Entries Tagged 'letters from Eddie' ↓

Jin,

After deliberating over my maps and routes for an hour or two, I’ve come up with a total number of mileage thus far.

I poured over state and city maps with accurate mile markers. Only counting mileage where I carried all my gear, otherwise the number would be much higher and more daunting to count.

Therefore, with roads and streets taken, under load of pack and posture, my “tires” treaded with Nike footwear have carried me to the distance of 1,361 miles.

That is the current total as of entering Lincoln City, Ore..

From Lincoln City to the Oregon/California border it is approximately 242 miles. Which does not count any additional miles I may incur, due to added invite to inland towns.

Mine, is a journey of untold length, for there is no number that can be counted, mapped or approximated. Mileage is that of which I have already crossed, no more. And in that only, speaks of the true length of my quest, of my odyssey.

–Ed–

Jin,

How’s it going buddy? Good I hope.

I’m just waiting out some wild-fires here near Silverton, Oregon. A lady who is a friend of the family and knows where I’m from took me in with open arms. Very nice woman and very intellectual. We get along great and talk quite a bit about a lot of issues with my tribe and the world in general. When she shows me around the area some people think she’s my mother or grandmother. Her name is Anne Gallaspy, Irish by heritage, and being half Irish myself we have that in common.

She was with an aunt of mine and her husband who were here in Portland for a conference. They took their kids to Lincoln City to see the Ocean and were leaving when they spotted me just entering the city. Of all places to see and meet people from back home, I didn’t expect it to be here. So you can imagine my surprise. They were her for about a week then left back for home to Lame Deer, Montana. They saw pictures and newspaper clippings in our tribal building and the store, I guess someone is keeping track of me back there. They let people know where they saw me to update them.

Since I was going to see what the wild fire situation was going to be like, I volunteered my services to help Anne get her yard in order (i.e. Cut grass, prune trees, clear out bushes).

Anne is 73 years of age and lives alone in a very big house in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. She has taken well care of me and I do appreciate that immensely.

She sends books to the libraries back home and other miscellaneous items, so the children learn more of the world they are a part of.

I’ve also been helping an Iraq Marine with his PTSD issues. He’s a kid from back home but stays out here from time to time to regain his thoughts. As a fellow Marine brother and Cheyenne brother, we have gotten a lot off his chest and regained his confidence in life. He witnessed his best friend’s Humvee get K.O’d by an IED. He died enroute to the medical base from burns that covered 90% of his body. His dog tag were the only way they could identify him. He was of the age of 19, so young.

Other than life’s dramas and natures wrath, I am doing good and reviving my engines to get this quest underway again. I sincerely hope this letter finds you and your girlfriend in good spirit and good weather. C-ya on the sunny-side.

Respectfully Yours,

Eddie Gray