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 Phoenix, AZ I am still in Phoenix, Az…as mentioned in my last e-mail I was going to head out to Globe, AZ and walk the 75 miles back to Phoenix. The 75 miles was to act as a litmus test to see where my feet were at. The first day I was able to walk 15 miles with no problem. The only problem was that the road was a windy curvy road that wound through the mountains offering little or no shoulder to walk on. This meant very close encounters with cars, trucks, and my personal favorite….the 18 wheelers that like to hug the corners which happen to be my route. I oftentimes try to walk on the other side of the guardrail only to find it frustrating trying to walk through the various types of cactus that enjoy my legs.
Day #2: Day two of the 75 miles was a little better. I had a goal of 30 miles in order to make it to the next place that offered water. I only had about 4 miles of windy road as I walked out of the mountains through a tunnel and into Superior, AZ where I loaded up on 3 liters of water, two hot dogs and a mountain dew from the Circle K. This is also where I saw my first Tarantula! (See Video) The section from Superior to Apache junction was about 26 miles away and it was hot at that low of elevation (When I woke up that morning I could see my breath and had 3 layers on) But now I had shorts and a t-shirt on and the sun began to burn my skin again. I listened to the radio that I picked up from a Phoenix station most of the day until the battery died. The day was good until about 15 miles in… My feet were a wreck again.. I didn’t even feel the hot spots until I stopped to let them dry out and to change my socks and re-tape them. When I removed my shoes and socks I found 3 new blisters to add to the count and found that I was developing blisters under blisters. I didn’t have any choice but to walk the remaining day. I decided that it wouldn’t be wise to continue the next day for my feet were in bad shape. I called a friend that I knew from College (Scotty Daily) and asked him if he would be able to help out. He hooked up a place for me to stay that night. He is the Jr. High Pastor in Chandler, AZ and asked me to speak to his Students about the International water crisis and share with the student’s ways in which they could help. I love the opportunities that allow me to educate and broaden the worldview of students. I speak twice tomorrow morning.
 For now I am allowing my feet to heal before I head out again. I am not sure how much time that will be but I do know that I am heading home for Christmas this year. If my feet heal up I will walk some more but if not the plan is to come back out after the New Year and this time I will have a support vehicle driven by the next European walker “Bryan Schlackman”. We will then finish up the last 2,000 miles of the United States hopefully in 4-5 months.
We still don’t have a vehicle yet. We have some feelers out but nothing has come to fruition as of yet. If you know anyone or you yourself have a vehicle that you could donate or lend to the Expedition then please contact Amie@theearthexpedition.com
Special thanks to Amy Franke, Katie Daily, and Kate Tegeler for allowing me to stay at their house as I heal. Your generosity to the expedition has been very appreciated. Thank you!
Until next time “Life to the Fullest” Daren and The Earth Expedition Team
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