Untouched

I've got one more night in this hotel until we start the next leg of the journey to 20 and up into the mountains and my thoughts return to High Street.

I almost got hit by oncoming traffic like a half dozen times and I do not exaggerate here.  I took this photo of a warning sign about falling rocks and I was like, screw that, beware of the rocks in the heads of the drivers coming down this mountain.

There was one driver who came around a hairpin curve texting and she came within inches of hitting me.  And I swore to the top of my lungs at her.  And then came the voice from up high.  

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'Hello'  

Shaking, almost pasted against a rock wall in hesitation to continue up this mountain, I looked up and there was this old guy calling out to us.  'I saw you on TV', he said.  'I was worried about the dogs'.

'You and me both' I thought to myself unsure how to respond or what to say to this godlike figure although his Lebowski-esque attire didn't fit the whole supreme being image in my head.

'Is it always this bad on this road?' I inquired hoping for a hail mary.

'Yep'.

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Don't Should Me

'You should've taken 7th Street', he answered.  I'm a poker player and there's always a 4th and 5th street bet that you called or should have laid it down but when you're in a hand, you're down in it.   And that's where we were.

Ginger Morgan, the Director of our foundation, taught me that lesson.  There is no 'should' in life.  And I thought about that after almost getting killed on High Street.

I thought alot about why.  Why put myself and moreover and more importantly the lives of my boys at risk?

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'Do you need help?'

The old man asked me. 'No I don't', I replied.  And I lead my boys up to the top of the mountain unscathed and untouched.

Day 1: Do Over

So many nights on the road I woke up not knowing where we were or when we were.  That same dazed disorientation has descended upon me since Hudson's diagnosis yesterday. 

But I'm starting to work my way through this mad, miasmic maze to the stone cold stark reality that Hudson has cancer.  

Shit, didn't I just give a speech about this the other day?  

'Oh woe is me' is the pity party we throw ourselves sometimes but it's absolutely essential. It means that you care enough to take it on 100%.  200%.  1,000%.  I'm not good with math so I'll stop here.  

I made many mistakes with Murphy's cancer and they haunt me still but I own them. There are no 'do overs' in life.  

There's only today and tomorrow.   Tomorrow is Day 2.  

The Tripawds Connection

Another guest blog here, this time from Jim and René of tripawds.com – Jerry's place for three legged dogs and their people ...

The bonds we share with our animals strengthen even more when they become sick.

Only people who have been through the battle with cancer in their dog can truly understand how strong this bond can be. In turn, they easily develop tight bonds with others who have shared the same experience.

Case in Point: The Tripawds / 2 Dogs connection.

We met Yer Big Dog online after receiving a comment from him on our three legged dog videos of Jerry – our own canine cancer hero. After learning about Malcolm and the 2000 mile walk Luke is undertaking to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, we bonded immediately.

But let us step back a bit ... Jerry was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the fall of 2006. After his amputation we decided to sell our home and business to travel the country with him. He was given only about three or four months to live and we wanted to spend all that time with him.

We hit the road in our RV, exploring the country and spreading the word that it's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four. We traveled from one coast to the other while Jerry continued to amaze us, outliving all the doctors' expectations, and developing a community of support along the way through his Tripawd Discussion Forums.

After reaching the Atlantic ocean in Maine, and spending time on a farm in Florida, we were headed back west when we heard of the launch date for the 2 Dogs 2000 Miles walk from Austin to Boston. A launch party was in order.

What a pleasure it was to meet Luke and the boys in person (and in dog). We gathered at a park where a handful of three legged dogs joined us for food and fun times.

The next week, Hudson and Murphy would lead Yer Big Dog on the beginning of their amazing journey. But not before we produced a video interview and had a major sleep-over party – three people and three big dogs in a 24' trailer.

Soon we were both on the road. Each heading our separate ways – but both crossing the U.S. – with a common cause. To spread the word about the scourge that is cancer in dogs. Granted, we have it a bit more comfortable in our trailer, while Luke hikes and sleeps on the ground. But he does have Hudson and Murphy to keep him comfortable.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Jerry on October 3, nearly two years after his amputation. But our hike shall go on. And we will continue to support the efforts of everyone here at 2 Dogs 2000 Miles.

The Road from Austin to Boston

Travel plans are starting to come together. Our best estimate is a total distance of 2,235 miles and 264 days of walking. That's more than our original estimates because we decided to travel in a more northern direction to avoid hurricane season in the Gulf States.

We've broken the hike down into 7 Stages which are (1) Austin, (2) Texarkana, (3) Memphis, (4), Akron, (5) Syracuse, (6) New York City, and (7) Boston.

Thanks to all who've emailed and offered the boys and me a place to park it for the night.

South Padre Island

What a gorgeous Thanksgiving Day! A storm from the Northeast blew in late Wednesday night. The boys were loving it and I was grateful to have a breath of New England. The Atlantic Ocean has an aged smell to it quite unlike the brininess of the Gulf Coast.

Hudsy, Murphy and I took a break from training this week to fill our gullets full, do a little cutting up and spend some time with the family. Thankfully, everyone made it down for the holiday. Also, if you haven't seen Hudson's first day on the beach I posted last year, it's too cute! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Garner State Park

This weekend we're in the absolutely stunning Garner State Park which is in the Southwestern expanse of the Edwards Plateau, a range of limestone mesas known colloquially as Texas' Hill Country. The crystal blue waters of the Frio River cut its eastern front and are accented by the majestic Bald Cypress. Some of them are believed to be more than 700 years old like the one Murphy is rooting around in the photo nearby.

Aside from the splendor, it is densely populated with peaks some of which reach 2,000 feet, and that is the primary reason I chose Garner this weekend. The boys and I needed to do some elevation training and this is one of the most ideal locations in Texas. Crystal Cave was our first adventure and while it's only a mile roundtrip, the grade ranges from between 45 and 60 degrees and the narrow, rock ridden path added to the challenge.

Hudson was full throttle all the way and although Murphy had difficulty with footing from time to time, he was a true champion! That I kept reminding him his breed hails from the Pyrenees Mountain Range might have had something to do with it... heh!

Still, I was so proud of the ole boy for firing on all pistons but he was so spent when we returned to base camp, he conked out on his new collapsable water bowl. His big wedge shaped head plopped right down on it, nevermind that it was full of water. My sniggering must have stirred him because by the time I got the camera, he had moved. I couldn't stop laughing...

The temperature dropped to just above freezing as the first cold front moved in a day before our arrival. In our hasty departure I forgot to pack extra blankets and probably would've frozen my bollocks off if they weren't with me! They made perfect bunkmates. When I awoke Sunday morning, Murphy was spooning me on my left and Hudson sprawled out atop me to my right. Ah, what a glorious way to awaken!

In addition to training, we spent some time studying the indigenous ecosystem. For those of you who have never seen Little Blue Stem grass, it's really quite something. You can't really tell it from the photo but it is stalked like bamboo, bearded like wheat and it has a full palette of colors, too. Some of the other native flora at the park we learned about; Mexican Buckeye, Flaming Leaf Sumac, Escarpment Cherry Tree, Mountain Laurels, and the many, many species of oaks that are a staple of the Lonestar State's landscape. Not to mention the native fauna, too. Hudsy had his first encounter with an armadillo. Hehe... I'll save that story for another time. Quite a special place this is.... And, Hey, if you ever do come here, get to know Frank. He's one of the parks most endearing features.

Memory Walk

As some of you are already aware, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year. Yesterday, the boys and I, alongside my brothers, their families and a few friends, participated in a Memory Walk in her honor. It was just a short, two-miler but hundreds of people were there and it was a quite a spectacular event. Over the years, this organization has raised over $200 million for Alzheimer's research and it's a great model for us to learn from. Thanks again to my brother Mark's wife, Dawn, who managed our team expertly!