To The Top

"There ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you"

Written by Ashford and Simpson

Sorry about the delay after a brief weekend trip to Vegas the old battery in the Maxima spazzed out, causing the security system to freeze the car including making the trunk unopenable, and the trunk had the laptop in it.

Lets start with the best or most exciting thing to report. Monday morning I scaled the entire mountain. All 4.5 miles including the ridiculous incline of the last mile now have my footprints on them. I got my picture taken by the famous stop sign. I really think the people that work at the ridge were happier for me than I was for myself but it was a major accomplishment from where I started 6 weeks ago. They really should put my picture up about halfway up the mountain with a sign that says this slob made it to the top you'll be really embarrased if you don't make it. I really need to give a special shout out to Al from Asheville, NC who jumped out of the van to coerce, encourage and basically will me the last mile. She was alot of help to man who needed it.

A quick Vegas wrap-up. I spent friday night in the Venetian Sportsbook with about ten guys from Wisconsin including my good friend Alex. We watched the Wisconsin-Davidson game and while there were some very disappointed badger fans there was one really tan guy in the group, the only one not drinking, who was happy to cash his bet on Davidson. I also got to spend some time with my good friend Bobby who was in from London. Bobby was also the first person to see me since the trip to Utah that was more impressed with the weight loss then the tan I am sporting. It made me feel good cause I could have gotten a really good tan sitting on a cruise ship for less money and alot less work.

This week is another big week at Fitness Ridge. They are really starting to push the limits of the current facilities. It's not going to get any better with the surge in popularity generated by the plug on Biggest Loser, but hopefully they realize that you can only put so many people in the pool or weight room at one time. Also unique this week is the number of new campers. We only had six out of this weeks group of 38 stay over from last week.

I really am ready to go home, see my wife, see my dogs. It has been over seven weeks since I left Madison and I am ready to take all of I have learned and achieved here and apply it to life. It is going to be very hard to say goodbye to all the people who have been so supportive of my efforts here but all I can do is hope to make them proud. I need some volleyball players if you live near Madison, the season starts next week. Hope all is well Peace, Jim