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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, February 21, 2008 Want to walk a mile? How about a couple thousand? Ever wanted to take a walk? Jesse WhiteCrow looked up at a map on his bedroom wall when he was six years-old and wanted to ride an air balloon across America and meet nice people. In 2002, when he was 40, he walked from Maine to Massachusetts. In October of 2005, he left Massachusetts and started a walk that will end at Camp Flattery in Washington state. Between being 6 and 40, WhiteCrow went to college, served as a paratrooper, mar- ried, and worked. Now he walks. He has no support staff on the road, only a pack with the basics needed to continue the trip. By January 30, 2008, he had walked as far as Ver- nonia. Before reaching Vernonia, White- Crow was shot at, harassed by bears, met nice people, met not-so-nice people and spent a lot of time alone with him- self and his journal. On the border of New Jersey, after being harassed by bears “all the time” a 90 year-old lady came out her door and said, “You come in” and gave him ap- ples. That’s one of the nice people memories, as is his stay here in Vernonia with the Isaksons. Rhonda Isakson met him near Sentry then invited him to stay at the home she shares with husband Chris- tian, and their two children. That allowed WhiteCrow to stay inside and enjoy some hu- man company, instead of camping out alone during those couple of days of snow. A 20 mile day is an excep- tionally good day in winter weather; he travels anywhere from six to 30 miles a day and often camps out by himself. Only a couple times has he gone down the wrong road, once going 200 miles out of his way. The trip, planned out on a map he carries with him, cross- es the country in a ‘W’-like shape and is being funded by money he made before he left. When he finishes this trip, and 503-640-6311 Owner operated by Tim Willis since 1988 C ALL US FOR F LOORING P RODUCTS AT L OWER THAN R ETAIL P RICES N EW C ONTRACTOR STORE IN H ILLSBORO ! R EFUSE TO PAY RETAIL ! Services: • Certified- Truck Mounted Thermal Cleaning w/Rotovac • Certified- Carpet Installation • All Flooring Sales • Stretching & Repairs • Water & Pet Damage • Teflon Protection Check out client reviews at: http://portland.citysearch.com/reviews/35683460 www.extractaway.com Bonded / Insured / CCB# 161629 his 28th pair of walking shoes, he will go to a friend’s home in Minnesota to spend time turn- ing his journal entries into a book to be titled, “WhiteCrow Walking”. WhiteCrow quoted an old saying in partial explanation of his trip, “If you learn another language, you gain another soul. This trip is a new lan- guage.” What does he want out of the trip? For one thing, he wants to learn to “really live in the moment for the rest of my life.” Another observation, “The greatest people have been the poorest. The very poorest were the richest and the richest have been the most reluctant to share and the most suspi- cious.” When this walk is over and the book written, you might think he’d be ready for a nice recliner in a warm room but, in- stead, WhiteCrow would like to walk in other countries. China, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina are some of the places where he’d like to learn more new languages by visit- ing. For now, he keeps walking on toward Camp Flattery. If you’d like to join him on his last day of the walk, or just keep pace with him on your comput- er, visit his website at www. whitecrowwalking.com. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay There are two t i m e s w h e n t i m e flies. One is w h e n you’re having fun; in the sun, in the snow or lost in a good book. The other is when things seem to pile up on you. Like this past two weeks – it’s been cold, Arthur-itus came to call – then news of old friends getting hurt, seriously ill, or members of the Senior Center suddenly passing away. You fall into the pattern of getting up, eating, doing anything that will keep your mind on unim- portant things so you won’t no- tice what your inner mind is dwelling on (who’s next?). On the light side. It’s time for the horse fold to get their dia- pers out or start carrying their shovels at the Lake – ho, ho. The Robins, Redwing black- birds and Crows are all busy chasing bugs. The dogs are beginning to walk their humans around the lake in larger num- bers, also the ducks are pairing off and beginning to nest. I went to Etta Russell’s 90th Birthday gathering last Satur- day. It was sort of nice to see all the senior ladies again. We all hadn’t changed too much. It was a happy reunion – seeing Nellie Tipton as spry as ever. Is what I heard on the grapevine scuttlebutt or fact? The Senior Center has to be moved out in two years. The Senior Center is building by it- self. If so, what happens to the Food Bank??? Vernonia Cares is key to the people of Colum- bia County that live in the town lost in the woods where the rivers meet. (I thought the Se- nior Center owned the building and the lot.) How about an update from those folks that know – we sen- iors do miss our meeting spot; and the music of the Golden Oldies. Writers Workshop this Saturday “Supporting the Writer in Yourself and Others” is the title of a free writing workshop to be held Saturday, February 23, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Banks Library. The workshop is being given by local author Mary Jane Nordgren. Bring pen and paper and join the fun. Please call the Banks Li- brary at 503-324-1382 to hold your place. WANTED Volunteers Firefighters for the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Free Training, Evenings & Weekends Starting March 29 REWARD Personal Satisfaction, Gain Valuable Skills, Help People, And Enjoy Making A Difference In Your Community For Information call 503-429-8252 Must be 16 years of age or older
