November 10, 2025
Day 1 on my hiking journey. I made it to Vegas yesterday and enjoyed the town. I dropped some cash on football and lost it all. Basketball was another story, and I won most of it back. Also, I went and saw a Vegas show. The Empire Strips Back and it was awesome. I spent some time at the Mob Museum and really enjoyed that as well. Tonight, I’m sleeping in a tent. But the good news is I have my own tent. Hell Yea! I ate a few bites from a dehydrated meal today as well. I’m not that hungry yet so it was that bad. Honestly it tasted like shit. I’ll probably end up eating ramen tomorrow and beef jerkey. That’s my style. The drive here was beautiful. And I loved looking at the rock formations. Some of these people will probably get on my nerves over the next few days but oh well. Don’t know about all this sharing of my feelings though. Not used to that stuff. Lets see what this journey holds. It’s hard to now turn on my cell phone even though I have service. I miss home already. Both my kids and wife. Dealing with everything the last few months has put a lot of stress on me. Don’t know if this trip will help or not. But I’m willing to give it a try. Going to read my book for a bit, then try my best to get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow ill have more to write about and to discuss.
The first day wasn’t so bad. It was good actually. Now at night there are no electronics or anything to do. I didn’t have to share a tent with anyone which is great but it also puts me here by myself. Which I’m good with. Everyone is cool but everyone is mostly the sterotypicall people I thought I would cross paths with on this journey. Everyday will be a challenge for me but its also one day closer to home. Sleeping on the ground will take some time but I think I have enough padding to make it liveable for five days anyway. I think my socks stink. Tomorrow morning I’ll get new fresh socks. And I’ll keep a fresh pair to sleep in as well. It’s cold outside right now. If you didn’t bring cold weather gear this journey will be tough at night. I’ll survive no matter what. Just changed my socks and I already feel like a brand new man. Don’t know what I want to get out of this but I hope its something good. It was cool hearing that the guys leading this are friends with people who are in the show Alone. Cant wait to go home and say that I did something like that. Not really.
November 11, 2025
This shit sucks! Fuck this I want to go home. Not a fan, Hard fucking work!!! My pack weights 60+lbs and is the heaviest thing ever!!! Fuck this! I want to quit. My whole body hurts. It’s the packing that got me. The sights were fucking beautiful. This trip need to be twice as long due to the hike. A long conversation needs to be had with all participants. But other than that I apologize for bitching. Great organization and the thoughts that past thourough my head were amazing. Breaking you down really humbles you. Plus hearing that everyone is struggling. Tonights talk was amazing. Opened my mind up to everything people go though. Shit just like me. We all struggle in different ways. I’m thinking about my wife right now, thinking about everything we’ve been going through. Everything from me being an asshold to me feeling like I just want to throw in the towel all the time. I’ve wanted out for a minute now, but maybe its me being selfish. Maybe it would get better if I spoke up more. Honestly I just want to say I love you and I;m not always right. But being away, doing this hard core shit makes me want to work on us and me. Not so hard core. But also it make me want to work on us. This program would be good for anyone, find a easier one and you might not break so easy. Maybe its hard for that reason to break you down. To see what you really want. I love that about this trip. I know what I want. My family. I wish I could call right now. Ill call for a helicopter and be in my bed in a minute. Wont complain about that (evacuation – cant read my own hand writing here.) I love my wife, Love Georgia (I wrote Tara but I was out of it already) & Dalton and I have a love hate relationship with this walk right now. Happy Veterans Day. I missed talking to Koch, Wilson, and Willoughby. All my other brothers I served with. Happy Veterans Day to all veterans in the world. Cant wait to see the Veterans Day posts on Facebook and Instagram and everywhere else in the world. Vega is one of the guys on this quest. Stand up!!! This dude here is stand up. Lives just north of me and I think hes pretty cool, picked up my ruck and carried it. He saw I was struggling and took it and carried the load. Saved me, I was literally done and he carried the load. Vega from Street Fighter??? Hes a great guy. Name I can remember, Joe, Vega, Andi, Jessica, and Tex. Ill get them all tomorrow. It’s tough rembering the names. Oh yea, I bought a lot of junk food but took some of the suff they gave me and left it. Ill survive!!! 6 miles to go tomorrow at a 45 minute mile pace. If we leave at 9AM, should get there in 4 ½ hours. I hope we are able to stop some, Ill need it. Took my Tylenol already and I’m going to read a few pages and crash, I love my wife, daughter, son, mom and bubby, and my dad. All my family and friends. Everyone.
November 12, 2025
Today was tough. Not near as bas as yesterday but still tough. We were scheduled for 6.2 miles ans some people say we (went) 6.7. So it was a hike going. Back is going to test my limits. For 2 days we’ve walked down, but tomorrow we will go see what we came for Rainbow Bridge. If the boat is there I want to take it back home. Probably wont, but I want to call this quits. Hiking ain’t for me. Fuck This. I miss my home and my wife and kids. Ben was right – I need to open it up. Tell my wife my issues. Big and small. Loved my talks today. Talking with Andi is really good. That lady is great to talk to. Every ones stories have hit home. Beyond the hard core hiking, the benefit of this is from everyone telling their stories. I think that is really beneficial. I need a massage & a bed. When I get home I’m going to sleep for 2 days. Been wearing the same clothes for 2 days and my shirt is starting to stink quite a bit, going to keep wearing it because why not. I brought way too much shit – everything. Tomorrow I will offer snacks to everyone. Survived today on Jerkey, PB&J tortilla wraps, and water & kool aid. This hike –
11/13/2025 November 13, 2025
We made it here. Its absolutely beautiful. My mind and body have been tested over the last few days. Seeing this religious site is breathtaking. We were allowed to walk under it which signifies a new journey and letting the warrior go. It feels so good right here the sun is blocked perfectly by the rainbow bridge. The canyons are so tall & absolutely beautiful. Knowing that great warriors from another time walked through those arches is absolutely magnificient. It’s quiet, its peaceful. When we started this journey a Navajo named Hank blessed our journey, he knew what hardships we were about to face and wished us well and safe travels on the way. He threw something down on the trail (charcoal or ash) or something. And not too long into the journey a black raven or crow has been following us. It followed us here today. It’s Hank’s spirit keeping an eye on us as we endure this journey. This trip is halfway over but we still have many miles to go. Up and around many tall passes and through some rocky tough terrain. I’m hoping to have the strength & determination to finish this journey. Its been tough so far and today is by far the easiest day here. But I’m going to make it and get back home. Sunday!!!!
Picture I drew of Rainbow Bridge as I sat there and marveled at it.
(It's probably better you don't see it. My drawing is horrible. Won't let me paste it on here.)
Let’s finish the game.
Today was a great day. Connecting with everyone was awesome. Going to Rainbow Bridge was awesome. Not too many people can say they’ve seen it in person and even fewer can say they hiked 15 miles to see it. The food is getting more tolerable and I’m sure I’m going to make it out of here. Cant wait to get home and see my family. 2 more nights in the bush or desert. Tomorrow will be tough on me. The journey will be tough. But I’ll get it finished. Looking up at the stars tonight was great. I think I know everyones names now, Vega, Tex, Andi, Peter, Joe, Keinsha (not spelled right), Jessica, Endid (Don't think this is right either), Ben, Todd, & Dale!!! All are awesome people and have seen the world. All of their experiences are amazing & I’m proud to be on this journey with them. I miss my friend Foogie, thought about him today as I was walking back from Rainbow Bridge. Going to make it! Special thanks to Andi & Peter for today. Joe is a cool guy as well. Till tomorrow. Cant wait to see what I feel tomorrow as I’m making that crazy journey back to Spot #1. No matter what tomorrow will suck but I’m going to push through it! Till tomorrow good night & God Bless. Tara, Dalton, & Georgia I love you very much, miss yall & cant wait to be home.
November 14, 2025
It’s my last day here and I’m ready to head back home. Can’t wait to hear how Georgia’s cheer contest went as well as Dalton’s pledge on Veterans Day. I missed it but even though I was not there with them I was there in spirit. I’m always with them in spirit. Today’s hike wasn’t too bad. Maybe I’m getting better at this hiking stuff or maybe I’m adjusting to a new routine. I do like it here now and enjoyed myself today. Even hopped in the super cold spring today. The sights were amazing. Absolutely the prettiest sites these eyes have ever seen other than my family. I’ll miss the beauty of the (cant read my writing). I won’t miss the grueling walks though. Tomorrow will be the toughest test yet. We will leave here and walk 6.7 miles back to life. Cant wait to call home and talk with my wife & kids & mom & family & friends. This trip has been extremely hard on my body but worth it, more than worth it for my mind. Earth, Water, Air, & Fire. This is what Hank talked about. Can’t wait to pick up that sand as I cross the trail head and let it run through my hands. To feel the course rocks and sand that has made this trip exceptional. That’s a big word. Everyone has been great. I want to thank Andi, Peter, and Joe for being our guides. All of yall are great and thank you for taking me on this journey. And to the Veterans in Wild Organization; Wow, can’t say enough good things about this trip. Tomorrow will be hard but I cant wait to stop at the gas station and get a Dr. Pepper and a Bag of Cheetos. Tomorrow night I will write in my journal on a table. The grind is real. One day left and its going to be the toughest one yet. Let’s finish strong!
Saturday November 15, 2025 9:41pm
We made it bac. Wow, what a amazing trip. It was definitely a once in a life time trip for me. Loved the beauty, hard effort, and struggles internally and externally. Over the last 5-6 days I’ve been able to work on myself mentally & physically. None of it was easy. But it was all worth it. Over the last five days, I struggled physically & mentally. It was tough but as the days went on my ruck go lighter and I continued to push myself. It was awesome. Highly recommend this trip for any and all vets that want to look in their selves and come out stronger. No showers or any modern convivences for the trip was tough, but getting back today made me appreciate everything I have, my wife, kids & family. I love you all and cant wait to se you tomorrow night. That burger tonight was awesome. I hated the food and will not eat jerky for a long time and I’ll never eat dehydrated food again. Thank you to Peter, Andi, Joe, and Veterans in the Wild for this amazing opportunity. Another thing I’m proud of this group of veterans that rolled with me on this expedition. Tex, Vega, Ben, Dale, Todd, Kennishah, Jessica, Enid (Spelled them both right this time). Yall are all rock stars. I loved getting to know you all. I loved hearing your stories and chatting with you all on the trail. I hope everyone of you finds peace in the world and knows that you are all great people and you all have a place in my heart. Thank you for walking over 30 miles with me. You know the saying “you don’t know where someone is coming from if you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes.” Well we walked 30 miles up and down moutains, through narrow valleys, back and forth across creeks, in sand, on rocks big and small, and to Rainbow Bridge and back while learning about each other and leaning on them during one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’ve never walked a mile in your shoes but I’ve walked 30 miles beside you learning about you. If there is anything I can ever do for any of you please pick up the phone. To my family I’ll be home tomorrow.
Dustin Carter
Cairn and Crows