If 2006 was the year of breaking free and letting go, than 2007 seems to be about patiently noticing each moment. Surely, Outward Bound will provide ample time for me to think, to take in, and to be radically amazed.

In a few days, I am off to the California wilderness for two months of backpacking, rock climbing and instructor training. My home will be the 65 pounds on my back, surrounded by the endless sprawl of Joshua Tree National Park. It will look something like this:




So what will I be doing? To quote from the my oodles of paperwork:

"A typical day involves rising with the sun, making breakfast, packing up camp, hitting the trails or rocks. You will hike or climb all day - taking breaks for food, to rest, or to enjoy a view - but generally covering lots of territory. After dinner, you may meet to address the next day's plans or to discuss leadership or teamwork methods."

After more than two months of training (8 minute abs anyone?), I am as ready as I can be, although alums warn me that no matter what: the course will be the toughest experience of my life. For 8 weeks, I will be well beyond the reaches of technology. Our group of 10 will be my friends, my family, my world.

While always beautiful, at times the road will be lonely and the tasks seemingly impossible. I ask for your support - if I cross your mind in the next two months, send me strength, for I may need it. I can receive mail from time to time and I can only imagine how much joy a letter from afar will bring me...

The address:

Rachel Olstein Course #JJI770
C/O Outward Bound Wilderness
P.O. Box 967
29 Palms, CA 92277
USA

--> A final request. . . my hard drive crashed about a month ago and the data is completely irretrievable - gone are my pictures, all my music, my grad school essays, and hundreds of journal entries. While most of it is irreplaceable, and I have come to terms with this... I would appreciate it enormously if you have music or any pictures of times we've shared, would you send them to me?