These are the Chronicles of Famous Surf Writer Ben Marcus and his trip into the Wilds of the Alaskan Frontier.
Latest Update: October 7, 2000

11:22 ALASKA TIME ROOM 3 AT THE DRIFTWOOD INN

I'm in my room at the Driftwood Inn, finishing up some work before the game starts at noon.

This morning I received a nice e-mail from Jay Reale, a pro bodyboarder who has been reading my stuff.

Here it is, with my responses in ALL CAPS.

In a message dated 10/7/00 10:04:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time, unreale@aol.com writes:

<< I'm sure you don't want to waste your 6 cents/minute surcharge using AOL's 800 number reading the praises of a pro bodyboarder and fellow journalist like me, so I'll make it quick.

JAY REALE? THE REAL DON STEELE?

ONE SIDE-EFFECT OF HAVING WORKED FOR SURFER MAGAZINE FOR SO LONG IS HAVING ROCKIN' FIG'S NASAL CLICHES STUCK IN YOUR HEAD FOREVER.

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU THINK HE SAID THAT: "THE REAL DON STEELE?"

YUCK.

You kept me up until 2:30am reading every one of your installments.

YOU READ ALL OF THEM?

YOU'RE A MAD-MAN. BUT SO AM I.

SOME WERE BETTER THAN OTHERS.

My eyes are sore and square. I may quit my job and follow your footsteps.

WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. IT'S GETTING COLD UP HERE.

Like you said...hey, it's only money! Please, keep it coming! Living vicariously through you helps being chained to my desk more bearable!

OKAY, I'LL KEEP IT COMING.

ANYWAY, I'M GLAD I'M INSPIRING SOMEONE.

LIFE ON THE ROAD ISN'T ALL FUN AND GAMES AND EXCITEMENT, BUT AS YOU GET OLDER YOU FIND THE REPETITION OF A DESK JOB INTOLERABLE. EVEN A JOB AS GOOD AS SURFER.

I'D RATHER DRIVE OFF A CLIFF IN ALASKA THEN GO BACK AND FORTH TO A JOB EVERY DAY.

AND I'VE COME CLOSE TO A COUPLE OF CLIFFS. OR GNARLY DITCHES, ANYWAY.

THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT.

HERE'S THE LATEST INSTALLMENT.

I'm in my room watching Notre Dame versus Stanford, getting work done before Game Three of Mets versus Giants at noon.

I also brought the Dictaphone out of the van. I'm going to thaw it out and finish the Jeff Clark interview today, after the game. Honest.

That's about it. I'm going to download my photos from yesterday and send this off.

No fishing today, probably. The best tides are in the middle of the Giants game, and you know where my priorities lie: A one-time baseball game, or a lifelong pursuit fulfilled?

Go Giants.

Hope all is well.