Disappeared in"MINI YOSEMITE " The Disappearance of Arvin Walter Nelson in Los Padres NF,California 

A good friend of mine in Nashville had Lyme disease. She was so sick, she lost her job, her house, her memory... everything! She went back to her family in Poland to get proper health care, the US does not have the greatest knowledge of Lyme. Please take good care of yourself and dont apologize or explain, your health and well being comes first!

As a local who is very familiar with the trails in question, I have a few thoughts. I only knew Arvin by sight, but we had many mutual friends and they consider it extremely unlikely that he "staged" his disappearance. As you point out, he appeared happy, was deeply engaged in things of interest to him and had goals that he was working toward. There is also nothing creepy or mysterious about Jack and Dennis English and their cabin. Jack (who made violin bows, not guitars) was a kind of "trail angel" who assisted hikers in Pine Valley for more than 30 years. There are many articles about him that can easily be found online. He was probably 94 at the time of Arvin's visit and was no longer able to hike in and out or live there full time. A helicopter pilot, who was a Vietnam vet and a friend to many of us in the community, flew him in from time to time so he could visit his beloved cabin. This was perfectly legal (in response to an above comment) since he was landing on his own property (an inholding in the Los Padres National Forest). Jack passed on in, I believe, 2016. His son, Dennis, still welcomes hikers when he's at the cabin. It is also extremely unlikely that Arvin was murdered by dope growers. No one runs illegal grows between Pine Valley and Sykes. That's the center of the Ventana Wilderness, and illegal growers don't like to walk that far. There are plenty of hidden places with easier access. Illegal growers also do not, for obvious reasons, harass hikers on popular trails or grow near popular trails. They avoid attention rather than seek it. The trail Arvin was following was one of the most used trails in the Ventana Wilderness. While Arvin was not inexperienced as a backpacker, it's not clear that he had much experience with trails as difficult to follow as those he was about to attempt between the Pine Valley cabin and Sykes Hot Springs. If you read the Ventana Wilderness Alliance trail reports from around the time Arvin went missing, you'll see that there was a problem with people going the way Arvin was going missing an overgrown junction and ending up on the Black Cone Trail instead of the trail down the hill to Sykes. The Black Cone Trail follows a hot, dry ridge for many, many miles and temperatures were high when Arvin disappeared. If he went that way he could easily have run out of water and decided to descend cross-country to find water. This would have been extremely difficult, as the brush was thick and there are many cliffs of crumbling, sliding rock. If he came to grief in a place like that, from heat stroke or sliding off a ledge, you could search until doomsday with little hope of ever finding him. That, I'm afraid, is a far more likely scenario than any of the more conspiratorial ideas that have been floated.

Get well bro. Health first

I am so sorry you had to deal with the horrible disease. You were missed.

It's important that you share your Lyme Disease experience because it is considered 'epidemic' by the CDC and Canadian Dept. of Health as well so many more people, unfortunately, will contract Lyme and other tick-borne illness as a price for enjoying the beauty of Nature. Follow precautions, people! And get better, Bryan!

I am very sorry about your sickness. I sure miss you. You shouldn't feel bad about the time you can't get a video out. You are an amazing person.

Definitely missed you

The only thing you need to worry about is getting better! Your supporters aren't going anywhere; we're rooting for you!

thank you.

Bless you. I live in central NC. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, took 2 rounds of antibiotics to cure it. Please be aware the marker for Lyme stays in your blood and will show up in future blood work. I had balance issues, pain and fever. The balance problems caused me the most issues. I lost my balance on a porch and fell @6ft. Injured my back, which still hurts to this day. Have had injections, PT, etc, only marginal helps.

As someone with a chronic pain condition, I know the stress that pain and lack of sleep can cause. (it's one big cycle of torture!) Neuropathy is a heinous b*tch, so my heart goes out to you. Glad to see you back... and hope you get some relief.

God bless you bro

I've had chronic lyme since 04 and it has turned my life upside down. I am crippled up with widespread arthritis. I've experienced insane neurological disfunction, cardiac symptoms, joint pain everywhere. It is no joke. They could never catch it in the tests but thankfully I had pictures of the bullseye ring, red n purple around where the tick had been behind my knee, on my phone I saved. That is what I found first. Not even the tick. I blew it off as I was working landscaping at the time then over time I could barely get out of bed. Felt so sick and it wouldn't go away. So after several years passed I went in. I showed my dr the pictures. But I was already chronic. I feel for you man. I never got the full diagnosis but I knew what it was. At that time Dr's were very reluctant to diagnose Lyme without a positive test. I hope it's gotten better. I've sadly just had to learn to live with it. Hang in there

Just glad that you are alive and (somewhat) well. Peace.

Hope you feeling better soon Bryan . Happy 🐰🥚🧺Easter

I am very sorry about it, I hope you on the mend. Greetings from Panama city, Panama.

Paz y amor. Tend to yourself young man.

Sorry to hear your sickness, 10 days in the hospital is a long time. So happy you’re feeling better, take care of you.

Yay! welcome back Bryan!! Praying for your complete healing! So great to see you’re back on your game again, thanks again for your caring videos.

I understand, live with pain and it can be difficult. I truly hope you feel better. Prayers and thoughts go out to you. Wishing you all the best.

thank you from nashville tn. prayers and blessings. Jill for JESUS....

I contracted Lymes when I was 12, in 1997. It took months of visits to different doctors and specialists for any of them to figure out what was wrong with me. I ended up having to have knee surgery because a bunch of my cartilage was basically dissolving. My knee had swollen up and you could push my kneecap way out of alignment like it was barely connected to anything, and it was very difficult to bend my knee beyond a few degrees. It also caused a lot of psychiatric symptoms as well. Panic attacks, severe depression, anxiety that grew into obsessive compulsive disorder, great difficulty sleeping, etc. It was an absolutely awful thing to experience during puberty. I hope you get the full treatment you need to get everything back on track.

Very happy to hear from you Bryan. It's sad to know that Lyme disease makes you suffer like this. A tiny insect that can cause so much damage :( Take good care of yourself

I'm sad to learn about Arvin. Big Sur River Inn was a big part of my life. The last time I had breakfast there, Arvin was at the breakfast bar and he was super friendly. He also played the blues harp and was always open to jamming with guitar players. That's probably why he knocked on the cabin. The random cabin people seems suspicious to me. I hope this mystery gets solved in the future. Prayers for your health, Bryan! Be good to yourself.

I know of someone who ended up flying to Germany for a radical and expensive treatment for Lyme's. Fortunately it worked but I sincerely hope you get better without resorting to extremes. It's an evil illness,I know what fatigue and pain can do but Lyme disease is next level suffering. Don't overdo it, wishing you well.

Bryan, it’s clear that everyone here cares about you, misses you, wishes you health and appreciates the videos you make about those who are missing. Me too!

No apologies needed. Glad you are feeling better 😉

I contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from the Deer Ticks here in Arkansas. It has hung on as well even after many rounds of doxy. Also it triggered Rheumatoid Arthritis. I understand completely. 🙏

I contracted lyme disease in Connecticut. Luckily, I caught it right away & took a course of doxycycline which seemed to do the trick. I am lucky to have caught it right away. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Yeah! Love your stuff! Happy Easter 🐰🐣🐰!!!

Get well asap Bryan, hope you feel better real soon!!🥰

Oh gosh. I didn't know you had Lyme disease. I hope you recover. I'm so sorry to hear that. Hope you get some rest.

Hi Bryan, I’m so sorry you’ve been in the hospital for such a long time. I hope you get better from the damn Lyme disease quickly and are back to good health very soon. Sincerely, Adrienne M.

Do not apologize! I too have long term Lyme disease . It ruined my life for 12 yrs! My tick was a nymph. Getting diagnosed and treatment is criminal in this country. God bless and wishing for you a healthy happy future! It’s a struggle!

I’m glad you’re back and feeling better Bryan! Years ago, I had a friend that had Lyme disease. She was also hospitalized, although not as long as you were. When she was discharged, she still had a port with an IV bag. I believe there was antibiotics in her bags. She had those for a couple of months. She had a backpack that she put the IV bag in while she was out in public. I was hospitalized for 16 days years ago. I have systemic Lupus which almost took my life, so I know how being hospitalized for a long period of time can impact your life. Thank god for the wonderful nursing staff!

Dude, I'm very sorry to hear about your medical troubles. Take care of yourself, man. You never, ever have to apologize for taking care of yourself. You don't owe anybody anything in terms of putting out videos. Put them out when you feel up to it and don't when you don't.

My ❤goes out to you Bryan! My sister & her husband have Lyme disease. They had some success going to an Amish doctor. I hope you recover soon and that your Lyme goes in remission. Sending healing prayers. Take care...

If there’s anyone in the comments making you feel any type of way about not uploading ignore them dude. You’re all good

Many of us have been concerned about you. So glad you are back and that you got the treatment you needed in the hospital. Lyme disease is so challenging, and I hope you have better health going forward.

I backpacked a few times on the edges of the Ventana Wilderness back in the mid 1970s. My family once owned a cabin there, which is still a designated wilderness camp, although the cabin itself was quite derelict before it was destroyed in one of the many fires. My father and uncle sold the property to the Forest Service in the 1950s, as it was completely surrounded by designated wilderness and their father had given keys to a lot of his cronies. If someone started a fire on the property that spread to the wilderness, they would have been held liable for the damage.

Been missing you! Went to your Community Page ... I'm so sorry about the Lyme Disease! My husband is a tick magnet and has been diagnosed with Lyme twice. May you have a complete recovery!

Prayers for you Bryon God bless you and you don't have to apologize for being sick. Love your epic episodes keep up the amazing work.

Take care of yourself first. You can see from these comments that people enjoy your content but we don't expect you to put them before everything else. Hope you feel better soon!

Bryan, no apologies needed. My mom had Lyme disease and I know what it can do to you. Take care of yourself…praying for you. 🙏❤️

Brian I can't tell you how relieved I am as I'm sure all of us are to hear from you. I for one have been so worried. I'm very sorry you've been unwell and hoping you're improving. Thank you so much for all you do and glad to see you back.

Meets a couple of random guys in an isolated cabin in the woods and is never seen again ? Now I'm not Sherlock Holmes but ?? Hope you are doing well Bryan !! You are one of the very few missing people channels that doesn't get wrapped up in all the conspiracy aspects , while still keeping an open mind !

So sorry you have chronic lyme. I have chronic me/cfs/long covid. Try to learn to not feel guilty about getting the rest you need. It's critical to your recovery - spending more energy than you have will make the condition worse. Best wishes, we can wait!

God bless you Bryan and also Happy Easter to you. Hope you get better soon.🐣

So sorry for your complicated case of Lymes Disease. Cheering for you to get well soon!

No apologies needed Bryan! I pray for your healing. 🙏 and thk you for presenting another event.

My Father-in-law had Lyme Disease. He was lucky to have it picked up quickly! He had dreadful headaches and was so disoriented that he was walking into walls ! Dreadful disease! No apologies necessary, I was wondering where you were! Great to see you back where you belong! 😊

The guitar makers had enough money to have a helicopter pick them up?🤔🤔🤔

Sorry you caught Lyme Disease, praying you are healed. I have lived in VA and N. Carolina and the ticks are terrible there. We had a friend who developed a severe allergy to red meat due to a tick bite. He would actually go into anaphylactic shock if he ate beef and this is becoming more prevalent. It's called Alpha-gal syndrome.

Bless your heart. I have a disease that is much like LD. I truly understand your pain. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Feel better soon. ❤

My aunt lives east coast. She contracted Lyme disease. I’m in Utah, but used to travel cross country with my dogs. It was always in the east they got ticks. So sorry you got this. But, you got this! Get well. Be well. Sending all kinds of positive energy and love your way!! ❤

I am happy to hear you are out of the hospital, i cant imagine spending 10 days in a hospital. Lyme disease is no joke and the chronic pain that goes with it is enough to make you want to cry. Sending you prayers in hopes that are feeling better.

Sorry to hear about your illness Bryan. It is sad that something as innocent as a hike in nature can leave people susceptible to this disease.

So so sorry that you are suffering from Lyme disease. Glad to hear an upload from you! Sending all the positive vibes for your health and wellness!!

No need to apologise dude always sweet to see you upload a video

Glad you are doing better ❤

Oh you poor thing! I hope you are feeling much better ❤

Sending lots of Prayers and Hugs 🙏 You just take care of yourself and get to feeling better.

I'm grateful for whatever you post, take care of yourself 😊😊😊

Glad you’re back. Sorry for your sickness.

It is good to have you back. Stay on-top of the Lyme disease to stay healthy.

Hey guy, get better! I wish you health and healing.

Glad to hear your doing better.

Get better soon, my prayers

I’m so sorry about your Lyme disease.. I have been worried about you knowing there were no new videos Take care of yourself! I’ve really missed hearing you I’ve watched your old videos to help me got to sleep at night I pray God heals you and you’ll be in my Prayers 🙏 Happy Easter 🙏

We have also this awful disease in France. A Friend of mine has it. Very painful. So sorry for you, Take care💜

Bryan, I am so glad you are back! I really missed you. So sorry you had Lyme disease and ended up in the hospital. Hope you feel better very soon!!

I was wondering about you the other day. I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick. I hate the ticks we have to deal with here in Virginia. My aunt, who was in her 90’s and lived in PA became very sick. For over a year the doctors couldn’t figure out what was going on. Finally they determined that she had Lyme’s, but it took so long for it to be diagnosed that she died. I’m glad you got a quick diagnosis. Take care of yourself.

Lyme's can be a major bummer, sorry to hear you're having to deal with it.

Praying for a full recovery! Do take care of yourself. We’ll be here when you get back! Self-care is not selfish!

God bless you Bryan!

Welcome Back, Bryan! 🎉

Glad your feeling better ! Missed you

glad to hear you're back Brian, I was wondering why you didn't post a video. Hopefully everything works out for you, I know lyme is serious. Now, as far as the very last case. I get it because I play guitar and have for many years making guitars in that area, stationing yourself around the supply of wood, understood. I would get a forensic team inside that cabin, cross that off the list and then there's really a mystery. He stayed in the cabin alone after Jack and his son left apparently, that's why not accusing the guitar luthier.. but murderers seem to have been the most unlikely people that you would ever suspect. They are very charismatic, they are very likable. Their chameleons

Be Well Brian 🙏

So happy you're back and doing better.

Glad to hear your on the mend. Stay safe.

So glad you are back!

Thanks...you don't need to apologize for being sick..your only able to do what you can..sorry about your diagnosis...continue to take care of yourself.

We missed you and are glad you are back! Sorry, you weren't feeling well!

I'm glad you are okay. A good friend of mine has Lyme disease as well, and it is a very rough condition to have. I hope you continue to improve and feel better. All the best to you.

I hope your feeling better when you mentioned not sleeping I know that feeling it’s awful from pain so I’m saying prayers your way👍🙏🌻thanks for your great content also I find your voice very soothing it’s very caring towards these missing people great job🙌🌸🌸🌻

I’m sorry to hear that Bryan. You health is more important than a video. Take care of yourself!!

I think the guitar makers finished him off , I don’t know, something odd took place around that time. I think Alvin should have never went alone, without a good firearm, and without good shoes on his feet, flip flops?? A lot in this story is not adding up. 🤔

I had the Lyme's Dermatitis and was on the antibiotics. As far as I know I have no other symptoms. I have been bitten by ticks since then but so far I am fine. Take care of yourself, hope you are better soon

So sorry you got sick most important is your health thank you for all you do it's a wonderful thing you are doing ❤️

Hope you get better soon Bryan. Thanks for thee videos as always and no need to apologise for anything. We understand 🥰

❤ Oh Bryan Bless Your Heart! Love and Support Always!

So sorry you've been so ill, glad you're back as your voice is very soothing to hear, as to what may have happened to Arvin, we only know what the father & son guitar makers told us, which I think is completely false, Arvin's on a hike not a cabin stay with strangers, then to let him stay while they were gone? If I was on a hike walk past a cabin hearing guitar singing I'd just keep on walking, cases like this is when water boarding should be legal! Hope you continue to gain strength and get well soon!

Sorry to hear about your illness, nice to have you back up and working, I never had lyme disease but I know a few outdoors men that had it and said its not fun.

So glad you are well! MAY GOD BLESS YOU BRIAN!

Bryan, don't apologize for being out. Lyme disease is one of the sneakiest of illnesses,

I'm glad you're feeling better, and I'm sending prayers for you to continue to heal.

Sorry about your poor health take care. Best Wishes

Thanks for the warning about Lyme disease. We were arca deer park yesterday as on alert

Hope you get well soon❤🙏🙋‍♀