SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2002

JACKSON, WY

I am sitting in a patch of shade under a pure blue sky looking up at the jagged crags of the Grand Tetons. Kevin is doing his final video interviews for National Geographic and as we wait our turns, Rob, Charlotte, Mike, Cheryl, Michelle and our new Support Photographer, Kimberly, get to enjoy this incredible scenery and a drowsy afternoon.

This morning we spent at the Jackson fairgrounds to experience the Bureau of Land Management “Catch the Spirit Wild Horse and Burro Program.” The national program administered by the BLM manages the Western states feral horse and burro herds. Currently about 6,500 animals roam public lands. To maintain healthy herds and natural wildlife populations the BLM collects excess animals and adopts them out to the public. The horses general go for $175 while the burros for $75. Ownership of the animals however, does not become final for one year. During that time and at time of title transfer adoptees must demonstrate proper care and use for the animals that they have adopted. Many of the horses were absolutely gorgeous and the burros terribly cute. One group of three came into the ring and immediately started braying. Prior to the beginning of the auction there was a demonstration by Wayne Bungerling, “Bergie” on “natural” training and horseshoeing. During the presentation they also rounded up the four Trekkers for a short ride around town in an old covered wagon (minus the cover canvas) pulled by two matching gray mustangs. It was a fun ride but I think that we all would have preferred to stay and listen to Bergie. As soon as we returned to the fairgrounds we all promptly returned to the demonstration.

This is our last day in Jackson. Tomorrow we depart for the Green River and canoe adventures. When we get back to camp I’ll have to go back through my stuff and sort out what will be needed and what can be packed up in my large duffle bag that is stored in our Supply Trailer. It’s sort of nice to be able to live just out of a back and daypack with only three sets of clothes to keep clean. For our typical two or three-day backpacks I wear my boots, a pair of convertible pants, a long sleeved polyester/lycra shirt (when it’s hot the sleeves simply get pushed up) and take my rain jacket and pants (they weight nothing and roll into tight little balls), one or two pair of underwear, 4 pairs of Tholo (sp?) socks and silk long johns (that stay in my sleeping bag.) Besides clothes, I only carry a toothbrush, tiny tube of paste, comb, moisturizer, Chapstick, a spoon, plastic mug, a Leki trekking pole, sleeping bag (good down to 0 degrees, pad, and tent. The last three items, part of the incredible array of camping gear provided by Coleman, compose most of the weight of the pack.

As you might have noticed I’ve included several of our sponsors. Our sponsors include
American Honda, Coleman, National Geographic, Leki, Fox Racing, Tony Lama and numerous others.


In addition to financially assisting the Journey the sponsor equipment has made my life over the past 6 weeks far more comfortable and safe. Some may question the use or credit to sponsors thinking that such assistance is obligation or undesirable commercialism. While I do believe that companies that benefit from the sale of their products for recreational use do have a responsibility to assist in some way with natural and social resource management I believe that those that do should receive credit for meeting their responsibilities. As to the commercialism I do not see us renaming parks, rivers and beaches after companies nor plastering our public lands with billboards and banners. Subtle credit on area information and materials or advertising can provide recognition without detracting from an areas natural setting. Since a perfect world, where local, state or national tax dollars provide all needed funds, does not exist (but, I harped enough on that subject throughout this journal) creative partnerships are critical.

After our video session with Kevin we returned to camp for an evening of catching up on Journals, laundry, phone calls home, and a good-by party for Kevin. From the Journey, dana