SierraBum - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2013

How long is a step?

Have you ever read Miguel de Cervantes´ Don Quijote de la Mancha? It is in my opinion, a timeless novel, one of an old man that goes mad reading story after story of knight errantry and sets out to rid the world of evil, save damsels in distress, and help the poor. Some claim it´s the first modern novel of our times, others see it as the perfect anachronistic social critique of our present. I go back to Cervantes every now and again to get clarity on things.

As Antonio Machado once reflected on the quixotic spirit,I conjure his thoughts once again: ¨Algún día habrá que retar a los leones con armas totalmentes inadequadas para luchar con ellos. Y hará falta un loco que intente esa aventura. Un loco ejemplar.¨

Translation:

One day, there will be a need to challenge lions with unsuitable arms in the struggle against them. It will be up to a madman to attempt this adventure. An exemplary madman.

Querido Juan Bates, this song I will bring with me

Old Man's Song (Don Quixote)

(Bill Caddick and John Tams)

If they ask you where the old man's gone

You may say you saw me leaving

If they ask you did I crawl

You may say that I was riding

If they ask you was I bent with care

Or did I hang my head in sorrow

You may say that I rode tall

Looking forward to tomorrow

All you have for me is questions

Living in the past they say

Why should I have all the answers

Let me make my way

If they ask you did I travel light

With no provisions close besides me

Say my saddlebags were filled

With all the dreams I need to guide me

If they laugh and say he's lost his mind,

Did they ever stop to wonder

Just what the fool would hope to find

On the road that leads to yonder

If they ask you where the old man's gone

You may say you saw me leaving

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