Letting Go

Hello again folks.

Once again, I feel I should start off with an apology. We know it's been a while since you've all heard from us, but it seems as if the news of our latest experiences are leaking out through other people, and it just doesn't seem fair that you don't hear it from us first.

I don't really know if it's my place to relay this information by myself, but I know that all four of us are busy making new plans, so I'm not sure when the others will have a chance to get around to writing their own thoughts.

Here's a basic update from when we last posted: about two and a half weeks ago, we made it a record-breaking 23 miles in one day from Ironside, Oregon into Brogan...almost. I only made it 22 miles, because about a mile out of town I started feeling kinda queasy and had to stop. It wasn't long before I was throwing up in the bushes, from what I thought was the blistering heat. Lauren and Jonathan booked it into town and stopped at Vilsmeyer's store, where we met Sharon and Richard Chubbs, the owners. I got a ride back and after things calmed down we discovered they had a cabin they rent out for about $55 a night. Since it was air-conditioned and I needed to get out of the heat, we took them up on it. We ended up staying three nights, but the first night they drove us into Ontario to go to the ER. Six hours later we had all been seen, and I discovered I had a stomach virus for which I got antibiotics. It was a bit of a relief to know that it hadn't been just the heat that was getting to me.

For the record, I'm perfectly fine now. My traveling companions, however, each received some news of their own from the doctor, and I think it's only fair that I let them tell their own stories. But that was the first day we were faced with the devastating news that our walk might be coming to a close.

However, we did make it across Oregon. We stayed for five days in Vale with the delightful Moreno family, and over the next week we really got to know Vince, Lisa, and their five sons: Mario, Gabe, Mark, Paul and Vince Jr. They were literally a Godsend to us, taking us in with no questions asked, keeping us fed and well occupied, taking us where we needed to go and even where we didn't. Last Saturday Vince Sr. drove us all into Boise where we came to stay with Karlene and Matt Williams and their three children, Kaylan, Sierra and Corbin. Two days ago Jonathan and Lauren flew home, and Katelyn and I stayed behind in Boise, where we still are now, with very little clue as to where we could, and should, go from here.

The days and weeks that followed after Brogan were, I have to say, pretty emotionally turbulent. I knew that our group was dissolving, but I wasn't ready to stop and go home yet. There still were, and are, things that I needed to see and do and people that I need to meet and talk to and capture on film before I can say that I'm ready to be done. I was angry and upset and frustrated and lost and confused and sad, not any one person or thing, but just at the entire situation and how things seemed to be playing out. I don't know how many times over and over again I prayed this simple prayer: "Lord, help. I just don't know what to do anymore." I thought about Katelyn and I continuing the walk, just the two of us, but the amount of equipment we would need to carry plus safety concerns worried us. Not only that, but Katelyn went to the doctor the other day and found out she has a stress fracture in her foot. If she were to continue walking, she was told, she would not be able to dance again. Kind of a tough decision for a dance major with only one semester left to graduate. If we wanted to take the time for it to heal, we would have to wait three to four weeks. Kind of a long time to just sit around not really doing much.

So it seemed like everyone we talked to and everything that was happening was telling us gently it was time to let go. What had started out as a walk across America was apparently only going to be a walk across Oregon, which is still a pretty amazing feat, if you ask me. Still, I've been going through a grieving process. I've witnessed the death of a dream, so to speak; this is something that we've all poured sweat, blood and tears into for well over a year, that we all worked desperately and relentlessly at to come true, and I feel like it's been wrenched from my fingers before I even knew what was going on. I don't know if the others feel the same way I do about it, I know that it's been said it's always something we can pick up later in life, but I just don't see why. I mean, I was ready now; I came all this way, put the next year of my life on hold to finish this, and now it's done only seven weeks later? How does that make sense?

Thus far, I only know this much: I can't go home yet, much as I would love to, and I can't give up on this film. Not yet. I don't know why or what is compelling me to continue, but I know that if I stopped now, I would always regret it.

However, since walking is out, Katelyn and I are forced to go in a new direction. We still want to see the country, so we've decided we're picking up a car. I'm meeting up with my folks in Denver probably as early as this weekend, and they're bringing us a Kia Spectra5 Hatchback that they just traded in my old Toyota Tercel for. The car's supposed to be for my sister, but she's graciously allowed Katelyn and I to take it for now, until our travels are done. Obviously, a whole new set of problems and troubles arise, most notably: how the heck are we going to get enough money to pay for gas? But I know that we've been provided for thus far and if this is something we're supposed to do, and I really feel that it is, we'll get along okay.

I guess there's really not much left to say at this point in time, except that I know this all may come as a shock to many of you, and I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but it's for the best. I believe that with a car, we'll be able to see more things and meet more people and spend more time with them since we will no longer be weighed down by the pressures (both physically and timely) of walking. As we've said all along, it's really about the experiences and the stories we gather; how we get there is of little importance.

We will keep our blog open for some time I should think, and hopefully the others will get a chance to post on where they are and what they're doing and how they're feeling soon, so you can hear it from them and not me. And much as I appreciate your sympathies, please don't feel bad or sorry for us at all or tell us how much you wish we could keep going. I really believe that everything is turning out just as it should, even though it may not be turning out as we may have wanted it to. But as the saying goes, when God closes a door he opens a window, and all we have left to do is find where that window is. Just for the record, I've been feeling a slight tug on my heart to head to the state of Washington next, so for those of you who would still like to know what to pray for, that could be a start.

Lauren and Jonathan, I hope you guys are safe and and recovering well, and that your search goes smoothly, and I want you to know that you are both missed. Thank you sincerely for the journey that we all made together; I know that it shall be one I will never forget.

Love to you all,
Matt

Moonwalkers

Well, this morning was the first morning we were woken up not by Katelyn, but by the groundskeeper of the Dayville, OR city park telling us that we were not allowed to camp in any city park in Oregon. I guess the two people we passed who told us it would be fine to camp there weren't up on all the rules. Oh well, it's not like we knowingly trespassed and we were only up about an hour before we planned to be anyway.

We're definitely crossing the high desert now: it can be up to 110 degrees during the hottest part of the day and as low as 27 at night. We heard our first rattlesnake a few days ago, and hopefully that is the closest we will ever come to a rattlesnake. Katelyn keeps saying she wants to see one but not one that is coming to bite her, and I heartily agree. Maybe we can stop by a zoo at some point and see one that is safely behind double-plated glass.

We've been trying to beat the heat by walking either very early in the morning before the sun rises or later in the evening as the sun sets. Walking at night is a very different sort of walking; it's calmer and more peaceful on the one hand, as there are less cars on the road, but on the other hand every little sound and movement tends to set your imagination off in some directions you'd rather it not go. The coyotes howling off in the distance at the full moon don't really help too much either.

Oh well, though. We asked for adventure, and it's being delivered.

Our stay in Prineville allowed us to capture the most footage we have so far; talking to workers at the travelling carnival, getting a tour of the Crook County Fire Station, and of course the Rock Hound Powwow, where we were fortunate enough to meet Matt and Becca, and their two little girls, Olivia and Ada. This wonderful family live out of a big pink school bus that they renovated into a double decker, and they travel all up and down the West coast to shows and festivals selling their eclectic mix of rock-based jewelery and other such trinkets. Staying with them and playing with their children was a delight, and Jonathan and Lauren were even taught how to forage for food and different types of plants, so we've all learned a thing or two about how to use our surroundings. I think the most interesting discovery is mullen, a plant that feels as soft as a rabbit's ear. Plenty of it grows out here in the high desert and it's soft enough that if we really need to cut down on weight, presto! Instant toilet paper. Yes, I'm serious.

We have about 30 miles to John Day, the next big city or town we will encounter, so that's another good two days (or nights rather) of walking, assuming the weather holds up. For those of you wondering about prayer requests, please ask for safety at night, not just physically, but also, you know...mentally.

P.S. Sorry again about not having any pictures for you all...dial-up internet again.

when you try to be funny and it fails

Captains Log 62107

We decided to inhabit one more day the city of Prineville. The beings we have encountered appear to be friendly. Our night was spent squished between a shiny fire station and an in-progress carnival. We were met by Wayne, from the station, and Scot from the carnival. The sunlight in this part was hot, and I awoke like a baked potato heating in the oven.
We were able to travel more of the area after being interviewed briefly by a journalist, as they call it, of the name Kate. We then travelled to a rock show, which was not about rock music as we had thought. There were rocks on display for all to see. Muriel of Pele Creations and I chatted about the different arts of this world, and gave me something referred to as a web address for more information. That is www.handcraftjewelry.com.
The weather is hot and the crew is tired. We're looking for friendly ground to stay again for the night, before leaving for a new place to conquer tomorrow.

End captains log.

Tumbling stories

My mom complained that we do not write enough about the stories and adventures we encounter as we go. That we are too thoughtful in our blogs, and this is a resource for those of you (which is almost all of you) who do not hear from us very often. So I apologize for that, and I will try to tell you some stories, although the one I wanted to tell was the one that Matt told about Madelyn and Samantha and their parents. I think Jonathan or Lauren told the other story I wanted to.

Tonight we are probably staying in the back yard of a Fire House in Prineville, OR. We stopped by to have an EMT check out of various ailments, Jonathan's feet, my blisters, etc. The guys were nice and we'll be camping there tonight once I get off the computer at the library.

I can't think of a story I want to tell... so here's some things I learned about Oregon and things I've learned in Oregon.

If you go into a kitchen that prepares food for a number of people (not a family home) you will see a sign about how to wash your dishes. I want to get the label for my family.
The toilet paper comes individually wrapped in public restrooms and is wrapped in blue paper.
When they say sparse, they mean sparse.
Not all cities on maps exist. Sometimes, if you are lucky, they are a road. Other times they have fallen off the face of the earth into oblivion and your hope for a restroom withit.
There are a lot of logging trucks that go down the roadways.
Walking west to east was smart, except in the afternoon when the drivers are blinded by the sunlight and therefore can't see you on the shoulder.
Yelling out "SEMI!" in a loud voice means get off the road or prepare to be blown over by the after-wind of the truck.
Life does exist without computers.

Ah hah! I have a story, about Matt, because he's sitting here, and I know that he'll appreciate everyone knowing it. We were walking from...we were walking to Redmond. And the wind kept pushing us from behind. Dirt was flying, we saw our first tumbleweed. Matt was walking in front, and I was directly behind him. As tumbleweed ket going past, I kept laughing, imagining it being so monstrous as to take a person out. Matt asked what I was laughing at, and I told him. He said he wouldn't be knocked down by tumbleweed. Not too long after that, tumbleweed started flying again. Right before my eyes, before I could even warn him, it snagged the back of his leg making him stumble. Not enough to hurt him, I wouldn't laugh at that...but it did make him stumble and I did laugh.

Maybe you had to be there. Just imagine it though. Take a second to stop reading, and close your eyes....ahh..now you are laughing (unless you are Matt's mom or sister, in which you probably don't think it's all that funny...but he's okay and I swear if he had been hurt I wouldn't have laughed, and if it hadn't happened so quickly I would have warned him).

Well, my stomach is calling me to move on. I'm starving. I'll start storing up stories to tell, and not keeping them all to myself.

Clue and Marshmallows

Hi all! Greetings from Redmond, Oregon!

It looks as though our last post was ten days ago, so I'd like to thank everyone for waiting patiently until we get a chance to sit down in front of a computer for awhile and update our blog. I wish we could write a new post every day, but unfortunately it looks as though about once a week is as good as we're going to be able to do. But I would like you all to know that we have not forgotten any of you, or that you're waiting to hear from us, and that we are receiving all of your comments and E-mails and although we can't reply right away to every single one, they mean a lot and are definitely encouraging to each and every one of us.

We're taking a rest day today, to sit and spend time with Vern, the man Katelyn met on the plane to Oregon. Vern is a chaplain for the fire district of Redmond, a deeply spiritual man who lives alone with his adorable dog Peanut Butter since his wife died a year ago next week. Already he has told us story after story that make you stop and think, or tug at your heart strings a little bit, or make you laugh. He's one of the kindest gentlemen we have encountered so far, and he's more or less adopted us all as extra grandchildren. Sometime soon we are going out to see Smith Rock, one of the most famous climbing rocks in the entire world. I hear it's beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful, we have many more pictures to share with you all, but since Vern has dialup internet, I think it's best we wait to share some of those. If you're interested, I have an account through Webshots under matchez312@insightbb.com, which have all of my pictures for the first half of our journey uploaded already. I'm not sure if you have to have an account or not to see those.

Anywho, it's been a wonderful albeit rough ten days. Our hardest challenge so far came when we went up and over an old highway, 242, that was open for three weeks only to hikers and cyclists. There were gorgeous views all along the route, also called McKenzie Pass, and we took many side trips to see waterfalls, giant beds of lava rock, and we spent the night at the summit (over 5,000 feet) in an old stone observatory. The wind was howling, but we all huddled together in one two person tent to stay warm. It was great to have an entire road to ourselves for several days, but since there were no towns for several miles, we had to carry all of our food and water with us. It only takes a few days of the same meals (oatmeal for breakfast, Velveeta sandwiches for lunch, bean soup mix for dinner) to really make you start appreciating a lot of other meals you realize you take for granted every day.

When we came out of the pass, we stopped in Sisters, OR for the evening at a campground and on our next night into Redmond came across a family (Dani, Phil, Samantha, and Madeline), where we got our first showers in a week (the longest I believe any of us have gone without showering) and our first chance to do laundry in a lot longer than that. If you thought we appreciate food more now, I can't begin to tell you how much more we appreciate hot water and some Tide. We spent the night playing with Sam (9, almost ten) and Madi (8, almost 9). When they accused me of cheating at Clue they got out some marshmallow guns and the four girls barraged Jonathan and I with clouds of the stuff. I think it was my favorite night yet. I really wish he had captured some of it on film, but I guess sometimes there are some things that just don't come out right on film...as we're learning time and time again with our documentary.

That's been my biggest struggle so far; getting the hang of making this documentary. The more we experience, the less inclined I feel to bring out the camera because the camerman has to be an observer and not an interactor...and I want to interact and experience it all firsthand. I keep waiting for the right time to get some filming done, but what I really wish I could do is record every second of every day, so that we could share all of it the way it was meant to be shared.

That's it for now. Keep praying for us, sending us your kind words in comments and E-mails, and keep rooting for us. We've already gotten some small media attention as well, so be looking for us in papers and on the news. And if you're going to call us and find out our cellphones are off, PLEASE leave us messages so that we know you called and we can call you back when we get them! We love to hear from everyone!