What I look like today...

Okay, so the photo was actually taken over 40 years ago. But after Sunday night's ritual, this is real close. Ritual hair cutting. My mom keeps calling me her "bald baby" again.

Writing related questions...

First, does anyone have an idea of how long it would take a seasoned hiker to cross something like the Sierra's in a time before roads or other modern conveniences? Say how long to walk from where Sacramento is now to where Reno is, say five hundred years ago?

Second, any cunning linguists out there? Truly, I have asked a couple friends for help, but am wanting multiple spellings on some names I struggle to pronounce, let alone spell. The first six come from three different language groups, with a fourth set to come. Though not of our world, they do have their parallels. If you would be willing to listen to me try to pronounce them and then write down best spellings, that would help. Thanks Bat and Maragaret for help so far in this one.