Day 122

I slept well and woke up with the sun. I packed up and got ready for a very exciting day. From doing research, I knew about a sign that marks the halfway point of America between New York and San Francisco. It’s not exactly my halfway point but it’s close enough and it’s a cool landmark so for me it’s like my unofficial halfway marker. 
First things first, I saw a silo and I had to climb it. I got up to the top and did some morning reflecting and got down pretty quickly. It was a little more dangerous up there than I thought it would be. It was a good start to the day. I was feeling good. It was actually cool enough to wear a jacket when I started. I had good music playing and was just in a great mood. 
I made it to Lewis where I had a package waiting for me at the post office. It was a solar powered charger that a wonderful TAM mom bought for me. Thanks Dawn!!! I opened it like a present and played with it before I left the building. I noticed the flag was flying half staff. I assumed it was for the police officers in Dallas. 
Went across the street to a store called The Corner Store and grabbed a sandwich and some green tea. I got mentally prepared for the rest of the day and set out for it. 
I did 2 interviews over the phone while walking. One was for the radio back in Delaware where I started. He was doing a follow-up. The second interview was for drugrehabs.com or something. I need to check that. I’ll post when it comes out. After talking to them I called my dad, my brother, and my grandfather. I also talked to my other brother later in the day. It was cool to catch up. Especially since this was my big halfway point day!
It took a while but I finally made it into Kinsley. The town with the sign. The sign is on the far end of town so I had to go through town first. I was trying to play it cool like I wasn’t all that excited about it. I went to eat at a little country cooking restaurant and filled up on dinner. Even though it was pretty early. Like 2 pm. I ate and then went to pay and they told me it was on the house. They had seen my signs on my stroller and thought it was a good cause. I tipped the waitress and thanked everyone. 
Walked through town. The town that I’d looked at on googlemaps a million times. Dreaming of this sign. Hoping I made it. Fantasizing about seeing it in person. I got really close and started to get chills. I had no idea that I would actually be this excited. It all hit me out of nowhere. I was still trying to contain my excitement though. At least until I was actually there. 
I get to the area and was looking all around and couldn’t see it. I started to wonder if it was all a huge joke. Then there it was! Oh. My. God. There is was!!!!!!!
I stopped dead in my tracks. I took my own personal time with the sign. First by staring at it in awe for a few minutes and then going up closer and closer until I finally touched it. People were definitely around but I didn’t care. I hugged the crap out of the pole and didn’t let go. I couldn’t let go. I wanted to hold on to that feeling forever. I finally had enough of being weird. I’m sure people were like wtf. 
I went to go get Lieutenant Dan and take pictures. I took a million. I sat down under it and thought about domino. I sent her a message through the air that I’m sure she’ll get soon. Letting her know that I made it and I missed her. Then I had a moment with Brittany. I grabbed my keychain photo of her and held it and did that whole thing. Even the good kind of grieving is tough but it still felt good to have done something to make her proud. 
I finally got up and moved on. There was a little museum next to it and I hoped that they had souvenirs. They did. I grabbed some stuff and walked around the free museum. I was exhausted after all that. There was a motel in the same parking lot. Even though the museum lady said she’d let me stay at her house, I chose to go to the hotel. I wanted to sleep. After 31 miles yesterday and a lot of excitement today I needed rest. 
I got checked in and couldn’t wind down. It was relaxing but I didn’t rest much. Great day but a rough night’s sleep….