JUNE 6TH 2010 DAY THIRTY FIVE

Lance's Daily Blog - Updates and photos
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org


At the state line entering into Arizona, at the base of the welcome sign.

A cell phone picture I took of myself in the middle of the night somewhere in the middle of the Mojave Desert with the help of a blue chem light.

A beautiful weather system making its way over the mountain in Flagstaff Arizona

A better look at the same thing. The picture doesn't do it any justice, as most of these do not.

Sunday was spent resting and waiting. A little time in the water, a little reflection and a lot of worrying about Mondays doctors appointment. This acupuncture thing is going to work, it has to. This is not a bad place to be held up in, it brings back memories of my childhood and all the times we spent here as children. It is a beautiful place with big skies and unbelievable terrain. If you need peace of mind, this is the part of country to come to. Sedona to the south and the Grand Canyon to the north, this area is majestic to say the least. I will write Mondays blog right after my "procedure" to let everyone know the good news. As I write this ,I am listening to Johnny Cash sing, "I've been everywhere," thanks dad for making me listen to your music when I was a kid. Thanks for being a part of day thirty five.

*In yesterdays blog I left the part out where I placed my dog tags in Mackenzies hand one last time when I last viewed her body in her casket, for her last flight.

Lance's Blog by Lance Frazee
Forever In Honor of My Amazing Daughter - Mackenzie Frazee

Lance's Blog - Pictures from the Road - Arizona

Lance's Daily Blog - Photo Update - Arizona.....Yes....
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org


Sunset in the Mojave, nothing like it

Like I said

Bates Motel?

Finally

Painful Reminder

Lance's Daily Blog by Lance Frazee

In Memory of My Beautiful Daughter Mackenzie Frazee

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

Lance's Daily Blog - Picture Updates - Johnny

Lance's Daily Blog - Picture's from the Road - Johnny
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org


Looking out my tent before I call it a dayJohnny and his dad Slim

Johnny, geared up and ready to go

Sunrise in the Mojave desert, nothing quite like it

Lance's Blog by Lance Frazee

For My Wonderful Daughter - Mackenzie Frazee

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

JUNE 5TH 2010 DAY THIRTY FOUR

Today was a day of rest and recovery as per doctors orders. Don't get me wrong, I get it, rest will help the condition or injury or whatever it is. Understand, that to me, it is ridiculous that no one can tell me what it is exactly, but they can tell me how to combat it and what medications I need. I am frustrated that I have never experienced anything like this, but it is nothing that will stop me, as I stated before. I am in Flagstaff still and I am doing what I can do to remain here. I would like to get moving but I know the earliest it will happen is Monday.

Met a cool girl today named Roxie, who I found out is paying the price for a DUI and is living through a difficult time trying to get her life back. She regrets what she did and wants to live a better life. She was a young woman when it happened and has a chance to overcome it while she is still young, I wish her luck. I feel the need to write about the heartbreaking sight that I see everyday out here. As I walk out here daily, I am staggered in my steps by the number of crosses I see on the side of all of our roads, trails and highways.

It is mind boggling how many people we lose to drunk drivers across the countryside. There are multiple crosses in some places, such as the four crosses in one place I saw on the road side a few days ago, where it said, all killed by a drunk driver. I always to try and stop and spend a moment at each one I see. It is horrible to know that there are this many people that have had to experience what I live with everyday. I have come to call this place with all of the crosses "Arlington USA." If ever I write a story, it is what I would call it. Thanks for being a part of day thirty four.

* Mackenzie was an amazing dancer ever since she was a little girl. She had rhythm and an ear for music and beat. She didn't always show it because it wasn't always crazy enough for her, like with her friends when she was goofing off but when I would pick her up from her hip hop class early, I used to watch her and be amazed by her moves for her age.

Lance's Blog by Lance Frazee

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

MAY 25TH 2010 - JUNE 3RD 2010 DAYS TWENTY THREE thru THIRTY TWO

I apologize that these blogs will be condensed into one. This is going to be a long one, so bear with me. I wish I could blog every night but it is not always possible. I am going off memory, so this might jump around a bit. With that said, here we go. Day 23 started early with me entering into the hardest legs of the journey to date. The reason for the difficulty is because it was a three day leg of pure desert, with no water sources and no shade and no relief. I had to carry five times as much water, which made the load extremely heavy. I took a trail to the railroad tracks and skirted the tracks to cut down on the road distance. traveling through the heat, I found the only shade possible, and it was located under the railroad tracks where they cross over the washes. They are very short, so I had to climb in on my hands and knees and drag my equipment in behind me. You can imagine that with the heat and no shade anywhere else, it was a little crowded under there. I just made a deal with the other occupants that if they would stay on their side, I would stay on mine. Kind of risky, but worth the risk to me in my present situation. I ended up down on the road that I was trying to avoid, and decided to call my buddy Leo for water resupply. Leo and his wife and kids drove out to my location from Ft. Irwin. We decided to do an old military trick that we had both executed countless times over the years. Leo drove his truck out in front of me and tactically placed caches at 10 and 15 miles. He would leave me a reference point on the ground with a distance and direction to where he buried the water. Leo and his wife and kids were lifesavers for me that day.

I ended up setting up camp in at the base of the Black Buttes in the middle of nowhere. I was happy to get in the tent and catch some rack. I was glad to not have to listen the trains roll over the top of me every 10 minutes. It was quiet and peaceful and a beautiful night. The next day began with me having to make a decision, carry all that weight an extra 30 some odd miles, OR, try to get a ride over the end of the pass that was walled in by mountains with no other way through. I had talked to a couple of my buddies and they told me that I needed to try for the ride, I agreed that they were probably right and decided to stand by the isolated and rarely used off ramp. I was literally in tears that I had to do this, not to mention, embarrassed beyond belief. I ended up standing there for five hours of people driving by acting like I wasn't even there. Its amazing to me that no one would even stop to ask if I was alright. This was in the middle of a very hot day so you would think that someone would stop. I finally saw a truck with a Marines front license plate and did the unthinkable. I ask my Army brothers to forgive me before anything else is written. Okay, I looked at the Marine driving the truck and he looked at me, as we established eye contact, I mouthed the words, "Semper Fi" to him and he immediately pulled over. I told him the truth about me not being a Marine and that I was an Army guy but I appreciated the lift just the same. He took me to recover the rest of the caches and drove me over the remaining portion of the pass. I had him drop me off on the other side and continued on. I ended up going to a rest area off of the freeway, where and was once again surprised by the kindness of some people. I was met by a group of three people who were part of a program that looked after rest areas. They were very helpful to me by letting me charge my cell phone and by bringing me a bag of snacks to take with me. The supervisor was named Uylanda and her team consisted of Malakai and William. All three were very professional and were a big help to not only me, but to all the visitors of the rest area.

As I left there, day turned to night and I walked on the highway to a truck stop, gas station place. I went in and asked if they would care if I sent up a tent in the surrounding property that they owned. The man running it said it would be okay if I went out in the desert area of their property. I also met the owners son that night, he was busy helping out. His name is Johnny and his dad is named Slim. Johnny was very helpful by telling me where the parking lot ran out and the desert started. I went out, set up and got some sleep. The next day began with me getting packed up and moving out and along the way I ran into young Johnny again. Johnny is a very motivated and intelligent ten year old boy who lives in a house on the property. Johnny was very curious about what I was doing and where I was going, so I stopped and talked with him about it. He began with a series of question about my equipment and what each item did. I began to explain to him what everything did and gave him the opportunity to try all items out. He decided that he was coming with me and began to build his own rig and tie his equipment off to his dads fly fishing vest. He found a walking stick and was ready to go. His father explained to him that it was going to have to wait and that he would have to finish school first. We came to an agreement that I would move on solo but return to visit him on my way back. We spent five hours together talking and learning from each other. When it came time to go, Johnny broke my heart as his eyes welled up with tears and made me promise him that I would come back. That is a promise I will keep. By the way, I gave him one of my cards with my phone number before I left and within a 1/2 mile my phone was ringing and it was johnny calling to make sure I was okay. I continued on until darkness and set up for the night, but before I did, Slim and Johnny drove out to bring me dinner and help charge my phone. I appreciated their kindness and was glad to make two new friends. Their pictures will be posted up on the blog. The next day began early near an abandoned store that was probably built 50 years ago. I used the shade of the old porch to refit and repack.

It was a very neat day from start to finish. In the morning as I packed up, I met a group of visitors from Switzerland that were traveling our country in order to photograph trains. Later I met a wonderful couple from near Bullhead City. They were out for a drive and stopped to say hello. They gave me some local knowledge and even gave me a local map. We spoke for a while about numerous things, we had something in common, the military, he was a World War II Veteran. After speaking with them they drove off and I was still figuring how I was going to charge my phone. About 15 minutes later, they returned and offered me their "throw away" phone. I was hesitant but they insisted and I promised to return it in person because they invited me to visit their house when I arrived in Arizona. I was so glad to meet them and they really made my day. I had no time but do plan on visiting on my way back. I also was visited by a local in a golf cart who offered to take my phone and charge it. I accepted his offer and an hour later had two phones. I was also visited by Slims mom, sister and niece. We spoke for a while about Mackenzie and the Bible and church.

It was great meeting them and their help was appreciated beyond anything I could write. After making my way through Needles, I crossed the Colorado River and entered Arizona. It was quite a moment. I stopped at the sign that said welcome to Arizona and took numerous pictures of Kenzies picture and Froggy and the stick and condo. As I stood there basking in the moment with cars blowing past me for the long weekend at the river, a white van pulls up with the Mojave Indian Tribe seal on the door and the couple inside asked me if I wanted a ride. I replied that I didn't know what i was doing and that I was caught up in the moment. They told me to get in, so I did. We drove due north, which was fine by me because it wouldn't effect any of the journey east. They took me to a buffet on the reservation and I was introduced to many of their friends and ate my first real food in days. they were very kind and I will never forget them and look forward to seeing them again.

I ended up in Laughlin Nevada that night and Jeff came out to visit one last time. Buddha also brought his family out the next day and on his way, he picked up one of my best friends that I served with in Iraq. I was so happy to see him and that he would actually come all the way from Georgia to assist me through the desert in Arizona. He will drive a vehicle with water and supplies to allow me to move through faster. I am glad he is here. I wont go into detail about the rest of the evening. We hung out together and spent the holiday weekend as a group of vets reunited.

The next day we picked up another friend of mine who we served with in Iraq, Bryan. Bryan and Kevin and I were inseparable in Germany and picked up where we last left off. Nothing has changed and we all said that it was like we had only been apart for a day. Its amazing that we are all together again and I am honored to have them here for a day or two weeks or whatever it may be. We left the next day and ended up in mountains for the night and we made a fire and set up our tents, ate and talked about all the things we used to do, it was perfect. The next day, which was today, we left again, very early to avoid some of the heat we have been experiencing (107 degrees) but only 102 today. We were making serious progress when we ran across a guy named Tobiah who is also walking across the country. He is dressed as Jesus and carrying a giant cross with wheels on his back. We talked with him for a while and I even walked with him for a while. He is a great person and I wish him the best of luck on his journey. Thank you Mackenzie for bringing all of us back together and for introducing me to all of the new friends we make along the way. I will post all the pictures soon. Thank you for being a part of days 23 through 32.

*Mackenzie loved Pugs, she wanted one but never had the chance to get one.

*Mackenzies favorite food that I made was something we called Meat a mac and the funny part is that Kevin taught me how to make it in Germany.

*Like her dad, Kenz didn't like tomatoes or onions on her food

*Mackenzies favorite band at the time she left us was Paramore. I like em too

*Mackenzie loved the water, she was a fish, like her dad. Once she got in the ocean , pool etc. it was impossible to get her out

*Mackenzies favorite class was Art but she also loved her French class. She planned to use it while studying in France

*When Kenz was a little girl, her favorite thing to eat was peas and carrots, I despised peas and still do

*Mackenzie could text under the table without seeing the phone. It was quite an expensive skill.

*When Mackenzie was little, she fell on the bars on the playground at school. Her foot slipped and she ended up landing on the bar very hard and it ended up slamming her groin area. When I picked her up and the nurse said she was okay. I asked her what happened and she said she had fallen in the splits and landing on the bar and that she had hurt her "jamina" it was sad but funny in the end

*When her dog was being put down, Mackenzie was the only one that would go in while they did it. She kept her hand on Roxie and when Roxie passed, she still had one eye open, watching over Mackenzie. Kenz then, reached over and closed her eye and kissed her and walked out. She was about 12 years old.


Lance's Daily Blog by Lance Frazee
In Loving Memory of Mackenzie Frazee

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

Lance's Blog Photos - Water

Lance's Blog

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org



My only source of shade on this particular day. This was one of the better shade sources to date.

Another view from the front yard, plenty of room for a pool in the backyard, maybe next summer

Lance Frazee

Lance's Blog Pics - Update - The Mojave Desert

Lance's Blog Pics Update - The Mojave Desert, moving along.
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org






More nothingness, but a little early morning shade

A better look at my house on most nights now. Its not much but its better than nothing at all.

This was actually taken around 5:30 am. You can see that there is no escape once the sun comes up

A better look at the kinds of places that I stay at night. Lots of visitors over night in this one. You find that out in the morning when you see the different types of tracks running through your site

This is why it is important to ensure you are hydrated and that you have plenty of water too.

More to Come - Thank You All

Lance Frazee

Lance's Blog Pics - Not a Whole Lot Here

Lance's Blog Photos - Not Much to See Here
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org




Nothing

Lance Frazee

Lance's Blog Photos - Miles of Nothing

Lance's Blog Photos - Miles of Nothing
www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

When I said there was nothing out here, I meant nothing. Trails, roads, it did not matter where.

Lance Frazee

Daily Pics Lance's Blog - Spot & Route 66

Lance's Blog - Pictures Update

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org



Let me introduce you to Spot. He is hard working, but often hardly works. Here is Spot during one of his chow breaks. For a hand held, battery operated, GPS personal tracker, he has a voracious appetite. His favorite....a juice box and a fruit cup.

Thought this was a great looking picture from the road. Route 66 between Newberry Springs and Ludlow, CA.

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

www.lancefrazee.blogspot.com

Daily Photos - Lance's Blog - The Bear Spray Incident and More

Mackenzie's Missing Miles

Lance's Blog Pictures - The Bear Spray Incident, Gus Chiggins, and the ever elusive Chupacabra

Gus Chiggins getting ready to do some prospecting with his donkey pal, Burrito. We spoke briefly and I mentioned that I had already ran across several rattle snakes along the trail so far. He quickly replied with, "Snakes? I'd be more worried about them coyotes if I was you."



There is a funny story behind this picture, well at least that's what everyone else thinks. I wasn't able to see if it was a good picture , so I just aimed the camera in its general direction and took the picture. If you don't know what this is, read the blogs and you will get the picture. I cant even look at this, that red color, was what I wore for two days, by the way, the bottle is empty. I am sure Mackenzie got a big a kick out of this as all of you did. She is the only one who saw it all.

I had to get a picture of Gus Chiggins. If you don't know....you better ask somebody, Awwwww Peaches! Get introduced to Gus Chiggins

The ever elusive Chupacabra, lives in the tunnels under the 15 Fwy, I gave him a taste of his own medicine, I sucked his blood right out of him, he was delicious, tasted nothing like chicken.

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Daily Pictures Week 2 - Lance's Blog - Old Route 66

Mackenzie's Missing Miles

Lance's Blog - Pics from my walk through the desert....and I'm still walking through the desert.


This one is for my mom and dad. I wanted to see some of Route 66 in honor of them and their travels back in the day. Lots of great stories about this historical highway from them.

SERIOUSLY? Side note: I never found it.

A look at an area I definitely was glad to skirt around. Lots of trails out here, easy to get turned around if you are not familiar with the area. Thanks Bart, had fun in your old stomping grounds.

www.mackenziesmissingmiles.org

Daily Pictures Week 1 and 2 - Lance's Blog - On the road

Mackenzie's Missing Miles

Lance's Blog - Daily Photos from Weeks 1 and 2 - On the road through the desert.....


The long way around the Cajon Pass, glad there was a trail and plenty of mountain lion scat to keep me from getting lonely. Enroute to the San Andreas Fault line.

Dried up rocky creekbed, but still a beautiful place. Completely quiet and peaceful up here

Better look at the fault line, glad she was sleeping. Was careful not to disturb her slumber.

Daily Pictures - Week 1 Laguna Beach - Lance's Blog

Mackenzie's Missing Miles

Lance's Blog - Photos from Week 1 - Laguna Beach, CA - My Start Point

Main Beach in downtown Laguna Beach before step off on Day 1

Main Beach Lifeguard Tower, Laguna Beach, CA - The starting point for me and Mackenzie's journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic

Daily Pictures - Mackenzie's Missing Miles

Hello Friends,

This will be the first of many Daily Pictures blog posts. Lance will be periodically posting photos throughout his walk across the country. As I am currently waiting to receive his first batch of pics, I thought I would post a few photos of Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, Summer, and Eden clowning it up at Romeo Cucina's in Laguna Beach.

Lance home on leave with Mackenzie during the Holidays.

Mackenzie watching the sunset in Laguna Beach.

Pics posted by Jeff Spencer

DAY 10 UPDATE

This morning was the ultimate CF disaster. While packing up my ruck this morning , I accidentally threw my e tool on top of my giant can of bear spray, aka pepper spray on steroids, it punctured and blew up. I tried to get it to the bathroom and shut the door , eventually succeeding. I took the brunt of it but the fourth floor was evacuated, and I was left with all my equipment and clothes covered in it. I will blog later with the whole story. My body is on fire and I cant see for shit. I am at a laundry mat trying to remedy my situation.

MAY 6TH 2010 DAY FOUR

I am racing with a battery so this should be interesting. The day began yesterday, if that makes any sense. Spot started tracking when he felt like it, so you couldn't see where the day began. I will tell you this much, in order to make up some time and to make up for lack of progress for everybody and actually to take out some frustration, I threw up just under forty today. Kobbee Bryant don't even do that anymore. Lot of miles, but they really did feel good, well most of them. True story from today, I went into a sporting goods store to get an arm band for my Ipod and the geek manager told me he would not watch the condo and Spot while I shopped. He told me it was against store regulations. He then treated me like I was a vagrant and asked "what is it you want anyways?" I told him and he replied with "I don't believe we have those." He treated me like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman before the makeover. Afterwards my sister Nicolle joined me for lunch and one last visit before I got any further out of my area code. The walk was long and hot, but was surprised by my friend Joe at the end and had dinner and is actually finishing this for me as the battery died on the laptop. All in all, good day. Tomorrow I cross the border of "still want to see you and see you when you get back." The miles and hours should increase.
Thank you for being part of day 4. By the way, Spot is to me what Wilson was to Hanks in Castaway.

*Mackenzie sang a solo when she was about 5 for the Christmas show and sang "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." At the time she REALLY did need need her two front teeth.