BOGUS

I don't usually post so quickly after my last... but I've got something to share with you all. Recently on my blog you'll notice I have placed my 2 sponsors names, complete with link to their websites, on the left side of my blog. These folks are great and I appreciate their support. However, as I'll explain later in this post.. their partnership goes above and beyond what a typical sponsorship does.

At any rate, I recieved an e-mail yesterday from my sponsor at Peak Adventures. He wrote:

"John, Who doesn't like you? We recieved a letter in the mail today stating that we should re-think sponsoring you. They mention "questionable activities" in the past where you stole fund money from the ADA." I'm not even associated with the ADA anymore!

Pretty good stuff huh? So I called Joe and asked him about the letter. There was no return address on the envelope and the letter wasn't even signed. Completely anonymous..... or a better word is GUTLESS.

So then I called up Crawford Notch General Store and Campground and asked them if they had also recieved a letter as of yet. They hadn't but assured me they knew what "file to put it in."

Some of you folks have questioned why I took the time to write a 4 part series about my adventure in fundraising for the ADA. THIS is exactly why... because 2 years after I made an honest, non-malicious mistake... some gutless punk is continuing to take it upon himself to spread the word that I'm some kind of thief. They continue to tell others in person that I'm a thief... it's gotten to the point of being beyond ridiculous. Whoever you are, (and I will find out), you have WAY too much time on your hands. Imagine if you just took your negative energy and put it somewhere else for a change.. perhaps why don;t you show ME how its done. I challenge YOU, Mr Sherpa John Stalker, to raise some money of your own. Go ahead... see how "easy" it is... and while you are at it.. show me how its really done. But writing anonymous letters?! Seriously... you're in your 30's writing letters in studyhall and passing it along so teacher doesn't see it. GET A LIFE!

About my sponsors:
Peak Adventures: Peak intends to become the premier provider of Adventure sport, travel and entertainment experiences to business executives and adventure seekers worldwide. Peak is run by my good friend Joe Desena. Joe is a very successful semi-retired businessman living in Pittsfield, VT. Joe and I ran in the 2006 Vermont 50 Miler side by side the entire way. I am also a volunteer for Joe. I've worked with him and our good friend Andy Weinberg extensively on creating the Pittsfield Racing series. With Joe in tow I designed the Pittsfield Snowshoe course. Together we marked the Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge course. I've stayed in his home and this past 4th of July... he gave me the honor of climbing to the top of his mountain and being the grand marshall of his 4th of July fireworks Display. Joe and his wife courtney are like family to me. Sending a written letter to him has done nothing but pissed him off at Mr. Gutless Stalker...

Crawford Notch General Store and Campground: A family owned and operated campground nestled in the heart of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I've been camping here since I was 10 years old with my dad and later Sarah. We've spent MANY weekend here as it acts as my training "base camp." I've also enjoyed a few spring vacations working for Marvin at the campground helping him do spring cleaning to ready the campground for the years guests. I've also stayed in their home and have broken bread with them on many ocassions. We're not "like family" with these folks... We ARE family.

I called the campground and asked them if they recieved a letter like Joe did. They told me they hadn't but knew "what file to put it in."

I'm not angry about all of this.. I think its actually quite comical that someone would take the time out of their day to write a letter that has done nothing but given myself and my sponsors a reason to laugh. And I'm glad I've got a reason to explain to the others who visit my site, why exactly I took the time to write about my fundraising for the ADA. Why?? Because a small group of gutless jerks are still taking the time to drag it through the mud and lie to you all.

Now... I spent yesterday at the beach and today Sarah and I are going to Watercountry. Tomorrow we hike and the race taper continues. Life is so good, relaxing and fun. I love it.