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Day 51 Mile 706-724

Spent the early part of the day reading the markers and signs at the visitors center. Pushed on down the hill towards Arco. Was cruising right along and was almost there when a herbicide truck went by spraying the side of the road... anyway, the wind blew it up on to me and I decided that I better hurry up and get to Arco and get this stuff off... it stank and my eyes were watering. So a young gentleman, Adam Schriber gave me a lift the rest of the way into town. He was a great guy and was on his way to meet his girlfriend in Jackson Wyoming. He has a great job as a nature guide and river rafting leader catering to rich recreationalists. Arco is a great little community and is the first city ever powered by a nuclear reactor. I would like to give a very special thank you to Nicole at the D-K Motel for putting me up for the night. A wonderful room and shower is the greatest gift I can receive:-) And all of you should thank her as well because only from the comfort of a motel room do I feel like posting entries on the website;-) I got a great deli sandwich from the deli shop in town and then took it over to the laundry mat next door to eat while I did my laundry and watched TV. I bought some icecream too! Now I’m here in the room posting to the site. Goodnight:-)

Day 50 Mile 681-706

I made a big 25 mile push today all the way to the Craters of the Moon Campground! If Columbus was wrong and the world really is flat, then I think if you turned it over it would probably look something like the Craters of the Moon National Monument that I am walking through now. I got there just at dark and visited with some other campers and got to watch a slideshow on the history and geology of the region. I’ll let the picture of the day speak for themselves. Oh by the way I have 18 miles worth of Neil Diamond Music and I sang each and every song out loud into my walking staff.

Day 49 Mile 669-681

Woke up to lots of families and kids fishing in Loving Stream. Jarek had come over with his fishing pole and him and I went over to the hatchery to look at all the beautiful trout. They had these big cisterns full of all different ages of trouts and different kinds too. The Rainbow trout just sparkled as the sun shone on them. Jarek found a great spot to try some fishing and we could se many trout swimming in the shallow area that he chose to fish. Before I headed out again, I had some warm biscuits with Joe, Vicky and Jarek. Thank you kindly for hospitality:-) I had lunch at the store in Peekaboo before heading on the rest of the way to Carey. In Carey I had salad and fries at the Watering Hole restaurant and visited with Catherine. She has a four year old daughter named Tatum and came back to Idaho after living in Salt Lake to be near family and raise her child in a good community. We talked about how people medicate their children these days and she is just like “they’re kids! there supposed to act like that. let kids grow in their own way”. Catherine says she wants to raise here kid all natural... Tatum is a lucky girl to have a mom thats so on to it;-)

Day 48 Mile 654-669

Finally walking along water again is a relief. Filled my water from the reservoir before pushing off again and spoke with a fisherman who had caught many little fish. Then a ways down the road I Stopped again on the Magic Reservoir and met Neil who had grown up out in this country and who affirmed what many folks and ranchers had told me that the water levels this year and over the past several years is disturbingly low. Global warming is the word and these are the most conservative folks in the nation and they have absolutely no love for Al Gore but still the words are global warming. Neil was going water skiing this afternoon once his friend showed up. I met Richard Sessa who had moved out to Idaho from Pitsburg and even though he liked his home back East, nothing could take him away from the North West. I met him along the river and he hadn’t caught anything but just enjoyed putting his feet in the water. Made it to this great campground and fish hatchery called Hayspur where tenters and RVers can stay for up to ten nights at no charge. Coming in to the park I met Joe and Vicky Stimac and there grandson Jarek. They invited me to join them for dinner and some conversation Joe, now retired had been an instructor of welding and his wife vicky had been a Nurse and a nursing instructor. Her favorite job was in the army nursery caring for us new ones. They had come out west from Wisconsin and still after 30 years missed the snow, especially since we’ve been getting less and less of it in the past few years. Jarek is sucha bright young guy and he had such fun energy and a desire to be helpful. Most of the pictures below are from Jarek the Photographer. He has a fascination with gadgets like phones, cameras, and iPods. His joy of life will take him far. Jarek took me over to the stream and showed me a good place to set up for the night. I visited with Josh who was fishing there and he and all his extended family were out here camping. The two guys next to us had caught (and released) 14 trout. In nearby Silver Creek which is the worlds trout fishing destination, there are over a thousand trout per mile, and they are smart trout who will peek up above the surface and if they see people the won’t bite.

Day 47 Mile 636-654

Had breakfast at the Prairie kitchen and met Laura who I also ran into again on the 20 later in the day. Inside I met Dorthy Schmidt who told me to stop by the Union Pacific Caboose which was the town info center. Inside I met Derral and Arlee Hupfer and signed the town guest book. Made it to Moonstone landing on the Magic Reservoir where there is the bluest water contrasted against the canyon walls. The rich blue of the water, the blue of the sky, the green of the brush and the red of the rock all delineated clearly from one another presented itself so vividly as the evening sun shone directly on it all with out casting a shadow. I draped my feet over the dock and let them soak before going back to set up camp. Had to stake the tent down so that I would not fly into the reservoir. Have you seen the clear sky from 6,000 feet with not a single light on around you for miles? I have!

Day 46 Mile 612-636

Went through Hill City today and guess what there is no city there! Got some water from Bill who lives off of Hwy 20 about 12 miles before Fairfield. his water source is an artesian well and the water pressure was amazing as it came out of the spout. Thanks for the refreshment! Saw a heard of Antelope I think on my way into Fairfield. Came into this quaint little town and popped in at the Prairie Inn which is this beautiful wooden lodge and I explained the walk to Mona and showed her my website and she was so kind as to put me up for the night in a great room at no charge. Thanks again! Had the fish dinner at the Prairie kitchen and watched the new Bewitched movie on TV!

Day 45 Mile 592-612

Walked through some construction work for a few miles. Started gaining in elevation and big granite boulders started shooting out of the belly of the earth like fingers of a creature trying to escape from the inferno beneath the hot ground. “This I believe” essays played in my ear as I followed Goodale’ Cutoff. At Castle Rock I met visitors from France who were immersing themselves in the untouched nature that is the American West. It’s so empty! Patrick and Pierre Vieville were here visiting Patrick’s sister Rachel and her husband Monte Curran who live in Mountain Home. Pushed on up and saw that the elevation was 5,500 feet and I had no idea how high I was. Camped out in the field and ate left over pizza. Wrote a Haiku poem tonight and played my harmonica.

Day 44 Mile 578-592

Started the day back in at AJ’s for the Salad Bar. Pushed off into the desert and hills. Golden ground under golden skies. It was a hot day. Setup camp off the road and waited for sunset. Played some harmonica. Decided that since I still 44 miles into my next town that I could treat myself to some delivery food and water. Called three Pizza places in Mountain Home and there was a very kind gentleman named Otto who delivered for Dominos that volunteered to take the 14 mile delivery trip on his break. He got to me just after dark and I had my light out so that he could find me at the turn off just past mile post 108. He is also a technician in the US Airforce and he gave me a Mountain Home Airforce Base Medallion to carry with me on my walk. He brought me plenty of water and a great vegi pizza with extra pineapple and tomatoes!

Day 44 Mile 578-592

Started the day back in at AJ’s for the Salad Bar. Pushed off into the desert and hills. Golden ground under golden skies. It was a hot day. Setup camp off the road and waited for sunset. Played some harmonica. Decided that since I still 44 miles into my next town that I could treat myself to some delivery food and water. Called three Pizza places in Mountain Home and there was a very kind gentleman named Otto who delivered for Dominos that volunteered to take the 14 mile delivery trip on his break. He got to me just after dark and I had my light out so that he could find me at the turn off just past mile post 108. He is also a technician in the US Airforce and he gave me a Mountain Home Airforce Base Medallion to carry with me on my walk. He brought me plenty of water and a great vegi pizza with extra pineapple and tomatoes!

Day 41 - 43 Mile 537-578

Alright! Back on the road again. On the Morning of Friday June 8th, Beau and I arose at 5:30 am to get me into the Fox 12 station for their morning show. At 7:15 I was in the station and ready to go. Kevin, one of the producers in training got me mic’ed up and down to the set where Kristin Courtial, Shayne Wells, and Nate Kuester along with a few camera people and technicians were smoothly and joyfully waking up Treasure Valley (South Western Idaho). Theses fine professionals were so at ease and so in-tune with the entire operation that they made what was going on at a dizzying pace appear easy. The studio was not all that large but it was designed perfectly to allow the reporters to move around at ease and always be where they needed to be. The teleprompters were very cool and all the reporters had rehearsed their scripts I assume and their delivery was flawless and they always knew what was coming up next... I know this seems basic but to watch it in action is really quite amazing. Now it was time for me to get up on set in front of the camera. I lugged my pack and walking stick up there with me and sat down thinking I would have a few minutes to go over the questions and get prepared... but here comes the on in 3 - 2 - 1 and we were live... It was very cool. I started off great explaining that I was walking cross country etc. I did however stumble up once and lost track of what I was saying and repeated myself on “exploring the gradients” but When I looked to Kristin she just smiled and said its OK and put me right at ease... I don’t know if reporters have training on how to get their interviewees through freeze ups but she was great and I recovered and we chatted, live, on air, with maybe a hundred thousand people watching for another several minutes. Though out the rest of the show they made references to the walk and interacted with me off camera and then had me come up to do the show closing with them. I just had too much fun. This news team was so warm and genuine and their whole approach was so personable... It was Great! After the Show, Beau gave a pair of Z-coils to Kristin and it looks like he will be a guest on the show next week talking about Z-Coils. Once I get a copy of the show I will post it on the site for you all to watch. Thank you so much Kristin, Nate and Shayne!

We returned to Beau’s home to pick up a wonderful lunch that Beau’s wife Lynn had made for me to send me on my way. I bid farewell to Lynn, Lydia, and David. Beau drove me to the edge of Boise where I would resume my walk East. I really enjoyed my time with Beau and his family and cant wait for them to come and visit with my family when I complete the walk. Thank you Beau for your friendship and hospitality.

I had Eggs Benedict at the Kopper Kettle Cafe before getting back on the road. They had WiFi at the Cafe so I downloaded a new set of Audiobooks to listen to. I got the Bible read by James Earl Jones, “The Assault on Reason” by Al Gore, and “This I Believe” a series of essay from This America Life. People were already recognizing me and wishing me luck after having seen me on TV. Now for the first time in the walk, Hwy 20 merged up with a Freeway and I would have to walk along interstate 84 for the next 40 miles. The freeway is noisier than I am used to and I am a bit out of shape from the break for my Cousin Heather’s Wedding... but along I go. I am still getting used to the new insoles that got in Boise which are designed to give my big toe freer motion and I am in some pain but it will pass. The freeway doesn’t have as good of places to sit and rest as does the highway but its still enjoyable to just sit along the road and I have a great sandwich to enjoy so I am very happy (thanks Lynn). I want to thank Jarrod and his mom who pulled over on the side of the freeway to contribute Cold water and $20 bucks to WFP... they had seen me on TV this morning. As I got to my destination for the evening, the Boise Stage Shop 17 miles outside of Boise, I met Doug and Roger who had also seen me on TV and pulled over to visit and to bring me water and beef jerky! I went into the Stage Shop restaurant and had fish and chips. I visited with Evelyn and her friend (if you read this email me your name:-) and had a nice evening before heading out to the grass behind all the long hall trucks to set up my tent.

Saturday- Wrapped up camp and went back in and had some hashbrowns, grapefruit, and some of my moms homemade banana bread. Evelyn was working again and she told me to go to her husband’s Mexican restaurant in Mountain home when I get there in the evening. On my way out I met Bob and Linda Braswell who had also seen me on TV and they wished me good luck on my travels. I pushed along through the morning heat and went through lots of water. in the afternoon it cooled down and became overcast. I walked along listening to my audiobooks and enjoying being back on the road. I got buzzed by a Rattlesnake and proved than man can fly without wings. My reflexes served me well and so did the Rattlesnakes. He gave me fair warning and I respect him for that. Once I was out of range, him and I looked at each other for a brief moment as he stood coiled up watching me. About half an hour later Officers Cathy and Ferrell of the Mountain Home Police pulled up. They were very kind and I told them about my cross-country walk. They told me that someone had called in and reported that someone was jumping into traffic on the Freeway. apparently someone had seen me jump from the snake and had gotten the wrong idea... anyways the officers and I got a good laugh from the whole thing and they wished me well. I was grateful to know that if ever I was in trouble that help would be close by... Thanks guys! I made it to the first Mountain Home exit and went in to the Mexican restaurant Evelyn had recommended and had myself a Vegi-Burrito. I camped out at an RV park next door and the Camp hosts Dave and Wanda had seen me on TV and gave me permission to camp out for the night... Thank you!

Sunday- It rained and rained and blew and blew last night. I ate banana bread in the tent. The rain didn’t stop till after noon and I pushed out right when there was a break in the rain. I got back on the freeway for my last 5 mile stretch till I was back on my good ole Hwy 20. I exited the freeway and went in for salad bar at AJ’s family restaurant. The wind was picking up again and I was sure it was going to be a cold and rainy night so I decided to check the rate of the hotels. I felt it would be a good opportunity to upload some photos and writings to the website and to stay out of the elements. Samantha at the Sleep Inn was so kind to give me a great discount when I told her about the walk. So here I am updating the site instead of sleeping or watching TV! Geez... the things I do for you;-)

Check out the photo page!

Boise Idaho

Wednesday June 6th-
I don’t know why but 72% of all flights in 2007 have been delayed and my return flight to Boise was no exception. My new friend Beau was waiting for me as I emerged from the terminal and we were both excited for the days ahead. Beau had set up some TV media to meet with me which would give exposure to both my walk and to the Z-coil line of shoes. My late arrival crept into the tight schedule we had for the day and we did not arrive back at the office where we were to meet with the news until nearly 4:00 while they had anticipated us at 3:00... so Beau went about rescheduling me for the next day. I was not worried as the walk has shown me how when you are flexible things actually turn out for the better. In the Afternoon I met with Dr. Kevin Hearon who had his chiropractic office conjoined with the Z-coil dealership to offer both services and benefits in conjunction. He skillfully examined the calluses that had built on my foot and could tell where I had been applying my weight when I walked. He tested the flexion of my joints in the foot and with precise force smacked my feet and loosened the tight and stiff joints. He created a custom heat molded orthodic to my foot and then cut out a piece of it right behind the joint for my big toe in order to give me increased range of motion in my big toe.

At the close of business I went with Beau to see his garden where he has planted eggplant, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. He watered the plants and told me about his friend who invents Artificial Intelligence Robots that can mimic learning and can interact via spoken word. We then went back to Beau’s home where his older daughter Camilla had dinner waiting waiting for us. I did not get to meet his wife Lynn until later as she works the evening shift. Beau has four fabulous children, Camilla, Sarah, Lydia (peanut), and David. They all were such a joy and so well mannered. Camilla had a friend over and they sang together so beautifully. Beau got out his guitar and we had a musical evening singing everything from Little Red Ridinghood to Donovan’s Catch the Wind. After the kids went to sleep, Beau and I spent the evening philosophizing and speaking on human growth and potential. Forgiveness of our own personal devils we agreed can free us to unlock our own potential and see ourselves for what we truly are.

Thursday- Had a big breakfast with Beau and the kids before heading into the Foot Professional office. We had rescheduled channel 7 news interview for 2:00 in the afternoon so I spent the early part of the day doing yoga, reading, relaxing, and visiting with PJ and April, Beau’a colleagues. PJ and April were very sweet and the whole team seemed to get along very well together. Beau’s Wife Lynn brought lunch to us at the office and Oh Boy these were the most marvelous sandwiches in the world! At 2:00 Kaycee Murray from channel 7 arrived and we had a great 15 minute interview!

PJ was very kind and let me use the car to get to Downtown Boise where I spent the afternoon walking around and checking out the very cool scene. It was the First Thursday of the Month and that is the time when in Boise all the artists set up booths and share their gift with the public. I met a very special young artist named Casey Rae who used her art to express her spiritual understandings. She has produced a series of pieces depicting the medicinal healings of certain spirits. She had Apostle Raven on display and its varied textures and mediums used in a single portrayal indicated to me the shifting levels of consciousness and the varying perceptions of this earthy and ancient spirit. I have been out in the high desert and have seen ravens and her depiction really brought home the energy I had become in tune with on the walk.

Serendipitously I also ran into some friends of Camilla who had just gotten out of school for the year and they were parading around town with their tambourine bringing joy and smiles to all they encountered! Amy and Jenny were their names and they went around asking people if they could take photos with them and their tambourine... well I had my camera out too and got a photos with them as well... I told them to check out the website and they were like... Are you the guys walking across the country?.... Yep, how did you know I asked. They told me they were classmates with Camilla. Small world:-)

Boise is great with a beautiful historic downtown and capital building, great shops and cafes. Lots of public art and a great series of parks and monuments along the green belt in downtown. I explored Ann Morrison Park, the Boise Depot and lots of great spots on Main Street and Idaho street.

I returned back to the office and bid farewell to PJ and April. Beau and I again went to his garden to pick some peas and I got to meet his friends Meagan and her mom who had just come in from a great day of horse riding. Back at home we again had a great dinner and I got to see some photos of Beau’s hobby which is stunt make-up and it looks very real and very gruesome:-) I really enjoyed playing with Sweet David and Lydia. David is just learning to speak and he always has this great smile on his face. Beau and I stayed up to watch the news to see what they said about me... and there I was on TV with my walking stick. But it was a very brief segment and they used a reporters voice over instead of my own voice. I dont know why it was so short but it was pretty cool anyways. They mentioned the Z-coils and spoke about what I was doing but they didn’t mention the website address. I think tomorrows morning show will play out much better. We had an early morning the next day so we crashed out.

The photos are great so make sure you visit the photo page!

WFP Break

Had a great day at the Eagle Island State park and went swimming in the lake. Dad got to town and we drove around looking for a place that would serve us dinner at 10:30 at night and we got some great chinese and went to the motel 6 by the airport. The next day dad and I had a great time exploring Boise. We started by going to meet Beau Avery at Foot Professionals and getting my walk checked out on this treadmill with a camera watching my feet so that we could find out if I was walking right. Beaus made some adjustments and we planned to meet again so I could see the doctor and maybe meet with some reporters when I came back from my cousin Heather’s wedding. Dad and I went out and about and check out an estate sale where I got an original printing of Mark Twain’s The Innocents Abroad. We checked out the Freeway leaving Boise to see how the next leg of my Journey would be. We went to an Egyptian Restaurant recommended by Beau called the Aladdin. Checked out Ann Morrison park, campus and the train depot. Switched our room to Inn America, the hotel next door because Motel 6 raised their rates for the weekend and the rooms next door were nicer. We got cheesecake form the Cheesecake Factory and enjoyed it in our new room. Took off the next day driving to see my God Father Alex in Leavenworth Washington. On the drive up I had my dad listen to the story The Alchemist. When we got to Leavenworth, We had a great BBQ with Alex, Rod, and Linda! I stayed up with Alex half the night and ended up camping out by the river that goes by his place. Breakfast in the Morning at Crystals and Alex sent me on my way with a sturdy compass and sundial just like the ones Rogers’ Rangers used to use.

I went to Vancouver BC with Ali Reza to see Ali and his girlfriend Salimeh, Reza, and my sweet Hannah and Rosstin. I got to see Ethan and Jamie. I stopped in to say hi to Sarah at my favorite hangout the Mirkwood Cafe in Downtown Arlington. I had coffee with Robin Foster and some of the best teachers from when I was in Middle School. Happy retirement to Mr. Kjargaard and Mr. Knoepfle. I tried to get together with Jeremy Faxon... but ferry schedules were not cooperating:-) I got to see my grandma Mahin, aunt Mimi, uncle Saeed, and my cousin Ali and Laura and their kids Nicholas, Anayat, and Bijan. I had an interview with the Arlington Times which should be coming out in the coming weeks. I popped in to see Uncle Barry and aunt Shahaz at Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice-Cream and they were doing a benefit for the Childrens Hospital... I am very proud of all they do! Also I got news that my Cousin Salma is going to have a Baby! Congrats to Salma and Martin:-)

The wedding was beautiful and my little Cousin Heather drove off to start a life! I got to see family and also Jackie Ollen and Cory DeFord, school friends of mine from grade school and middle school that I had not seen in forever. My cousin Matt is also going to be married soon! Congrats Matt and Gienelle!

I got to visit with The Shull Family and Ethan got to come over for Breakfast one morning. I also visited with dear Natalie and her mom Linda!

I had a wonderful evening with the Fosters. Thank you Kirsten for the wonderful meal and its always sucha treat to visit with Sarah, Emily, and Rachel. Thanks for the Bill Cosby tracks!

Thanks Mom for the Banana Bread! Back on the Plane for Boise to pick up where I left off!

Where am I?

My sweet Cousin Heather is getting married tomorrow and I am away from route 20 for her wedding. I will be back in Boise Idaho this Wednesday to continue the trek. My dad came to pick me up from Boise on Memorial Day weekend and I got to visit my Godfather Alex on the way home. Alex sent me on my way with a compass just like those of Rogers' Rangers and it has a sun dial to tell the time. I stayed up and enjoyed his company and camped out by the river next to his home. I wish you all could have the pleasure of meeting my Godfather Alex. His presence enriches the lives around him.

This past week I have been visiting with friends and enjoying home cooking. I went to Vancouver BC with Ali Reza to see Ali and his girlfriend Salimeh, Reza, and my sweet Hannah and Rosstin. I got to see Ethan and Jamie. I stopped in to say hi to Sarah at my favorite hangout the Mirkwood Cafe in Downtown Arlington. I had coffee with Robin Foster and some of the best teachers from when I was in Middle School. Happy retirement to Mr. Kjargaard and Mr. Knoepfle. I tried to get together with Jeremy Faxon... but ferry schedules were not cooperating:-) I got to see my grandma Mahin, aunt Mimi, uncle Saeed, and my cousin Ali and Laura and their kids Nicholas, Anayat, and Bijan. I had an interview with the Arlington Times which should be coming out in the coming weeks. I popped in to see Uncle Barry and aunt Shahaz at Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice-Cream and they were doing a benefit for the Childrens Hospital... I am very proud of all they do! Also I got news that my Cousin Salma is going to have a Baby! Congrats to Salma and Martin:-) The rehearsal for Heathers wedding went well and I am excited for tomorrow!

I have changed the blog so that you no longer have to be a registered user to post comments... so Please start posting away.

Also I would like to put together a mailing list so that I can email you when I update the page and with important news. I would also like to know who is tracking me on my way... so if you could email me a quick note that includes your email adress, you name, and where you are visiting the site from plus anything else you would like to tell me that would be very much appreciated. Email me at alborz@walkforprogress.com to join the mailing list.