June 2007Fri June 1: Walked thru Santa Claus by Holiday World and walked to St. Meinard. As I walked onto the Abbey/seminary grounds there was a large gathering of people that were getting ready to walk thru the night to raise money for cancer. I went to the guesthouse and asked to speak to the Father in charge. He was at a supper so I was fed and given a room and later was told by Father I could stay for free. This would be a really nice place to come back to-they offer retreats.
Sat June 2: Was in the paper today, attended mass and then stopped by the library-they were getting ready to close for lunch so I walked till I got to a gas/grocery station at Possom Junction. Spoke with some of the locals about my mission and they invited me to stay with the couple, Tammy & Jason, who owned the store. It was a wonderful evening watching and laughing with their 1 ½ year old-I was in the mood to spend time with a family and children-prayer answeredJ.
Sun June 3: Tammy’s mom gathered up a bag of things I might need and let me go thru to see if I could use something. People’s kindness and concern makes me feel so loved and cared for. I try to reassure people not to worry, that I’m trusting in God and that if we aim to please him daily he’ll help us. God will never abandoned us even if something happens to me-no one can take away my faith. I went to Tammy’s small Christian Church to share my mission and they took up a collection for the library. I was interviewed for the local paper and continued walking. Gorgeous country roads, the smell of the honeysuckle is powerful. As the sun was setting I walked by a home whose dog came out to greet me-the owners came outside and when I asked to camp there they invited me to stay in an extra room. Russell & Juanita have been married 52 years and grew up on the same road. After eating some homemade stew I went to “my room” thinking how amazing it is to meet so many good people who share their lives with me. As I walked today I couldn’t help but become emotional thinking about my goal of touching the hearts of people. It has rebounded back to me by the way so many have touched my heart.
Mon June 4: Juanita walked a mile down the road with me this morning. I met a man on a motorcycle who said he has seen me in the paper at home-he’s from Freeburg, Illinois and was excited to get to meet me walking. I walked a bit out of my way to see the view of the Ohio River from “Buzza Roost”, then walked past Alton and got permission to sleep in a field there. The lightning bugs are active and a thunderstorm came thru after setting up my tent.
Tues June 5: Walked to Leavenworth and received an unexpected surprise. I had been told there was no library in town but there was one. I’m taking the rest of the day to catch up on writing and reading. I have permission to camp behind the library. There is a general store I stopped at that makes excellent sandwiches, ice cream, and all sorts of stuff.
Wed June 6: The librarian let me take a book last night from the library, I finished reading it this afternoon and after getting another sandwich continued walking. I walked a way I thought the trail went and discovered a bridge that had no boards to walk on-just rails to scoot my feet across with the river below. I decided not to take the chance because I didn’t have anything to hold onto and the rails were spaced rather far apart. Peacefully slept in the woods.
Thurs June 7: Stopped by a house to fill up on water, I am unable to carry much water because my 2 liter platypus has a hole in it-I got some water from a stream and the lady whose home it was on told me not to drink it. She gave me bottled water to use. I asked about the Catholic Church and she directed me to St. Joes. Father was gone, but the Director of Religious Education, a very friendly and funny man, found a parishioner that would take me in for a few days. In the meantime, he told me that I needed to look more human and let me use the upstairs shower. He ran around looking for soap/towels, finding 3 hand towels and a bar of Irish Spring J. Yvonne & Ken then showed up and welcomed me into their home. Yvonne and I immediately started talking and didn’t stop until 1:30a.m.
Fri June 8: I went to mass with Yvonne and spent all day talking and sharing faith. It was wonderful to find someone else who understands how beautiful our faith is-you can’t contain the excitement and can barely stop talking to eat. She introduced me to John Paul’s Theology of the Body. She has a 5 tape series explaining it-I hope to watch it fully before I start walking on Tuesday.
Sat June 9: Today is Yvonne’s 57th birthday; we went to Planned Parenthood in Louisville and stood outside with about 20 others praying the Rosary. This is the only clinic in Louisville that performs abortions-it was very emotional for me to watch as the women walked in the clinic. There were about 10 escorts from the clinic that would form a circle around the woman as they walked into the clinic. The escorts were jesting around, laughing, and even acting arrogant-as we kneeled on the concrete praying one walked by chuckling, “I’m taller than you are.” It saddened me to know that these women walking in would be changed forever and probably tormented by their decision. It was like we were attending each of those babies’ funerals. I am confident that those babies will experience true love in heaven. Interestingly when the women walked out of the clinic, there was no escort there to be their “support.” After 5pm mass Father let me share my mission with the parishioners, then went with Ken and Yvonne to her birthday party. What a great time! Met many of her friends who also have a love of God and sat and talked all night with them about my mission. Some will walk with me out of town Tuesday.
Sun June 10: Went with Father Dan to 2 mission churches as well as the main church and shared my info. Watched more of the Theology of the Body and am thrilled with a much greater understanding of the churches truth on celibacy as well as marriage.
Mon June 11: Missed mass, went to adoration and then to the library to catch up on e-mail. Spoke at local Lions Club.
Tues June 12: Spoke to local newspaper and got on the radio J. Amazed at people who very noticeably do not have a lot of excess money and are so generous with what little they do have.
Wed June 13: Was stunned for a couple of seconds to see what I thought was blood ½ way down my leg-unbeknownst to me I had stepped on a package of ketchup.
Thurs June 14: Trying to avoid traffic and climbing thru ditches caused me to turn my ankle again. Walked until dusk and then stopped by a house that had two tents set up in their yard. I figured they’d be receptive-they said sure and even offered to let me use one of their tents. At first I said no thanks, but then changed my mind. If I stayed in a large four-person tent I could even stand up. What a treat to not even have to unpack. It’s amazing how a bandanna and a couple tablespoons of H20 can make me feel so clean.
Fri June 15: Stopped by a yard sale in search of a pair of pants, the ones I have are perfect for walking in the summer, other than the fact that they rip right after I finish sewing them. I’ve walked in them almost each mile since Utah. I found a $2 pair of pants and they’re pink. Not a pink person. In town I went to the library and while getting caught up on email realized in a couple minutes the post office would close. I dashed over but they were closed. Back at the library the librarian called and asked them to reopen it for me. I’ve never had that happen before! When the library closed I was told I should go down the hill and spend time at the town fair and was given $10 to eat with. People are so neat J. So here I am listening to live music as I write postcards and journal. Woke up to a turkey walking by.
Sat June 16: When I walked into Madison I went to the north part of town, found the church but no one was at the church/rectory. After 1 ½ hours of sitting in the shade a man pulled up and I learned that there is another Catholic Church at the bottom of the hill by the river. I found Father and he gave me permission to share my mission at all 3 masses. After mass a lady whom I met this morning came and picked me up and brought me back to her house.
Sun June 17: Met Steve and Cody, they invited me to come by and camp at their home and shower. Of course I can’t pass up a good invitation. They let me use the phone cause my phone has not been getting coverage. Steve has just spent a week at Navy seal training and is telling me stories.
Mon June 18: Spoke to Gilligan last night, I am planning to go to his wedding reception next weekend and called him to inform him of the time I was planning on arriving on the bus. He told me his brother would be driving up from Louisville and could possibly pick me up on the way J. The trail crosses the interstate so I just need to walk to that spot and meet his brothers family-neither of us would need to go out of our way-even easier than getting myself to the bus station! Before I camped I walked thru the town of Friendship and went past a flea market. The man operating it wanted me to pick something out to take with me. I declined but he kept asking me to look around and gave me a cold bottle of water and $5 for food. I ended up finding a pair of Dockers to wear to the wedding reception-how perfect! So many really neat and generous people. I am immensely blessed to receive so much kindness.
Tues June 19: Walked into Aurora and went to the library to check email and get maps. Went to the Lions Club meeting and wasn’t able to give a presentation. I tried calling ahead like usual but the number didn’t work. They took my mission letter and told me they’d get back to me. They invited me to eat then I continued walking and found a great place to camp right next to the Ohio River in a very out of the way place. A perfect way to spend my last night in Indiana, next to the river. Washed out my dirty clothes, bathed and slept great.
Wed June 20: I stopped in at McDonalds today and wrote postcards and journal. When I stopped to take a break, it amazed me-all the people who come over to me and start up conversations. A man came over and told me a story about how he went to a school for the deaf and he told stories the interpreters signed-it thrilled him when they’d laugh. It was awkward laughs he said because they can’t hear the laugh they produce. It almost made him cry; it did spur him to continue the story in anticipation of their next bout of laughter. As Don left I thought the sunglasses he put on looked like mine, he almost wore mine out till I mentioned he was wearing a pair that were probably mine.
Thurs June 21: I’ve made it across the ferry into Cincinnati and walked to a wooded area but even the parks and wooded places are trashed and smell of beer or some other stench. There was a deserted looking house that I considered camping in the back of so I went to a neighbor to check and was advised to try the park down the road. Walked till dark but both parks I tried were not good options so after being sweaty with leaves stuck to me and sore feet, I decided to give in and get a room. The only other time I felt I needed to get a place was San Francisco; there I stayed in a hostel for $20. I hoped for $40 for tonight-found a Super 8 and got a room for 10% off because it had the overhead light burnt out. $40 and change!
Friday June 22: Met Ellie-a little girl who just came in and put $27 in the moneybox for Ronald McDonald, she earned it by having a lemonade stand. So many good people, its very encouraging to witness so many acts of kindness. Got picked up by Joe and family and rode four hours to Youngstown. Sat around a campfire while Mossy Old Troll played the flute and Rob the Mandolin helped the kiddos made smores. Its so good to be here with friends J Slept in a hammock.
Sat June 23: Found a tradition that I’d like to adopt-Youngstown has cookie tables at celebrations.
Sun June 24: Was taken back to where I left off hiking and walked another couple miles…all the riding in cars this weekend has made my stomach a little uneasy. Met Luis this evening when I walked by we talked a bit and then I continued. About 5 minutes later Luis drove by and asked if I’d like to stay with him and his wife. Jeannine, his wife, told me that she asked Luis if he would invite Christ in if he walked by? We had a conversation about faith and growth.
Mon June 25: Walked to Milford and found the library. Spent all afternoon/evening figuring out my route thru Ohio. Camped on a couples lawn-invited in for a shower.
Tues June 26: Invited in for breakfast and then made my way to Batavia. While I was taking a break I watched a cat walk down the road ever so cautiously-when it noticed me I meowed and it sat down and meowed back, we “talked” to each other for a couple minutes before it continued on. When I got to Batavia I went to the library and was invited to stay to speak to a culinary group meeting. After emailing I found a book to read and nestled into a chair until 7pm when the group came together while fixing ice cream sundaes. J I spoke, received some donations and was invited to stay with a couple for the night. Often when I get to a library I am so absorbed that I don’t eat, so after not having eaten much and then eating ice cream with all types of fixings my stomach hurt, I’d still do it again despite the pain. J
Wed June 27: A man and his grandson pulled their truck over to ask me if I was training for the AT-when I told him what I was doing he hopped out and asked me bunches of questions. It makes me smile when people almost don’t believe me that I’m walking across the country, but if they talk about the AT & I say I’ve thru hiked it then they believe me, it somehow give me legitimacy. While working the Buckeye trail I lost the trail and was on a road going to town-I realized if I stayed on the road I’d get to town and be able to catch the trail again. Walking by a Wesleyan Church two men inquired where I was headed. We talked awhile and then was invited to Bible study this evening-the one guy invited me to stay with his family and that he’d pick me up to take me to church cause I’d be walking near where he lives.
Thurs June 28: It was drizzling so I thought it’d be nice to get to sleep in a barn-normally I just put my tent up, but I knew it’d be a damp night. A farmer, Jerry, showed me to his barn and let me sleep on a wagon. What a peaceful night-I strung my stuff out to dry and enjoyed staying dry while the rain poured down.
Fri June 29: Stopped by a log cabin country store. The owner, Jim, has offered to let me use a shower in the back, but I actually feel clean because of the rain and cool temp. Am I foolish to pass it up? J Walking in a drizzle a minivan stopped and offered to have me wait out the rain in their barn, I stayed dry while three bouts of rain passed thru and had the comforting smell of hay while petting horses and learning the details of the horses and their care. The owner told me how she’d dye their manes and tails for shows, well one time it accidentally came out purple-she couldn’t get some of it out so the horse now has a bad dye job and some clumps of the tail are missing. J I walked by a drive-in movie and decided it’d be a neat treat, propped up my pack with my sticks, rolled out my sleeping pad and got permission to camp there after the movie.
Sat June 30: Picked some blackberries along the road into town. I went to church and met Father; before I could even fully explain what I was doing he said that I could share with the parishioners at mass. I never know what to expect, it is so nice to have such a positive enthusiastic response! After mass I went home with a couple from church, Ron and Pat.
