Okay, that's not very likely but this Monday morning before the sunrise I am 'whooped. Sunday morning about this time I was sleeping in the van at the shell station at I-95 and US-17 when I heard an old wreck of a car pull in and park two slots over. I thought it was an employee of the store who was coming early because when I looked out my window in the dark all I saw was someone get out and he looked like he was stretching a bit before he got back in the car. I thought then that he was just napping until the store opened up. I began to get myself dressed for the day. It was frosty and cold so I took my time and I was in no hurry to get out of the van so I wouldn't disturb the man. When daylight began to break I had dressed and had a piece of fruit for breakfast and got out to fill the World with air with my camping/car lighter/ pump. Soon the man stirred and came out from the car. When I said good morning and asked How he was doing this morning he replied, "I've had better days." It seemes he wasn't working at the gas station, he had been traveling home to Jacksonville, had a tire blow-out as he approached the highway exit, was saved by hitting the guardrail and was able to drive the totaled heap of metal to the parking spot next to me. The early morning stretch I had seen was his flourish of reaction from seeing the damage. The passenger side of the car was shredded and it was miraculous that he got it to the parking lot with the rear wheel wrapped in crushed metal and listing inward. Obviously, the man had seen better days.
We talked for awhile as I prepared for the day. I offered him a phone, he had one and was waiting for his friends to wake up. I offered him money, he had money. I offered him food, he was not hungry; I wouldn't be hungry after having my life flash before my e eyes. He did take a bottle of water just in case his day became worse. Last night when I returned to retrieve my van his car was gone and I am guessing he made it home.
We had some interesting conversation in our short meeting and shared a few insights during our 'chance meeting'. A good diversion for both of us to keep our minds from the troubles of the day. My day turned out great and I hope his ended safely to his girlfriend who (what are he odds) has a nine year old daughter with type 1 diabetes.
Now the sun is edging to the horizon and I have not even wrote about my walk into Georgia, the two lane bridge with wide grating that I had to carry Nice(the dog) over. Or the warm people I met during the farthest distance I have walked in one day during this journey. I will have to walk less today and write more later. Suffice it to say, Sunday when I walked into Georgia I really felt like I was at home again.
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4 comments:
Just goes to show us that no matter how bad we got it....someone else has it just as bad or worse than us. I'm sure Nice enjoyed the trip across the bridge LOL Bet it was a little ruff for u cause he don't look so light :-)
hi erik & nice! sorry i couldn't return your call - been a little sick but reading your blog is very uplifting. very happy you made it into georgia & hopefully the weather stays clear. give nice a pat for me. keep walking & writing ... it's nice to read about your journey while at work.
rhonda, the former louisvillian.
Hello, I am from Brunswick Georgia. While driving down 303 today my boys and I were fascinated to see you walking and rolling a huge earth. My littlest one calls you "earth man"! We would like to know how you made it across the two lane bridges....there is little to no walk way? Due to curiosity I had to come home and Google you. I now know who you are and your cause. Thank you for bringing an awareness to diabetes! Be safe and I hope you enjoy your time here in Georgia!
Saw you today on highway 17. Took a quick pic driving by. Are you going to be near savannah for long. I would like to see you again and get a good photograph and spread the word. I live in Pooler ga.
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