilities and could do some type of “Adventure”…. But in the same breath it has been the hardest thing that I have ever done… there has been multiple times that I was very close to quitting the whole thing completely!Especially in the west.. it is sooo depressing out here.. if It wasn’t for Bryan being out here with me I don’t think I could do this alone. Every day is filled with 20+ miles of desert walking, sweat, sunburns, cuts, constant cars and trucks passing, unsafe areas, unknown sleeping areas, sore joints, painful aching muscles….add that with missing friends and family and mentally knowing as you look at the map of the United states realizing that you barely moved across the US that day will throw your mind in a tizzy. I have actually had some pretty serious anxiety issues as of late because of it all…. But I know the reality Is that I am doing this by choice and I am not looking to be the victim of something that I am willfully doing. I just thought that it was a good conversation…. I always like sharing the reality of things… and the reality is that this is far from a vacation… I can think of many places I would rather be on a vacation. I can say that if I was doing this for myself… I would have been done months ago…but this is bigger than myself…I feel people need to hear what is going on in the world when it comes to the international water crisis.I am not sure what I just wrote.. I just rambled I think… now I got to go back through it and fix all of the typos!
Phoenix Finally:We are here and I am soooooo glad that I never have to walk west Arizona ever again in my life! I am at our friends Rocko, Amie, and Katie’s house and Wednesday is pub night and we have been invited! I tell you what.. it feels great to have taken a shower and to sit on a couch!Ok… I am going to rest now!
We made it back to Phoenix! We finished 137 miles in four days! Wow. I was shocked that I could do so much mileage right at the start. But we did it. We finished with 30 miles today. It was a little easier because we were so close to the city. I didn’t feel so unsafe because we weren’t out in the middle of nowhere anymore. I can’t believe I got through all that. It was so horrible. The highlight of my day though was right at lunch. I can truthfully say that two big things that keep me going all day long are music and wild animals. It came true! Daren had parked the car about a half a mile ahead of me to prepare for lunch. Well by the time I was 100 yards away I was so excited to stop and rest and eat lunch. Right when I was in that moment of pure bliss in my head, I calmly turn my head and look down a driveway of a someone’s home and to my amazement I see two dogs (one of them being a pit bull) darting towards me as fast as they can. In complete shock I just yell “Oh s***” to Daren and start sprinting to the car. Luckily I made it to the car and jumped on the back of it before the dogs got my ankles. And by the time I turned around Daren had already yelled “SIT!” to them and they stopped. It really wasn’t a big crazy long story but I just thought it was funny and that you should know I almost lost half of my body today. Man, it’s so dangerous out here. Hahaha.
So we’re just chillin now and hanging out with Rocko, Amy, and Katie again. They invited us to a pub and that was relaxing. Overall, it was a good day. A day of rest awaits me tomorrow. Amen.
Album of the Day – “Under the Table and Dreaming” by Dave Matthews Band
The Day: Today was a long day of driving… Bryan and I left Dallas, TX around2:00 pm and arrived in El Paso at around 11:00. It is crazy that we drove so long and we are still in the same state! The day was good… it is only the second day that Bryan and I have been around each other and we are getting along like we have known each other for years.
When we got to El Paso we were going to sleep outside of Wal-mart but after setting up the back of the blazer we realized that 1: it was not comfortable at all and 2: All of the lights made it feel like it was 3 pm outside….. so Bryan turned to me and said that he saw some egg crate foam bedding in Wal-Mart and before I knew it Bryan was on his way to Wal-mart! About 10 minutes later he came out with 2 of them! Awesome! The back of the Blazer (Black Beauty) feels like a bed now! We also decided to move over to the Holiday Inn to find a darker place with no lights! And that is where we are now at 1:15 in the morning. It happens that we are also next to a starbucks which is how we have internet!Ahhh good day!Tomorrow we are waking up around7:00 to meet with the director of the Juarezbranch of Amor Ministries for breakfast. He is a friend of Bryans and I love to meet new people so this is going to be great!
We should be in Phoenix, AZ tomorrow around 3:00. We are staying with some friends! Until Next time..”Life to the Fullest” Daren
Okay, you guys need to know a few code names that Daren and I use. Two of them are “Lola” and “Marla.” “Lola” is our can of Bear Spray (mace on crack) and “Marla” is our trusty Louisville Slugger. So if you ever see on the blog that we had a long day with Lola and Marla, that means that someone tried to attack us and they are unfortunately were sent to the hospital and we are fine. Hopefully we won’t have to use it. But we just wanted to give you guys a heads up J
It’s crazy coming into El Paso because the only time I have ever come here is to build houses with Amor Ministries. This place brings back so many memories of the past ten years coming down here. I miss it a lot. The opportunities that have been given to me have been such a blessing. I am so thankful.
On our way here, Daren and I had a great time listening to music and talking about a lot of great things. I am so excited to be here and do this. It is such a different life. I am glad that I get to experience simplicity for once in my life. We don’t have much stuff here and it’s awesome. I feel free.Even my food is simple. I ate a lot of Lara Bars today, which were fortunately delicious. These next four months in America will be a great adventure.
I can’t type much more right now. It’s late. But I will blog more soon, I promise. By the way…Daren’s feet smell. - Bryan
I arrived in Dallas TX/Fort Worth last night and met Bryan (The Earth Expedition Teammate) for the first time. I have to say that it is a little weird meeting the person that you will be spending the next 4 months with for the first time. I mean we have spoken on the phone and my friends have vouched for him but the thought of what if we don’t get along has crossed my mind over the past week. Well now that I have spent the day with him I have realized that this is not going to work out at all…. ok …just kidding…. We are going to get along great! He has a passion for people as well as a passion to inspire and make a difference. This is going to be an amazing 4-5 month journey.
My time is Dallas has been pretty incredible so far! I met with my friend Andrea Haney which is awesome for I haven’t seen her in years. She is actually responsible for getting Bryan in contact with The Earth Expedition and is the reason I am in Dallas at this moment.Her and her husband took us out to eat followed by a short drive back to their house where we played Guitar Band! I zonked out on the couch for about 45 min and when I woke up it was time for Bryan and I to leave again to meet another couple who asked us over for dinner.
About a week ago I was contacted through Facebook by a lady named Nancy. We have never met but we were in a video together that Jars of Clay used in their Christmas tour back in December. She asked if there would be anytime that Bryan or I would be in Dallas? I told her that we would actually be there in a week and accepted the offer her and her husband made to have us over for dinner.Most people would find this a little strange but over the past year I have found myself very comfortable in these situations. Everything is always new everyday so not only did I just meet Bryan but we are also going over for dinner to a family that we have never met! I love it! The night was awesome..they prepared a feast for a king filled with some fantastic steaks on the grill, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cheese, followed by a homemade cake and coffee. The night was filled with ridiculous pictures, stories of the trail, and the shared passions of working to decrease the effect of the International Water Crisis! They gave Bryan and I both gifts of soccer Jerseys as well! It is always a good day when you make new friends.
Now that is pushing 11:30 we still needed to make one more stop. Bryan’s best friend lived close to where we were and he wanted to say good bye before he took off. We ended up staying for a while and hung out with the crew that was there. One of the Guys is a fantastic artist. The garage wall is filled with a mural straight out of Scooby Doo! Then also in the garage was a 6ft bicycle that you basically have to climb up to ride (Click for Video)
Head out tomorrow: The plan was to get started tonight on driving out to AZ but last night was a late night and we have been running around Dallas getting some last minute things as well taking the support vehicle to the shop for a oil change as well as a tune-up which I was nervous about. There is always something going wrong on a vehicle and sure enough there were some things that we should watch (small oil leak, brake pads are low), but nothing that would hinder us from driving out to AZ.The guy was a friend of the family and only charged us $40 for the change, filter, Tune-up and all the time he put into it.NICE!
Well Bryan and I have a ton more things to get done before we head over to some more friends house for dinner. It looks like it is going to be another long night and next couple of days! 1,000 miles until we reach AZ! We ask for your prayers! AZ BoundBryan and Daren “Life to the Fullest”
Globe, AZ – Alamogordo, NM
Middle of Nowhere: We are in the middle of nowhere…literally today I saw a Café and Bar that was titled “Middle of Nowhere Bar and Café” It was kind of depressing. The roads today were straight for about 40 miles. It felt like eternity to finish the day.
Then I just really didn’t want to sleep in the car again so I just started talking really loud about finding a place to stay and a woman asked what we were talking about. It was gutsy but I did it anyway. I then pitched to her my usual need of finding a place to stay and she found us one! One of her friends, Willie Herrera, let us stay in his old camper. It was very comfy. God bless him! Overall, a good day in the sense of accomplishing our goals, but I pretty much feel like I was thrown out of a fast-moving car. But…like they always say…Another day, another dog biscuit!
Last 2 Days: The last two days have been pretty good. We have been doing 40+ miles for 9 days straight now and we are excited to have a half day tomorrow! We are going to take Alex down to El Paso for he is flying back home to WI on Friday. I keep reminding him that there is a 60 degree difference between south NM and WI…lol. The last couple of days have been
Buffet: Last night Alex, Bryan, and I rocked out a CiCi’s Pizza Buffet! The owners were crying by the time we left.
Off days are amazing. I feel regenerated and ready to start another long stretch of walking. We are going to start walking 50 miles a day now. That will be interesting, but I think we can do it. We are manly men. We dropped off Alex at the airport today. We are sad to see him go. He was our comic relief. What a funny man. He is the ultimate one-line quoter. I love it. I have a whole new routine of things to say! Thanks Al! Not much else happened today meaning this blog will be short. So have a good weekend everyone! We are going to walk all weekend. Yippee!
Chilly morning: … Whew!
Crossed the Border!: New Mexico baby! Whew! This morning we got up from old Joe’s and got going around 9:00… About three miles in we crossed the AZ/NM border! I believe that was the 16th state that The Earth Expedition has crossed! Awesome! Other then visiting friends…I have no reason ever to visit the places I have walked through!
Free Showers: Once we picked up Bryan we came back to Lords burg hoping to find a Star bucks to get some coffee and free wifi we found out there was not one so we just went to McDonalds instead… We got the usual and then proceeded to try to find a truck stop with a shower…… We went to one of them and they wanted $8.75
Ahhh.. today was an easy day really.. the miles just flew by… I think it had some thing to do with having free minutes on my phone and me calling a bunch of people today… the miles just melted away….. I still feel pretty good.. but I am really tired right now as I am laying next to Alex, and Bryan in the back of this small blazer.
Miles Ahead:
Car Wrap and such: Well thanks to all of the people listed above we were blessed with a new battery, taken out to eat multiple times, our car was wrapped with Graphics thanks to Group Imaging, we have T-shirts for the Expedition as well as business cards to hand out along the way. We then opened out car last night and there were about 5 bags of groceries that Donna and Loyal generously gave to us! We were blessed! Thank you!
86 Miles to Date: Since Bryan and I have been flip flopping we both get different mileage for the day and in the past 4 days that we have been walking I rocked out 86 miles! I told myself that when I take off this time that I need to slow it down… but that didn’t work!
Avalon:
Daren’s Blog:
About 15 minutes later we arrive at Group Imaging… Jeff takes us through and is showing us all of what his machines are capable of.
Presentation: He also just paid for his whole staff to stay for lunch to hear us do a mini presentation on the Earth Expedition. Such a great day.
Daren’s Blog: 
Bryan’s Blog:
Daren’s Blog:
Later that day… Ok.. Since Bryan and I have been leapfrogging I made it to Brenda and was going crazy because there was absolutely nothing there but a general store….so I parked the car and called Bryan and told him that I was just going to go for a stroll and when he got there to drive down the road and pick me up…..well that stroll turned into another 11 miles to a intersection (not even a town) where there was 1 diner called the “Kofa Café” Bryan was already there chatting it up with the owners and he had already asked them if it would be cool If we stayed in their parking lot for the night…they said no problem so we ordered something to eat.
Bryan’s Blog:
Phoenix Finally: 
I arrived in Dallas TX/Fort Worth last night and met Bryan (The Earth Expedition Teammate) for the first time. I have to say that it is a little weird meeting the person that you will be spending the next 4 months with for the first time. I mean we have spoken on the phone and my friends have vouched for him but the thought of what if we don’t get along has crossed my mind over the past week. Well now that I have spent the day with him I have realized that this is not going to work out at all…. ok …just kidding…. We are going to get along great! He has a passion for people as well as a passion to inspire and make a difference. This is going to be an amazing 4-5 month journey.
Now that is pushing 11:30 we still needed to make one more stop. Bryan’s best friend lived close to where we were and he wanted to say good bye before he took off. We ended up staying for a while and hung out with the crew that was there. One of the Guys is a fantastic artist. The garage wall is filled with a mural straight out of Scooby Doo! Then also in the garage was a 6ft bicycle that you basically have to climb up to ride 