One of my favorite parts of travelling in general is pulling up to a bar I’ve never been to and sharing a conversation with a stranger.
Last night I squeezed into the last seat next to two local Tahoe guys in their 20s. Victor does wildfire management in the area. Sean is taking on a metal fabricating position in a couple weeks.
We passed the time talking about jobs, life, trucks. And then Sean’s girlfriend capped off the drinks with some Starburst.
For lunch today I chatted up the bartender at Sonney’s. From Detroit, McQueen (like Steve), is my age. Half his year is spent working the ski resorts, the other half is spent behind the bar.
And before I left the bar I became Facebook friends with Jeff, a chemical engineer turned entreprenuer who was in the area hiking over a long weekend.
I don’t share a picture of every beer I drink. And I haven’t thanked everyone that’s bought me a beer here individually.
The beers have come in from all over the place. And I express my gratitude to you all. I don’t take your beer money contribution for granted. And you should know these beers bring me quite the delight after a week of walking the wilderness.
When I drink these beers I often think of the people that have sent them my way.
Coming off the trail yesterday, a day hiking couple I briefly crossed paths with, Steve and Stephanie (and their Labradoodle Ziggy), ended up sending me a beer.
Back from Columbus, Dianne, a woman I worked with at my last job has sent a few my way over this journey. More than the beer, I’ll always remember the birthday card Dianne gave me at the office. The card came with a fun size chiclet gum pack, which was special, because the fun size packs aren’t manufactured any more.
Also from Columbus, one of my best friends, Thomas, sent a Jameson and Ginger Ale my way. There’s no one on Earth I’ve consumed more Jamo-gingers with than Thomas, most of which at Brovak’s in Columbus (my favorite drink at my favorite bar).
I’d also like to send a shout out to my friend since childhood, Kyle Bellomy, who has made an incredible physical transformation over the last two years. He’s dropped the weight and looks great. I was in his wedding this past year where he married his high school sweetheart Amber. I’ll toast these beers to both of them.
Should I continue to have my health there will be many more beers to come down this trail over the next couple months. And hopefully there will be a few more beers after that for the adventures ahead (which will be blogged).
God bless.
