5/9/13
SoilTrek.com

High Up, Colorado. Here's a simple chart on what I have replaced the most so far on this journey either through losing, damage, or just needing an upgrade. .

5/9/13
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Empire, CO. [Elevation 8615 ft, population 355] After taking a day off yesterday to hike Mt. Douglas with my host Matthew (which I will post about soon) I will be doing a 30-miler today from Empire to Keystone.

I've noticed the lack of oxygen and dryness of the air while crossing the Rockies, however I am doing okay dealing with it while enjoying the scenic view.


5/9/13
SoilTrek.com

Lincoln, Nebraska. I met Jeff through his little brother, Derek who had spotted me on TV. Jeff works as a landscape artist/consultant, was someone I connected to very well especially in regards to similarities in our own personal philosophies.

The conversations we had surely deepened my way of thinking on certain topics, which I believe is important to do.

I got to meet some of his closest friends in town and also ate at some great restaurants in the Lincoln area including the Haymaker district, Go Cornhuskers! In addition I experienced a good tour of the city.

Lending assistance in my journey Jeff helped produce extra business cards when I ran out, helped me to get postcards to send back to New York, and took me to pick-up my new Northface boots at the local FedEx my ex-girlfriend had ordered and shipped me.

Jeff was a terrific individual that I'm glad I got to know closely and who was also a fantastic host!

4/3/13
SoilTrek.com

Denver, Colorado. Thanks to the wonderful Peggy and her daughter Jill I was able to meet and talk with the mayor if Denver, Mr. Michael B. Hancock.

He definitely was a great, down to Earth, and positive person to converse with. I was also amazed by how large his office was. Before departing he gave me his mobile number and told me to keep in touch.

After leaving the mayor's office, I also met with Mr. Wellington E. Webb, Denver's first black mayor.


5/2/13
SoilTrek.com

Davenport, Iowa. On my way out of town I was very hungry and wanted some breakfast to get me going. The local Subway restaurant was closed as well as all the other eateries, I guess because it was early Sunday.

Not wanting to start walking on an empty stomach I saw two gentlemen walking the opposite way I was going and so I asked them where I could get some food. At first they were a little hesitant, but by my attire and manner they could tell I really needed food from somewhere.

One of the gentlemen was Matthew and he told me to follow him to a place that serves meals. We walk into the place and it turned out to be a soup kitchen. I normally serve food at one of these places, however now I was on the receiving end and had no shame about it.

Matthew kind of stayed away in the corridor and so I interacted with the other individuals there. Most seemed to have fallen on hard times and had a tough past. Some of the guys there didn't want me there because I wasn't homeless and thought I was getting preferential treatment from the staff which I was totally unaware of. The rest had great interest in my journey and had a barrage of questions.

Before Matthew and I left, I said my good-byes to the guys and to the staff before the facilities manager handed me a music CD sang and recorded by her, which was a great gesture.

From that point after leaving the soup kitchen Matt and I was together a majority of the time. Which was cool because until then mostly everything I did was solo dolo.

Before Matthew and I left, I said my good-byes to the guys and to the staff before the facilities manager handed me a music CD sang and recorded by her, which was a great gesture.

From that point after leaving the soup kitchen Matt and I was together a majority of the time. Which was cool because until then mostly everything I did was solo dolo.

We went to church together that same day after a lady recognized me from the TV news and invited me. I got a great tour of downtown Davenport along with video I shot on the Skybridge where I met some of Matthew's good friends.

That last day was extremely cold due to the brutal wind, I was one layer short of being okay but I manned up and just dealt with it. Matthew had a non-verbal urge to join the trek I was on. It would have been great however I'm glad he chose to stay and iron out some challenges he was facing.

Matthew was definitely a great guy to hang with, we said our good-byes that day, however our paths will most certainly cross again.

3/3/13
SoilTrek.com

Denver, Colorado. Today I will depart from the city of Denver (Civic Park) and head towards The Rocky Mountains. I have never experienced this mountain range and I am extremely excited about the challenges that lay ahead over the next 320 miles before I hit the border of Utah.

This task should take about 12 days, I have reached out to Couchsurfers to possibly host me, however I'm ready to camp out every day if I have to and check into a hotel occasionally.

The challenge I'm most concerned about is not the cold, distance, or the wildlife, but the elevation and possibly getting elevation sickness.

Today is my last night in Denver and so I'm currently doing some last minute preparations before my big day tomorrow. Can't wait!!!

Day after Cinco de Mayo 2013
SoilTrek.com

4/28/13
SoilTrek.com

Fort Morgan, Colorado. I would like to give thanks to the following great I've met in recent days...

Big thanks to The Kotschwars in Big Springs (who I will post about soon), John in Crook (who I will post about soon), Rob in North Platte (who I will post about soon), Ike near Iliff, the guys that gave me the Coca-Cola on the highway, Bill in Hillrose, the nice woman that bought me dinner in Hillrose, Sterling Library staff (couldn't find the picture we had taken), Sterling Walgreens staff, and the Sterling Wells Fargo staff.

Laurie, Amanda, & Cassie of Walgreens in North Platte were a huge boost for me. They were totally excited about what I was pursuing, it felt great just being around them. They were very accommodating and I loved it!

Paul of Penny's Diner in North Platte, Nebraska was a great person to meet. He journeyed on a similar walk after the military. Paul gave me an beautiful tour of Sutherland's northern landscape and gave me some great survival advice. Paul thanks pal it was a pleasure, still love the Mountain Dew car interior!

Mychelle, Paul's co-worker, was mentioned as the best waitress ever on Foursquare website. And you know what? She is in fact honestly one of the best waitress I ever had.

Penny's Diner
473 Halligan Drive
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-9900

Sterling, Colorado. After camping out at the local park and performing a few errands around town I decided to eat lunch at Subway. I know, I know, Subway again. Well this time I stepped in to Subway and there was a swarm of teenage girls everywhere. I automatically thought I would have to sit outside to eat because there was no place to sit or even lean against for that matter.

While waiting to place my order a few of the girls approached me in awe and asked me several great questions about my excursion. I discovered these ladies played soccer for the Scotts Bluff Bearcats in Nebraska. Soccer is one if the coolest sports in my opinion and its always great to see young females involved sports.

After placing my order the cashier informed me that one of the team members had already paid for my meal. What? How awesome was that? My meal was covered before I even placed it! Thanks to the lovely Celeste for buying me lunch, I truly appreciated it!

We took the above picture before the team departed. I believe I'm in the photo, somewhere in a sea of Bearcats.

Thanks again to Celeste, shout out to Rikke and the whole Scotts Bluff Bearcat soccer team!


4/27/13
SoilTrek.com