Sun July 1:  Ron and Pat dropped me off at church where I went with Father Ted to Peebles and back again to West Union.  I got to meet a man after church who is running for president of the U.S.  (www.voteforJoe.com)   He and his wife and three children have been RVING the country for the last eight years in a continuing search for people tying to live gospel values.  When I walked out of church Richie and Kaia were waiting for me, they are going to walk with me for a couple of days.

Mon July 2:  Walked beautiful country roads with Richie and Kaia.  Met an old man standing in front of his house who invited us in for water.  The house he and his wife live in was the schoolhouse he attended grade school at!

Tues July 3:  Stopped at a rummage sale and traded my pink pants (too hot to walk in) for a white printed skirt.  Met a 21yr old that told us he had died last night and was shocked back to life.  He had gotten bit by a spider-his knee is all swollen and his heart stopped-luckily he was in Wal-Mart and when he fell to the floor he was able to receive help quickly. 

Wed July 4:  Beautify country roads, hilly area getting into the foothills of the Appalachians.  Lots of blackberry and back raspberry bushes. Camped in a yard next to a barn and had a surprise firework show-an area family shot off all types of fireworks.  Earlier in the evening the sky got dark and I was told there was a nasty storm coming with tornado warnings, so I asked a lady who was on her porch if I could join her till the storm passed.  Chatted for 1 ½ hours over a cup of warm creamy and sweet coffee then continued walking.

Thurs July 5:  Yesterday as I walked by a large bush an animal growled at me, I have no idea what it was but it didn’t appear and I didn’t investigate, it gave me a momentary quicker pace.  A lady stopped mowing grass to talk to me and it started raining so she invited me in.  She told me I’d be walking right by her daughters home and there was a cabin next door that her son was at -so I set up my tent next to a beautiful creek and then visited with him and his two friends.  The invited me to eat some campfire grilled sausages and hotdogs. J 

Fri July 6^:  Woke to mist, very misty mornings lately-takes awhile for my tent to dry.  Last weekend at mass a couple from Sinking Springs told me to let them know when I got to town.  They invited me to stay the weekend with them.

Sat July 7:  Barb and Andy took me to an Amish bakery; there are more Amish in Ohio than Pennsylvania.  Went to a big pig roast party (first time at pig roast) with tables full of food and saw a great fireworks display.

Sun July 8:  After mass and breakfast I continued walking.  Was invited to camp in a family’s yard, they brought me out a plate of food-first time I’ve eaten corn dogs.

Tues July 10:  Noticed my shoulder strap is almost going to pull out. When I got into Waverly I found a laundromat/cleaners that knew a lady who’d be able to sew it for me.  I left my pack while I went to the library and when I came back for it the lady had already fixed it!  Walked by a radio station and will have my info shared on two stations.

Wed July 11:  Am feeling tired so taking it slow today.  It rained and soaked me so I feel clean and refreshed-a great breeze blowing today.  While I was eating lunch, I sat leaning against a tree and a fawn walked right by me, within 15 feet!  As I walked by a church two men invited me in to share with a group who were already meeting.  They stopped their meeting and listened to me then invited me to stay awhile.  I played basketball with the kids and was told of a couple that takes in hikers.  The couple was not home so I camped in the backyard next door.  Normally I fall asleep quickly, but I was hungry-eating trail mix and cereal when Connie and Mike pulled up.  They came out to my tent at 11:30p.m. with flashlights and invited me in.  Connie made me some dinner while I showered.

Thurs July 12:  Am taking the day off, went to a local bar and listened to a jazz band who’ve been playing in Chillicathe since the 70’s.

Fri July 13:  Slack packed to Londonderry then Connie picked me up and brought me back to the house.  Tomorrow I’ll meet Joyce and Peter Cottrell-they’ve just finished the ADT (1^st couple to ever hike it) they completed the Northern route this time.  They are on their way home and are stopping at Connie and Mike’s.  Went to a hoedown and was able to participate. 

Sat July 14:  Spent the day with the Cottrell’s, went to a square dance, was more complicated so I watched.  They invited me to share my mission and even gave a donation from the club.  Met “Turtleman” last night and got to talk with him again tonight.  He catches snappers from people’s ponds and is a legend around here. 

Sun July 15:  After another fabulous Thanksgiving style meal and church I continued walking.   I scared a group of ½ dozen turkeys.  Slept by a fire tower and had run out of H2O when I met a police officer who had brought back cold H2O for me.

Mon July 16:  am on trails yesterday and today.  After my break for lunch I lost the trail and meandered among numerously dividing dirt roads-I was very low on water when I spotted a farmhouse from on top of a hill-I headed down and found a road.  I came out behind “Firehouse #3 Laurelville.”   How did I get to Laurelville? 

Tues July 17:  Hocking Hills SP is gorgeous!  Thoughly enjoyed walking thru and meeting people.  I got to see a family I met 2 weeks ago after mass-its so neat to see people more than once!  Hocking Hills is made of caves, streams, and waterfalls.  The afternoon brought t-storms and once out of the state parks manicured wide trails, the Buckeye trail was narrow muddy and slippery (twisted my ankle again).  My sticks are very helpful in instances like this.  Had mud up the back of my legs, so I stopped and washed off in a stream as the rain poured upon me. 

Wed July 18:  Walked into Logan.  A while back a man doing a prayer walk across America, Jim Shaner, told me of a pastor who would welcome me.  I will be here by myself to come and go as I want.  I took a shower then washed my dirty clothes and spread all my gear out to dry.  It’s amazing to see all my stuff spread out and know it all fits tidily into my pack. 

Thurs July 19:  Went to the post office, library and the Spotted Owl Café before leaving town.  I love to watch children’s reaction when I explain what I’m doing and why.  I tell them how many kids never go to school, they are working not to save money for a bike, but to help their family have food to eat.  We need to be reminded of the privileges we have that others can only dream of-what a responsibility we have as Americans and especially as Christians.  It is a burden of honor to learn how to share our blessings.  Stopped by a trailer and asked to camp in their yard.  The eight-year-old boy was so excited that he wanted to sleep in my tent with me.  Instead his mom let him bring out his “Thomas the tank engine” play tent to sleep in.  We played basketball and caught lightning bugs.

Fri July 20:  Woke to lots of dew, mornings have been very dewey lately.  Hung up my tent and fly over the swing set and the basketball hoop to dry quicker.  Chris, the older child, insisted he give something to me to remember him by.  I told him I’ll take prayers and I’ll have memories, but he went and brought an American flag pin for me to wear.  It touched me to watch him walk toward me with his gift to me.  So many people hold a special place in my heart.  Strolled into New Straitesville.  I had an hour till the library opened so I ate at a café and talked to a man.  He told me interesting stories about the area and showed me the museum next door.  The basement was made to look like a coal mine and it startled me when I went down and saw a manikin “coal worker.”  I hurriedly looked and then scurried back upstairs-it was goofy to feel scared like when I was little and scared of the basement, but I was happy to be back upstairs.  Toward dusk I walked up to a house and received permission to camp.  After my tent was up they offered to let me stay in their camper with electricity and a radio.  After thinking about how it would take a while to dry my tent in the morning, I decided to pack up and go into the camper, plus it would be nice to listen to the radio and write.  They even let me use their phone because mine gets no coverage here.  They brought me a soda, banana, and pizza.  Sat around a campfire and talked about two hours and am now writing well past midnight. 

Sat July 21:  Stacy told me about how she met two hikers five years ago who were not feeling good and wanting a ride to a motel.  It was the Cottrell’s!  Took a long scenic route to Glouster, at one point a cow was trailing along behind me.  Before I had left town I got food at the gas station and the cashier told me a lady from a Lexington church was looking for me.  I don’t know who it would be.

Sun July 22:  A lovely walk thru Burr Oak SP.  Am sitting against a tree watching woodpeckers and listening to their feet clutch the bark as they go around the tree.  I love how my senses get so filled-the other day as I walked by a large herd of cattle it was neat to pause and just listen to the noise created by them chewing up the grass.  These are some passages that I’ve been repeatedly thinking about-when Jesus says to who much is entrusted even more is expected-“I desire mercy and not sacrifice”-“If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard”-“whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.”  It troubles me to know we can be doing so much more to hear the cry of the oppressed and those in extreme poverty…it really weighs on me. 

Mon July 23:  My neck is sore; every part of my neck is sore from when I hit the ground yesterday when the rope swing I was on broke.  Stayed in the cabin all morning.  Walked about 10 miles to Chesterhill.  Am going to stay to speak to the Lions club on Wednesday.  Met Dr. Wetzel, the mayor, and am going to be staying in the Quaker church that was part of the Underground Railroad. 

Tues July 24:  Had b-fast with the mayor and then he took me to another town to get some needed supplies.  Stopped by the post office and was introduced to some locals.  I am excited because the mayor is thinking of now using the Quaker church in the future as a hiker hostel-they just need to rig up a shower.  Am reading The Wisdom of the Desert, by Thomas Merton-it contains wisdom from monks.  I like this:  “Just as a bee, wherever she goes, makes honey, so a monk, wherever he goes, if he goes to do the will of God, can always produce the spiritual sweetness of good works.”

Meeting wonderful people and trotting thru beautiful areas I see Gods constant love poured out around me.  It puts me in awe of His great love for us all.

Wed July 25:  Matt and Julie invited me to spend the night; Matt took me to the Lions Club where I shared my mission and then went back and stayed the night.  Later that night I went to take a picture of the family and the 3 year old went to his room and came back and asked me which tie he should wear. 

Thurs July 26:  Walked country roads till dusk and received permission to camp in a yard while getting ready to sleep a dog sat just outside my tent looking like a statue, not bothering me at all.  Then the homeowner came out and asked me if it was my dog-I thought it was theirs, but apparently not. 

Fri July 27:  Began walking and it poured down so hard it hurt like hail.  Once near Belpre I got off the trail and headed west into Poterfield to see if I could ask the priest if I could share my mission with the parishioners.  I went to Father’s house-not home.  I went back later and he still wasn’t home so I went to the neighbors to ask if I could camp in their backyard.

Sat July 28:  First thing in the morning went to church and met a lady who introduced me to Fr. Dave-he welcomed me and agreed to let me speak at all 3 masses.  Then Janet, the lady I met 1^st thing this morning offered to take me home and get cleaned up.  Then went to the parish’s retreat house where 2 sisters live and helped cut potatoes and prepare food for a dinner that they were serving to raise money for the retreat house.  After mass went back to the retreat house and got to waitress-what fun!  Slept in a king-size bed-didn’t even wrinkle the other side of the bed it was so big. 

Sun July 29:  I am now in West Virginia!  Uncertain where I’d sleep, I walked by a Salvation Army shelter and was happy to be able to have a place to sleep.  A neat story Father Dave told during his homily was about a man who went to Sodom and Gomorrah and after trying to speak to people to change their ways he ended up shouting to change their ways, reasoning that he may not change them he wasn’t going to let them change him.  So many people compromise their values because of thinking they have to conform. 

Mon July 30:  We were all woken at 5:30 to eat and leave from the shelter, followed the others to another house that had washers and computers.  I checked my e-mail and then went to the Rotary Club meeting.  Once on the Great Bend Trail I walked a couple miles and came to a private camping area, I saw a man sitting outside of his camper and asked if I could pitch my tent anywhere.  He said I was in luck because he was the manager and I could camp right here. 

Tues July 31:  I was given some hot chocolate with big marshmallows and a roll of quarters for the library