SO good to be here in Steamboat Springs, CO w/family for cousin's (Andrea Sherman) wedding. Sitting to the right is my incredible mother: Terri Brewerton from Augusta, GA - love this woman!
As many of you know we are still on break from our cross-country walk and will officially set out on August 5th from just outside of Canon City, CO (Next Thursday!!)
I am writing to you from an amazing paradise tucked away in Steamboat Springs, CO. My cousin Andrea Sherman is getting married here over the weekend and much of our family is getting together for the first time in YEARS. This place cuts into the mountain side overlooking Steamboat Lake and is simply magnificent. – relaxing – refreshing – and FUN. I will post a video soon, once all of my incredible family arrives…
Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – THANK YOU Rob & Carol Gifford for taking Ben and I to the game – ahhh, good people you are!
A rant…
Above is a small video from last night’s baseball game (Colorado Rockies vs Pittburgh Pirates). I haven’t been to a professional game in a long time and (especially after the walk) am mesmerized by its sheer ‘magnitude’. The flashing world of color, light, and sound fuel such a ‘what seems to be’ intense passion for SPORT in this country. After walking through corn fields, cattle yards, and prairie lands – I find these environments exciting & challenging. As an athlete myself (beach/sand volleyball), I can fully appreciate the community and camaraderie behind playing and/or watching these games. Team loyalty, rivalry, and the art of being a player and/or fan in the eyes of competition can be exhilarating.
I love sport. I hope the passion for it never dies. Sports can and hopefully will forever teach us about discipline, goal setting, teamwork… as well as carry communities, cities, countries and/or a family into a positive place when they are troubled.
All of that said – I am unsettled with Marketing and its heavy grip on our ‘Sports’. It is, as if the ‘lifestyle’ and the ‘brand’ of the sporting industry is working very hard to steal the tradition that truly is baseball – soccer – basketball – football – golf..etc. Trying to wrap my mind around the speed and chaos at which our ‘wallets’ are tempted to constantly dance with our sporting experience is stressful.
…imagine if just a SMALL percentage of these profits were balanced and steered towards the heavy issues that exist in our personal lives, social lives – in our communities (locally, nationally and globally).
Thanks for hearing my rant… would love your thoughts! ; )
I am still really enjoying our break. I went to BassPro last night and picked up a few items for our travels ahead! I have posted a recommended ‘BOOK LIST’ on the bottom of the sidebar (to your right – you may have to scroll down). These are books that have been great influences before and during this adventure!
Also, could you pass along our Facebook page and/or the link to our route to any of your ‘Western’ friends in case they have connections for our up and coming chapter!
Cheers to you – as NONE of this would be possible w/out your support,
I wanted to share my ‘rough’ route for the second chapter of this walk. I have labeled each section by the estimated dates of departure/arrival.
A high percentage of this trip will be very scarce and far from towns and/or running water. I have indicated which segments will be the most difficult in terms of needing ‘your’ help in making food and/or water drops! I will keep you posted on specifics through Utah & Nevada as I get closer.
AS ALWAYS – You are MORE than welcome to join us for as long or as little as you want!
Please email me w/any questions and/or ideas!
kivawalk@gmail.com
I would love it if you took a second to share this map to your E-mail and social media (Facebook & Twitter) contacts in case someone you know has connections! THANK YOU!
It has been SO good to catch up with and spend intentional time with family & friends. While I haven’t been able to connect w/everyone, the time shared thus far has been outstanding. There is SO much joy in sharing the stories, faces, and raw lessons learned in the 4.5 month chapter of our cross-country ‘walk-about’. I had an amazing (long over-due) conversation (4 hours) with a VERY dear friend, Mark Ray. He is and will always be SUCH a close friend – we push each other, challenge each other, and have been through a lot. Please check out his blog, as he is an excellent writer!
Ben and I attended a recent co-worker’s wedding party at my old work place ECDC’s African Community Center (Gatwech & Hawa ‘Reat’). They are from South Sudan in the heart of Africa. This was SUCH a magical experience to watch as two Southern Sudanese tribes came together in dance, singing, and celebration in uniting these two beautiful people. I loved the commitment invested into bridging American ceremony with the deep traditions of Africa. The current political/social situation in South Sudan is hostile and very dangerous; thus, leaving me speechless when talking with and/or watching these colorful families light up at the chance to dance and sing to their homeland songs. Amidst the struggles at ‘home’, they were able to come together (babies, kids, youth, elderly & all) to ‘worship’ – life…
Ahhh, here are a couple photos from the night…
At the Reat wedding party! - SO much fun... 'tried' to dance w/them - lots of bouncing - so good...
....soooo goood!
Ben w/the beautiful bride's maids - outstanding...
First off, THANK YOU to Holly Bidle and EVERYONE that came out last night for our casual event/presentation in Golden, CO. What a fantastic place! I have included a video of the Mine attached to the back of Holly’s house – she gave us a wonderful tour….ahhhh – good times!
Day 143:
I arose this morning and enjoyed some incredible Cuban coffee w/my father @ (Bucci’s – Highlands Neighborhood – Denver) – outstanding. Soon after I picked up Mr. Ben Purner (joined us for several weeks in our early Maryland & Missouri days) and we drove about 30/40 miles East of Denver in search for prices on land. I made several call-ins and potentially have some things lined up to look around a bit. I can’t tell you HOW much this walk (staying w/well over 30+ farmers) has inspired me to cultivate my own precious few acres… WHO knows, but it was fun to dream!
ahhhh - LOVE blading the Platte River trail - good for the soul
After a long day of driving, napping, and roller blading… we rest – as I hit the computer hard tomorrow, studying away at maps, trails, and towns to further prepare for what’s ahead!
this is rediculous, you walk me for 15 MILES a day for 4.5 months - and know that were on break - your ONLY going to give me 30 minutes!!
Greetings y’all!
As many of you know, we are taking a 2 week break in Denver, CO (hometown) before we set-off WEST through the Rockies of CO, deserts & lonely highways of Utah & Nevada, and the Siearra Nevadas of California!
Yesterday was an incredible day of much needed R&R – we enjoyed seeing family & friends as well as some solid sleep!
Today: In between phone calls, painting a corn hole board for my cousin’s wedding, and walking Kanoa (picture above) I was able to tackle routes, maps, and trails towards our ‘rough’ & challenging itinerary for what is ahead. I will keep you posted soon as to our schedule through CO, UT, NV & CA as well as our ETA into San Francisco (which ALL of you are invited to join us!).
TONIGHT: We will be having a casual happy hour/food/drink/Kiva Walk presentation in Golden, CO, hosted by Holly Bidle @5:30 w/the presentation starting around 6:30/7pm – BRING FRIENDS & something to share – Please email me at: kivawalk@gmail.com to get the address!
I will do my best to keep you all updated on our break; however, forgive me if I miss a few days!! ; )
CONGRATS to our LENDING TEAM for passing $200,000 in loans! – This is simply incredible…
15 miles today – 1719 miles total!
Littleton, CO – Denver, CO
WHAT an amazing day. First off, the weather was simply fantastic… ahhh, you can’t beat a blanket of clouds keeping things cool & breezy while you tackle urban pavement! I was joined today by several local friends, family, and supporters as we crossed trails, roadside sidewalks, parkside walkways, and finally ending at the Auraria campus in downtown Denver.
Our event at Campus Rec went really well. We connected and shared all-things Kiva Walk to a diverse audience of friends, family, students, and VALUABLE Metro State College of professors/staff that helped to shift, shape, and focus on making a dream – truly a reality. I am SO exhausted tonight and will hopefully give you a fuller update tomorrow.
14 miles today – 1704 miles total!
Avondale, CO – Pueblo, CO
WOW – can’t believe we have covered over 1700 miles in 4.5 months – it is outstanding.
I enjoyed Pueblo a lot and simply didn’t get enough time to take it in, as the temperatures kept us fighting for shade and/or hiding inside. We met a great local welder (Mike Hasenack) today who talked to us about his work, lifestyle, and hobbies. He was SO fascinated by the walk that he bought us a BBQ sandwich from a local vender (GQ’s BBQ) inside their shop – incredible sauce btw!
Soon after, we pushed back onto the roads. Our sweat dripped and covered our skin/furr as we navigated around the ‘greater’ Pueblo neighborhoods. The murals on the canal, the riverfront, the kids splashing in grandiose fountains, and the life behind the energy on many small urban streets were fantastic. I have to say that the most impressive part of being in Pueblo was the backdrop of ‘our’ Rocky Mountains… I love them!
Ben Purner soon met up with me and picked us up to take us to Denver, as we are taking a 2 week break to re-fuel, re-focus, and PLAN for what is ahead. We will be walking from Littleton – Denver, CO starting at 8am tomorrow. Location & route are on our recent post HERE if you are interested in meeting up with us. We will also be having a casual presentation at Auraria Campus (PEREC Campus Rec Lobby) @ 3:30pm – Details HERE
I stared at Kanoa a lot today – as I reflected on our travels these past 4.5 months. There is such a strong bond between us and I broke down into tears as I allowed myself to recognize the significance. Do you find that ‘our’ animals are breathing, eating, and licking forms of love that move beyond words? I am so lucky and thankful to have had such an incredible, patient, energetic, and beautiful companion… ahhhh, he’s truly man’s best friend.
So, with that – I put on my urban face, take in the culture shock of ‘home’, and embrace the familiar. I’m a bit stressed with having a ‘choice’ of shirts for tomorrow – and I will feel a bit emotionally naked, knowing that my destination will be the same for the next 2 weeks. Ahhhh Father God – we rest tonight as we know that this is good – relaxing – and right…
Cheers for now,
Jonathon & Kanoa
THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us along the way – your hearts have made such strong imprints into my life and I am forever stronger, wiser, and better for it. YOU are Kiva Walk.
A few pictures:
INCREDIBLE! - on- route to Denver - so amazing...
beautiful murals - for miles!
a FANTASTIC riverfront through Pueblo - very impressive - I will come back!
Okay - last night: Luke Robinson just ROCKED IT w/his dinner - it was fantastic (swordfish, italian veggies, mushrooms - dang - impressive) THANK YOU!
13 miles today – 1690 miles total!
Fowler, CO – (outside of) Avondale, CO
A fantastic day walking w/Jolene as we moved closer to the great Rocky Mountains toward Avondale/Pueblo, CO! We finished our 13 mile day and met up with Luke Robinson & Jeanette in Colorado Springs – It is SO good to share such similar – RAW – stories, as he has just finished (1 month ago) a 2000 mile walk across the USA raising money/awareness for Cancer research for animals – incredible. There is such a beautiful ‘shared’ energy in all-things seeing America on-foot…
He is cooking us an incredible dinner, so I must go – but will update you more fully later!
Enjoy the pictures.
Luke Robinson & I in front of Jeannette's home! - SO much fun connecting w/them both - loved sharing trail stories!!!! CHECK him out at: www.2dogs2000miles.org!
ahhh, Kanoa - gosh I love my beautiful pup - he is incredible!
gooood times!
....beautiful!
Great picnic and campspot w/Jolene Hanson at the Fowler Park in Fowler, CO!
OUR FIRST DAY seeing the Rockies! - you can't make them out - but they are there on the right - I promise! - so exciting...
Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe. (About Kiva)
Please note that I am not taking financial donations for Kiva Microfunds, as my #1 goal in supporting Kiva is education & encouraging people to join as members.
We have run across additional gear, health, and technology expenses for our Walk across America. If you want to make a donation to these costs, please donate below; however, I encourage you to FIRST JOIN the Kiva Walk Lending Team above if you haven't already! If you have any questions please email me at: kivawalk@gmail.com - THANK YOU!!!
Intro Video
...Video done by Joseph Powell - Thank you!
Site Hitz
Personal Mission:
This walk will be a signifant chapter in my living mission to help awaken authentic community in American society...
Join me throughout this on-foot discussion...there will be much for us to learn!
Disclaimer
Please note that the Kiva Walk website is operated and monitored by Jonathon Stalls, not Kiva.org. Kiva (Kiva Microfunds, LLC) and Kiva Walk are two separate entities, and any transactions made through Kiva Walk--financial and non-financial--are not affiliated with Kiva (Kiva Microfunds, LLC).
Book List!
Outstanding reads that have all played a unique role in fueling the energy behind this walk... enjoy!
The Better World Handbook
by: Jones, Haenfler, Johnson
The Devine Commodity
By: Skye Jethani
Into the Wild
By: Jon Krakauer
A Walk Across America
By: Peter Jenkins
The Cult of the Amateur
By: Andrew Keen
The Great Good Place
By: Ray Oldenburg
