Day minus 18 Countdown – Making Music

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

I spent virutally the whole day today at a sound studio working with our sound engineer to mix and master the CD that I will bring along on the journey for sale, featuring some of the songs I’ll play along the way.  There’s a mix of some of our old songs with new ones, though all feature our new sound with violinist and a year of being together.

Here’s the Playlist:
Independence: 1. Freedom; 2. I’m Working; 3. Curiosity; 4. American Dream
Community: 5. Coming Home; 6. Everyday Harmony; 7. Empathy; 8. We All Belong
Balance: 9. Balance; 10. Seasons; 11. A Boy and a Girl; 12. Humility, Faith, Courage

You can listen to some of these songs from the music player at the bottom of the page.  You can also order these songs as single downloads from CDBaby.  Not all our songs are up there yet, but they will be.

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Day minus 19 Countdown – Sleep Deprived Inspiration

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

There’s something to be said for a little sleep deprivation.  I’ll be giving a presentation called “Believe in Humanity” across the country, but until now I’ve never been entirely satisfied with it.  As a “presentation” it was all about me presenting stories and music, with nothing to give the audience some ownership.

Yesterday, in a semi-awake state, I got the answer.  I’ll ask audiences “Why not believe in humanity?”  From their answers I’ll select the appropiate songs and stories to best respond.  That means no two presentations will be the same in content or order, which I kind of like.  It will keep it fresh for me and provide some ownership for the audience.

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Day minus 20 Countdown – A Day’s Work

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

I’m beginning to write this at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, after trying to force myself since 2:00 a.m. to get some more sleep.  There is much to do, and with that too much to think about.

I’ve organized long distance backpacking expeditions before.  I’ve organized one for groups of 13 – 21 people, where this one involves only three traveling across country.  Still, this far surpasses what I ever have done before in the planning and execution of a major expedition.  Here’s a rundown of what I’ll do just today, if I get to them all.

Plot our route on National Geographic Maps for much of Colorado.
Prepare an email list for long distance hikers.
Prepare an email list for my family and friends.
Prepare an email list for my church community.
Prepare an email list for my colleagues and contacts.
Send press releases to print media in Sacramento
Send press releases to radio media in Sacramento
Send press releases to television media in Sacramento
Contact and confirm Lions engagements in California
Finish a database of media phone numbers
Make some changes to this web site
Make posts to other social media venues
Go through various emails
Create a CD cover design
Call some folks for our going away party
Work a little bit on our newsletter and database
Send a thank you email to a sponsor
Have a conference call with a publicity coach
Rehearse the “Believe in Humanity” presentation
Watch the results show for American Idol

Hey!  Got to throw a little down time in there somewhere!  All in a day’s work!  One that begins at 3:00 a.m.

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Day minus 21 Countdown – Money Management

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

Today I hope to wrap up the recording necessary to produce the music CD I want to put out for the trip.

Yesterday I made several purchases for the trip, mostly electronic equipment that will enhance the documentation of the trip – camera, digital recorder, external hard drive, etc.  If the purchase of an external hard drive seems peculiar, consider that we will have periodic access to a support vehicle where we will be able to download pictures, audio, etc.

Easy come, easy go, or at least easy go.  Hopefully you have noticed the DONATE! page listing my causes for Housing Health and Hunger.  On the advice of others I’ve added a Donate button for myself.  I’ve cashed in a retirement account in order to make this journey; total expenses will fall somewhere between $15,000 – $20,000, not including lost income.  If you would be willing to help offset this cost in some small way please check out the DONATE! page again and make a contribution.  Thanks.

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Day minus 22 Countdown – More Publicity

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

Recent media publicity includes print articles in the Register Citizen and Norfolk Now, and a radio interview on WHUS.  The radio interview was particularly comprehensive.

WHUS Interview

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Day minus 23 Countdown – The Excitement Builds

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

As time nears for a big event two things happen.  The magnitude of everything that needs to get done starts to overwhelm.  In response things get prioritized.  Tasks that don’t really need to happen get weeded out and the things that do receive greater focus.  This blog will be a big part of our journey and is now getting the focus it deserves.

Wow!  5,300 miles!  A whole year!  People to meet!  Places to see!  A cause to promote!  Fortunately, we’ve been on long distance hikes before, the longest being the 3,000 mile Continental Divide Hike.  That brings a level of confidence that the unknown need not be as frightening as it first seems.  Still, we ain’t spring chickens any more.  When you are young you feel invincible and your body heals quickly.  How will our bodies handle this hike?  The wisdom of age will have to temper some of the youthful exuberance that led to many a daredevil stunt thirty years ago.

Today I’m focusing on getting the newsletter going.  Features include Team Humanity; The Lions Share; Trail Tales; Trail Tips; Trail Photos; Housing Health Hunger; Support Lines; and Potluck Picks.  It’s going to be a great newsletter, make sure you sign up for it.

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Register Citizen Article

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

A good article with some interesting comments at the end, including our own.

Norfolk couple plans 5,000-mile hike for humanity

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Virtual Journey’s End, Day 1

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

I’m using software provided by National Geographic Maps to plot the waypoints from the ADT guide onto topo maps.  It’s like taking a virtual journey of the ADT before the real one starts.  Of course, I’m traveling a bit faster than on foot.  At the end of today I’ve made it to Foresthill in California.

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The Daily Campus Article

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

Here’s the first write-up from a school newspaper.

Alumni hike Discovery Trail

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Litchfield County Times Article

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Humanity Hiker

The Litchfield County Times does the first story on us.  I would call our presentations across the country more storytelling than “lectures,” but the article described our mission accurately.  Thanks, Max.

Norfolk Couple Hiking Cross-Country

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