Day 62– Friday the 13th–2 months

Ate a hearty breakfast at the hotel and packed up all of my stuff to get ready of 4 nights of sleeping in my tent off the side of the road. I wanted to be prepared so that it would go as smoothly as possible. Before I left, I got on the computer at the hotel to run through my route just one more time. Good thing that I did because Friday the 13th just threw something my way.

I noticed that my route went through a Navy base and that there were restricted roads. I don’t know how I didn’t see this before. I had no choice but to completely change plans. At first I was bothered by this. The only other way was to take busier roads with no shoulders. I asked the front desk clerk some questions about the roads and chose what I thought was the best route.

One good thing about it was that it brings me through towns with hotels and restaurants. It’s always nice to have those options. Especially since the weather is crazy out here. I finished making my 4 day plan while I had the benefit of having a computer and headed out.

The road that I was worried about wasn’t that bad. Very little traffic. This turned out to be a good switch so far! The whole day I was in the mountains. Up and down big hills but beautiful scenery. Not much happened all day really. Just walking up and down and loving the beautiful weather.

I had a funny thought cross my mind.. I wondered why people pronounce the ‘cycle’ in bicycle and motorcycle differently. This was the most entertaining thought of my day lol.

After 17 miles I was coming up to the area that I was planning on searching for a place to pop my tent up. I had seen a patch of woods on googlemaps and had confidence that I’d find something there. A couple of dogs ran into the street barking and running at me. Not in a scary way. I’ve gotten used to dogs doing this by now. I usually just tell them to go on or I stop and play with them. Just depends on how nice they are.

I heard a car approaching and when it came around the corner I made sure to wave to slow it down because the dogs were in the street. Thankfully he saw me and slowed down. He was more interested in my crazy ass with a straw hat and pushing a stroller full of crap.

He asked what was going on and I told him and he offered a place to put up my tent. I accepted because I’d much rather camp somewhere with permission. He was really cool and we hung out for a couple of hours. He showed me a natural spring that I drank from and we talked about life and also about how drugs have affected ours. He told me that he appreciated what I am walking for. I told him that I appreciated the campsite and the company.

I was blown away by how perfectly today went considering that I had no idea I was even going this way until right before I started walking. I also realized how lucky that I am to be able to be on this quest. It may be hard at times but I am just starting to realize that I am going to get so much out of this. And what it even better is that I believe that many other people will as well. How awesome is that!?

I just feel lucky.

Happy Friday the 13th!