Thursday, June 19, 2014

The first steps...

The first day back on the roll I was so anxious to get going I disregarded the hottest day of the season, didn't change out of my thick cotton work pants, began walking at noon as the heat of the day began to cook. The first thing we did was walk fifty yards to the nearest shade tree. We were there for only a moment when a woman came across the road to ask our purpose. A sister of advocacy she (her name was Gypsy) wore a shaved head in honor of her family members who were cancer survivors. The doubt I had about starting in the heat of the day was lightened my her enthusiasm and started the journey on a very positive note. The day , though hot and miserable was filled with good folks bringing us water, even a salad and a bit of chicken for Nice (the dog). We walked from noon until well past dark covering over ten miles and passing three towns as we walked North on SR31. A friend gave us a ride to retrieve the van. I parked at a truck truck-stop by the expressway, got a few hours of sleep in the hot van with door open so I could have a warm breeze as I lay in my own sweat.(glorious!)
All of the water we drank that first day and the frequent shade saved us from overheating, but the second day I only waked a short distance to Henryville from Memphis to Budroe's Bus Stop Restaurant ,where they let me stay at the edge of the parking lot thru the heat of the day. It takes some time to get used to resting in the ninety degree heat. I was able to rest but sleep didn't come until darkness fell. After about two hours sleep the local patrol came to check on me (doors flung open while I slept). By 2AM I was ready to walk and so was Nice (the dog), he will walk all night, but once the heat rises with the sun it is back to shade-hopping. Weasel it to Scottsburrg and spent the day by the city lake/park after some nice ladies got me back to get the van. Even with the heat I was able to nap a few hours until the heat began to subside. Then I deflated the world, put it in the van and took a ride to the nearby WallyWorld for supplies. On the way back I stopped at the laundry to was a load of close and met a nice family who live next door who let met park for the night. With and extension cord I am now laying in relative comfort with a fan blowing on us.
The lesson I reaped fromthe first day was to get the walking done before the heat becomes overwhelming. If I can now get another nap and get going early again I will hopefully get to our next stop before the sun gets too much.
It is good I didn't think about the heat the day I began, I may not have started at all had I not forced myself to take those first steps.









8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Erik, if you r coming thru Southern Delaware contact me thru the American discovery trail web site. I'm the state coordinator for Delaware. Serinda Conner

Unknown said...

I saw you just an hour ago in Scottsburg... I had to Google you. If I hadn't been on my way to work I would have probably stopped and asked you about the world you were pushing around. Now I know and I wish you safety traveling. Be careful in the heat. Where will you be traveling through today?

Unknown said...

My husband just passed you in netween Seymour and Columbus Indiana! He is out working so couldn't snap a photo!

Unknown said...

Just passed you on US31 half hour past Scottburg. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I just saw you in reddington indiana. I believe what your doing is amazing. I googled you as soonas I saw you. Good luck and safe trips. Stay hydrated and god bless you.

Anonymous said...

Erik, I saw you this morning in Columbus Indiana as I drove to work. I called my wife to tell her about this big earth being push by a guy down the road. She looked online and found you. So strange to see you and find out about your cause. Just this June 9th my 16 month old son (Jacob) went to the hospital after a normal check up at the doctor. He was diagnosed with diabetes. A life changing event that happened so quickly. We are still getting use to the everything and have a lot to learn in the coming months. Keep the ball rolling. Brett.

Paula said...

Welcome to Columbus, Indiana. It was nice to see you walking for a great cause

Unknown said...

Erik, my wife and I saw you east of Columbus on our way to work this morning and I saw your parking spot this evening. If you need a shaded place to park your van and plug in on 46 just past the Bartholomew-Brown County line, let me know.