July 12, 2006 - McKenzie Pass, Oregon. "Three
Sisters" in the background. This
picture represents my full return to the world of the walking. I have
regained hiking
capability much faster than expected. I never anticipated this when I left
Tennessee
in early June, and didn't even
bring a pair of hiking boots with me. With all the setbacks
and glitches I have experienced in the healing process, I just couldn't imagine that I
would be
doing any really serious hiking so soon. In LA I had to go to REI and buy an
expensive pair of boots, and I
didn't mind a bit. I have been using a matched pair of
hiking staffs to provide
cushioning and stability. That has worked out great,
and I highly recommend it. You
can't see it, but I'm
wearing the new boots in this
image, while hiking in beautiful volcanic
terrain high in the Cascades with friends from
Eugene. We hiked six miles round-trip on
an amazing
trail across the lava flow,
built by the WPA in the 1930s. I am standing
up so straight because I feel just
great, being back out west, hiking in beautiful rugged wilderness terrain.