Today something significant has happened. We have passed out of desert and it’s canyons for the last time. Camp now is at over 10,000 feet in the pines and aspen of the mountains of Utah. It is much cooler, and still green but we can tell fall is in the air. I started this journey on July 21st, but now in this high country, the aspen and willow are already turning to gold. We are all a bit melancholy knowing the trip is coming to a conclusion. However I want to take just a moment and thank a few people in advance. First and foremost I want to thank my parents. They raised their family with a great respect for the outdoors. As children we went camping and canoueing, hunting and fishing all year round. They instilled in me the desire to seek the pleasure of the outdoors.
I have taken their knowledge and used it all around the world. I hope they know just how well I learned those lessons.
I could not have been part of this journey without the help and encouragement of my wife Marcia. She has always been my biggest supporter, each time I have left on an expedition. This will be the last one I go on without her. I miss her a great deal and wish very much she could see the America I have seen for the last two month’s.
And naturally all my friends and co-workers who have allowed me to come on this journey more or less in their place.
And last but by no means least, my fellow teammates who have struggled though all the tough days with me, and laughed at all my attempts at humor. I will be glad to be reunited, but I am going to miss the everyday, ever changing grandeur of these public lands we have worked so hard to traverse. I’ll tell you all about them when I get home…….see you soon.

Stay well…..Richard