Good day, good weekend, and most of all, good friends and family

Had a really good weekend. I can't thank my folks enough for their support of my upcoming backpacking trip. On Saturday they took me to REI in Reno and bought me a backpack. REI Crestrail 70.

I'll be spending this next week learning how to outfit it for comfort and pack it correctly. In a couple weeks or so I'll start taking my walks with it on. Speaking of which, I've been doing good on my walks. I've walked everyday since deciding to take this trip, and have increased the distance little by little each day. I decided, though, that I should take Sunday's off each week from walking to let my body rest and heal. 


Today was especially good because my friends Paul and Laurel decided yesterday that they wanted to take a daytrip in the car and come visit me from Sacramento. I had no idea of the surprise they had in store for me! 

Paul and Laurel

SNOW!

YEE HAW! Finally got some snow over here! It's been so dry all winter so far, and I was not at all expecting this tonight. I'm so excited! As a native Californian, snow is something I have experienced only a few times in my life. Mostly when I was living in Seattle, WA in the early 2000's.     

We get some nice sunrises 'round here too

Been "training" for my upcoming trip so far by taking a walk or two a day around the park across the street from our house. Luckily I woke up very early this morning because I got to see this beautiful sunrise. Enjoy!

This shot of the moon setting behind the Sierras is a good example of why I need a more powerful camera and a tripod.

I have decided that I am going to take a walk.

A few days ago I woke up very late in the afternoon. AGAIN! Actually, it's a fairly normal routine for me. Any of you that know me, know that I've always been a night person, and have suffered with insomnia since I was teenager. I'm like this even when I feel like everything is ok with my life. For whatever reason, though, this time I felt horribly depressed about waking up so late. What a waste. I start thinking about how my life for the last several months has just been one useless shitty day blending into the next. I've lost my ability to see into the future. I'm tired of where I am in my life and in my mind. Feeling completely helpless and stranded. I daydream that I just walk away. Then it occurred to me, why not? Why can't I just walk away? Even just for a little while.

So, fuck it. I have decided that I am going to go for a walk. A very long walk. I am going to procure what supplies and funds that I can, and am going to walk from my house here in Gardnerville, NV to Seattle, WA.