Day 72 and 73

I took yesterday off and so did Chris. We split the hotel for another night and took it easy all day. I went to Walmart and resupplied. I also called the newspaper in Salem and they did a story on me and Chris. The staff at the hotel were all amazing!!! They gave us donations and they called Applebee’s and got us free dinner. They helped us plan ahead and gave us a few snacks to hit the road with when we left. I was very impressed by everyone I met in Salem.

….

This morning I was moving very slowly. I knew that I had to walk 20 miles and was dreading it today. I couldn’t get motivated at all. Chris went ahead of me a little bit. I wanted to hang back and go at a slower pace. My whole body hurt.

After breakfast and goodbyes I left the hotel and had about 4 miles on the busy highway 50 with a tiny shoulder. It was hell. I finally got off of 50 and onto back roads and it helped my mood but not my body. I just couldn’t get there today. I considered popping my tent up right there and staying there forever. I decided to keep going instead. Rotting away in a tent in Odin, IL just didn’t seem to be in my cards…

Around the 10 mile mark, I was really fading and needed a break bad. I was running low on water and saw a church on my map up ahead. I was planning on going there and filling up with water from the garden hose and sitting in the shade for a break. Just before I got there, I passed by a woman in her front yard. She gave me a look that said she was interested in knowing what the heck she was looking at so I told her that I am walking across America.

She was very nice and asked a few questions. I asked her for water and she was happy to help with that. I posed for a quick picture so she could tell her friends and went on to the church. I found a picnic area that was covered. Heaven. I sat there for a good hour eating and stretching and doing phone stuff.

After that I started to feel a little better. I had to get back onto 50 for a mile before coming to the next side road. Being mentally prepared for it, it wasn’t that bad this time. I sped through it and got to the side road as quickly as I could. I took a shortcut through a field via a small overgrown 4×4 path. I loved it. I had a moment of true happiness as I was rolling through the high grass and Domino just strolling right along side me. At that point the day had totally turned around. It was beginning to look great.

I pushed ahead and rain clouds were looking pretty nasty ahead. I sped up because I saw a house ahead that I was hoping would let me stand on their porch until the storm passed. I got there and the storm never hit. Must’ve gone around me.

I kept going and was getting close to where I wanted to try to camp for the night. I was getting into a state park property and a Ranger passed by and asked about the cart. I told him about the walk and the cause and asked about camping. He gave me a few options but they were too far for my fragile feet so I asked nicely for a spot a little closer with shelter from the rain that is supposed to hit really bad tonight and tomorrow morning. He came up with a spot for me and told me I’d be ok for the night but to pack up by 8 am when the next shift comes on.

I was so thankful! At that point I could’ve walked to Africa. I gained a pep in my step knowing that I had a place to camp with permission. It took a while to get there but I was excited when I saw the shelter. There was a note waiting for me and the sun was starting to set over the lake from across the parking lot. This was amazing. I couldn’t have been happier. Especially after such a rough start to the day.

I made some really good tacos and the Ranger came back to check on me and make sure I settled in ok. We walked for quite a while and I enjoyed the company. He left and I ate my dinner and set up my bed for the night. I’m in great spirits before going to bed and hopefully I can keep it up because I’ll need it for the rainy day tomorrow.

Buenos noches!!!