Category Archives: October 2011

Saying I’m moving, and packing up my stuff, essentially quitting my job (even if it is just a leave of absence, there’s always the possibility that my position as Paint Lead could be filled by the time I return, by someone better than me… ), is easier said than done.  I’ve done well at not thinking of the downside to all of this.

Until today.

I had to clean up the cabin before I headed out to work today, because a couple was coming to look at it.  This involves hiding a whole lot of wedding gowns.  I’m so tired of packing them up, then hanging them back up.  Each time i take off on a road trip, i take a selected few.  Before I get them hung back up, I pick out different ones, and for whatever reason, there are always some laying on the floor.  I’m not one for organization – and on spur of the moment photo ops, I make a mess of things around the cabin.  But back to the point – Someone else will be moving into my comfort zone, as I pack up and move out…. This sucks.  I love it here.  So, today, I took a break from focusing on the $1700 I’ll save for the hike, by putting my rent in the bank, and working for my rent while living in a barn.  Goodbye happy place.

Trying to put this out of my mind as I arrived at work, my boss mentioned that he had a few applicants that could work to fill the position of painter, as I’m gone.  I applaud the company I work for, for going out of their way to work around the reality that I may return, or I may not when this is over.  I plan to, but this could all be a life changing event for me, that draws me away from the area, or interest in this blue-collar existence that I’ve been living for nearly 5 years.  I intend to return.  I love my job.  But the knowledge of the future is not ours to know.  This is all rather frightening.

I’m sacrificing my comfort and stability, to put myself through hell, all because I came up with an idea so crazy, I felt I had to go for it.  I’m proud of myself, although there’s surely some questioning my sanity.  The trials and tribulations of turning my life in this strange new direction has taught me a lot about myself, and I”m not sure I’m happy with all that I’ve learned.  At least I’m aware though, and I’ll have 6 long months to ponder and challenge myself to correct that which I don’t much care for….

Goin’ Country?   Ok, so I kind of already am doin’ the country thing but, I’m takin’ it to a new level… Meet my new suite mates – A horse, and three little goats. That’s right, I’m movin’ into a barn.

Cloud, Pickle, Jerry, and Rose

One of the first realities of deciding to hike for 6 months was that I would have to give up my job and my insurance. With thoughts of moving to Portland to be closer to the Art scene I had already sparked these thoughts, but moving out of my little cabin, I knew was going to be difficult. A relatively quiet, slightly secluded 3 room piece of heaven and privacy that is difficult to find on the rather over crowded Diamond Lake.   Moving in here was a delight a year and a half ago, after a few years of living on the hwy, nosey neighbors, and hauling laundry to the ‘mat. My neighbors have become close friends and have actively participated in some of the nuttier early stages of hiking26.  I’ve watched the infant Kaylea grow from a baby girl too shy to be near me, to a talkin’ walkin’ two year old who loves my mustache and is smart enough to realize that i’m tall and can reach things for her.  So aside from missing my friends while on the hike, I’d be missing out on 6 months of her fast growing little life. I wonder if she’ll notice I’m even gone, and will she recognize me when I return? I suppose time will tell… The point is, I love it here.

My little Cabin for the last year and a half...

Take a moment and flashback to April when I needed a Wedding gown died Red for a fund raiser, which was aprox the time I started promoting hiking26 …  The only way to dye polyester is to boil it on a stove… funny thing – I didn’t have a pot large enough to boil a wedding gown in… so with the help of my neighbors that I pay rent money too (landlord is so darn formal), we boiled it big-time – backwoods style.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiking26/sets/72157627191927608/

But… there just isn’t enough money in the bank yet, for me pto feel comfortable that the hike will happen. So I’m going to take the only step I have available, packing up my belongings, putting them in storage six months earlier than anticipated, and moving to a farm. My friend Renee, known for her organic gardening, especially her garlic, has offered me a room in her barn in exchange for a helping hand around the property. It’s her contribution to the Project, and she’s helping out a friend in need, as she wants me to succeed as much as

" Hi. It's me. Cloud. If you're movin' in, you'll bring us snacks every day, right ??? "

anyone else. I’m sure when i say ‘barn’ it conjures up all sorts of odd, grungy images, but in fact, I won’t be the first to live out there, it’s a rather nice room. The great downfall – Kitchen and bathroom facilities are across the yard in the house, so it will in fact be, just a room, over the hay bales, adjacent to the horse, and every day when i come home from work, I’ll be greeted at the bottom of the steps by Cloud, Pickle and Jerry. This surely will keep my focus on everything important, as it will essentially be a work room that I sleep in, with little to distract me. I have re-supply boxes to pack, label and prepare for shipping, Wedding gowns to alter, Some of my gear I may have to make to save money and weight. So there’s a great deal of work to do while I’m snowed in for the winter, and the last few months count down to the beginning of this epic journey.

Jerry and Rose - discussing whether or not I can move in.

We're gonna be BEST FRIENDS !!! Hey Jerry, How are your needle threading skills ???