Here I be, or was, waiting to begin the first journey of our new trek around the sun, wondering if I would complete this walk among the stars. At least I would begin with high hopes and my faithful companion, the CHUPACABRA (eek!)

Last year I ended with a hike on the more traveled path. This year, I choose to start with the least trodden trail, hoping there would be little in my Dangerous Journey to confuse and confound me. As it turns out, the choice was choice! Along the way I encountered only a handful of brave individuals such as myself.

The water was flowing fast, the mud deep, chances of slipping and cracking open a skull were high! Just getting soaked crossing the streams that blocked my path, would make any man fearful and entertain thoughts of reversing course. And I am not just any man. I AM CEEJ!

Below you’ll find some of my journeys pictorial documentation, while some photos are not for the faint of heart, I find it best to remember that I did this hike so you wouldn’t have too.

The hike begins

Walking along the whispering leaves, leaving no sound I was there

The Chupacabra fearless, turns a gaze towards me as I stop in fright, once again reminding me I could transcend the irrational fight or flight human response…

An obstacle, placed directly in the path. Should I continue? Or will this growing feeling of being drowned overcome me…I wondered.

Could I eat this, sustaining my life if I ran out of granola bars? Would I surely perish from the painful death if poisonous? I did not know…

Another omen…could they be death caps? Or just an imposter, teasing me with the promise of nourishment? I wondered…

At last! A shroom I recognized. False Turkey Tails. Not the most edible but in a pinch I would survive. Although these had seen better days. Most likely, last years crop.

Strolling along the path, confident now, I could sense the small waterfall up ahead. The air was filled with a mist of tiny drops of love.

Eureka! I had made the journey to the waterfall, alive! I could see the mark of the eye on the rocky surface to the right, warning all that nothing is as it seems. My journey back would be simple. I was happy. We lived to tell the tale.

 The End.