Mon May 14:  I took last week off to go home, give some talks and come back on the trail today.  My car broke down last week so I am very glad to be back on my reliable feet. J Janice brought me to Ferne Clyffe to meet John O’Dell (IL Coordinator), 2 Westbound ADT hikers, 2 journalists and Darrel (trail maintainer).  We talked with the reporters and then had lunch together in Goreville.  Day hiked w/Janice and Oliver then Janice dropped me off at Mt. Hebron Church where I last left off and walked till dusk.  Saw a snapping turtle.

Tues May 15:  Camped last night next to a stream, slept on a bed of sand. J  I am really enjoying the River-to-River trail.  It goes by many neat things, waterfalls, lakes, bluffs; natural arch-it is especially nice to have so much time in the woods.  A storm came thru and soaked me-the trail turned into a stream and its muddy once again.  It also hailed!

Wed May 16: Walked to my Aunt Joan and Uncle Mike.  It’s been a fun walk today, remembering how much time I spent in this area as a kid.  Walked down a road that my Dad and Uncle used to mud on-lots of memories.  Daisies are blooming and honeysuckle smells sweet.  My Aunt made some delicious food.  She’s a superb cook!

Thurs May 17:  Walked to Trigg Tower-continued on and then circled around to come back because I couldn’t get cell coverage elsewhere.  Uncle Mike is picking me up and will drop me back off in the a.m.

Fri May 18:  The trail is easier to walk on than last week because it is drying out.  Went up to Crow Knob and found a perfect place to lie on the rocks and nap. J This place was where freed slaves came to church after their church burnt down.  It’s neat to think of all the praise, prayers and love offered to God here.  John picked me up and brought me to his house.

Sat May 19:  I walked thru Lusk Creek and John met me on the other side.  John showed me a statue of Indian Tecumseh (Shawnee) and had a beautiful message.

The Teaching of Tecumseh

“The Panther Passing Across”

can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about his religion.

Respect others in their views and demand

that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life,

beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and of service to your People.

Prepare a noble death song for the day

you go over the Great Divide.

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing

a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.

When you rise in the morning give thanks for the light,

for your life, for your strength.

Give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks,

the fault is in yourself.

Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes the wise ones

turn to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When your time comes to die,

be not like those whose hearts are filled

with the fear of death, so when their time comes,

they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives

over again in a different way.

Sing your death song like a hero going home.

Sun May 20:  Went to church w/John, Marilee and their granddaughter.  Went on a day hike w/John and a couple who are visiting from Germany.

Mon May 21:  Garden of the Gods J

Tues May 22:  Am now on roads and boy is it hot w/out the shade of the woods.  Am sleeping in someone’s yard.  One of the sons came out to talk to me and then later as I was in my tent preparing to sleep a truck came across the yard w/the headlights shining-stopped right at my tent and a guy hollered out of his truck to me.  It was “Hot Rod” the other brother.  He surprised me, but was a nice friendly guy.

Wed May 23:  Walked into Old Shawneetown.  Had 4 dogs group together and while I was telling them to go home another 2 were coming down the block.  It’s a warm day, was happy to walk thru a gigantic sprinkler J a farmer had his sprinklers on his corn and the last spray was going on the road-it was like I had a shower!  Watched a squirrel chase a bird and then the bird flew at the squirrel-an amazing game to watch. 

Thurs May 24:  Walked to the bridge crossing the Wabash River and had John O’Dell meet me and drive me across.  The bridge is closed to pedestrians due to construction.  Went to the church and was looking for Father when I met a parishioner who invited me to stay at his house. 

Fri May 25:  Tom gave me a key so I could go in and out of the house easily.

Sat May 26:  After getting to speak for a minute before mass ended Father let me set out pictures and speak to people, and accept donations after mass.

Sun May 27:  After speaking at both masses continued walking.  Back on roads, although walking on trails is peaceful and so much to observe, I find walking on roads is a great way to interact with people, see people again and spread my mission more effectively than being on a trail.  At dusk I stopped at a house.  I set up my tent and a lady walked up to give a donation for the library.  Then the guy who allowed me to stay in his yard came out of the house with a glass of lemonade and a plate of food as well as a lawn chair to sit on! J

Mon May 28:  Woke early because the crows were being loud.  Today has been quite a day for meeting people.  Met an older woman who told me about working on a cruise ship as a singer and how she’d get to walk around the towns at each new port stop.  When in Rio she got lost and had to call the boat to have them wait.  Asked a woman, Jamie, who was outside talking to her neighbor if I’d be allowed to stay in her yard.  As Jamie was talking on the phone to her daughter she asked me if I’d like to go to her daughters to spend the night, shower and wash my clothes.  O course I said yes! J

Tues May 29:  My heart and soul are filled w/joy.  It’s so uplifting to hear Jamie tell me she understands my mission when I didn’t even explain the aspect of wanting to live my faith.  She totally understands and told me if I need anything on my way to Delaware they’ll come.  Told me when she met me (because her mom rescues stray cats, spays them and then releases them) that whatever her mom brings home tends to stay (they have a bundle of strays) so I needed to decide if I wanted to be spayed or neutered.J I told her not to worry, I’ll be walking on again tomorrow! Got close to dusk and a man pulled over.  He invited me to walk to his house.  Dan was really excited that I decided to sleep in his yard.