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July 2006

Sat July 1 : The forest is beautiful but very dry.  Excited to see not only one ADT sign but two of them! I haven’t seen a sign for along time.  Ran low on water and received some from two bikers.

 

Sun July 2 : Came out of the foothills and onto roads.  It started raining big fat drops so I stopped at a house to see if I could wait out the storm in their barn.  What a treat to watch the rain and lightning as I share a cozy barn with horses, read my book and daydream.  The sound of rain is lovely, the birds are chirping as they fly thru the rafters, a horse neighs periodically, a cat has come over to rub against me and a big fat frog is outside in an ever widening puddle that is encroaching into the dryness of the barn.  The barn reminds me of my Grandpa and the shed at his old farm, as well as my father and his love of barns. Partway thru the storm I met Ryan, he feeds the horses and will soon be moving away to follow the call of God in his life, helping to build a church.

 

Mon July 3 : In the morning I stopped at a house to fill up on water and met Wendy and her daughter.  She sent me off with cookies and a donation for the library.  Later a car pulled over to ask me for directions, it is neat to be able to help people after all the help I receive. As the car pulled away a girl on a bicycle stopped to ask me how far it was to town. When she found out what I am doing she became excited and would contact me so that I could stay in contact with the 7th graders she’ll be teaching this year.  Walked in the rain to Palmer Lake , the library was closed so I walked another 3 miles to the town of Monument .  While checking email a girl approached me saying how she had seen me earlier that day walking in the rain.  She invited me to stay with her that night since it was still raining and it would be after dark when the library closed.  Jody and I had a great time talking, she shared her yummy leftovers with me which was neat because she said she normally does not ever have leftovers to eat.  We stayed up until talking and could’ve stayed up longer but knew we had to get up early to get to the 4th of July parade.

 

Tue July 4 : I walked in the parade with others from the library and handed out bookmarks and smiles.  Jody took me for lunch and then I continued hiking.  Another storm came through and totally soaked me. As I was walking with lightning flashing I wondered what to do, stop walking and still get soaked and a chance of getting struck by lightning or walk and stay warm. I opted to keep moving and thought of the story of Jesus and His disciples in the fishing boat during the storm.  The disciples woke Jesus with fear of the storm and Jesus reproached them saying they had little faith. I sang songs and stayed upbeat enjoying watching the storm as it moved totally covering the mountains.  What should appear but two hikers in orange ponchos, they asked if I was Debbie and I shouted with delight as I knew who they were.  They had hiked from Delaware , a mother and a daughter, so I turned around with them and walked back to surprise Dick, the coordinator who was going to pick them up at a designated spot.  That evening we shared a marvelous dinner and stories, what an unexpected joy when I had thought I would be putting my tent up in the rain.

 

Wed July 5 : Dick dropped us off where he picked us up yesterday, it was sad to depart.  I head towards Delaware while the girls head towards California .  Overcast and rainy today, when I reached the visitors center I called Vel, she is a friend of a friend of my parents, to let her know I arrived to our meeting spot. Vels family is in town so I got to meet them. After a nice dinner we went to a melodrama, the first time I have ever been to one…very entertaining.

 

Thur July 6 : Spent the day with Vel, she took me to Helen Hunt Falls and around Cheyenne canyon.  Went out to dinner with her family, they have a neat tradition of surprise honoring a person in the family when they get together.  They had bought a beautiful bouquet of flowers for their sister/aunt and it wasn’t as full as they liked, so they bought more flowers, learned how to wire and tape them and made it fuller. It looked totally great with the flowers they chose.

 

Fri July 7 : Continued hiking from the visitors center thru the Garden of the Gods.  Vel had let me read some books about the area and I learned about the Ute Indians who lived here.  It would’ve been neat to have lived so in tune to nature, what a deep respect and knowledge they had for the land.  Stopped at the library in Manitou Springs, I almost had my sticks walk off. Two boys had asked the librarian if they could have them, she said she didn’t know they belonged to anyone so as the boys were walking out when I became aware of the situation.  I apologized to the boys that they couldn’t have them, they have come along way and I am not ready to give them up just yet.  At Green Mountain Falls I called Dick and he let me stay at his house for the night, I missed the rain by just a couple of minutes.  Dick is a great coordinator, he has a map that he keeps track of all the hikers on and keeps in contact with other coordinators and hikers, and he has Ben and Jerry’s in his freezer!

 

Sat July 8 : Woke to rain, it feels good to walk in a light mist.  I am not much of one for donuts, but had been told of a great place to stop for a fattening treat.  Walked in a downpour to Mueller SP where Vel had picked me up.  Watched as ants got pelted with rain, they would flatten and not move for awhile, I imagine that a raindrop can knock an ant out…it appeared that way.

 

Sun July 9 : Went to church with Vel and listened to a talk about 5 missionaries that had been murdered in Ecuador , the first time I had ever heard about that story.

 

Mon July 10 : Spoke to the Kiwanis club and lined up some more clubs to speak to.

 

Tue July 11 : Vel returned me to Mueller SP where I walked to Cripple creek and met a lady who knows all about the ADT and wants to hike it.  It is fun meeting people who have heard of the trail or who are interested in hiking.  It has rained for the 10th day in a row.  The rain is energizing, I had my biggest day yet to hike, 32 miles so that I can make sure to get to town to speak to another club tomorrow.  I continued walking towards Canon city using a gorgeous road, the shelf road. Visually the walk is beautiful, to see the grass so green after all these days of rain and the wall of rock is dramatically shaped.  The walk filled me with joy and I would spontaneously break out in a grin as the various sounds filled my senses.  I heard the squish of my feet on the gravelly dirt road as my sticks clicked in rhythm with my step.  Raindrops plopped on my hat, thunder rolled, the stream I walked beside gurgled and birds sang while a hawk would occasionally screech.  What a lovely day! I camped just north of town where some dinosaur bones were excavated.

 

Wed July 12 : I made it to the Rotary meeting on time and even stopped at the local paper on the way.  Continued walking to Florence , emailed at the library for 3 hours and then ate at a Chinese restaurant where I charged up my phone.  A lady who worked there stopped by my table and we had a great spiritual conversation.  She gave me a picture of her favorite saint and then I walked out of town in the dark.  I try to get out of town before dark or else it is much harder to find a place to camp. I continued walking until I got to a road that was closed due to a bridge being washed out. I decided it would be a good place to sleep but had a restless night due to mosquitos and a bright waning moon.

 

Thur July 13 : I walked in the morning to a wastewater treatment plant to see if I could use their phone to get ahold of someone about a Kiwanis meeting.  I didn’t get ahold of anyone but decided to try my luck and go to the meeting anyway.  Jim, a man at the plant offered to let me meet his wife, share my mission  and stay over the night, he would come pick me up after he got off work.  I received a ride to where I thought the meeting was Canon city, but the front desk informed me they haven’t met there for a year.  She kindly called to find where they were meeting and drove me.  I arrived with 5 minutes to spare…how do I get so lucky?  There was no guest speaker so I was allowed the floor, afterwards a waitress drove me back to where I had left off.  I walked a couple miles and then took a break from the heat, Jim drove by and picked me up.  Had a nice evening sharing stories and delicious food. I am so spoiled with all the filling food I have eaten these last couple of weeks. Stayed up late reading.

 

Fri July 14 : Am now out of the hills and  mountains and have a long flat stretch ahead of me.  As I walk I like to turn around to see a different view and watch as the mnts slowly get smaller.  I am writing camped out under the road staving off the heat in the shade and letting my body temperature drop from the touch of the cool concrete.  A breeze blows and I shiver.  Some swallows have nested under here and are flying in and out keeping me entertained.  It is after 3 so I continue onwards.  There was a large group of tumbleweeds, I tried to pry them apart and lift them out of the way with my sticks but they wouldn’t budge.  I took one step in and a rattler spoke up, that got my heart rate up quickly, I don’t know how I missed stepping on it…I get awfully lucky.  Thank God that these critters are lazy and prefer not to strike unless provoked.  This heat is making me drink about twice as much water, I had to stop to fill up at a house.  This is going to be a challenging summer.   
 

Sat July 15 : Met Bryon, Mandy and their family in west Pueblo . They invited me to camp in their yard and let me sleep on their trampoline outside. Vel picked me up for the third time to take care of me for the weekend.

 

 

 

Sun July 16 : Went to church and saw the documentary about the five missionaries who were   killed. Later went to a Greek festival.

 

 

 

Mon July 17 : Took the greyhound to Pueblo and met a nice young man from India . Spoke to a club in town and then walked back to west pueblo.  I camped near the reservoir, it rained but I stayed totally dry under my new tent fly!

 

 

 

Tue July 18 : Spent the day at the library and at Bryon and Mandys home. I spent the night in their backyard again, the mosquitos are terrible.

 

 

 

Wed July 19 : Woke early and walked to the Rotary. They allowed me to speak almost the entire meeting time.  I finished typing at the library and then went back to the home I had stayed at last night.  I played with the children, colored and read books to them. After dinner we went to church together, it is so nice to be able to share faith together!

 

 

 

Thur July 20 : I went ice skating with Mandy and her children, it will give me a very cool memory as I walk through the heat of the summer.  Valerie,, the 4 year old inspired me in the way she has chosen to help others. She is growing out her hair for an organization that makes wigs for children who have cancer. Everyone can do something!  Continued hiking, Pueblo is much bigger than I thought. I slept in the back of a VFW overgrown gravel parking lot.

 

 

 

Fri July 21 : In the morning I was walking by a house and the lady in the driveway, Edna, said hello.  She invited me to sit down and have a cold Gatorade while we shared stories. Edna happens to be very involved with her hometown library and was very eager to hear and support my mission.  She was born in the area, her grandma delivered her in their homesteaded stone home before the doctor could arrive.  I walked thru Avondale and Boone, got rained on but dried off from the sun.  I was told there was a man who allowed travelers to stay in his yard, just to look for the “A” frame house 8 or so miles down the road.  Wayne welcomed me and we stayed up chatting, and enjoying each others company. Myself swatting mosquitos and being bitten while Wayne calmly sat without twitching. 

 

 

 

Sat July 22 : Walked thru Manzanola, at dusk I met a woman coming towards me on a bike, we were both swatting at mosquitos and I  asked if I could stay in her yard.  She brought me back to her home where I met her family and was invited to take a shower.  She got me information on the times for mass tomorrow in Rocky Ford.

 

 

 

Sun July 23 : I got up in the darkness at and began hiking the 10 miles to get to church on time for mass. Watched in awe as the sky lightened and the stars fading, the summer triangle being some of the last to fade.  I am carrying my glowsticks ready to break one and have it shine should a car come.  I am walking on country roads walking past farms and corn fields.  Listened to roosters welcome the brand new day, the summer suns a comin.  These last 3 days remind me of home with the fields interspersed with trees.  I reached church 20 minutes early and spoke to Father about being able to share my mission with the parishioners.  He allowed me 2 minutes, and then after mass he invited me to return next weekend to share with the other parishes he visits.  Thank goodness for spontaneous people!  A family I met after church invited me to their home to wait out the afternoon heat before I continue onwards, better than sitting at a gas station.  Kyle and Mikes family are very nice.  I was able to make some calls and share stories.  I have arranged to stay here next weekend when I return to go to mass with Father.  I had walked down the road a couple of miles and Kyle pulled up handing me my phone that I had left charging on the floor.  And this was after I had just explained to her how when I pack my pack I know where everything goes and whether anything is missing.  I took a break in the shade of a big tree and the homes owner, Shirley, came out to see if I needed anything.  She invited me to stay in her screened in porch to rest, drink and eat cantaloupe.  This area is widely known for the melons and they are sweet. I didn’t realize how many different varieties there are.  The sun had set as I came to the town of Swink .  I was going to camp in the grassy area next to the track but was unable to find the superintendent to get permission.  I continued hiking till I got to a farmhouse that did not have a dog in the backyard, I like dogs but they bark all night when I am in their territory.  The family was super nice, after I set up my tent they invited me in and we chatted about the trail.  Their little 18 month old girl came over and sat on my lap with a book.  I felt bad because I am so stinky but she didn’t mind!  I received a sweet compliment from them, they commented how lucky they were that I chose their yard to sleep in.

 

Mon July 24 : 

Walked into La Junta. Received permission to sleep in front of the police station, I had a night watchman guarding me from the window the entire night. The on-duty police officers even took up a collection for the library.

 

Tue July 25th: I am already in the La Junta paper and was just interviewed yesterday. I spoke to the Lions club, went to the library and walked towards Lamar.  Spent the night outside the perimeter for Old Bents Fort, it rained and I got my tent fly up just in time to stay dry. Bugs are buggy!

 

Wed July 26th: Woke at , for the first couple of hours I couldn’t walk fast enough to get away from the mosquitos. Then a horsefly was circling around my head and decided to dive between my back and my pack, it stung me before I could take my pack off.  A couple people stopped to see if I needed a ride.  I am always on the lookout for a nice shady spot to rest at and noticed a picnic table at a closed gift shop.  The owner went to town and brought me back a cold soda.  We sat and talked for over an hour sharing stories about her time in China and my time in Kenya.  I am concentrating about being more aware of Christs presence at all times of the day.  I want to get to the point where I can converse at any time of the day regardless of what I am doing.  Beauty and love is all around, if we open eyes, hearts and minds to accept it then we will receive it.  In the early evening I was walking by a swampy area and the deer fly were really bad.  A truck pulled over to see if I wanted a ride, I said I was tempted but no. He came back with a cold beer, I am not a beer drinker, but it was cold and good.  The 3rd time he came he offered to pick me up when I finished hiking for the day and let me stay at his empty clubhouse, I could take a shower, sleep and he would pick me up in the morning and drop me back off at where he picked me up at.  At sunset Lance found me, he fed me some excellent sandwiches that his wife made and took me to the clubhouse where I got to choose from about 16 beds.

 

Thur July 27th : Lance picked me up at daybreak and dropped me off where I got picked up yesterday.  He is lending me a meat book, “Changing Places” by : O.A. Bud Ham. It is about religion and becoming the person God created us to be. I have read almost the entire book by this afternoon! Here is a fav. quote of mine from the book.

“There is one who knows our every plight.  He is on the trail with us both day and night. His promise to us is very clear. “Trust me. All is well. Do not fear.” “ I walked into Lamar, these past two days I have covered 60 miles! Got in 20 minutes before the library closed and then received permission to camp in someones backyard.  A bandana works great to keep out the light and toilet paper in the ears is handy to quiet the trucks and dogs.

 

Fri July 28th : Spoke to the local paper and they came to the Rotary meeting to do a story on my mission. Brenda, the publisher of the paper managed to get me a room at the “ Cow Palace” Inn for tonightJ As I was leaving the library  headed over to the Inn I met a man and ended up talking for two hours about life and faith.  He told me he would drive me back to Rocky Ford tomorrow so that I can speak at masses there. Once I started walking towards the Inn I saw Brenda again.  She had a surprise for me, a goodie bag of treats, sunscreen, a hat, bugspray, chapstick. How thoughtful and sweet! Brenda took me to the Inn and I made some phone calls. By the time I got done making calls a couple hours later I was very hungry so I went out to find some food.  I walked to the convenience store and as I was about to enter the door a man asked if I could show him where he was on his map.  Well, he was looking at the wrong map! I showed him where he was on another map and we talked about our travels and shared faith for over two hours! He is from Canada taking a month long trip to visit friends and see the country.  I notice the more that I do not hinder my faith from others the more amazing people I meet.

 

Sat July 29th : abriel and his son drove me to Rocky Ford and stopped at the library and for ice cream and dinner on the way. I arrived for mass right on time and Father let me speak to the parishioners . After mass the Bartolos, a family from the parish, picked me up and took me back to their home.  I was invited to go to the movies for a birthday party celebration for their son with seven 12 year old boys; needless to say the conversation in the car was quite humorous. 

 

Sun July 30th : I attended mass with Fr.Mario and brother John 4 times sharing my mission at each mass. At lunch I found out that Br.John attended the same highschool with my mother, just one year younger! That evening the young daughter, Samantha, gave me a footrub with lotions that she concocted by mixing soap and bathsalts. It was so sweet and made my feet feel good.

 

Mon July 31 : Met Fr.Charlie from La Junta, he is going to pass the information on to his parishioners. Went on a bike ride to the library.  Today Sam had gotten two teeth pulled so I returned her kindness by giving her a footrub.

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