Good news, bad news (well changing news)

Ever have someone say to you, "I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" I always took the bad first so at least there is something to look forward to.

The bad news(the changing news) is Bruce is no longer accompanying me on this walk. He has family obligations that he must attend too. Although this drastically changes the landscape of the event it will still happen. I will go on with the walk as planned. I also 100% support Bruce in this decision. We've spoken and he knows where I stand and I understand where he's coming from. Bruce, you have my support and hurry home your wife and daughter miss you.

Good news. We received our SWITCHBACK HYBRID from BABY JOGGER yesterday. It is everything I expected it to be. Having the SWITCHBACK HYBRID is going to make this adventure easier on me. It will enable me to cover more ground everyday because I won't be carrying the weight on my back. Thanks again BABY JOGGER .

More good news. We have another sponsor, LIPPI SELK BAG . A sleeping bag with arms and legs, what else do you use on a walk across the country. The bags should be in early next week. Thanks guys these will be amazing and I can't wait.

And yet more good news. On Wednesday night I was invited to speak at a wellness clinic by Jim at Village Bicycle. It was incredible, all the speakers and attendees were great. Jim is the reason we have the SWITCHBACK HYBRID , he hooked me up with the connection. Also at the clinic I met Dr. Camilla Moore and Dr. Ellen A. McNally from Westport Chiropractic . These two and I are about to embark on a wild adventure: GETTING ME IN SHAPE FOR THE WALK. Boy, I don't know who has their work cut out for them. haha We'll see what these ladies can do and I'll keep you informed.

Everyone keeps asking for pictures and I promise they are on the way. Thanks for all your patience.

Funeral Info for Brenda and Denver Cail

Services will be Wednesday afternoon Brenda and Denver Cail at West Cobb Funeral Home, 2480 Macland Rd. in Marietta, Ga. We know that everyone can't go in person put you can pay your respects to the family by clicking and signing the guest books of Brenda Cail and Denver Cail.
Thank you for all your good thoughts and support.

Sad news for the family

Friday morning my sister, Kristin(Bruce's wife), called to tell me some tragic news. Bruce's sister-in-law, Brenda, and her two young boys were in a car accident in Georgia. Sadly Brenda was pronounced dead at the scene and the boys were airlifted to Atlanta. Bruce and his sister, Karen who lives in New Hampshire, headed down to be with there brother Scott that afternoon. Denver, the older of the two, ...older that's strange to say when he is only 9 or 10, was in critical condition when they left Rhode Island.
Fast forward to today. The younger boy, Nicholas, was released from the hospital to his dad. As for Denver, he unfortunately passed away this morning due to injuries he suffered in the accident.
I write this with a heavy and helpless heart. When something like this happens it always puts things into perspective. You start thinking how short our time here is and how important family is. If you read this please give a thought for Scott, Nicholas, Bruce and the entire Cail family in this time of sadness.
Kristin adds when she has any news, info on services, cards, donations or whatever it is Bruce's brother wants to do, we'll let people know. She also realizes some of you will want to call Bruce, but she is asking you to wait. He and his sister are still on the road and they just want to get to Georgia.
Again, thanks for all good thoughts.

First Time

I did the first interview about the walk on Tuesday. Raleigh Dugal from SouthCoast 24/7 met up with me and the team at the GREEN BEAN. Let me first explain the "team" statement. I had a whole entourage with me for this interview. My partners on the documentary side of the walk, Carl(my brother) and Eric were there to film the whole thing. We'll have that up as soon as we edit it. Eric's friend, Steve, was there to lend a hand as well. Then we had Nicole and Melissa there to take pictures for the blog and such. I role deep. HAHA
I've known Raleigh for a couple years so I felt very comfortable talking to him. The questions were good, I hope the answers were as well. I don't want to give anything away so I'm going to stop now. The interview (both written and video) will be on SouthCoast 24/7 soon. And we'll have the video here on the blog.
Thanks to Raleigh, Jay (southcoast photographer), Steve, and the "TEAM".

Walking on Sunshine

Woke up. Went for a run. Had some eggs. Reflected on the events of yesterday.
Tuesday, October 21st turned out to be a great day. Just 78 short days from flying out to LA, I did the same thing I do everyday, planned to take over the world (sorry a "Pinky and the Brain" flashback). No really the day was seeming normal until I got to work. For those who don't know, I work in downtown New Bedford at the GREEN BEAN, it's a coffee house/juice/smoothie place. Anyway, Eric and I are exchanging our version of witty banter and then my phone rings.

caller: hi is Jesse there?
me: this is Jesse
caller: Hi Jesse. This is Meredith with Baby Jogger . How are you today?
me: Oh hello Meredith. I'm fine and you?
Meredith: I was just calling to let you know that the company Baby Jogger would love to sponsor your event. And I just need to confirm and address to send your SWITCHBACK HYBRID trailer/jogger to.
me: Are you kidding? That's incredible. Thank you. (proceed to give address)
Meredith: If you have any questions feel free to call. Good luck. Talk to you soon.
me: Ok. And thank you again

That may not be exactly how it went but it's really close. Long story short, we have our first sponsor, Baby Jogger . welcome aboard and thank you.

Life throws curve balls.

We are 83 days away from landing in Los Angeles and 85 days from starting the walk. The team has been hard at work putting together fund-raisers and such. I have been hitting the gym everyday and running like a mad man. This week my dad and I will be setting the route, at least the first month. Once we figure it out I hope to post it on here to give you all an idea of where we'll be.
Finding product sponsors has turned out to be more difficult then I had hoped it to be. In fact as of today we do not have one sponsor lined up. With the current state of the economy I probably should have seen this coming. Any way, if anyone reads this and can help us out, drop me a line at jesseandbrucewalkamerica@gmail.com . We still need sneakers, a jogger(to carry everything), and well anything you may be willing to give.
This walk has changed me already and I haven't taken the first step. I've realized a lot about myself and others over the last 4 months. The next 80+ days should prove interesting so stay tuned. I will have pictures posted soon so you all can put a face on the guys walking, I promise.

THANK YOU EVERYONE !

Just a quick thank you to everyone who came to the GARAGE benefit. Thanks to all the performers, M.R., Carl Simmons and Jeff and Benares. Thanks to the Cox family for allowing use to use their place. Also Eric and Paul for filming the whole evening. And of course all of you who danced, sang along, and gave generously. We should have video of the event up soon. Again, THANK YOU.

OUR FIRST BENEFIT SHOW

EVERYONE COME OUT THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 3RD, TO THE GARAGE ,@ 79 WATER ST., NEW BEDFORD, MA FOR A GREAT BENEFIT SHOW. JEFF AND BENARES , M.R. , AND CARL SIMMONS WILL BE PLAYING TO HELP JESSE AND BRUCE WALK AMERICA REACH OUR FUND-RAISING GOAL. THE SHOW STARTS AROUND 8 O'CLOCK. SO COME ON DOWN, HEAR SOME GOOD MUSIC, HELP US OUT, AND MEET THE TWO GUYS DOING THIS CRAZY THING. IT SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN AND OF COURSE IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.