michaelwalks

[michaelwalks]

"Mush!" says Jack. "Get back to work." We will be back on the road on or before July 1. Meanwhile, I will be chasing down some dollars in Seattle to insure the success of my travels with Jack. #michaelwalks

[michaelwalks]

The latest shirt orders will be going out tomorrow. I'm home in Seattle taking care of some business, so now is the time to get yours! Order online today and you'll have one by the end of the week. Here: [ www.michaelwalks.com/store ]

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 15 Start: Hwy 2 wheat farmland End: Hwy 2 cattle grazing land Distance: 20 miles Total distance: 260 miles I did laundry in Wilbur yesterday. The laundromat had no detergent for sale, so the manager of the motel next door kindly gave me some of hers. Another older man came to do his laundry, too. Jack barked as the man approached the door, like he barks at everyone before he licks them to death. "He bite?" he asked. "No, he just wants to be part of the conversation." "Must be a great travel companion!" he said. "No doubt. I'll tell you what, it's gonna take someone very special to take his place in my bed." #michaelwalks #dailywalksummary

[michaelwalks]

Jerrod from Waterville ran five miles out to meet me last night, and then we walked back to his house together. He even pulled my rig uphill for over a mile! Not sure why anyone would want to put himself through that ;)

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 10 Start: Dryden, WA End: Wenatchee, WA Distance: 19 miles Total distance: 141 miles I finally got out of the Bavarian mountain hamlet of Leavenworth, where city laws regulate the fonts on storefront signs. All my photos from yesterday are on my Canon, which are inaccessible from my phone. The walk followed the Wenatchee River Valley through green orchards upon greener grass. I crossed the Columbia River, which runs all the way to the Pacific, and settled in before dusk at a spacious and quiet state park, where I camped peacefully. It's hobo hat day today, with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 80s. Oh, and 1000 feet of elevation gain. #michaelwalks #dailywalksummary

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 9 Start: Leavenworth, WA End: Dryden, WA Distance: 7 miles Total distance: 122 miles I tried and failed to get out of Leavenworth yesterday. Instead, I went hippie camping. I also tried to write about my experiences, but the app crashed. You'll have to buy my book later to find out what happened. #michaelwalks #dailywalksummary

[michaelwalks]

Eastbound again, with shiny new flat-free wheels #michaelwalks

[michaelwalks]

The last few days' summary: Days 6, 7, and 8 Resting in Leavenworth, WA Total distance: 115 miles During my 7-month stint as a Lyft driver in Seattle I met Whit and Okhwa, an amazingly hospitable couple who hosted me since Friday in the quaint Bavarian-themed mountain hamlet of Leavenworth. Their two rat terriers, Rocco and Mocha, are fiercely defensive of Whit and Okhwa when it comes to protecting them from big bad Jack. Of course, Jack is nothing but a lover, but jealousy makes dogs and people alike do funny things. Some day I will be a friend and a host like Whit and Okhwa were to me—always including me in activities, insisting that I have more to eat, refusing reimbursement for small purchases, and so on. I wish them only the best for their wedding this summer, and for the family they plan to raise in the upcoming years. Take care, my friends! #michaelwalks #travel #hospitality #roadangels

[michaelwalks]

Jack loves his balls #michaelwalks #dogstagram #pitbullsofinstagram #blacklab #fetch #pitbull

[michaelwalks]

If you haven't already bought a #michaelwalks t-shirt, I have them for sale on my website. They're sweet, simple, and easy to buy online. Click here to order: [ www.michaelwalks.com/store ] Thanks for following Jack and me on our new adventure.

[michaelwalks]

Splendor in the grass #michaelwalks

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 6 Start: Tumwater campground End: Leavenworth, WA Distance: 9 miles Total distance: 115 miles My friend Whit drove me into town after camping with me on Friday night. He is a paramedic in Wenatchee now, but we met as Lyft drivers in Seattle. This weekend is for resting in Leavenworth. My parents came over the mountains to visit with Jack and me. These first few weeks are for me to get in shape and to figure out what works and what doesn't. So far, most things have gone well. My body doesn't ache, and I have had no blisters. My pneumatic wheel barrow tires weren't going to cut cut it, though. The tread was already wearing thin, which is a sign of imminent blow-out. I replaced them with some heavier solid rubber wheels, which will never go flat. I'll show them off tomorrow, when I continue east toward Wenatchee. #michaelwalks #dailywalksummary

[michaelwalks]

My friend Whit in Leavenworth loving on Jack #michaelwalks #dog #dogstagram #pitbullsofinstagram #blacklab #mansbestfriend

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 5 Start: Stevens Pass summit End: Tumwater campground Distance: 26 miles Total distance: 106 miles Jack got most of the day off. I let him ride in his kennel for 23 of the 26 downhill miles from the mountain pass summit down to the campground. I'll be in Leavenworth for the weekend. Connect with me if you're in the area :) #michaelwalks #dailywalksummary (at Leavenworth, Washington)

[michaelwalks]

Rest stop fetch #michaelwalks #dog #dogstagram #puppy #blacklab #pitbullsofinstagram #fetch #mansbestfriend (at Nason Creek Safety Rest Area)

[michaelwalks]

Cruising down the east side of Stevens Pass at 4 mph #michaelwalks #pnw

[michaelwalks]

Yesterday's summary: Day 4 Start: Skykomish, WA End: Stevens Pass, WA Distance: 16 miles Total distance: 80 miles Yesterday was the most strenuous day of my life. I covered only 16 miles, but gained 3,000 feet in elevation while towing 200 lbs. The last three miles were only slightly faster than a snail's pace, walking a few hundred steps and taking a 10 minute break, and repeating. I summitted at 6:30. I couldn't walk straight, and I knew I was dehydrated even though I had been drinking regularly all day long. It took me 2 hours to vomit, but I finally got it out. Two road angels visited me last night. The first was a friend who drove over an hour out to deliver me 5 cans of pork and beans and 2 gallons of water. The other was @tclaught, who pulled up in his SUV at around midnight. "Michael walks?" he hollered. "That's me," I said from inside my tent pitched in the gravel parking lot. He unloaded coconut waters, canned chili, and packages of noodles. Of course, he didn't accept any money. For these reasons, I remain optimistic about people and human nature. #michaelwalks #travel #badass (at Stevens Pass Ski Area)