Even though it is only tangentially related to my walk, I thought I would post this video anyway.

One of the goals of my walk was to make my 40th birthday memorable - in a giving kind of way. Well, I also decided to make it memorable by doing something that I have always wanted to do, jump out of a perfectly good airplane. So, even though my birthday is long past (the jump was delayed by weather a couple of times as well as scheduling conflicts), I finally did a tandem jump!! This is a video that I put together of the day. That's my buddy Todd, who jumped with me, gracing the poster frame of the video. Enjoy!

Now I promise I'm done celebrating my 40th...really!

Recently, I received a group of thank you notes in the mail. I was thrilled to find out that 6 students were able to go on Outward Bound courses with the money that I raised with my walk!! Very cool!!

It was almost exactly a year ago that I started this blog and embarked on this adventure. The thank you notes are a great way to wrap up and put a bow on the experience. I've copied them here for you all to enjoy!

Thank you ever so much. I am now covered in dirt and headed to the Salt Lake Airport. I could not be any happier. I went out and searched for the limit of my body and mind and discovered that it didn’t exist. As I was growing up my parents always said, “the sky is the limit,” but I must say, I have peaked mountains and touched the sky and I know I could go higher. I worked through personality kinks as I rappelled down cliffs, climbed blindfolded, realized the depth of love of my family, swam rapids, led a boat and lived each day for each and every second it was.

I am sure you are already aware, but I could not have done this without your help. I dreamt under the stars while living a dream come true.

I would have never met some of the people I now call my best friends. I have developed my life and leadership skills and over all become a better person. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

With love, E.G.

I have just experienced the 7 day river rafting wilderness course. I just had the super surprise of getting a golden ticket to the magic factory of nature. I have to say that this opportunity has been a blessing and a gift for myself and my inner person. I hope that the gift keeps giving and others like me will be able to become a better person and develop life skills and wilderness survival. I will take away many memories and life changes from my river travel. Nothing is more valuable than the love and the support from everyone I met along the way. I will complete the circle of love by telling everyone about my experience!

Thank you, D.S.

I would like to take the time now that I am at the end of my Outward Bound Expedition to thank you greatly for the generous scholarship I received from you. It was because of this award that I was able to participate in this incredible experience and spend ten days in the beautiful Montana Wilderness. As my family has always suffered from financial hardship, it was disappointing to see how expensive an Outward Bound course was and consider the possibility of not being able to enroll. Since I was younger I have looked to a program such as Outward Bound as something life altering and impacting and as I started to seriously consider a program, I was relieved to find that I could apply for a scholarship. In all honesty I was truly amazed to see just how great of an award I received for my Montana rock climbing adventure. I would like you to know that you enabled me to partake in a tremendous journey that challenged me both mentally and physically. Thank you greatly!

Best wishes, E.V.

Thank you so much for sponsoring me on this course, as I had an exceptionally amazing time. Over my two week course, I went rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking. I also had a solo, which is where you set up a tarp and what not, and have some time to yourself. I really enjoyed my solo time, as I had been with the same people for almost two weeks, and really wanted some time to myself.

From this course I learned leadership, teamwork, outdoor skills, first aid, friendship, compassion and much more. This is my second Outward Bound course, and I hope I have the chance to come back next year as well. The reason I like Outward Bound is because it isn’t any normal type of summer camp, and it challenged me physically and mentally. I believe that Outward Bound is an incredible experience and adventure, and anyone that has the chance to come should seize it. I was able to persuade my sister to come on this course, and I hope she enjoyed it just as much as I. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity.

Yours faithfully, S.Y.

I had a great time on my Washington Wilderness Educators Expedition. The experience helped me in deciding that I want to pursue a career in Outdoor Recreation. The best part of the trip for me was the sea kayaking section. I really enjoyed learning a completely new skill that I otherwise wouldn’t have acquired. I also really enjoyed the mountaineering section because I love to hike and explore new territories. I am very grateful for the contribution you have made that allowed me to come on this trip. I hope that in the future my career will allow me to contribute in the same way for people to experience Outward Bound as I have.

B.R.

In coming to Outward Bound I became so much more. I went through a process of rejuvenation that would not have been possible anywhere else. Thank you for letting this happen.

I was on the Utah Summer Semester. We started by whitewater rafting and kayaking in Desolation Canyon followed by mountain biking, backpacking, and rock climbing. I learned much about all these skills, but through them I also became more. They helped me develop as a person gaining inner strength, understanding of myself and others. If I was unable to go, I would have missed out on this, as well as the beauty of Utah, its canyons, mesas, rivers, mountains and desert. My time at Outward Bound has let me do and grow so much in so many ways so once again, thank you for letting this become a reality for me.

Z.B.