I sit at my desk with a teaspoon of Chia Goo, which we (and by we I mean my co-workers and I, have concluded looks like frog eggs) sitting in front of me. There’s only one way to see if it works. I lift the spoon to my mouth. I hesitate then quickly eat it. The texture leaves something to be desired. My first reaction is to gag but in actuality it doesn’t really taste bad at all. I think this might
All those years of getting (or giving) the Chia Pet as a gag gift I had no idea that these little seeds were so awesome. In theory of course, because this is only day 2 of the experiment and I have yet to confirm the super human powers that they will give me. Nor have I had time to confirm the negative side effects that Google listed on a search. And we all know, Google knows EVERYTHING!
The chia seed, mixed with water and allowed to form into a gelatinous blob, will become the substance that allows me to become a hiking goddess. (muhwahaha) Because of its ability to retain water for optimal absorption into the body, I will be able to hike for long distances on limited water. This being the point of the experiment btw.
I mix 1/3 cup of seeds into 2 cups of water, stir and wait and wait…and wait some more.
9 tablespoons per day
So I bought these seeds. Just your average looking, run of the mill seeds. Ok, not just your average seed.
I have to confess, the words cha cha cha chia might be associated with them. And I plan to eat them.
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html
http://whatscookingamerica.net/CharlotteBradley/Chai-Seeds.htm
http://icreatewisdom.com/chiaseed.html
The Appalachian Trail - Georgia
In 2001 I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. It was hard.
It was cold, lonely, wet, frustrating and painful. To this day my feet make the Spock
“live long and prosper” symbol and have never gone back to their original size. My joints
also require a steady supply of Glusoamine Condrointin to function properly. The A.T. kicked my ass and had me in tears many times. Even so, it was the best thing I’ve ever done (and the beginning of my addiction)
Knifes Edge - Mt. Katahdin, Maine
In 2003 I hiked the Colorado Trail (about 500 miles), in 2006 The Long Trail (about 400 miles), then in 2007 I found myself standing in the desert at the border of Mexico and California at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, 2700 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.
There are three long trails in the U.S. that make up the Triple Crown of long distance hiking – The Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. So…..do I really have a choice.
Sometime in late April I will be standing once again on the border of Mexico, this time in New Mexico, at the southern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail. Hopefully 6 months and 3100 miles later I will reach the Canadian border in Montana.
Q. WHY?
A. This is not an easy question to answer. Think of something you like, something that fulfills every need you have,
something that you would give up everything for, something that makes things seem right, something that
you’re good at, something that makes sense. Thats what long distance hiking is for me. I get to be organized,
I get to plan, I have a goal to meet every day, I don’t have to answer to anyone. I get to be active, I get to
see amazing things, I get to hang with amazing people. I get to go on an amazing adverture and
be someone else for a while.
King of the wild things
Q. Max?
A. Yes, my name is Max, as in King of the Wild Things. Call me Diane on the trail and most people won’t know who you’re talking about.
Q. So What do you get for completing the triple crown?
A. I assume you mean do I get an award, recognition, fame and fortune. No.
Q. How do you aford it?
A. Live simple, stay out of debt, have a credit card with a big ass limit.
Q. Did you quit your job….again?
A. Yes
Q. Is this the last trail?
A. I can’t make any promises.
Q. How long does it take?
A. About 6 months. Thats pretty much all the time you have for any of the long trail because of weather.
Q. What about your apartment?
A. I’ll give it up. I’ll officially be unemployeed and homeless.
Q. Where is the Continental Divide?
A. Well for all you peeps that failed geography..its in the middle, almost 
The trail actually runs from
Mexico to Canada through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Its estimated at 3100 miles
but there is no official distance. The trail is not complete and theres a couple of different routes
so you make up your own sometimes. This trail will definately require a map & compass and a GPS.
Q. Do you know how to use a GPS?
A. Nope
Q. Are you going with a hiking club or organized group?
A. No. But I am hiking with some awesome friends that I met on the P.C.T in 2007. For the most part we are all solo
hikers, going in the same direction. Only about 30 people a year attempt a thru-hike of the C.D.T. compared to
3000 on the A.T. and 300 on the P.C.T, about half completing each trail. I’m hoping we stay pretty close together
otherwise its going to get pretty lonely.
Q. How do you get into towns to resupply?
A. I hitchhike. So far I have not been raped or murdered.
Q. Do you talk to strangers?
A. Yes. If someone offers to take me to their house and feed me, let me take a shower and sleep in a nice soft bed I
will gladly go with them. So far I have not been raped or murdered.
Q. Can I send you stuff?
A. Hell yeah. I have a list of post offices that I will be sending resupply boxes to. Its always nice getting little
care packages. Anb by little I mean little. Like a bag of candy or box of cookies or a letter, nothing I have to carry.
Not 10lbs of trail mix (mom)
Q. What do you eat?
A. Real world – not much meat, no junkfood, lots of salads.
Hiking world – everything and anything.
Q. How far do you hike?
A. The average day is between 20-30 miles.
Q. Is it cold?
A. Yes
Q. Is it hot?
A. Yes
Q. Are there wild animals?
A. Yes
Q. Do you shower?
A. Yes…but not very often.
Q. Is it awesome?
A. yes