Here is a letter to all of you from Dan Heady, your 2011 scholarship recipient.  Dan recently completed his 50 day leadership training with Outward Bound:

“First things first … thank you all.  I’m not sure words can communicate enough how unbelievably valuable my Outward Bound Expedition and my experience following has been.  I feel an amazing sense of gratitude towards all of the individuals who, through their gracious support, have helped Norm & Rochelle provide a life changing experience for young people across the country, young people who have an interest in helping others and impacting real change in our world.  I thank all of those involved for your kindness & generosity and to Norm & Rochelle for their dedication and strength in supporting this wonderful scholarship opportunity and for preserving the memory of their son Adam through service and compassion for others.  I look forward to passing on the blessings I have been so thankful to receive.

My Outward Bound Expedition included two weeks in the San Juan Islands sea kayaking, two weeks Mountaineering in the Sawtooth Wilderness, nine days training in wilderness medicine, one week hiking through the Pasaytan Wilderness and three days teaching teenagers how to safely repel and rock climb.  Fifty days of intense physical and mental exercise. 

By noon everyday as a group we accomplished more then any of us were used to accomplishing in a month.  A group of 10 strangers, traveling hundreds of miles over difficult terrain, doing our best to work together, to stay safe, to learn and to live with one another.  Needless to say, not a moment passed which did not present an opportunity to better one’s self. 

There are so many facets of this experience that lent to it’s intensity but, if I were to pull one needle from the haystack, I think the portion that had the biggest impact on me was the section which involved teaching the skills we had learned to a group of local and military children from around the west coast.  I had never been in the position of the teacher before.  Suddenly, I’m guiding people over a cliff face who had never experienced any rock climbing or repelling and they’re trusting me.  Wow!  The look in those kids face’s really amazed me.  They believed in me and my ability and the amazing thing was I believed in myself.  That’s what Outward Bound gave me, self reliance and an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.

I remember hearing throughout my course, “Outward bound is not interested in producing better wilderness guides or people only interested in climbing the highest peaks.  Outward Bound is interested in producing better people, people who will remember the benefit of service and compassion for others.”  That what I’m taking away from my OB experience.  

For those who may wonder whats in-store next for me.  At the moment I’m living and working In Seattle. I live and work in a Hostel owned by two amazing people Nancy & Lee.  On the weekend I make pocket money prep cooking for a local restaurant.  One of my many passions is cooking.  Washington is an amazingly beautiful place and for now I look forward to experience as much as it has to offer me.

As for the future, I’m looking into starting school next Fall, possibly in Washington, maybe New York or even Florida.  I’d also love to spend time traveling, maybe teach English in Japan or study Zen in Kyoto.  I hope to put my talents to use in the community.  I’d like to get involved with Americorp or maybe work with at risk youth through Outward Bound.  There are so many possibilities!  My goals are to keep challenging myself and to continue my journey to find the place where I can do the most good.

I feel so happy and alive and it is truly thanks to you!

All the best and my love and respect.

Dan

Jingle’s leaves his “for Adam” hiking staff at the southern terminus of the 100 mile Wilderness in Maine.

Since completing his summit hike to Mt. Katahdin, Jingles spent the last few days of his time on the AT hiking the northern and southern parts of the 100 mile Wilderness in Maine. Along with 4iron and Goosebag, he spread Adam’s remaining ashes and left his hiking pole (engraved “for Adam”) at the southern terminus of the Wilderness.

Throughout this 6 month journey, we have felt so blessed by the outreach of love and support from our community of family and friends. Some of you have followed us by blog or facebook, some have actually walked some miles with us, some have offered food, shelter and transportation, some have sponsored miles and donated to Adam’s Outward Bound Memorial Scholarship, some have helped document the trip with pictures, and some have called us weekly to make sure we didn’t fall off the side of a mountain.

Message from Jingles: “Upon completion of my hike, I find myself letting go of asking “why” and “how” Adam died. As I have accepted “what is” and my new relationship with Adam, the circumstances of his death are not as important to me as they once were. This evolution came about not only by hiking with Adam in God’s natural habitat, but also through conversations I had with my fellow hikers.

This brings me to share something I learned … It’s not so much the path of life we choose and travel, but the relationships we establish with the people we meet along the way. It is our relationship with ourselves, with others and with God that heals one’s soul.”

Jingles sends out a special “thank you” to the following:

The Joker for making my “for Adam” hiking staff and for being my hiking partner for the first month of my journey.

4Iron for hiking with me for the last month of my journey and, along with his wife Debbie, for welcoming me into their home.

My brother Marvin, winner of the “2011 Best Brother of the Year” award, and for always being there when I needed him.

My brother Joel for providing gear and special time together in the Shenandoah Park with his two sons Joshua and Daniel.

Mostly to my wife, SherpaShelle, who was crazy enough to follow my ass for 2 ½ months of shuttling, shopping, planning, and simply being my personal trail angel on the AT and in life.

On the morning of September 9th, Adam’s birthday, Jingles and 4 iron arrived at the base camp to Mt. Katahdin.  The weather was perfect for the hike to the summit, cool with clear blue skies.  They had chosen the “road less traveled” route to the top, which turned out to be even more difficult than the one most frequently used. There are no shelters along the way so hikers must ascend and descend the steep 12 miles in one day … easier said than done.

What unfolded near the top of the mountain could have only been orchestrated by a higher power because the probability of it happening by chance would have been … well … it would not have been.

Circuit Rider and Sherlock were two intriguing thru hikers we met in the early part of the summer.  Jingles and I shared a pizza and an inspiring conversation with them and discovered that they were missionaries on the AT and this was their 8th time thru hiking. Their purpose was “to be of service to their fellow hikers in any way they were needed”. They had provided medical assist, spiritual counsel, respite care for Hostel owners and even performed marriages.  We parted ways.  Soon after, Jingles contracted Lyme disease and took time off the trail.

Back to September 9th and the summit hike.  Two miles from the top of Katahdin, Jingles sees two familiar faces coming down towards him … Circuit Rider and Sherlock had just finished their 6 month 2,182 mile service walk and their paths crossed once again.  Jingles showed them Adam and Bettina’s pictures and shared his summit plans with them.  Without hesitation, they turned around retracing their footsteps and accompanied him back up to the top.  As fellow hikers gathered around, a prayer was offered and Amazing Grace rang out and echoed across the mountains.  Adam’s ashes were thrown into the wind and a promise was fulfilled.  

Jingles will be back home in San Antonio Friday, September 23rd.  It has been an amazing journey and we will process some closing thoughts with you when he returns. For now, we can only express our deepest gratitude for your most generous gifts of love, encouragement, support and prayers that so many of you have offered to us.  Without our “village” we know this journey would not have been possible.  

Please stay tuned … it ain’t over until Jingles is back on Florida sand and the pack is off!

SherpaShelle

This is where Jingles will be on September 9th, Adam’s Birthday.  I will be on the other side of the country in Oregon (the upper left).  We will both take a moment of silence and be thankful for the years we had him with us and shared our lives.  It will be a bittersweet moment but mostly sweet.  Until then … happy trails to you.

Jingles and SherpaShelle

(Colorado is a young thru hiker we met at Pine Grove Furnace and a hopeful candidate for next year’s Outward Bound Scholarship. Quite an amazing young woman, thru hiking the entire trail on her own. Her face says it all!)

Jingles is back on the trail with 4Iron, a fellow hiker he met back in March at the beginning of his great adventure. 4Iron lives in Maine so they have access to his truck and can shuttle back and forth for food and upgraded lodging (no shelters so far). They have been “slack packing” shorter day hikes building their strength and endurance for the 100 mile Wilderness and, of course, the final ascent to Mt. Katahdin. Oh my goodness! Just writing that gives me goosebumps.

As many of you know, Jingles is a “retired” Social Worker. Well, maybe not so retired … maybe just relocated and without a pay check.  It seems that Jingles and 4Iron are now the official AT Social Workers on call and mobile. Wherever they go, they seem to find fellow hikers in need of assistance and they never miss an opportunity to serve. Whether it is counseling those in transition and in need of guidance or taking a distressed hiker to the ER who was experiencing shortness of breath and unable to continue.

Sometimes we take a journey and sometimes the journey takes us. Why are we each on the path we are on … Serendipity? By chance? The bird flies with two wings … one of free choice (will) and one of destiny. Being in the right place at the right time is guaranteed when you follow a path with a heart.

Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan’s Teachings “Anything is one of a million paths. This question is one that only a very old man asks. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn’t. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you.

For me there is only the traveling on the paths that have a heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge for me is to traverse its full length. And there I travel—looking, looking, breathlessly.” edited from Carlos Castaneda’s Teachings of Don Juan

“I’m back!  Beginning next week, I will be resuming my AT hike in southern Maine. I hope  to climb Mt. Katahdin by October 1st and fulfill my promise to Adam.  We will keep you posted as to the latest adventures along this last leg of the journey. Thank you for all the love and good wishes for my healthy recovery (see comments below). They did the job!” … Jingles

Sally - “I have been remembering my disappointment when I got sick in Maine and could not continue. Jingles, you did everything you could to protect yourself from this disease. What happened is beyond our reason. Kathadin’s not going anywhere…it’s waiting for you!  I am praying for your health and full recovery”.

Jenny wrote: “We thinks U reached the Zen moment. ” looking forward to your grand finale!

omar - Tell him he has done great and his son would be proud. And this “pause” is not a quitting but a rest to finish the journey ahead.

I still admire what you have done and the reason for which you did it.  Count it done in my book if that matters to your compass.   

Joey wrote: “YOU ARE MY HERO!!! The miles you walked are the ones that matter, not the ones you missed…….for sure!”

jim - Hey Norm … Speedy recovery, … and you’re still my hero !!!

 What he accomplished this year was incredible and an inspiration to so many. I know I am better for having met him on the trail and having befriended you through our e-mails. Of course there is a certain young man adventuring through Outward Bound thanks to Jingles and Adam who will reap rewards as yet unknown. Jingle’s has promoted a wonderful legacy for your son through his contacts during his AT journey that will reverberate forever!

I bid you all peace, K2

Great job Norm. You went alot farther than I could have(and I am alittle younger then you).  I am sure Adam would  be proud . I continue to be amazed by this journey…and grateful for the opportunity to share in it by way of your blog & fb page.  I am sure it must be discouraging to have to take a break right now, but it isnt really a break, it’s just another part of the journey…unplanned, off-trail, and serving some purpose whether we understand it or not.  Life has a way of being like that.

For now I wish you rest and recovery and good times with family and friends.  When it comes time to continue the “hike” part of the journey, I am with you to the end.  

Ernie - As we say in Therapy Dog class…”HEAL!!!”   (Sorry, just couldn’t resist that!)

7/28 from Shenandoah Skyline - ” Given the time off the trail to heal and recover from my illness, it has become clear to me that I will not be able to achieve my goal to thru hike 2000+ miles of the AT.  After an emotional struggle with the grief and disappointment and after a long discussion with my life partner, SherpaShelle, I realize that my “hike for Adam” really has nothing to do with how many miles I hike.  That is an ego goal.  

My journey on the AT is to fulfill my promise to Adam and myself, to spend time spiritually with Adam, to raise money so others could benefit from Outward Bound and to do my very best and to not give up. This I am doing.”  Jingles

“Men plan and God laughs” …  Jingles will continue his treatment, rest and rehab at his brother Marvin and Judy’s home in Richmond Va.  SherpaShelle and her friend SherpaSuzi will attend Clifftop.  After the music gathering, they will pick Jingles up and travel home together to San Antonio.  After his full recovery, Jingles plans on returning to the trail late August to complete his hike, God willing.  We will continue to post as plans develop but for now … “happy trails to you … keep smiling on till then”. 

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by skin changes, joint inflammation and flu-like symptoms caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick. Symptoms resolve in 3 to 4 weeks even without treatment, but secondary or tertiary disease may develop if initial infection is not treated.