UPDATE, 22 October 2008

David and Chiva are taking a break from the Tour de Dog but are sure to plan another ride in the near future. A sincere thank you to all of you who helped David and Chiva in countless ways. The Tour de Dog would not be possible without your support. THANK YOU!

View a Photo Documentary of Tour de Dog by Jason Houge

Tour de Dog is past states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and New York.


Monday, May 5, 2008

A True Survivor

Many of you are probably wondering why the "David and Chiva location tracker" has not changed from Carmel Valley in several days. When I woke up from camping in Monterey Veteran Park last week, I felt seriously under the weather for the first time. Something I picked up was neutralizing my energy.

Luckily for Chiva and me, a friend of my mom's, Andrea Cassel, connected me with her good friends, Barry and Susan Kessler.

The last few days have been nothing more than a privilege to stay with them. Barry, who is diagnosed with three different types of cancer as well as been through a heart attack, put his ailments aside to get to know me. He gently questioned my trek and has provided me with invaluable advice. Even with so many serious health problems, he insisted on showing me the area.

Susan, on the other hand, has literally nursed me back to 100%. She has taken the time to connect me with local organizations, such as Earthbound Farm Organic and the Animal Friends Rescue Project. We also explored Pinnacle National Monument together. The two are absolutely wonderful people that have taken a timeout from their lives to help me with my journey. It is this type of profound experience that I will remember for the rest of my life, and my only hope is that I was able to put a smile on their faces. Truly amazing people that straight up make my eyes water! Thank you Barry and Susan.

Chiva and I are now well rested and ready to continue the Tour de Dog. I frequently have to remind myself that this is a tour, and that we must keep moving. Easier said than done when you meet such remarkable people! On to Big Sur, San Simeon, and San Luis Obispo. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Yours truly,
David and Chiva

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Dave,
Let me know if you need any contacts in SLO. And don't forget to check out bubblegum alley--eewwww it's gross!! ;)

Anonymous said...

glad you're feeling better and got some rest. can't wait for some more stories.
lindz

jeremy said...

Hi Pup and Dave,
Great to hear you're fostering some fantastic support along the way. Lucky for you too, who wants to cycle with low energy levels, yergh.

Getting pretty envious (more so!), your photos of Santa Cruz to Carmel are fantastic and I'm sure Big Sur will provide plenty more brilliant views and pics.

Enjoy it and I'll live vicariously through you as I work away in my office (although I did cycle to work across the syd harbour bridge today, about as good as it gets locally).

Love it, all of it...

Cheers,
Jeremy

Anonymous said...

David and Chiva,

Onward! You are right, keep moving forward and you realize your dreams. Rooting for you both from Anchorage, AK!

Tom and Roza
akcycling.com

Anonymous said...

Hi David and Chiva - Greetings from Issaquah, Washington!

I read about your adventure in the Seattle PI newspaper Sunday magazine section, back in March and have been following you and Chiva along your way. My husband Bob and I are especially interested to know that you plan to do the high points of the states. We belong to the High Pointers Club, and together have done 40 of them, but have not done any of the snow covered ones (we're in our late 70s). Our hats are off to you and Chiva on your great adventure. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Irene