Pre-departure Entry #1
Sept. 19, 2006

Only two weeks away from the start of the big walk and there’s already snow in the mountains. The second day of my trek will take me through the Wellsville Mountains, which from my end of the valley look like massive frosty no-trespassing signs. I can’t wait to be done with that piece of the journey.

In the mean time, I just keep training and trying to get the word out. I got a lot of e-mails this morning and everyone was positive. In fact, I haven’t received a negative response yet. Maybe all the people who don’t want peace are waiting for me on the other side of the Wellsvilles. Well if they are, they’ll have to thaw me out first.

The truth is, I’m starting to think that Utah’s famous support of the war might be exaggerated. Utahans are, by nature, very loyal people. Loyalty is an excellent quality when it’s directed toward a good cause. Unfortunately, it seems misdirected in the current situation. Maybe, deep down, Utahans as well as all Americans are feeling that the war in Iraq isn’t working but would never say it out loud for fear of seeming disloyal to the president, the government, and the troops.

I hope this walk allows people in that situation to realize that it is best to be loyal to their brothers and sisters in Iraq and not to a political party or failed foreign policy. I want people to know that it’s decent and respectable to renounce this war and publish peace.