Day 54

Woke up early and left a note saying thank you on the door of the fire house. It was pretty cold but I still have most of my cold weather clothes so I was prepared. Stayed on country roads for the first half of the day. Nothing exciting happened there..

I came up to a point where I had to make a decision. My original itinerary had me getting on hwy 50 for a while to connect to the next section of county roads. I have not been a fan of 50 for the last few days. I had the option to turn the other way and go farther out of my way to stay on the back roads. I also had the choice of taking the railroad tracks.

If I was traveling with a backpack I wouldn’t have thought twice about hopping on the tracks. I’ve loved walking on train tracks since I was a little kid. It’s pretty stupid to try it with a huge stroller full of junk.

So I was on the railroad tracks bouncing along, and I came upon a bridge that I had to cross. I knew there weren’t any trains coming that morning because I’d seen some workers on the tracks a few miles back. I also didn’t care. I had an escape plan just in case. I went across and came upon the next road and got off the tracks and went out of my to get back on the back roads. Lieutenant Dan just can’t handle the tracks.

Things were going smoothly. It was chilly and gloomy all day but never rained. After about 10 miles I was approaching a small town and had no choice but to get on 50. It was not very busy so it helped. I made it to the town and stopped at Lumberjacks bar and grill for some water and tacos. It’s cinco De mayo and I couldn’t refuse some tacos.

I was the only one when I walked in and ordered and started eating. Then about 5 huge trucker type guys come in and are talking loud and I started to eat faster. Then 2 other people came in. A guy and a girl. They both had dread locks and had the hippie look down pat. Way better. My kind of people. Mike and Paula.

We started talking and my walk came up and when I said that I am doing it for my sister who died of an overdose, Paula started crying. I don’t want to put too much out there but she also had a very personal loss. We talked and hugged and cried and they offered for me to come to their home. I really wanted to but I knew I’d never leave if I did and I really wanted to get much farther before the end of the day.

It was one of those times where it makes you think that things do happen for a reason. I had to keep moving. As I walked on, I started to think about Brittany and the grief was strong. I think I’ve learned that you can’t walk the pain away. I knew that before but I guess I kind of hoped that it would work. Then I thought the other people I know that are walking for the death of a loved one this year.

Phil who is running across America for his mother and Maria who is hiking the Appalachian trail for her sister. That’s a lot of miles over grief….

I hop on 50 because I just didn’t care anymore and even with the close calls I just kept walking. I wasn’t going to let it get to me today. I was getting close to 18 miles and I just wanted to get to my destination. I was planning on staying at a state park on the other side of North Vernon, Indiana.

I came into North Vernon and called the newspaper to see if I can get a story and he said he’d do it if I called him in the morning. I need reminders please! Message me tomorrow morning to call the paper so that I remember!!

The welcome to North Vernon sign had the mayor’s name and it is Mike Ochs. I busted out laughing. North Vernon was nice. A big town compared to what I’ve seen the last few days. Just on the other side was the state park. I can’t say the name of it. Just look at the picture above. I got in and set up and that was that.

I’ll take advantage of the shower tomorrow and try to make it to Seymour where I may take a day off. Or not. Who knows!!