I feel remiss for not mentioning my first and largest donor to date: the intrepid Rob Perkins. Rob has been supportive of my trip since its inception. Rob is a great adventurer himself, having solo canoed Arctic and African rivers numerous times and written books and created films about his trips (which I recommend seeing). Rob donated to my adventure so long ago--before the blog, before the newsletter--that I've neglected him here. So be sure to visit his website, read his books, see his movies, and follow HIS next trip--another solo canoe journey to Mexico traveling the Virgin and Lower Colorado Rivers, interviewing people along the way, to find out What Water Wants. Visit his website at http://www.gotrob.com/.

I am experiencing a Christmas bonanza (maybe I should mention my birthday is coming up!!??) of cards containing checks!! Many thanks to Loulie Meynard of Ann Arbor, Michigan (the Midwest is being very good to me). Loulie visited Zion waaay back when I was a seasonal park ranger in the 1980s and again a couple years ago with our mutual pal Barby Graves. When in Michigan last summer, I spent a perfect day with Lou and Barb out on Lou's pontoon boat on an exceptional lake north of Ann Arbor. We walked Ann Arbor's streets and visited the natural sciences building where I spent soooo many hours when at the university back in the 1970s--it all looked so different and so the same. It was a great day. Thanks Lou! Here's some silly photos of Barb, Lou, and me in one of those photo booths while we were in Chicago earlier this year--boy did we have fun!

Radio Interview

Lee Austin from Utah Public Radio called today for an interview about the E2E trip. It was an enjoyable chat! If you'd like to listen, it will be broadcast January 9, 2009, at 9:35 a.m. till 10 a.m.

More good news! Sarah Emery, my long-time pal from my old Michigan days, and her partner, Amy Elverum, sent a donation in their newsy Christmas card from snowy Minnesota. THANK YOU Sarah and Amy! May you see the grass before June.

The Long Riders Guild

I'm honored to report that the Long Riders Guild has listed my upcoming End to End trip on their website. The Long Riders' Guild is the world's first international association of equestrian explorers, and is an invitation-only organisation. It was formed in 1994 to represent men and women of all nations who have ridden more than 1,000 continuous miles on a single equestrian journey. Members currently reside in 39 countries. These Long Riders have collectively written more than a hundred books on equestrian travel and ridden on every continent except Antarctica. The history, stories, legends, and knowledge stored on this website represent the largest repository of equestrian travel information anywhere.

The LRG has helped me with advise and put me in contact with the Scottish Long Rider Vyv Wood-Gee for more assistance. I appreciate their help and interest immensely. Visit their web page to see what the LRG represents at: http://www.thelongridersguild.com/what_is_the_long_riders.htm. You can view their post of my ride at: www.thelongridersguild.com/chesher.htm.

Lee Austin, host of Access Utah, a morning program on Utah Public Radio, called today to ask if I'd do an interview with him about the E2E trip! We're taping it on December 29; will let you know when it will air.

Yes! Thanks to Martin Zemetis at Mountain Hardwear I'll have a donated tent to use on the End2End Trip!!! Thank you Martin and Mountain Hardwear! Here's a link to their website, be sure to use them for your outdoor needs: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/

Arctic Day

Time circles, but does not leave the light
And all the blossoming of the night is held
Within the swell of dark and ice.
The sun, reflected, is returned to space
The greening earth into the single point
From which a further light flares out
Across the circumference of the stars.

(In the pack ice off the east coast of Spitsbergen, June 2008, at 78 degrees North, on board the Alexei Maryshev.) Photo and poem © Eleanor O'Hanlon

--Eleanor O'Hanlon

I met the writer and naturalist Eleanor O'Hanlon while taking a class at Schumacher College in Devon, England. Of Irish birth and upbringing, Eleanor lived in London for a number of years before recently moving to France. She held those of us who gathered nightly in front of Shumacher's medieval fireplace spellbound with ancient stories of Ireland's heroes. I can't wait to read her upcoming book.

Eleanor wrote to say that her brother John lives on a farm in Devon and would put me and my pony friend up on my way through, that they would like to ride with me aways, and donate to the E2E Fund! Not only that, but John O'Hanlon has a friend who's ridden End to End and has lots of advice and contacts! Amazing. Thank you Eleanor, and John in advance!

The Change of Life

I fear I may be entering a new stage of life: I've begun reusing teabags.

Many thanks to Tom and Jenny Haraden, E2E's latest donors! A little present came slipped in a Christmas card announcing Tom's upcoming September 09 retirement and move to Moab to build the house of a lifetime. Another dream in action!

It's been a bountiful week! Martin Zemitis wrote from Mountain Hardware, he's their tent designer, to advise me on the type of tent I need (I was about to make a serious error). Thank you Martin! My longtime pal, Heart of the Desert Wild (and world-renowned panoramic) photographer Liz Hymans wrote and called about a number of ideas, all valuable, especially a potential source of funds. The Telluride Writers Guild wrote about the school program involving E2E (see below); and my Irish friend Eleanor O'Hanlon offered much needed sustenance (see above).

Thank you all! Cup of tea, anyone? (I'll get a new tea bag out just for you!)