Wed. Aug 2^nd : I took the day writing, stretching and reading. At lunch Brenda took me out to lunch to meet a friend of hers. For dinner I made a stir-fry with the girls helping me rinse vegetables, cutting and measuring.

 

Thur Aug 3^rd : Gabriel drove me to Syracuse to speak to the Rotary. The sheriff gave me his contact info and had me promise him that I would contact him when I came thru town. That evening I went to the Jaycees meeting where they said they would do a fundraiser for the library. Went bowling with Gabriel and his son, my first bowl was a strike and then it went down the gutter from then on. 

 

Fri Aug 4^th : Woke at 4AM , Gabriel made me some breakfast and food to take with me. He and his son walked down the sidewalk with me for a block. It feels great to be walking again. I am drinking a lot more water than before because of the heat, I had to turn off the road and walk an extra mile to a farmhouse in order to get water.

 

Sat Aug 5^th : Woke at 4 AM , it is so enjoyable to get an early start! I lost my hat between last night and this morning, I’ll get another one to prevent my head from getting sunburnt, for now I can wear my bandanna. Got to Holly and sat in the gas station for a couple hours laughing with some local old men who are a bunch of characters. Watched a storm move in that pummeled the trees and would’ve blown me to Kansas .  Attended mass and shared my mission with the parishioners. After mass I met the sheriffs wife, Marilyn, who told me that the Syracuse library is thinking of possibly becoming a sister library for Timaus library! That is awesome news!!! A parishioner took me out to eat and let me stay the night at his home.

 

Sun Aug 6^th : Father picked me up in the morning and took me to mass with him. Afterwards was invited to a potluck and continued to Syracuse .  I rescued a large snapping turtle from getting hit on the road.  As I was hiking down the road the sheriff, Mike, pulled over and invited me into his home.  He is the funniest storyteller, he had me laughing so hard about his cat, Stinkbag, the meanest damn cat alive, and her trip to terrorize the vet. It feels great to laugh, I tend to get really serious when I spend so much time alone.  

 

Mon Aug 7^th : Went with Marilyn to Coolidge for an outreach library program. She reads books to the Hispanic children and adults to help them with their English.  I realized I had a bag of Laffy taffys in my pack and was so happy to be able to share them. It was fun to listen to them read the corny jokes and laugh. I continued hiking from where Mike had picked me up yesterday, whew it is hot! I walked to Syracuse , back to Mike and Marilyns home for another night. I was able to speak to the local paper as well as get interviewed by a Garden city reporter.

 

Tue Aug 8^th : Woke at 4 AM and walked 30 miles until midnight . The full moon rose a bright shiny orange and I couldn’t resist walking and enjoying the cool night air.  Met a photographer from Garden city who took my photo and she asked if I would wait to meet another cross country walker who was only about ¼ mile away coming in my direction. It is fun to meet people who are also biking or walking across the country. Entered central time zone! As I entered Lakin it was about 10PM and I could see a DQ sign lit, as I got to within 3 lots away the sign went dark. Oh well, another day for DQ. I have noticed how there is a significant difference in the wind power created from a solid wall 18 wheeler versus an animal carrying (cheese grater walls) 18 wheeler when I am walking on the road. The nonsolid walled trucks deliver more powerful wind.  It got me to make a comparison of how if we allow ourselves to be more open to allowing the Lord work through us, we can deliver a more powerful punch – be more effective -  than if we put up our walls and do not allow the spirit to freely work through us.

 

Wed Aug 9^th : Walked into Deerfield , stoped at agas station and stayed for 5 hours writing and making phone calls. Continued walking until Mike found me again and brought me back to his house in Syracuse . I am getting so spoiled! I have not gotten to sleep out in my tent very often since it has gotten to be farm country around Pueblo .

 

Thur Aug 10^th : Slept in till 11AM ! Took the day off from hiking and spoke to the Lions club.

Thur August 17^th : Have spent the week in Garden city. A family from church invited me to stay with them and help me get around to the various service clubs to give talks. Lea Ann has graciously driven me around and even took me to see the zoo, as well as the pool that used to be the worlds largest free swimming pool, now it costs only a dollar.  When I first came into Garden city I stayed at the Emmaus house. It is the only place in Kansas that is a shelter, soup kitchen and food pantry. I was able to speak at both of the churches after mass Sat and Sun. After mass a couple from CiMarron , Gerald and Joan, invited me to stay at their B&B when I go thru there. I have never been to a B&B before. On Monday I was able to spend some time helping by handing out food to the local people the pantry served. It feels good to be able to help out when I can. Continued hiking today towards CiMarron .

 

Fri Aug 18^th : Last night I had camped in a yard, thank goodness for so many kind people.  I have discovered the biting red ants, ow…we do not have these in Illinois . I have 7 bites, they sting for over an hour and then they itch. I woke at 4 AM and watched as a lightning storm played on the horizon brightening the clouds.  I stopped in Ingles for lunch at a café and met a man who joked with me that I could go and rob the bank in town and noone would suspect me cause robbers do not typically walk away from the crime. That was kind of a strange encounter. Once I walked into CiMarron I stopped at the gas station and had another odd encounter. There a man joked with me that if I was going to the grocery store I should get there soon because he was planning on robbing it. I went to the library and received an email from Brenda whom I had stayed with in Lamar. She told me that her daughters have gone thru the neighborhood collecting donations for the library and now she is unable to find any spare change around the house! Tonight I am staying in a lovely bed and breakfast and have the house entirely to myself am listening to the radio, drinking tea and nibbling on sweets. People are so generous to me.  I feel forever indebted to the Lord for all the goodness I receive.

 

Sat Aug 19^th : Gerald took me to the P.O. My parents had mailed my summer sleeping bag to me and I needed to mail home my down bag. I should have done this a month ago but it is better late than never. The post office clerk told me that she lived in Dodge city , the next town I was walking to, and invited me to stay in her home. She drew me a map so that I could walk directly to her home. It rained all day, 4 people had pulled over to offer me rides and I explained to them all that I am walking across the country. I wonder if they believe me or just think I am crazy?  I walked by a historic preservation site where I could see the wagon ruts from the wagons as they headed west 160 years ago on the Santa Fe trail. Impressive to realize how much has changed in the US since then. I walked in to Dodge in a happy mood because I knew that I would be dry and sleeping in a bed tonight. The main street was very muddy due to roadwork on both sides of the street, some workers had stopped me to ask me what I was doing and then they handed me donations for the library!  Walked to Billie and Kerrys home, had a delicious supper served on beautiful china, looked at pictures from their mission trip to the Ukraine and then watched a funny video they had made. Quite the actors they are! It is neat to be treated so kindly. I was even given a razor to shave with, how totally thoughtful.

 

Sun Aug 20^th : Billie is like my P.R. lady while I am in Dodge. She is excited about my mission and sharing it with others. In the evening we went to the Baptist church and listened to a boy share his missionary experience. He has offered to help me set up paypal on my website. Back at the house we set up service club talks for the next several days in town. I received an awesome foot rub from Billie, she is a reflexologist, and I even received a key to their home! I might get too comfy to leave here!  

 

Mon Aug 21^st : I spoke to the Optimists club this morning.  Afterwards I went to the chamber to get additional info about the local clubs.  Billie brought me to the Rotary meeting for lunch and then surprised me afterwards by driving me to an old time photographer to let me get a picture taken. Neat – o! I have never had an old time photo before, I got to dress up in a flouncy dress with fishnet stockings, and lounge on the bar. This evening I spoke to the women and men Moose clubs. When I got back to Billie and Kerry’s home, they surprised me by telling me they wanted to show me something. They slipped in a DVD and tears came to my eyes as the pictures of my hike flew by set to beautiful music. What a totally sweet gift they gave to me. Today has been a busy day, I even managed to squeeze in enough time to read a wonderful book about a local woman whom I will be able to meet over dinner tomorrow.

 

Tue Aug 22^nd : A fun morning, I spoke on the radio for 45 minutes, then went next door and spoke on the other station for a couple of minutes. The DJ called up his daughter who had spent some time in Kenya and we all went to breakfast together. At noon I spoke to the other Rotary club in town and then got to meet Jeanne Spencer whose book I just read. I admire her a lot, very good character and a great role model.

 

Wed Aug 23^rd : Spoke at noon to the Lions club and then was interviewed at the local paper. Went with Billie to Fort Dodge and received a tour of the area. It is a very unique place, a village for veterans, only two like it in the country. After an awesome dinner with Billie and Kerry we played scrabble. How lucky I am to know so many great people who care about others more than themselves.

 

Thur Aug 24^th : I woke at 4 AM and started walking at 5:30 . It is staying dark longer, it is nice to have more time before the sun rises.  I was able to spend a good amount of time in prayer, I am trying to be aware thru-out the day of Christ’s presence and realize that I am almost trying too hard.  I need to relax and just talk and ask Him for help praying. “Ask and ye shall receive.”  At times I am almost frustrated because I try to pray and then distract myself with other thoughts.  I was reminded by a book I am reading to simply ask Jesus and ask Mary to help me feel what they felt when I pray the Rosary. Asking for help is good!  I have much growing to do, my relationship with Christ is not close to where I want it to be yet. As I came into Spearville the church bells tolled and I walked straight to the church. I talked to Father and I shared my mission with him over lunch. He will allow me to speak after both masses this weekend. After stopping at the paper I went to the library and then to the only restaurant in town. The owner invited me to stay at her home tonight and then I met another lady who invited me to stay at her home while I am in town. I like how small towns have everything I need on one block. The post office, grocery store, church, restaurant and library are all on the same block. It makes it so much easier to get things done. I slept on the couch at Hilda and Joses home, a very generous couple. I have discovered a rash on my legs, I think it may be from the heat.

 

Fri Aug 25^th : This morning I went to the grade school and spoke to the students. I enjoy speaking to the children because I want to broaden their world and help them see how privileged we are to receive an education, as well as how much we can do to help others. Later I went to Reni and Lillys home where I once again was made to feel at home.  It is so neat to see how hospitable people are, we are only strangers to one another until we share a smile.  It is a good thing that I grew up in a large noisy family, I have no difficulty falling asleep with lights or sound all around and I have not had a problem with feeling disoriented when I am waking up to new surroundings.

 

Sat Aug 26^th : To be seen from miles outside of Spearville are 67 new windmills. They have just been put up this summer and people in town are excited about them. The power that is generated is for Kansas City , but Spearville receives revenue for the schools for allowing the graceful giants to preside just north of town.  All day was spent sitting around and talking with Reni and her friends that visited.  I am learning a lot about the issues of the areas I am walking thru.  The concerns of people and what affects people here are much different than of those at home. Water rights and immigration are huge concerns in the west.  At home we just depend on rain, and illegal immigration has not yet affected much of  my home area. There may not be water in Kansas at all in 10 years, the beef packaging plants use an enormous amount of the water to clean the meat. Yet the major industry around here is cattle. Should they move the beef plants or haul in water. It is interesting to listen to ideas that people have.

 

Sun Aug 27^th : I went to mass and spoke to the parishioners, then relaxed the rest of the day with Reni and Lilly. I got to help paint the border in Lillys room and also got to paint my hands with the rest of the girls and leave my handprints all over the walls. I painted their fingernails and toenails as well as got my toenails painted, alternating pink and purple. We watched the DVD of my hike that Billie and Kerry had made for me. Tomorrow I will go to Kingman to speak to the Rotary and to the grade school.